After numerous continuances, USC has resolved its fight with a developer looking to build apartments on a property hugging the 110 Freeway in South Los Angeles by buying the project site.

The announcement, made at the May 8 meeting of the City Planning Commission, officially cancels plans from developer Hamid Razipour for a site at 3851 S. Grand Avenue, which had been slated for the construction of a five-story building containing 12 live/work apartments above 723 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a six-car garage.

Aerial view looking northwestDFH Architects

The development, slated for the intersection of Grand and 39th Street, relied on Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit a larger building than typically allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, one of the proposed apartments were to be set aside for rent as affordable housing at the extremely low-income level.

Both USC and MLS franchise LAFC had appealed entitlements granted for the project in 2023, including the TOC incentives. Likewise, both appellants alleged that the project would have uenxpected environmental impacts which did not receive consideration.

Aerial view looking westDFH Architects

At the crux of USC's objections was location. Specifically, the project would rise directly south of the Coliseum Sign, which is located at 3843 S. Grand Avenue. The sign has been found eligible for local historic designation due to its association with the 1984 Summer Olympics based on the character-defining feature of visibility - something which would be obstructed if the project is built. The sign also displays advertisements and announcements for events at the Coliseum and BMO Stadium, where LAFC plays.

This is not the first time Hazipour has tussled with LAFC over development in this area. The soccer team has also appealed Hazipour's similar project planned one block to the north at 38th Street and Grand Avenue, although the item has yet to be heard before the City Council's Planning and Land Use Committee since being filed in late 2023.

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