At its meeting scheduled for later today, the South Valley Area Planning Commission is scheduled to consider an appeal seeking to block the construction of Califa - the latest Warner Center development from California Home Builders.
The project, which was approved in June, calls for razing a one-story church at 21300 Califa Street to make way for the construction of a mixed-use complex consisting of multifamily housing and commercial office space
The proposal would be built in two phases, the first of which would consist of a seven-story edifice containing 194 dwelling units, eight hotel rooms, and street-fronting commercial uses. Three levels of parking would be located beneath the building, providing a total of 317 vehicle stalls.
The second phase of construction would consist of a 22-story, 327-foot-tall office building containing more than 192,000 square feet of occupiable space. A four-level, partially-subterranean garage with 234 vehicle stalls would be located at the foot of the building.
Architecture firm Newman Garrison + Partners - a frequent collaborator with California Home Builders - is designing the project.
The appellant, the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, is a frequent opponent of new developments in the Warner Center area. Its appeal of the Califa Street project alleges that the approved plans are inconsistent with both the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan and other zoning rules for the area, and should be subjected to additional review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Additionally, the appeal argues that California Home Builders should be required to pay additional fees for mobility improvements and cultural amenities in Warner Center, and request that the Commission require that the project include affordable housing and use prevailing wage labor.
A staff report disputes the claims made by the labor union, and recommends that the Planning Commission should deny the appeal and uphold the existing determination letter for the project.
The Califa Street project is one of more than a half-dozen Warner Center developments from California Home Builders, all of which consist primarily of market-rate housing.
