At its meeting yesterday, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to reject an appeal of a proposed multifamily residential developments in Echo Park, upholding the approval of projects which would rise from a hillside property south of Dodger Stadium.

Rendering of 1251 Sunset BoulevardMaly Architects

The first, which would rise next to Guisados at 1251 Sunset Boulevard, calls for razing the 1920s Stires Staircase Bungalow Court to clear the way for the construction of a pair of seven-story building featuring 70 studio and one-bedroom apartments and 38 parking spaces in a two-level podium.

Project applicant Aym Investment, LLC secured approvals for the project using Transit Oriented Communities development incentives, which permitted a larger structure than otherwise allowed by zoning rules in exchange for the provision of affordable housing. While plans had originally called for eight units to be set aside for rent at below market rates, the developer has since increased that total to 10 units of extremely low-income affordable housing and 4 units of "workforce" housing.

Architect Farzin Maly is designing the contemporary podium-type apartment complex.

While the project was approved by the Director of Planning in August 2021, its entitlements were appealed to the City Planning Commission by neighboring resident Richard Courtney, who argued that the project violates local land use regulations, will result in a loss of affordable housing, and destroy a historic property.

1251 Sunset Boulevard. Image via Google Maps.

A staff report notes that the existing buildings have been vacant for more than two years following an Ellis Act eviction, and all of the existing units are to be replaced with low, very low-, and extremely low-income affordable housing. Additionally, while the property had been considered for landmark status, the Los Angeles City Council ultimately voted against designating the bungalow court as a Historic-Cultural Monument.