Earlier this year, a new entertainment-oriented office project was proposed by Bardas Investment Group for 6101-6117 W. Melrose Ave. & 713-735 N. Seward St. (the NW corner of Melrose and Seward). The building would replace a small commercial strip that is currently home to the Big Sunday non-profit headquarters and also formerly housed the old Xiomara restaurant.
The project proposal was initially opposed by the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council in July, based on concerns from nearby neighbors about the building’s height, potential noise from outdoor roof decks, and potential effects on the historic John C. Fremont library next door. But despite these concerns, it was approved by the LA City Planning Commission in August. After that vote, though, the four neighborhoods closest to the project – South Hollywood, Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and Windsor Square – formed a formal coalition to continue negotiations with the developers. And yesterday the coalition announced that, with help from the offices of local city councilmembers Paul Koretz and Mitch O’Farrell, it has reached agreements with the developers on all of its major discussion points, as detailed in this statement from Hancock Park Homeowners Association President Cindy Chvatal:
Neighborhood News! Melrose/Seward Project Update!
I am very happy to report that we have reached a favorable revised building plan and agreement with the developers of the Melrose Seward project.
Leadership representing a coalition of neighborhoods (Hancock Park, Larchmont Village, So Hollywood and Windsor Sq) along with CD5 CM Paul Koretz, CD5 Chief of Staff Joan Pelico and CD 13 CM Mitch O’Farrell worked to revise and fine tune a plan to benefit all involved.
Revised plans will include:
- Height Limit: 4 stories/58 ft height limit , with a 31 ft limit on Melrose frontage
- Coffee Shop: Will be open to the public,
- Public Art: Will not be implemented on the Melrose frontage and instead may be placed on the Seward frontage
- Outdoor Decks and Landscaping: Will provide landscaping features to act as sound buffering features on all decks.
- Vibration Monitoring: Vibration monitoring on the western frontage in areas adjacent to the John C Fremont Library and taking necessary measures to protect the building from potential vibration damage.
- Outdoor Deck Hours of Operation: 10:30pm from Saturday to Wednesday, 11:00pm on Thursday and Friday.
A HUGE thank you to all for your dedication to the community and neighborhoods. It was all of us working together that made this happen!
Cindy Chvatal-Keane
President
Hancock Park HOA
With the CPC, the neighborhood coalition, and the local City Council offices now all on board, the matter next moves to the City Council for review by its Planning and Land Use Management Committee, and then final discussions and approval from the full city council.
