City Planning Commission approves six‑story, 47‑unit project at 1515 Veteran Avenue

LOS ANGELES — The City Planning Commission on Monday approved a six‑story, 47‑unit apartment building at 1515 South Veteran Avenue in Westwood, adopting staff recommendations that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA and meets the city’s replacement housing requirements.

Kenton Trin of Los Angeles City Planning summarized the proposal as “demolition of three existing multifamily dwellings consisting of 11 units” and construction of a 67‑foot, six‑story building that would include five very‑low‑income units and one accessory dwelling unit. Trin told commissioners the project proposes 65 on‑site automobile parking spaces and 40 long‑term bicycle parking spaces in one subterranean level.

The staff report noted the project qualifies for a density bonus and related waivers, and cited an LA Housing Department determination that five replacement units are required under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance; those replacement requirements, staff said, are satisfied by the five very‑low‑income units provided through the density bonus. Staff also cited a Los Angeles Department of Transportation referral and a vehicle‑miles‑traveled calculation estimating about 172 daily vehicle trips, below the 250‑trip threshold that would trigger a further traffic study. As staff said in the hearing, “there's no substantial evidence that the proposed 47‑unit multifamily residential building … would adversely impact existing traffic.”

Neighbors who spoke at the public comment period urged commissioners to reconsider the project’s scale. Nick Grillo, a resident at 1508 Greenfield Avenue, said the new building would “block the entirety of our view” and raised concerns about rooftop activity. Janet Damon, also of 1508, said trees near the property are tangled with power lines and called the density increase “horrible,” warning it would reduce daylight and exacerbate parking pressures on surrounding streets.

Architect Warren Teckington, presenting for the applicant team, said the design splits the massing into three blocks, adds courtyards to bring light and ventilation into units and includes streetscape improvements such as approximately 24–28 new on‑site trees and bench seating. Teckington described multiple rec rooms, a roof deck with a pool and other amenities, and said the project was unanimously approved by the Westwood Design Review Board with two requests: add an additional street tree and relocate the fire department backflow preventer to the subterranean parking level.

Commissioners weighed neighborhood impacts against the city’s housing goals. Commissioner Zamora commended “the innovative open space, the landscaping, the addition of the trees, and the gardens,” while other commissioners acknowledged concerns from neighbors about light, views and congestion but said the project fits a transition in scale on the block.

The presiding commissioner moved to adopt staff’s recommended actions — determining a CEQA categorical exemption, approving the conditional use permit, the density bonus incentives and waivers, and approving design and project compliance reviews — a motion seconded by Commissioner Zamora. In a roll call called by staff, Commission President Lachey and six other commissioners voted yes; the motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance: motion to adopt staff recommendations — Yes: Commission President Lachey, Commissioner Zamora, Commissioner Cabildo, Commissioner Diaz, Commissioner Matt, Commissioner Saetman, Vice President Newhouse. Outcome: approved.

The commission closed item 6 after the vote. The Westwood Design Review Board and the department’s project compliance requirements remain part of the project’s implementation and the developer must follow any conditions attached to the approval.