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Committee denies appeals to a 139‑unit project in East Hollywood; tenants and neighborhood groups object
Summary
The committee denied two appeals against a proposed 139-unit project at 5416–5430 West Carlton Way, sustaining the planning commission determination; opponents said the project will demolish rent-stabilized units, displace tenants and fail no-net-loss tests, while city staff said replacement requirements under state law were satisfied.
The Planning and Land Use Management Committee on Wednesday denied two appeals seeking to overturn approvals for a 139‑unit residential project in East Hollywood, sustaining the City Planning Commission finding that the project is exempt from CEQA under the Class 32 infill exemption.
Opponents, including the Carlton Serrano Tenants Association and the supporters alliance for environmental responsibility (SAFER), told the committee the project would demolish seven rent‑stabilized buildings, displace tenants and fail the state’s replacement-unit calculations. They asked for preparation of an environmental impact report, citing air‑quality and indoor‑air formaldehyde risks and alleged net loss of affordable units.
City Planning staff said the project complies with state density‑bonus law and replacement‑unit requirements applicable to the case. Chi Dang, City Planning, explained the approved project will construct a 131‑unit building and retain an existing eight‑unit building for a total 139 units; the department concluded—based on state density bonus formulas and the project’s right‑of‑return paperwork—that 16 replacement covenanted units would be provided, meeting the required replacement determination.
Appellants presented expert technical analyses. Chase Preciado (representing SAFER) relied on consultant findings alleging construction diesel particulate matter and indoor formaldehyde risks above SCAQMD and CEQA thresholds and argued the unusual‑circumstances exception to the categorical exemption applies. Carlton Serrano tenants raised replacement‑unit and waiver concerns, questioned the purpose of large unassigned floor areas identified in project plans, and said the proposal included luxury amenities rather than family‑sized affordable housing.
Gary Benjamin, representing the applicant, said the project preserves an existing eight‑unit building, provides 15 very‑low‑income and one low‑income unit within the new building, and that the developer has worked with residents on relocation and right‑to‑return notifications. Benjamin described the site as highly transit‑accessible and said the design was consistent with the prevailing pattern for higher density near the Hollywood/Western Metro station.
Council offices and neighborhood groups weighed in. The East Hollywood Neighborhood Council opposed the project citing a potential cascade of similar developments and loss of rent‑controlled housing. Council District 13 staff said their outreach confirmed many tenant protections are in place, noted the city’s tenant‑protection rights (relocation assistance, right to remain until six months before construction, and right to return), and reported that housing‑department income verifications were ongoing for some units.
After discussion, the committee adopted staff recommendations to deny the appeals, sustain the commission approvals and findings, and determine the project is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Class 32 (139 units) as set forth in the planning department communication dated 08/29/2025. Roll call was Bloomfield: aye; Hutt: yes; Nazarian: aye; Lee: aye; Raman: yes (5–0).
