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Committee denies SAFER appeal; 95‑unit Van Nuys project keeps categorical exemption and approvals
Summary
The committee denied an appeal from SAFER and sustained the Planning Commission’s approval of a categorical CEQA exemption and land‑use approvals for a 95‑unit residential project in Van Nuys (11 units for very low‑income households).
The Planning and Land Use Management Committee voted to deny an appeal from Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) and to sustain the City Planning Commission’s approval of a categorical Class 32 exemption and three land‑use entitlements for a proposed seven‑story, 95‑unit residential building at 18430–18434 West Vanowen Street in the San Fernando Valley.
SAFER argued that substantial evidence showed the project would create significant impacts to noise, outdoor air quality and indoor air (formaldehyde) risks, and that those "unusual circumstances" precluded reliance on a Class 32 exemption. SAFER’s submission included technical analyses alleging construction noise and diesel particulate matter exposures that, in their experts’ view, exceeded CEQA thresholds.
Planning staff recommended denying the appeal. Staff reported that technical reports and mitigation approaches prepared for the project demonstrated the project would not result in significant impacts and that the Class 32 exemption was appropriate. The project team and planning staff said the kinds of health‑risk assessments cited by the appellant are generally required for uses with heavy truck activity (distribution centers), not for residential projects of this type; the project proponent submitted rebuttal materials addressing the appellant’s experts.
After reviewing the record and public testimony, the committee sustained the Planning Commission’s decision. The roll-call vote to deny the appeal and uphold the environmental clearance and entitlements was 4-0. The applicant’s approvals include density‑bonus incentives and waivers, community design overlay compliance and site plan review; the project reserves 11 units for very‑low‑income households and provides 102 parking spaces in the staff‑recommended configuration.
The committee’s action allows the project to proceed through permit finalization and building‑permit processes under the approvals granted by the Planning Commission, subject to any standard permit conditions and requirements in the council file.
