Planning committee approves environmental and height waivers for Universal City hotel expansion

The Planning and Land Use Committee voted 5–0 to approve environmental and height-related ordinances that clear the way for an 18‑story tower addition to the Hilton at Universal City.

The vote, taken after public comment and staff presentations, adopted the environmental extension and a height exemption needed for the project. Committee members recorded five affirmative votes in roll call: Bloomenfield, Hot, Nazarian, Lee and Ramon.

The committee’s approval follows a multi-part public record: City planning staff described the proposal as maintenance of the existing tower plus construction of a new 18‑story tower with 159 rooms; the applicant and labor organizations described a larger buildout and economic benefits. City planning staff recommended approval, citing prior entitlements and community outreach.

Supporters emphasized jobs, transit access and local hiring commitments. Marco Alcalá, a member of United Here Local 11, said the project “va a dar miles de trabajos” and called the site a transit-priority location that would reduce long commutes for workers. Roxane Ramírez, also of United Here Local 11, and multiple trade-union speakers including Eddy Álvarez and Christopher Orozco told the committee the developer had committed to using union contractors and apprenticeship opportunities.

The applicant told the committee the expansion would increase hotel capacity to meet anticipated demand for large events over the next decade. In testimony, the applicant said the completed project would bring the hotel inventory to about 890 rooms citywide and described outreach to neighbors and labor groups.

Opponents and other public commenters raised different concerns. Several speakers asked that background checks be completed for people involved in related appointments and urged scrutiny of nominees; others alleged discriminatory hiring practices in past projects. The meeting record also shows several public commenters used xenophobic and racist language; those remarks were part of the public‑comment record but did not represent committee positions.

The committee’s action does not itself authorize building permits; subsequent ministerial and permitting steps by city staff will be required before construction can begin. The committee also noted the project team’s commitments to transit subsidies, bicycle parking and on‑site worker facilities discussed during public testimony.

The meeting continued or deferred unrelated items as noted on the record.