BEVERLYPRESS.COM INSIDE • Bridge housing in Hollywood pg. 3 Sunny, with • Burglary highs in the suspects sought upper 70s pg. 4 Volume 29 No. 42 Serving the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Hancock Park and Wilshire Communities October 17, 2019 Beverly Hills faces age Viper Room visuals draw public’s ire n Project’s aesthetics discrimation lawsuit can’t be considered in n Case of former city employee will be tried in 2021 environmental review BY CAMERON KISZLA BY CAMERON KISZLA motion in the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks. Opponents of a plan to build a A lawsuit filed by former In August, attorneys for the city 15-story tower on the site of the Beverly Hills city employee who and Hunt-Coffey filed motions Viper Room nightclub railed alleges she was discriminated challenging the case, but earlier this against the project in an Oct. 10 against because of her age is mov- month, Superior Court Judge environmental impact report scop- ing forward. Gregory Keosian ruled against ing meeting at the West Cynthia Brynan sued the city and those motions and said the case will Hollywood Library. One of their Assistant City Manager Nancy go to trial in in April 2021. biggest complaints, however, will Hunt-Coffey in April, alleging that “We find the allegations merit- have to wait to be addressed. Hunt-Coffey discriminated against The meeting was intended to Brynan when she applied for a pro- See Former page 26 elicit feedback from the communi- photo courtesy of Silver Creek Commercial Development ty about what they’d like to see The 8850 Sunset Blvd. project’s architecture has drawn strong studied as part of the EIR, and mul- responses from West Hollywood residents. tiple people in the crowd of a few dozen people complained that the plant-covered glass condominium impact of aesthetics is excluded aesthetics of the project, which was building and a crescent-shaped for projects in a transit priority designed by Pritzker Prize-winning structure wrapped in white that the area, such as this project. architect Thom Mayne’s firm developer’s website calls “a The visuals can, however, be a Morphosis, was already excluded. unique hotel designed in a way factor in the project’s overall “Why is air pollution more never seen before in architecture.” approval, according to Jennifer important than eye pollution?” Some attendees, however, were Alkire, planning manager for cur- asked attendee Richard less kind. rent and historic preservation Rothenberg. “This belongs in Dubai,” planning for the city. Silver Creek Commercial Rothenberg added. “I mean, it’s Once the EIR is complete, the Development’s project, which is freaky.” project’s visual appeal, as well as expected to be approximately 200 The bold architectural choices many other factors, can be consid- photo by Zereshk/courtesy of Wikimedia Commons feet tall at 8850 Sunset Blvd., fea- can’t be considered as part of the ered as the city’s Planning Former Beverly Hills employee Cynthia Brynan alleges that Assistant tures a pair of structures that join EIR because, under the California City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey discriminated against her for her age. at the top and the bottom: one Environmental Quality Act, the See Project’s page 26 City Council works to prevent evictions LAPD holds open house The council passed two motions, n Ordinance would n Event builds Blvd. and the open house will be one by Councilmen Mitch held on the grounds behind the offer some renters O’Farrell, 13th District, and Curren community between police station. Organizers are Price, 9th District, that asks for an protection before state police and residents expecting more than 1,000 peo- emergency ordinance to be written ple to attend the annual event, law takes effect that would put in place a temporary which builds community rela- moratorium on no-fault evictions in BY EDWIN FOLVEN tionships and enables people to BY CAMERON KISZLA many apartments, and another by experience what it is like to serve Councilwoman Nury Martinez, 6th Meet local law enforcement in the department. The Los Angeles City Council District, that ask for an ordinance officials and enjoy an afternoon Personnel from both divisions approved a pair of motions on Oct. that bans rent increases until the of fun at the Wilshire and West will provide information about 15 to prevent no-fault evictions and new law goes into effect. Both Traffic divisions’ annual open LAPD programs, and visitors can rent gouging before a new state law motions passed with 13-0 votes, house on Sunday, Oct. 20, from see displays by motorcycle offi- takes effect early next year. with Councilmen Paul Krekorian, noon to 4 p.m. cers, the K-9 Unit, Bomb Squad, Assembly Bill 1482, written by 2nd District, and Joe Buscaino, The two Los Angeles Police SWAT and other specialized Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San 15th