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Residents tell Venice council settlement won’t protect neighborhood character
Summary
Multiple residents and community groups urged the council to deny the mediated settlement for the Vestera PUD, citing increased traffic, density and loss of neighborhood scale; some speakers supported assisted‑living components.
During public comment on the Vestera/GCCF PUD settlement, a string of residents told the council the revised proposal would materially change neighborhood character and worsen traffic. Mary Sue Bunting (Willow Chase) and other commenters read letters and raised concerns about compatibility and perceived insufficient public disclosure. “Allowing a heightened density increase would fundamentally change the character of the community,” one submitted letter read during the meeting.
Other commenters highlighted safety and infrastructure pressures: speakers estimated an additional 300–600 car trips and said Laurel Road cannot safely absorb that traffic. Several speakers representing Venice Thrives and local neighbors asked council to uphold the prior denials. At least one resident supported aspects of the project, saying local assisted‑living and medical services are needed and that disclosures on developer materials reference future medical/multifamily uses.
