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Council backs compromise to allow modified Studio City Hand Car Wash sign, citing rule of law and community give‑and‑take
Summary
After extensive public comment, the City Council approved a compromise on the Studio City Hand Car Wash sign that reduces some elements of the existing signage, imposes conditions, and affirms enforcement of the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan while acknowledging divided community views.
The Los Angeles City Council voted 15–0 to adopt the PLUM committee report and a negotiated compromise on the disputed Studio City Hand Car Wash sign on Ventura Boulevard. The decision balanced planning‑rule enforcement calls from neighborhood groups with the property owner’s arguments about cost and hardship.
Polly Ward, vice president of the Studio City Residents Association, told the council the group’s concern was enforcement: “We have been fighting is not whether something is popular or unpopular, but whether the laws of the city of Los Angeles are going to be enforced or not,” she said during the public comment period. Arthur Howard, a member of the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan review board, described the sign as a “premeditated and purposely executed violation” and said it was “442% larger than the plan permits,” urging removal or denial of an exemption.
The property owner’s representatives argued the planning commission had unanimously recommended an exception. Fred Gaines, counsel for the Studio City Hand Car Wash, said the team had worked with community groups and agreed to conditions including reduced height and sign area, limits on lighting, and a payment to the street beautification fund; he opposed an added requirement that the owner move the sign 10 feet because that relocation would cost “over $20,000” and was a hardship.
Councilmembers and the car wash owner’s office described an extensive process that produced a compromise. Councilmember Wax said the case had energized wide public comment and framed the decision as preserving the rule of law while recognizing deeply held community views; he urged the council to “adopt it as is.” Councilmember Bernsen moved the committee report and Miskowski and others spoke in support. The council recorded the final roll call as 15 ayes.
The record shows the planning commission originally recommended an exception without conditions; the PLUM committee and council adopted a set of conditions negotiated between the parties and community representatives. Public commenters included residents and business owners on both sides of the question. The compromise as adopted was described repeatedly in the record as intended to uphold the Ventura Boulevard Specific Plan’s standards while allowing a modified sign to remain under conditions the council approved.
