Dear Editor,
As many of you probably know, the state requires Culver City to build 3341 units by 2029. Obviously, our community has been targeted by the Culver City government to absorb most of the 3341 units because they designated the south side of Slauson for 100 units/acre. The city knew that developers would flock to an area where there is a high density designation and developers did just that, with five proposals THUS FAR, and a high likelihood with more to come.
As of November, 2024:
– 5700 Hannum= 309 units
– 5757 Uplander Way= 1106 units TOTAL UNITS: 2941 UNITS
– 5730 Uplander Way= 329 units
– 100 Corporate Pointe= 351 units
– 6201 Bristol Parkway= 846 units
This distribution does not even come close to being equitable. Sure there is land to be used, and if the city planners and their handsomely paid consultants would have broken a sweat to be innovative, they could have equitably distributed this required housing throughout the city. Why didn’t they? Because it was the most expedient way to meet this requirement and it was developer preference to maximize profits.
The city planners tell us of the extensive community outreach for input regarding the city’s General Plan. Ok, sure there were meetings, surveys, etc, but did the Fox Hills community really say what was missing in Fox Hills were thousands more housing units and vehicles, increased pollution and generally a diminished quality of life? I think not.
There are presently the ongoing issues related to “cut through” traffic and street parking at a premium, which is taken up by nearby business employees and students from 2 schools. These are issues that the city has minimally addressed for years. Community outreach should not be used as an excuse for justifying a colossally stupid and irresponsible decision, which is nothing more than an assault on our community. But, indeed, that is what was done.
The city planners also think that the Specific Plan for Fox Hills, which they have already hired consultants for and obtained grant funding for, will mitigate all this density that will be created. How about preventing it from happening to begin with, instead of creating the problem in the first place?
Let us not forget the City Council‘s lip service preaching about equitable distribution of the state- required housing to be built in Culver City and their questioning about this density at the October 28, 2024 City Council meeting as if this issue was a news flash to them….they knew this was an issue and that they could have amended the Housing Element since last year.
Less theater please during the City Council meetings with this feigned type of inquiry.
Theater was what was at play at the City Council meeting on November 11, 2024. Developer representatives from Lincoln Properties made great effort in their convincing act about the 309 mixed use project proposed at 5700 Hannum, one of the 5 proposals. In addition, union workers showed up expressing their support for the project, the Lincoln Management Company and happy about the job opportunity. There were also people speaking in favor of this project to enhance the area with coffee shops, walkable areas and making the area more vibrant. That is all fine, but the density is what they are totally ignoring. Why such a push? Are we saying in Fox Hills we are against people getting decent paying jobs? I do not think so. Are we against having any housing with some retail? NO. We just want the density designation lowered from 100 units/acre on the south side of Slauson. There will still be plenty of employment for these workers with the housing that has to built, just equitably distributed in Culver City with less shielding of other areas.
Why the theatrics? It was a done deal since the City Council has refused by their inaction to even put the density issue of 100 units/acre on a council meeting agenda.
The reality of this overdevelopment is not part of the project’s EIR (Environmental Impact Report) and the only cumulative effect analysis is theoretical, based on projects not in Fox Hills. Nonetheless this analysis is the one that is used in decision making for Fox Hills even though it does not reflect reality, but merely gives a theoretical vision of how Fox Hills will be impacted. It would be the decent and common sense thing to do to “err on the side of caution”, but I guess that sentiment does not apply to the Fox Hills community. Jose Mendivil of the city’s Current Planning Division even stated at the November 11th meeting that the total environmental effect of the project on Hannum is unknown.
It seems to me that EIRs are in fact very limited in scope and insufficient to use in making a thoughtful decision about development. Nonetheless, the City Council passively accepts these reports and ceremoniously signed off on this project. We expect more from our leadership by their actions that should reflect critical thinking, basic common sense and fundamental fair play. Interesting to note, at the developer’s second community meeting, a high ranking member of the Lincoln Management team even said that these EIRs are ignored and that the City Council will push as much housing in Fox Hills as it can.
To say that the city needs to get back in the locker room and make another game plan is an understatement. We in Fox Hills are on team Culver City, but taking such a big one for Culver City is just plain cruel.
Judi Sherman
