Council approves revised Farmers Market redevelopment with protections, 12-1

The Los Angeles City Council on Feb. 2 approved a revised tract map and related amendments to the Farmers Market redevelopment at Third Street and Fairfax, voting 12-1 to adopt the project as amended by motions from Councilmember Ferraro and Councilmember Feuer.

Planning staff opened the item with background on a tract modification tied to a project originally approved in 1991. Emily Gabelotti, acting deputy advisory agency for the Planning Department, described the history: the planning commission and the PLUM committee had each considered appeals and recommended the modified tract conditions now before the council.

The project team and supporters told the council the development will preserve the historic market at its core while adding retail, restaurants, a cinema and a public park. Todd Lindgren, director of governmental affairs for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, urged approval, saying the mixed-use plan “will positively impact the community.” Hank Hilty, president of A.F. Gilmore Company and property owner, said the market has operated on the site for decades and the redevelopment’s “linchpin” is to support and preserve the market. Developer Rick Caruso said, “The market remains as you see it today,” and showed councilmembers designs that include a pedestrian-only center street and a two-acre park.

Councilmember Ferraro, who represents the area, told colleagues the proposal had been scaled back significantly from earlier concepts and urged approval. Ferraro said earlier plans called for far larger development and that the current plan had been reduced and negotiated with neighborhood groups; he said the current project is roughly 713,000 square feet. Councilmember Feuer offered an amendment expanding the neighborhood protection plan to cover an adjoining area that had been omitted, and Ferraro offered an amendment to ensure Stanley Avenue would be kept open and extended as needed to mitigate traffic impacts. The council adopted Ferraro’s and Feuer’s amendments as part of the final motion.

Opponents, led by Councilmember Walters, urged caution. Walters said additional nearby projects and existing gridlock around the Beverly Center raised traffic concerns and questioned allowances for liquor licenses in the development, including a request for a full-service liquor license for a motion-picture theater. Walters said she feared taller stadium-style theaters and cumulative traffic impacts between La Brea and La Cienega.

Several councilmembers who supported the project said the original Farmers Market was designated a cultural monument in 1991 and that the redevelopment would both preserve the market’s character and make it economically sustainable. Councilmember Miszkowski and others described the proposal as a public-private partnership that would revitalize the site while maintaining the market’s historic core.

After discussion and the council amendments, the council voted 12 ayes and 1 no to approve the tract map modification and the package of neighborhood-protection and traffic-mitigation amendments. Councilmember Walters earlier stated she would vote no.

The approvals incorporate a neighborhood protection plan and transportation revisions added during the planning commission and PLUM committee hearings. The council directed that the approved amendments and the tract map modification be implemented forthwith.

The council record shows the item attracted multiple neighborhood groups and business supporters; planning staff noted written letters of support from several local homeowner and business groups. The council did not adopt additional, separate limits on liquor licensing beyond those reflected in the final tract conditions.

The council’s action concludes the current approval step for the tract modification; further entitlements, permits and implementing actions will be handled by the Planning Department and other city agencies as required.