At mid-day there still was no sign of a break in the logjam that has re-created Culver City’s most familiar scenario:
Ambitious builder vs. disgruntled neighbors.
It is likely that tonight’s 7 o’clock City Council meeting in Council Chambers will promptly turn into a marathon session since the appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of an Irving Place mixed-use project is at the top of the agenda.
The point of conflict:
Twenty-six condos and 3,370 square feet of office space at 4043 Irving — across the street from School District headquarters and Lin Howe School.
This already is the fourth date for a public hearing, the earlier ones having been postponed because it looked as if residents and developer Sal Gonzales might reach a compromise.
With Showdown Day at hand, though, a peaceful settlement does not appear near.
Following a series of mediation sessions, Mr. Gonzales has agreed to pare down his building. But, in return, he seeks to be compensated for his gesture by City Hall, and the most recent numbers by each side were not close.
These non-developments augur for a very late evening in Council Chambers after dozens of neighbors have poured out their feelings and Mr. Gonzales has responded before an abbreviated City Council debates the most desirable of several courses.
What makes the Council’s discussion more problematic than usual is that only four members will engage, Mayor Scott Malsin, Vice Mayor Gary Silbiger, and members Chris Armenta and Mehaul O’Leary.
Because of the location of his law office, member Andy Weissman will recuse himself.
In the event the Council breaks 2 to 2, the Planning Commission’s approval would be upheld.
Anderson Time
If you pay even vague attention to the weekly City Council meetings, you probably have seen neighborhood activist and recent Council candidate Cary Anderson.
He has voiced the criticism that seems to trouble neighbors the most.
Appearing nearly every Monday, Mr. Anderson has strongly complained about how grossly overparked his residential neighborhood — just south of Downtown — has become in recent months. A further building, he says, would only worse the daily headaches.