News Summary
The Beverly Hills City Council held a public hearing on an appeal against the planning approval of an eight-story residential building at 412 N. Oakhurst Drive. The hearing, which will be continued on August 5, 2024, raises concerns from community members, especially seniors, about potential displacement and loss of resources. The proposed building will include 52 residential units, with a portion designated as affordable housing. Rabbi Milikan filed the appeal, emphasizing the need for more community input before proceeding.
Beverly Hills – The Beverly Hills City Council held a public hearing on June 17 regarding an appeal against the Planning Commission’s approval of a new eight-story residential building located at 412 N. Oakhurst Drive. The hearing will continue on August 5, 2024, allowing for further discussion and community input concerning this controversial development.
The proposed project, on the border of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, requires approvals from both cities. Originally, the Beverly Hills Planning Commission approved the development on December 12, 2024, and it subsequently received the green light from Los Angeles city officials. The new building is set to include a total of 52 residential units, with 12 of those units designated for Beverly Hills residents. Moreover, 10 of the 52 units will be designated as affordable housing, in line with California’s density bonus laws.
In terms of parking, the project will provide two levels of subterranean parking along with a surface-level parking structure to accommodate a total of 75 spaces, 18 of which will be situated in Beverly Hills. Planned amenities for the building comprise a gym, recreational room, storage facilities, and a second-floor courtyard.
The architectural design is by Zoltan Pali, a well-known Los Angeles architect recognized for designing the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. This residential project will replace an existing three-story building, leading to considerable concern within the community, especially among current residents who are at risk of being displaced. Many of these residents are seniors who have voiced their apprehensions regarding the loss of community resources they have relied upon for years.
Elderly residents like 86-year-old Etsu Garfias emotionally illustrated the potential fallout of the project, emphasizing the community ties and resources that would be severed if the demolition proceeds. Rabbi Ruben Milikan officially filed the appeal on behalf of affected residents aiming to overturn the project’s approval. He is working to slow the development process in order to gather additional information that he believes is crucial for an informed decision.
During the public hearing, Avi Stieglitz, representing the project, expressed opposition to delaying the discussion, citing concerns related to the broader housing crisis in California that requires speedy development to meet demand. The meeting took an unexpected turn when Rabbi Milikan suffered a medical emergency while addressing a public records request related to the case. Emergency services were called, and he was subsequently rushed to the hospital.
After pausing the meeting to address the situation, Mayor Sharona Nazarian announced the continuation of the hearing will take place on August 5, accommodating Rabbi Milikan’s request for additional time to advocate for seniors affected by the project.
Upon stability after his hospitalization, Rabbi Milikan reasserted his commitment to protect the interests of seniors in Beverly Hills, reinforcing the sentiment that more comprehensive assessments are necessary before further action is taken on the project.
This ongoing debate highlights the challenges of urban development in Beverly Hills, amidst rising demands for housing and the need for community well-being. As stakeholders await the next scheduled hearing, both residents and city officials will remain engaged in discussions that balance development and the preservation of existing community ties.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press: 412 N. Oakhurst Appeal Continued in Beverly Hills
- Los Angeles Times: Beverly Hills Is Dragging Its Heels on a New Building
- Realtor.com: Lizzo & Harry Styles House Price Cut
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Beverly Hills
