A controversial proposal to construct a residential-retail development in Playa del Rey received sign-offs from the City of Los Angeles earlier this year, but now faces an appeal to the L.A. City Planning Commission.

Legado Del Mar, a project of the Beverly Hills-based Legado Companies, would bring a low-rise apartment complex to a currently vacant property at 138 E. Culver Boulevard.  Approved plans call for the construction of a four-story structure featuring 72 residential units above 7,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and basement parking for 123 vehicles.

Oakes Architects is designing the low-rise development, which would offer a mix of one- and two-bedroom units between 684 and 1,253 square feet in size.

According to the Argonaut, the project has drawn staunch opposition from residents in Westchester and Playa del Rey, who have argued against the project's scale relative to surrounding properties.  Additionally, questions have been raised by Councilmember Mike Bonin's office over potentially contaminated groundwater at the Legado Del Mar site.

The appeal of project approvals is scheduled for consideration later this month by City Planning Commission, with appellants arguing against its scale, density, and potential traffic impacts.  A staff report recommends that the commission deny the appeal.