Venice Community Housing boasts in their latest newsletter of recent attention received in the press: “New lawsuit aims to stop LA leaders from further “thwarting” Venice homeless housing project” while sharing misinformation about us: “… as its opposition continually failed to stall its progress”.
We’d like to remind the developers it was only through the Coalition’s legal actions that the necessary approval steps were flagged and now must be completed.
This is a direct result of our legal efforts and a big “success” for us as we continue to hold the City and developers accountable. The “failure” is on the City and the developers for trying to push the Venice Dell project through without full transparency and without required approvals.
Had it not been for our lawsuit, they might have gotten away with it.
Here’s an example of what we called to light, in a direct quote from the transcript for our DDA case:
5-5-24 Trial Transcript- Judge Chalfant:
Judge Chalfant is referring to Ken Husting, Principal Transportation Engineer for DOT, as the PMK (“Person Most Knowledgeable”), who the Coalition deposed to learn what was behind this avoidance of required City review.
Mr. Husting revealed that since we brought our lawsuit, all similar projects now go to the City Transportation Commission (CTC) for review and approval- a complete change in the city’s pattern and practice.
2-6-24 Transcript, Ken Husting Deposition:
Q- Coalition Lawyer
A- Ken Husting
As a result of our lawsuit, the infeasible proposed parking tower (wrapped inside the project’s housing units) must now be reviewed by the board of transportation commissioners at the CTC. Through this process we’ll finally see the plans for what is actually being proposed for the public parking garage (as opposed to the original proposed parking plans that were approved by City Council even though the City already knew they would never be used).
Where we are at this juncture-
When the developers have one of the largest law firms in the country working for them pro-bono, costs aren’t an issue. On the other hand, as a small community group we must be realistic and cost conscious in looking to the most efficient use of our time and resources. It simply wasn’t practical to take on more of a financial burden by continuing the CEQA appeal.
Since as a result of our lawsuits the project will now receive the scrutiny required, we feel it’s best to redirect our attention to the next steps in the process.
Our first opportunity to be heard, on what we expect the CTC will find is a costly, unworkable beach parking structure, will be coming soon.
After that we’ll also have a chance to return to Council to comment on that pesky “re-use analysis” (prepared by the City’s consultant but never shared with Council or the public) with the suspicious land value appraisal. And of course, we still have Coastal Commission!
We’re counting on our supporters for massive community input when it’s time!
We’ll update you with all the information as we get it and will provide “talking points” for writing in or commenting at the CTC hearing.
We anticipate these next steps will happen quickly and need everyone standing by to jump into action with us! Together we are – Venice strong!
With appreciation,
The Team at Safe Coastal Development