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Los Angeles council approves compromise on Studio City car wash sign
Summary
The City Council approved a compromise on an oversized Studio City hand car wash sign, backing a Planning and Land Use Management Committee recommendation that required reductions and conditions after months of neighborhood dispute; the measure passed unanimously.
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to approve a compromise over an oversized sign at the Studio City Hand Car Wash, adopting the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) committee recommendation and attached community conditions.
The decision, approved 15-0, came after more than an hour of public comment from residents and business representatives and a week of committee work that produced a settlement between the property owner and neighborhood groups.
The PLUM report and the compromise require reductions in the sign’s size and height, limitations on lighting and other operational conditions, and contributions to a nearby street-beautification fund. Councilman Bernsen moved adoption of the committee report; the measure was adopted on a unanimous roll call.
Neighborhood speakers told the council they sought adherence to the Ventura Boulevard specific plan and enforcement of city regulations. Polly Ward, vice president of the Studio City Residents Association, said the dispute was “not whether something is popular or unpopular, but whether the laws of the city of Los Angeles are going to be enforced or not.” Arthur Howard, the council-appointed member of the plan review board, told the council the installation was a deliberate violation that “is 442% larger than the plan permits.”
Representatives for the car wash said they had negotiated with the neighborhood and had agreed to some conditions; they asked the council not to require moving the sign because bidders estimated moving it would cost more than $20,000. Fred Gaines, attorney for the car wash, said moving the sign “is a hardship that is unnecessary” and argued there was no public benefit to relocating it.
Councilman Wax, whose district includes the property, urged the council not to amend the compromise. He framed the dispute as centered on the rule of law and community participation, saying, in part, “A deal is a deal... the overriding factor is not so much whether we like it or not, is that the issue of obeying the law is an issue that can't be set aside lightly.”
The planning commission had earlier issued a unanimous recommendation in favor of an exception; neighbors and the Studio City Residents Association pressed for stricter enforcement and the compromise represents a negotiated middle ground the council adopted.
The council’s action implements the PLUM committee recommendation and the negotiated conditions; council staff and planning officials will monitor compliance and any remaining disputes will return to the appropriate hearing body.
