A note from the editor:
We are indebted to the Sunkist Park activist Bonnie Wacker for the following exchange of opinions between engaged parties on the heatedly disputed Entrada Tower development project. With Ms. Wacker’s help, the case provides an instructive lesson in how concerned persons, acting separately and collectively, can make a difference in the quality of daily life in Culver City. Because of her role in last spring’s South Sepulveda Boulevard folly, she received an email yesterday from George Young of Culver City. Here is the timeline: On Sunday, Mr. Young received an email from his son Scott, majoring in architecture, telling of a letter he received from a Culver City activist about the dimensions of the Entrada Tower. In the third piece of correspondence, Scott Young shared with his father his response to the activist. When Ms. Wacker received the three pieces, she was so impressed she sent them to the newspaper very early this morning.
George Young’s letter:
I grew up in Culver City, live on Greenlawn between Sepulveda and the high school football field since 1979, and own rental units and
properties in Culver City.
My son is an Architectural student.
in San Diego right now, and
I just got this from him. I know your concerns for Sepulveda Boulevard
development, and agree with them.
I thought I’d pass this along to you.
I’m sure you are aware of this, but wanted to be extra sure. Michelle
(in this letter) is also a Culver High grad attending school in San
Diego.
Letter from Michelle the activist to Scott Young:
Dear friends and neighbors:
I know some of you may no longer be living in Culver, but if you have
friends or family still living there please read below:
If you are tired of the horrible traffic and overdevelopment along
Sepulveda, Lincoln and nearly all major roads into and out of our
communities, please do a small part and publicly oppose the “Entrada
Office Tower,” a massive office building proposed to be built next to the Radisson Hotel near the intersection of Sepulveda, Jefferson and Centinela.
The developer of the project is seeking permission to exceed
by more than 300% the current zoning restrictions, which limit buildings in that area to 56 feet in height, in addition to other variances.
The tower is proposed to be twice as tall and wide as the Radisson itself, at 220 feet in height. It is to be accompanied by a parking
structure, that will hold over 1,200 vehicles.
Though the tower is proposed for an area technically within the boundaries of Culver City, the traffic and other impacts it will generate are not. Because of its massive size, it will be visible from miles away, and the increased congestion it will cause will be felt by residents of Culver City, Westchester, Westport Heights, Playa Vista, Playa del Rey and likely beyond.
There simply is no line at the border
that shields those who live outside Culver City from the effects of this
project. In fact, the draft Environmental Impact Report for the project, required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has already concluded that even with mitigation measures, “the project would have significant and unavoidable impacts in the following areas:
Operational air quality, cultural resources, noise and traffic.”
We are the community.
Under CEQA, Culver City must specifically address our views and objections in deciding whether to give the developer the variances it is asking for, and must do so in writing in the final Environmental Impact Report.
Take the time to draft a letter, giving your reasons for opposing the project. The more objections Culver City receives, the better. Give some facts about driving along Sepulveda,
Lincoln, Jefferson and Centinela and the major east-west roads major
— what it’s like to feel locked in to our neighborhoods by the
congestion on these arterial streets.
Tell Culver City what you think
about the aesthetics of the proposed tower, how it looks even on
paper, what it will feel like to see and drive by, how it will change
the character of our largely residential communities.
All of these things are relevant under CEQA, and this is one time where our feelings may actually count.
It is important to begin expressing our objections now. The Entrada
Office Tower, at 6161 Centinela Ave., is just the beginning.
Many massive structures may be proposed for this “redevelopment” area in the southern-most part of Culver City . One-story buildings east and west of the 405 Freeway, in the area of Albertson’s, Marshalls and the Fox Hills Mall, may be next on the block for redevelopment way beyond current zoning restrictions.
Each such project individually would significantly deteriorate the traffic condition on the Sepulveda corridor and the notoriously congested 405 near LAX, and on alternate roads.
Cumulatively, the impact would be unbearable.
Provided below is the contact information for public comments, as well as a link to the Culver City website containing the draft EIR and other information relevant to the Entrada Office Tower .
Sherry Jordan,
Senior Planner
9770 Culver Blvd.,
Planning Division,
Culver City, CA 90232-0507
Your comments may also be sent by fax: 310.253.5721.
Comments may be sent by e-mail to: sherry.jordan@culvercity.org.
All comments must be received by 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2008.
Link to the Entrada Draft EIR –
http://www.culvercity.org/articles/articles.asp?id=237
If you have any further questions or would like me to email you a ready- made letter. You can reach me at 310.413.6634 or myoung849@yahoo.com
Thank you for your time,
Michelle
Scott Young’s response:
I have lived in Culver City my entire life, and even now I still call it home. I was raised there and went to all of the schools in Culver City, and even now I have a close attachment to home.
I am currently attending
a private architecture school in downtown San Diego, and have been for the past two, going on three years.
I have seen the impact of high rises on various communities, especially here in downtown, and I have been learning a lot about what they do to various places in terms of the quality of the surrounding environment and everything.
I am not opposed to high rises. In fact, I am in the process of designing one for my Studio Class. However, I don't feel that they fit well in Culver City, especially when (so I have heard) the height limit on the property where this building is proposed is supposed to be 50- something feet.
I don't care if you had one of the most famous architects in the world designing this. It does not fit in this location. If it were some place in the
heart of Los Angeles, in a downtown district where zoning has consistently allowed for high rises, I wouldn't oppose it.
But this building will, if it gets built be a major eyesore to the entire
community.
I know when I drive home (from San Diego), I enjoy seeing the hills and green of the land, unobstructed by major high rises and for the most part hotels, as I drive in along the 405.
I really despise anything that
would take away from that.
Culver City is a smaller community.
It is not a major downtown area like in Los Angeles or San Diego. Besides, the traffic is already horrendous enough without the added troubles that this massive building will add.
I understand it’s all about money, and that it could increase the income, revenue, whatever, for Culver City.
But there are good ways to increase the city’s income, and this is not
one of them, in my opinion.