STUDIO CITY : Planning Panel Says Building Is Too Tall
How much difference can 14 inches make?
A whole lot if it’s on top of a building in Studio City.
The Los Angeles Planning Commission on Thursday denied a company’s request to keep a 14-inch parapet on its building, saying the decoration violates the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan because it increased the building’s height from 33 feet to 34 feet, 2 inches.
The Planning Department, which monitors the Specific Plan, approved Zentac Investment’s original building-improvement proposal, which set the height at 33 feet, hearing examiner Michael Davies said. Zentac later changed the plans, and the Department of Building and Safety apparently issued a building permit without alerting the Planning Department of the design change, he said.
Commissioners called for a review of such procedures between the two departments. But regardless of who was at fault, the parapet violates the Specific Plan and should be removed, the commission ruled in a 3-2 vote.
Ira Handleman, a consultant representing Zentac, said the firm will appeal to the City Council. If the council upholds the planners’ decision, Building and Safety would order the parapet removed, Davies said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
