Proposals from two non-profit developers to build new supportive housing in Venice and Boyle Heights have received approval of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission.
In a unanimous vote, Commissioner's voted in support of the Lincoln Avenue Apartments, a proposed development from Venice Community Housing Corporation. The Venice-based non-profit developer proposes to build a four-story, 40-unit apartment building at 2467-2471 Lincoln Boulevard which would cater to transition-aged youth and chronically homeless persons. The project would also include the preservation and continued use of a small building that is home to the organization Safe Place for Youth, as well as on-site supportive services.
Studio One Eleven is designing the contemporary low-rise structure, which will offer a mix of studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. A ground-level setback will be used to create a new plaza fronting Lincoln Boulevard, while additional open space would be provided via yards and an interior courtyard. The height of the apartment complex would step down toward an adjacent residential neighborhood.
The roughly $20-million development is funded in part by Measure HHH.
While the project faced no formal appeal, the project faced staunch opposition from parents of children at an elementary school which abuts the development site, who argued that the clients of Safe Place for Youth - which provides supportive services for homeless youth - have left hypodermic needles and human waste in the surrounding neighborhood
Several commissioners expressed sympathy for the concerns expressed by the parents, but also noted that those issues were unrelated to an as-yet unbuilt housing development.
In a less contentious vote, the Commission approved plans from East L.A. Community Corp. and Bridge Housing Corp. for a similar supportive housing project more than 14 miles away in Boyle Heights.
The Los Lirios apartments, slated for a Metro-owned property adjacent to a subway station at 1st and Soto Streets, calls for the construction of a five-story building featuring 64 apartments above 2,443 square feet of ground-floor retail space and subterranean parking for 50 vehicles.
The mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are to be reserved for homeless individuals and low-income households earning at or below 30 and 50 percent of the area median income.
Gonzalez Goodale is designing the contemporary low-rise building, which would incorporate open spaces such as a courtyard, a roof terrace, and a gym. The building would open onto the plaza of the adjacent light rail station.
Construction is anticipated to begin in 2020 and conclude sometime in 2021, according to an environmental study published by the City of Los Angeles.
- 2467-2471 Lincoln Boulevard (Urbanize LA)
- Los Lirios Apartments (Urbanize LA)
