A single-story commercial building near the intersection of Fairfax and Melrose Avenues could be redeveloped with apartments, according to plans submitted yesterday to the City of Los Angeles.

The project site, located at 731-735 N. Fairfax Avenue, is improved with a 1930s structure that has been heavily modified.  Plans call for razing to the building to make way for a five-story development which would feature 43 apartments, of which four would be set aside as affordable housing at the extremely low-income level.

Applicant David Safai is looking to entitle the property with Transit Oriented Communities affordable housing incentives, including increases in density and height, and reducing the amount of required on-site parking to 22 spaces.  However, Safai indicates that the project will in fact include 40 parking stalls.

City records indicate that the project is being designed by Sawtelle-based Plus Architects.

Nearby at the intersection of Melrose and Spaulding Avenue, plans were filed last year to replace a car wash with a three-story development featuring apartments and ground-floor retail.

In December, a similar five-story development was completed at 639 N. Fairfax Avenue.