BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Pair of homicides on NYE pg. 4 Partly cloudy, • NCJW/LA, with highs in WeHo mark Roe the 70s anniversary pg. 7 Volume 31 No. 1 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities January 7, 2021 Pandemic limits impact of Olympia Medical Center to close in March n UCLA Health has new laws in BH, WeHo purchased property n COVID, police, health are topics of legislation and plans major changes BY CAMERON KISZLA bonus – which allows more units on a site than typically permitted – as BY EDWIN FOLVEN Each Jan. 1, a multitude of new well as other incentives for devel- laws at the state and federal level opers to build affordable housing in Olympia Medical Center, which take effect, often changing local their projects. has been serving the community laws in addition to the ordinances In December, the council since 1948, announced that it has passed by City Councils. declined to take action to attempt to been purchased by UCLA Health This year, however, the number circumvent the new rules, despite and will cease all operations by of new laws was impacted by the opposing them before they were March 31. coronavirus pandemic, which limit- signed into law. Friedman pointed The 204-bed hospital at 5900 ed the amount of time legislators out that in Beverly Hills, the law is Olympic Blvd. has been owned could spend in Sacramento. The likely to produce relatively few since 2014 by Alecto Healthcare bills that did make it through the additional units beyond what was Services, based in Irvine. The Legislature were mostly focused on already allowed under the previous announcement about the closure the pandemic and its effects. density bonus law. Meanwhile, was made in a Dec. 31 online posting on the medical center’s photo by Cameron Kiszla “Generally, I think every year, fighting the law could reflect poorly Olympia Medical Center could transition into a mental health care most of the laws come down from on the city as it appeals the findings website. The posting did not men- facility after it was purchased by UCLA Health. the state of California, and I think of the Regional Housing Needs tion a sale to UCLA Health. the governor made it pretty clear Assessment, which will require that Instead, it stated that the closure that he was not going to entertain nearly 3,100 new housing units be was necessary to “allow for sub- posting read. Olympia has sold the real estate to any bills that were not directly relat- created in the city by 2029. stantial renovations which will Requests for information about UCLA Health. Questions about ed to COVID, so I think that’s the “It really isn’t that much of a dif- allow the Olympia Medical the closure to CEO Matt Williams UCLA Health’s plans for the main reason you don’t see many ference to go against the Center facility to better serve the were not answered by Olympia future should be directed to other laws coming into effect,” Department of Housing and poten- health care needs of the communi- Medical Center. However, attor- UCLA Health’s media relations Beverly Hills Mayor Lester tially affect our RHNA allocation,” ty,” and “all patient care services” ney Michael J. Sarrao, who repre- team,” the statement from Sarrao Friedman said. Friedman said. would be suspended “effective as sents the hospital’s ownership, read. One law that is expected to have Another law that’s likely to have of 11:59 p.m. on March 31.” provided a brief statement. UCLA Health confirmed it has an effect, however, is Assembly Bill Some unspecified medical ser- “Olympia Medical Center 2345, which increased the density See Laws page 21 vices would end on Jan. 31, the remains open and operating. See Hospital page 21 Four arrested for robberies in Beverly Hills New West Hollywood task n Luxury retail stores on Rodeo Drive targeted, police say force to address housing BY LAURA COLEMAN element. While there will be BY EDWIN FOLVEN community outreach and out- In anticipation of building reach to West Hollywood boards The Beverly Hills Police 4,000 new units by the end of the and commissions … this gives us Department announced the arrest of decade, West Hollywood is tak- as a council the opportunity to four juveniles who were allegedly ing creative measures to deter- bring in some people … to partic- involved in robberies at two luxury mine how to increase the city’s ipate and raise questions and clothing stores on Rodeo Drive last residential housing stock. The bring forward new ideas,” Mayor week. final Regional Housing Needs Pro Tempore Lauren Meister The suspects were allegedly part Assessment allocation is expect- said. “That’s a big expectation to of a larger group of approximately ed to be determined on Feb. 4, have to come up with how we are 10 people