PLUM advances consent calendar, denies multiple appeals and designates Brady Bunch House
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Summary
The Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved the consent calendar (items 1–5,7), denied appeals on a Hollywood comedy club and a Harbor City housing appeal, and approved designation of the Brady Bunch House as an Historic Cultural Monument. The committee also sustained certification of the Berry Building EIR and moved a chair's SB 79 recommendation to full council.
The Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee approved the consent calendar and took final actions on several appeals and cultural‑resource items during its Feb. 19 meeting. Chair Blumenfield read recommendations for items 1–5 and 7 and the committee recorded approvals on those consent items following public comment and a roll call.
The clerk announced that items 1 and 2 were approved as recommended; item 3 was received and filed; items 4 and 5 were approved; and item 7 was approved as amended. The roll calls for the recorded votes repeatedly showed three ayes and two absences, consistent with the quorum present at the meeting.
On appeals, the committee denied a sequel appeal on a proposed 9,210‑square‑foot comedy/supper club at 6253 W. Hollywood Blvd., sustaining the Central Area Planning Commission's determination that the project qualified for class 1 and class 23 CEQA categorical exemptions. John Bowman, counsel for appellant Ned Pan Inc., argued the increase in seating from 167 to 434 represented a substantial expansion and asked for an initial study; planning staff and the applicant's counsel defended the exemptions. The committee followed Council District 13's lead and denied the appeal.
Item 6 (a withdrawn appeal regarding a mixed‑use project originally noticed for Harbor City) was treated as withdrawn; staff recommended denying the appeal and sustaining the City Planning Commission's findings and the committee sustained that recommendation.
The committee unanimously approved the nomination of the Brady Bunch House in Studio City as an Historic Cultural Monument and adopted a categorical exemption under CEQA. Rafael Fontes of City Planning's Office of Historic Resources summarized the Cultural Heritage Commission's findings, and a string of nearby residents said the site draws respectful visitors and contributes to the city's cultural history.
A contested item on the agenda was the Berry Building (11973–11975 W. San Vicente Blvd.), a designated historic cultural monument. After extensive public comment on both sides, the committee sustained LADBS's certification of the EIR and the statement of overriding considerations and denied the appeals seeking rescission of the EIR and to block a demolition permit.
The meeting concluded with a lengthy presentation and public comment on local implementation options for SB 79. The committee did not adopt a committee recommendation but the chair moved a recommendation (Approach C, Option 2 as described in the Planning Department report) and sent that chair's recommendation to full council for consideration.
Votes at a glance
- Consent calendar (items 1,2,3(received and filed),4,5,7): approved (roll calls recorded as 3 ayes; some members absent). - Item 6 (appeal withdrawn; action to deny appeal and sustain CPC determination): approved (3 ayes). - Item 8 (Brady Bunch House historic designation and CEQA categorical exemption): approved (3 ayes). - Item 9 (sequel appeal re: comedy/supper club, 6253 W. Hollywood Blvd.): appeal denied; CPC determination sustained (3 ayes). - Item 10 (Berry Building EIR certification and related findings): appeal denied; EIR certification and SO C sustained (vote recorded as committee action; motion carried in committee). - Item 11 (SB 79 local implementation options): chair moved a recommendation (Approach C, Option 2 with carveouts); motion forwarded to full council as the chair's recommendation (2 ayes, 1 no); item submitted without a full committee endorsement.
What it means
The committee's actions clear several agenda items to move forward while leaving larger policy choices (notably how the city will implement SB 79) for additional review by full council. For residents near the Gerard Tract and the Berry Building, the committee's approvals mean projects and decisions advance but may still face further review or litigation at later stages.
Reported directly from the hearing record: "The Brady Bunch House is more than a filming location. It represents comfort, family, and a simpler time that still resonates across generations," said Alicia, a nearby resident supporting the designation.
The meeting was adjourned after general public comment.
