Earlier today, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to uphold the approval of a proposed multifamily residential development in the Mid-City neighborhood, rejecting an appeal brought by a group of neighboring homeowners.

1447 S Hi Point StreetGoogle Street View

The project, which would replace a 1940s single-family home at 1447 S. Hi Point Street, calls for the construction a new five-story building featuring 20 apartments above subterranean parking for 24 vehicles.  The developer, Los Angeles-based Tov Equities, secured entitlements using Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) incentives to achieve greater height and density than allowed by the property's base zoning.  The project will include two units of deed restricted extremely low-income housing - 10 percent of the total apartments - in exchange for the bonuses.

Glendale-based architecture firm Uriu & Associates designed the apartment complex, which is depicted in a rendering and elevation plans as a contemporary podium-type structure with an exterior of stucco and wood siding.

The appellants, listed as five homeowners of an adjoining small lot subdivision, argued to the Commission that project approvals should be overturned in part due to the potential for the new building to block views from their residences, potentially decreasing property values.  Additionally, the appellants argued that the project should not be eligible for TOC incentives due to temporary service reductions on nearby bus lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, and urged more stringent environmental review of the proposed development.

1447 S Hi Point StreetGoogle Maps

A staff report recommended denial of the appeal, finding that the project adheres to local zoning rules.

The development site sits just north of the intersection of Hi Point Street and Saturn Avenue, where an empty that was once home to a collection of bright pink houses is poised for redevelopment with a 58-unit apartment complex.  Other recent projects include small lot subdivisions on properties flanking the site - including the homes of the appellants, which were built in 2015.