Benedict Canyon residents are breathing a sigh of relief as the plans for a large redevelopment project have officially been killed by city planners. Lux brand Bulgari planed to partner with property owner and developer Gary Safady to develop the land for the proposed Bulgari Hotel and eight private residences, and following a city council halt last month, the City Planner has now weighed in and said its a no go.
In August, the L.A. City Council called for a halt to the project with an 8-6 vote on a motion introduced by Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the area. The motion called on the Los Angeles City Planning Director to reconsider the initiation of a General Plan amendment which gave a specific zoning designation for the proposed hotel to be built in a residential area.
This week, City Planning Director Vincent Bertoni sent a letter to Safady citing concerns that it would disturb over 800,000 square feet of natural vegetation and land surface, rejecting the development plans over environmental concerns. Safady’s attorney told LAist he now plans to sue the city on the grounds that the decision “was not based in law and was not grounded in sound public policy.”
“The Project would result in excavation of over 118,000 cubic yards of soil and removal of over 75 percent (849) of the site’s protected trees and shrubs and over 90 percent (359) of the site’s significant trees,” Bertoni wrote.
Benedict Canyon residents have long expressed concerned about environmental impact, including the increased risk of fires in an already fire-prone area of Los Angeles. The Canyon is also a popular cut-through for commuters, and those opposed to the redevelopment argue the project will only add to heavy traffic congestion.
The hotel project would have featured 58 guest suites and eight private residences, in addition to a 10,000 square-foot spa, gym, theater and restaurant. In all, the hotel portion would include 18 buildings, a stand-alone parking structure, railway, commercial space and subterranean parking. The residential portion would contain homes ranging 12,000-48,000 square feet. The developer, Safady, has previously said that he was working “as much as possible” to make the hotel seem to blend in with the environment.