UEST COMMENTARY-Once upon a time, Target had an ambitious plan to build a new shopping center at the southwest corner of Sunset Boulevard and Western Avenue.
The complex would offer a modern, pedestrian-oriented design, with ground-level retail, a plaza and outdoor dining, as well as wide sidewalks and landscaping. Target center would also transform the blighted corner into a vibrant, safe, family-friendly community. While the project was met with some opposition, as such developments typically do, most residents supported it.
The only issue is the overall project height, being slightly above the area’s zoning ordinance. Nevertheless, it was well worth it: the project would bring hundreds of jobs and a major improvement to the area. So, the city council approved it, and the construction commenced shortly thereafter.
But…
The eastern Hollywood area unfortunately also has NIMBYs, including a local group “Citizens Coalition Los Angeles” (CCLA). NIMBYs are infamous for rejecting any & all developments – even if it means improvement – as long as it would be “in their backyard”. So, the lawsuit soon followed – in an attempt to block the project under any pretense. The NIMBYs did succeed, and the judge – as ridiculous as it sounds – blocked the construction that was already well under way.
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 18
Pub: Mar 3, 2015
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