City Planning Commission approves mixed-use project at Sunset and Vine with density bonus

At a meeting of the City Planning Commission, commissioners voted to approve a proposed mixed-use development at 6266–6290 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, adopting staff recommendations that included a Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment (SCIA) and a density bonus with incentives and waivers of development standards.

The project, as presented by Stephanie Escobar of LA City Planning, would demolish four commercial buildings and a vacant duplex, retain and adaptively reuse the two-story Morgan Camera Shop, and combine an existing 19-story tower with a new eight-story, 201,134-square-foot building that would add 170 residential units, 26 of which are reserved for very low-income households and eight for low-income households. Escobar told commissioners the proposal also includes roughly 16,680 square feet of commercial space, approximately 25,000 square feet of open space and about 284 parking spaces across subterranean and above-grade garages. Escobar said staff recommends adoption of the SCIA and approval of the requested density bonus, incentives, and waivers.

Supporters at the hearing argued the project will add housing and reactivate a key commercial intersection. Dave Powers, representing SRG Development, said the developer plans to "incorporate" the Morgan Camera Shop into the project as an adaptive reuse and to "activate the streets with new landscaping, new street trees, lots of retail, indoor and outdoor dining." Aaron Tackley of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said the chamber "is excited to support this project" and noted the project will add housing stock and help activate the Sunset and Vine intersection.

Opponents raised labor and environmental-review concerns. Ray Lawson of the Carpenters Union urged commissioners to ensure construction workers receive "a livable prevailing wage" and access to apprenticeship opportunities so that workers can "take care of their families" and move into middle-class careers. Haley Bruno, speaking for SAFER, urged the commission to deny approval, arguing the SCIA "fails to comply" with general plan and zoning designations, does not implement feasible mitigation in the 2020 and 2024 Sustainable Communities Strategy, and therefore requires project-level CEQA review.

Dale Gold Smith, counsel for the applicant, responded that the project "will fulfill many of the city's planning and housing policies and needs," is proximate to transit, and that the SCIA and associated expert responses (including work by Eyestone Environmental) demonstrate impacts would be "less than significant" under the city's methodology. On hiring, Gold Smith said the applicant has not yet selected a contractor and "it could be a union contract" but no binding hiring commitments were made at the hearing; he estimated it could be "a couple of years" before construction begins.

Following discussion, Commissioner Zamora moved to adopt staff recommendations; Commissioner Caroline Cho seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded as yes from Commissioner Zamora, Commissioner Cho, Commissioner Matt, Commission Vice President Newhouse, and Commission President Lachey. The motion carried and Item 8 was closed.

The approval clears planning-level entitlements pending any administrative steps required by the conditions of approval; the hearing record includes public comments urging stronger labor commitments and a fuller CEQA-level review from environmental advocates. The commission did not adopt a specific prevailing-wage or binding apprenticeship condition at the meeting.