One Beverly Hills Approved by Council
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Beverly Hills approves budget Sunny, with pg. 3 highs in the • Fire on Melrose 70s pg. 4 Volume 31 No. 23 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hanock Park and Wilshire Communities June 10, 2021 WeHo calls for LASD audit One Beverly Hills approved by council n If county fails to act, city may step in n Bosse clashes with BY CAMERON KISZLA Association to audit the contracts of Mirisch on affordable all cities partnered with the LASD, housing issue The West Hollywood City which include West Hollywood. Council took action in regards to The council’s vote, which was BY CAMERON KISZLA the allegations of fraud made part of the consent calendar, comes against the Los Angeles County after the LASD was accused in a The Beverly Hills City Council Sheriff’s Department. legal filing last month of fraudu- on June 8 gave the One Beverly The council on June 7 unani- lently billing Compton, another city Hills project the necessary mously called for the Los Angeles that is contracted with the depart- approvals, but not without some County Board of Supervisors and ment, for patrolling the city less conflict between council members. the inspector general to work with See page The 4-1 vote was opposed by the California Contract Cities LASD 31 Councilman John Mirisch, who raised several issues with the pro- ject, including that more should be done to create affordable housing. rendering © DBOX for Alagem Capital Group The One Beverly Hills project includes 4.5 acres of publicly accessible Mirisch cited several pieces of evidence, including the recently botanical gardens and a 3.5-acre private garden for residents and completed nexus study from hotel guests. Kathe Head and Keyser Marston Associates, which estimated that part of the development agree- aires and billionaires over the the new hotels, residences and ment, the developer is paying the most vulnerable in our communi- businesses in the mixed-use pro- city $100 million, which the coun- ty,” he said. ject would create a need for 527 cil members have said they plan to The other council members dis- new affordable units in the sur- use for affordable housing. agreed with Mirisch’s assessment, rounding area. Mirisch reiterated that “talk is and Vice Mayor Lili Bosse “Ignoring the nexus study is cheap” multiple times during his responded directly to his com- pretty much proof positive that the comments. ments, which she said left her council majority could care less “We had a chance to change the “almost speechless.” about affordable housing,” narrative on affordable housing, to “This entire council, as was photo by Cameron Kiszla Mirisch said. fix our abysmal record, and we stated at the last meeting and all West Hollywood City Council members want an investigation into allegations The project does not include failed to do so … This council of billing fraud made against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. affordable housing on site, but as chose to prioritize deca-million- See One Beverly Hills page 31 Pico Robertson hotel faces Planning Commission n Project would serve Music may ring out again Orthodox Jews, displace local eatery on the streets of WeHo n Proposal could allow approved. BY CAMERON KISZLA The council was slated to vote live entertainment on on the proposal on Monday, but A proposed hotel on Robertson public, private spaces technical issues with the virtual Boulevard is expected to be consid- meeting prevented the item from ered by the Los Angeles Planning BY AARON BLEVINS being discussed. Commission this morning, June 10. According to a staff report, The meeting is scheduled to begin The West Hollywood City businesses would seek approval at 8:30 a.m. Council may soon permit local for live events, and city staff The project, which goes by the businesses to once again host would determine whether the name SORO Hotel – which stands live, outdoor entertainment if an location is suitable. West for south of Robertson – would amended executive order pro- Hollywood’s Code Compliance construct 131 hotel rooms at 1434- posed by the city’s manager and 1456 S. Robertson Blvd. According director of emergency services is See OUT Zones page 30 to Ira Handelman, a consultant and spokesman for the project, the hotel photo by Cameron Kiszla Le Petit Jardin will be demolished to make way for the SORO Hotel if the would serve the Orthodox Jewish community, allowing guests to project is approved. observe the restrictions of the sab- bath, such as a prohibition on oper- Handelman. hotel. ating mechanical and electrical However, the project has drawn “If I don’t have my restaurant, we equipment, and by offering kosher criticism from some in the commu- don’t make money. We don’t have dining and banquet areas. nity, including