District, absent. Department divisions share the The motions were also amended Francisco) and signed by Gov. same complex at 4861 W. Venice See Police page 25 Gavin Newsom on Oct. 8, limits to request that, as much as legally rent increases to 5% plus inflation possible, the no-fault eviction ordi- and bars no-fault evictions in many nance be retroactive to Newsom’s apartments once it goes into effect signing of the bill, and that city staff on Jan. 1. explore eviction prevention and Before then, however, landlords rent relief programs for city resi- City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell are serving 60-day notices to vacate dents who do not meet the require- to tenants so that the units can be ments for homeless services. stage and return to the full City rented at higher rates, according to “Landlords should not be able to Council for voting at the next meet- multiple public speakers at the Oct. evict tenants in good standing sim- ing, Oct. 22. The council is on 15 City Council meeting. Multiple ply to avoid the protections against recess Oct. 16 and 18. council members said they’d rent gouging the new law would Multiple council members spoke received similar reports. provide. Therefore, it is absolutely of the need to move quickly, though “Up and down my district, I have crucial that the city implement new some spoke of moving more quick- fought landlords trying to kick out strategies to keep people housed,” ly than others. Councilman Gilbert long-term tenants for no reason,” O’Farrell said. Cedillo, 1st District, suggested the photo courtesy of the LAPD said Councilman David Ryu, 4th As emergency ordinances, the The LAPD wants to connect with the community at its annual open motions will skip the committee See Council page 25 District. house on Oct. 20. 2 October 17, 2019 CALENDAR Park Labrea News/Beverly Press ‘Comedy and is holding the eighth annual “Haute in Kun’s trilogy of books sponsored by Dog LA.” event on Sunday, Oct. 20, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles Cocktails’ from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural and based on the Special Collections of Center. The evening honors the Tommy the Los Angeles Public Library. 126 N. Comedian Bill Devlin brings his Lasorda family for its support of the Larchmont Blvd. (323)465-1334, “Comedy and Cocktails” show to the organization and will feature celebri- chevaliersbooks.com. Ice House in Pasadena on Thursday, ties, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, a Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. Devlin’s show mixes dog runway fashion show with celebri- some of the hottest stand-up comedians ty judges, an auction and more. Luke Combs with surprise celebrity guests. 24 N. Proceeds support Canine Companions Country music fans can see Luke Mentor Ave. (626)577-1894, icehouse- for Independence’s programs providing Combs performing on Tuesday, Oct. 22 comedy.com. assistance dogs to children, adults and at 7 p.m. at the veterans with disabilities. Tickets are Greek Theatre. Spanish films $175. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. sup- Earlier this year, port.cci.org. Combs made his- American Cinematheque, the Spanish tory as the first Institute of Cinematography and artist to simultane- Audiovisual Arts and EGEDA US are American Youth ously top all five holding “Recent Spanish Cinema Billboard country XXV” running from Friday, Oct. 18, Symphony charts for multiple through Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Music lovers are invited to a concert by weeks. Special guests Morgan Wallen Egyptian Theatre. The series features the American Youth Symphony on and Jameson Rodgers will open the recent Spanish films with the goal of Sunday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. in UCLA’s show. Tickets start at $25. 2700 N. exposing Angelenos to Spanish culture, Royce Hall. Music Director Carlos Vermont Ave. (844)524-7335, lagreek- art, music, food and fashion. Izcaray will open the orchestra’s 55th theatre.com. Screenings include “Father There is season with Joan Tower’s “Sequoia,” Only One (Padre No Hay Más Que Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony” and Uno),” “The Days to Come (Els Dies Jean Sibelius’s “Violin Concerto” fea- Music Center dance Que Vindran),” “Journey to a Mother’s turing AYS Concerto Competition win- Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra will Room (Viaje Al Cuarto De Una ner and concertmaster Gallia Kastner. perform George Balanchine’s “Jewels” Madre),” “Silence Of Others (El Tickets are free; seating is limited. from Thursday, Oct. 24, through Silencio De Otros) and “Buñuel in the 10745 Dickson Court. (310)470-2332, Sunday, Oct. 27, as part of the Dance at Labyrinth of the Turtles (Buñuel En El aysymphony.org. the Music Center series. Balanchine Laberinto De Las Tortugas), as well as choreographed the work in 1967 and many others.