Proposed 5 Story Apartment in West LA

Source: http://planning.lacity.org/StaffRpt/InitialRpts/CPC-2014-2847.pdf

By: Chad Kim

A proposed 5 story apartment project in West LA at 1650 - 1654 S Sawtelle Boulevard near Sawtelle Japantown. 

According to the Recommendation Report regarding this proposed project, at 1650 - 1654 S Sawtelle Boulevard, is being proposed by Rexford Elegant Apartments LLC. The apartment building will stand five stories tall (~56 feet tall) with a total of 48 apartment units (4 units are for very low income households). Three level below-grade parking is also proposed which would provide a total of a minimum of 66 vehicle parking spaces. 48 long term and 5 short term bicycle parking would also be provided and up to 11 vehicle parking spaces may be substituted where each vehicle parking space can be substituted for 4 bicycle parking spaces. Then, a total of 11 vehicle parking spaces can be substituted for 44 bicycle parking spaces (ratio 1:4) which would result in a minimum of 66 vehicle parking spaces. In addition, the project will at a minimum provide 5,588 square feet of open space. 

The project site is comprised of two lots with a total of about 12,610 square feet. The square footage of the proposed apartment building is about 42,152 square feet. The project necessitates a Vesting Zone Change from Commercial Zone to Residential/Accessory Services Zone. The developer is also looking to gain density bonus through the Density Bonus Affordable Housing Incentives vis-a-vis the 4 units reserved for very low income households for a period of 55 years. ​Through this, the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) would increase resulting in the increase from 31,224 square feet to the aforementioned 42,152 square feet. Also through the density bonus, the height of the building would be 56 feet compared to what would have been originally permitted without the density bonus (45 feet tall). If the project is approved, two existing buildings, a 1 story commercial building and a 2 story apartment building, will need to be demolished.The closest bus stop, at Santa Monica Blvd & Sawtelle Blvd., is about 0.07 mile which is served by LA Metro and Big Blue Bus. 

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Source: Google Maps