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Committee denies appeal, clears way for 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard
Summary
The Planning and Land Use Committee denied an appeal and sustained the Planning Commission’s approval of a 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard, which includes 41 very-low-income units and ground-floor commercial space.
The Planning and Land Use Committee on Oct. 12, 2025, denied an appeal from the Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) and sustained the Planning Commission’s approval of a 327-unit mixed-use project on Sunset Boulevard.
The project, sited at an underutilized parcel on Sunset, would include 327 residential units, 41 units reserved for very-low-income households, approximately 9,462 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 263 on-site parking spaces.
SAFER, represented by attorney Chase Preciado, asked the committee to grant the appeal and require a full CEQA review. SAFER’s objections included (1) that the project did not meet Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment (SCEA/SCIA) eligibility because it requested density and building-intensity waivers under the density-bonus statute, (2) that it failed to implement all feasible mitigation measures and performance standards from the sustainable-community strategy, and (3) alleged unmitigated biological impacts to special-status species (Allen’s hummingbird, red-tailed hawk) and risks such as window collisions and interference with wildlife movement.
The applicant (Aragon), represented by Dana Sales of 360, argued the project complies with state density bonus rules, implements the SCIA mitigation program as required, and is an infill site appropriate for the proposed density. Planning staff said the Planning Commission unanimously approved the entitlements and that the sustainable communities environmental assessment for the project contained substantial evidence; staff recommended denial of the appeal.
Action taken: after hearing presentations and public comment, the committee voted to deny the SAFER appeal, thereby sustaining the City Planning Commission’s approvals and adopting the commission’s findings for the sustainable communities environmental assessment. The roll call recorded five ayes.
Discussion and next steps: planning staff and the applicant said the record contains technical analyses and proposed mitigation measures; proponents argued the project will bring housing and remove a vacant, blighted lot. Opponents may still pursue judicial remedies in court, but the committee’s action sustains the approvals and allows the project to proceed through final entitlement steps.
Ending: The committee’s denial of the appeal allows the project to move forward with its approved entitlements and the mitigation measures attached to the SCIA as reflected in the administrative record.