that committed the rob- and cities will have until the end going to create [4,000] new units beries on Dec. 27 at the Yves Saint of 2029 to create the state-man- over the next eight-year period.” Laurent store and on Dec. 29 at dated units. The first of two planned task Fendi. During both incidents, mem- On Dec. 21 the City Council force meetings is scheduled to bers of the group ran into the stores, unanimously voted to appoint 10 occur the first week of February quickly stole handbags and other photo by Cameron Kiszla members to its newly formed and will center around gathering merchandise and fled, BHPD Lt. The Yves Saint Laurent store on Rodeo Drive was robbed on Dec. 27, Housing Element Update Task specific feedback on current Max Subin said. During one inci- Beverly Hills police said. Force to guide the process. The housing needs and conditions as dent, pepper spray was used on a new members each have hous- well as allowing members to security guard and in the other, a Subin said police received days earlier, Subin said. ing-related expertise and include voice their opinions on the effec- security guard was shoved and fell descriptions of the vehicles alleged- Police are still seeking the other Craig Berberian, Angie Brooks, tiveness of existing housing poli- to the ground, he added. Because ly involved in the second robbery suspects and hope anyone with Chelsea Byers, William Korchek, cies and programs. The second they physically attacked the securi- and located one car matching the information will call (310)285- Adam Kroll, Sheila Lightfoot, meeting’s objective will be to ty guards, the suspects were booked description a short time later. After 2125. To remain anonymous, text Marianne Lowenthal, Michael review preliminary goals, poli- for robbery, Subin said. Police plan stopping and arresting the four BEVHILLSPD followed by the tip Manville, Barry Talley and Dawn cies and programs for the draft to submit the case to the Los juveniles inside the vehicle, officers information to 888777. Anonymous Collette Williams. housing element update and is Angeles County District Attorney’s found merchandise allegedly taken tips may also be made to Crime “It’s really to get some differ- anticipated to occur in March. Office for consideration of formal from Fendi and during the robbery Stoppers by calling (800)222-8477, ent points of view because in the charges. at the Yves Saint Lauren store two or visiting lacrimestoppers.org. past, staff has driven the housing See WeHo page 22 2 January 7, 2021 Park Labrea News/Beverly Press CALENDAR Bloom announces candidacy for Recent Acquisitions,” a selection of laborator Namekawa performs Photo exhibit 16 works newly acquired by LACMA “Piano Sonata” in a tribute and testa- View works by West Hollywood res- and on view for the first time. The ment to their friendship. The pro- ident Carl Shubs in an online open exhibit features works by Huguette gram will be available on CAP 3rd District county supervisor exhibition by SE CENTER for Caland, Christina Fernandez, E.J. UCLA’s online channel by visiting Photography running from Thursday, Hill, Calida online.cap.ucla.edu. Assemblyman Richard Bloom Jan. 7, through Saturday, Jan. 30. The Rawles, Lynette (D-Santa Monica) announced on juror for the exhibit was Robert Jan. 6 he will run to succeed Los Yiadom-Boakye Klein, whose Robert Klein Gallery in and others. It Get to Know Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Boston was established in 1980 and Kuehl, 3rd District, who has decid- explores themes ranks among the world’s most presti- of interiority and Your Chamber ed not to seek a third term in 2022. gious showrooms of fine art photog- Join the Beverly Hills Chamber of vastness, isola- Bloom is a former Santa Monica raphy. sec4p.com. tion and collec- Commerce for its virtual January mayor and longtime resident of the tivity, and stasis and movement from Get to Know Your Chamber event 3rd District. the exhibit. lacma.org. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 9 to 10:30 “Supervisor Kuehl has been and ‘Making Friends’ a.m., via Zoom. The chamber is an will continue to be a champion of IAMA Theatre Company has extend- important resource for Beverly Hills progress on the board of supervi- ed the virtual premiere of “Making ‘That Farm businesses, from special events to sors. Her impact has been profound Friends,” a advocacy. The membership orienta- and her legacy as a state legislator comic solo play Town, L.A.’ tion will outline the benefits and and supervisor will bring benefits written and per- The Culinary Historians of Southern opportunities available, as well as long into the future,” Bloom said in formed by Tom California welcomes its president programs to assist members during a statement.