Council approves first reading of Hollywood & Highland signage package amid neighborhood objections

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved the first reading of signage changes for the Hollywood & Highland project, moving the ordinance to a second reading after extended public comment and debate.

Residents of Hollywood Heights and other neighborhood groups told the council they fear large, illuminated signs will intrude on private views and violate existing neighborhood mitigation agreements. Joyce Bridal, past president of the Hollywood Heights Association, told the council the homeowners negotiated a mitigation agreement with the developer and warned the council against overriding contractual provisions: "I don't believe that the council has the right to nullify provisions of a legal document between responsible parties," she said.

Neighborhood critics also disputed developer diagrams and asked for verification of sign heights and sightlines. Linda Lockwood, who described herself as a contractor with experience in freeway construction, told the council she was unable to obtain blueprints from the developer and said the public had been given inconsistent information: "We have really been taken and taken in the city of Hollywood. We've been lied to repeatedly," she said.

Developers and business leaders urged approval. Patrick Perry, representing Trizocon, said the company "is in full compliance with all of the mitigation agreements that it has signed with all of the neighbors" and reported the developer had deposited $250,000 for mitigation measures despite a neighborhood group not having executed the agreement. Supporters from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Business Improvement District and property owners said staff and the Planning Commission had reviewed the signage under the new Hollywood sign overlay zone and recommended approval.

Council debate split along familiar lines. Councilman Garcetti, newly seated, urged adoption while acknowledging neighborhood concerns and said the sign overlay was developed with extensive community input. Council members expressed differing views on whether the item should be delayed for additional review. After debate the clerk announced the roll call as "11 ayes," and the item passed the first-reading vote; the ordinance was set over for second reading and final action on the council calendar.

Why it matters: The project is a high-profile redevelopment in Hollywood and its signage and streetscape are central to larger debates about neighborhood quality of life, historic character and the scale of commercial development in entertainment districts. Neighbors argued visual impacts and contract compliance; proponents cited economic revitalization and overlay zone design guidelines.

Next steps: The ordinance passed first reading and will return for a required second reading and final vote at the council's next session.