Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Senior Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee upholds approval of 34‑unit residential care facility; adds requirement for street trees
Summary
The committee denied an appeal and sustained the Planning Commission’s approval of a 34‑unit residential care facility for seniors, adding a condition requiring street trees despite objections that some waivers were broad under density bonus law.
The committee considered an appeal of a director determination approving a 34‑unit residential care facility for the elderly in Reseda. Planning staff recommended denial of the appeal, saying the appellant had not submitted substantial evidence to overcome the City Planning Commission’s findings. Applicant representative Akhilesh Johar said the facility addresses a sharp rise in homelessness among people over age 65 and emphasized the project’s need and exhaustive departmental review.
Council discussion noted that the City has constrained discretion under state density bonus law but retained the ability to add conditions. Committee members agreed to deny the appeal and sustain the Commission’s approval while adding a condition requiring the applicant to plant street trees in the public right‑of‑way, a change the committee said would not alter the project’s permitted approvals but would provide neighborhood benefit.
The appeal was denied on a recorded vote, sustaining the director’s determination and the Commission decision. The project will proceed to permit review subject to the condition requiring street trees.