Priscilla Sotelo jobs,” Sotelo Klisch said. “The SORO Hotel will provide a Klisch, whose family has owned Carly Kirchen and Charlie place for guests to stay close to the the café and flower shop Le Petit Carnow, research analysts with families or businesses they are vis- Jardin at 1456 S. Robertson Blvd. Unite Here Local 11, which is iting, which is also within walking for 27 years. Plans for the hotel call opposing the project unless changes distance of temples and synagogues for the café building, which accord- are made, noted that the eatery is where they can conveniently wor- ing to city documents is owned by beloved by the neighborhood. photo courtesy of the city of West Hollywood ship,” the development team wrote Harkham Family Enterprises, to be OUT Zones were created last year to provide businesses a way to in a document provided by torn down to make way for the See Hotel page 30 operate outdoors during the pandemic. 2 June 10, 2021 Beverly Press/Park Labrea News CALENDAR Vancouver Asian Canadian ter children for a single week, multi- Beverly Hills Theatre’s “1 ple weeks or the full 10-week ses- Hour Photo,” sion. Classes are $450 per week. Chamber written and per- 1101 S. Robertson Blvd., Ste. 104. The Beverly Hills Chamber of formed by robertsonartzone.com. Commerce is holding a small busi- Tetsuro, running ness forum on Thursday, June 10, online from from 9 to 11 a.m., via Zoom. The Saturday, June forum includes opening remarks by Dance and art 12, through Beverly Hills Mayor Robert The Los Angeles County Museum of Sunday, June Wunderlich and roundtable discus- Art presents “Art Moves: Modern Art 20. “1 Hour Photo” is the true story sions specifically focused on the and Culture Shock L.A.” on Tuesday, of a Japanese Canadian man’s quest restaurant and retail sectors. June 15, from 6 to 7 p.m., online. In for beauty during a difficult period, Admission is free but reservations celebration of the opening of as he journeys from finding love in are required. members.beverly- LACMA’s modern art galleries in a World War II incarceration camp hillschamber.com BCAM, Level 3, Culture Shock L.A. to rebuilding his life as a scientist, will premiere new choreography in Beverly Press/Park Labrea News file photo businessman and father. The pro- response to works on view. Culture The city of West Hollywood commemorated victims of HIV/AIDS and duction uses intricately crafted Shock Los Angeles is a nonprofit Culinary history miniatures to explore Mas dance company that utilizes hip hop examined the impact the disease had on the community. Join the Culinary Historians of Yamamoto’s life during and after dance and culture to create education, Southern California for “Japanese internment. A discussion with empowerment and entertainment pro- Luxury Ingredients and Their Shigematsu is included. Tickets are grams to inspire positive change. Transmission to $34.99. eastwestplayers.org. Experience the interplay between the West” with dance and the museum’s modern art WeHo marks 40th anniversary professor, histo- collection in the online program. rian and author Japanese film my.lacma.org/events/21435. Ken Albala, on Japan Foundation Los Angeles is of first CDC report on AIDS Saturday, June holding an online screening of the 12, at 10:30 film ”Words Can’t Go There” on On June 5, the world marked 40 Today, we see people who are liv- a.m., via Zoom. Saturday, June 12, ad Sunday, June Bloomsday years since the first five cases were ing with HIV thrive because of Albala will 13, at 7 p.m. This film is a feature- Celebrate Bloomsday with an online officially reported of what would extraordinary advances in medica- describe the initial impression length documentary exploring the screening of the film “Bloom,” pre- later become known as AIDS. The tions and treatment. But, there’s so Portuguese traders and missionaries story of California surfer turned sented by the Hammer Museum on U.S. Centers for Disease Control much more work to be done. In had of Japanese cuisine and its Japanese shakuhachi flute master Wednesday, June 16, at 7 p.m. and Prevention’s Morbidity and West Hollywood, we’re working to ingredients, and how the Dutch used John “Kaizan” Neptune. The film Bloomsday, observed on June 16, is Mortality Weekly Report described turn our HIV Zero vision into a the ingredients in the 17th century examines what it takes to cross an annual commemoration and cele- the five cases four decades ago. reality, and we won’t stop until we and early 18th century. Albala will cultural borders and become a bration of author James Joyce’s life. The onset of the HIV/AIDS epi- can declare that HIV/AIDS is also discuss the mysterious process master of the traditional Japanese Stephen Rea, Angeline Ball and demic had a significant impact in over.” by which ingredients such as soy, art form.