Transportation committee adopts motion to pursue housing on Lot 701 and study mobility-hub feasibility for Lot 731; 2-1 vote

The Transportation Committee, meeting jointly with the Public Works Committee, voted Feb. 12 to adopt a motion by Council Members Tracy Park and Josh Nazarian directing city staff to study the feasibility of developing affordable housing on Parking Lot 701 and to identify steps for a cohesive mobility hub on Parking Lot 731 in Venice; the motion passed on a 2-1 roll call vote.

The motion matters because the two city-owned lots sit across from the Venice boardwalk and have been the subject of an eight-year dispute between a 100% affordable housing project (referred to repeatedly in testimony as the Venistel project) and a Board of Transportation Commissioners finding that Lot 731 is better used as a mobility hub. Supporters and opponents told the committee the decision affects coastal access, parking for beach visitors, affordable housing supply, and potential legal exposure to existing developer contracts.

Committee discussion and legal briefing

Council Member Park summarized the Board of Transportation Commissioners’ unanimous recommendation and argued the report gives the city “a viable pathway for affordable housing in Venice while maximizing the number of units, enhancing coastal access, protecting our city fiscally, and moving Venice towards…