Stark Enterprises (yes, really) has taken another step forward in its effort to replace a Beverly Grove car wash with apartments, with the publication this week of the project's proposed mitigated negative declaration. 

The five-story development, which would rise at 431 N. La Cienega Boulevard, would offer 72 rental apartments - including studio, one-, and two-bedroom units.  Plans call for setting aside 11 percent of the total apartments as affordable housing at the very-low-income level.

Santa Monica-based KFA Architecture is designing the project, which is being called Solstice.  Renderings show a contemporary low-rise structure.

Stark Enterprises expects to construct the project over the course of 18 months.  A timeline has not been announced.

Solstice was initially planned as a larger six-story building featuring 96 apartments and ground-floor retail space, but was cut down in scale earlier this year.