Politics & Government

L.A. City Council Approves Millennium Hollywood Project

The development moves forward despite vocal opposition.

Despite vocal opposition from a host of community groups, the City Council Wednesday approved the Millennium Hollywood development that would include a pair of skyscrapers flanking the Capitol Records building. 

The project, approved on a 13-0 vote, would transform the Hollywood skyline and result in two 30-plus-story skyscrapers sandwiching the historic 13-story Capitol Records building.

Proposed by New York-based developer Millennium Partners and distinguished by a pair of skyscrapers with one standing 35 stories tall and the other 39 stories, the project includes more than 400 residential units and 200 luxury hotel rooms, as well as office space, restaurants and a fitness club.

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It also takes advantage of city zoning laws that allow for higher- density projects near transit hubs.

Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, who represents Hollywood, called for the council to approve the project. He called the Millennium project a “game changer” for the community and said it was “consistent with the long range vision for Hollywood.”

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Opponents wanted the council to delay its vote, saying there were questions about whether the project would be built in an active earthquake fault zone.

Robert Silverstein, attorney for Communities United for Reasonable Development, said the City should considered the California Geological Survey’s current investigation of the area as a “red flag” and postpone the approval of the project.

“It would be irresponsible and possibly criminally negligent to approve this project as planned,” he said. “The information needs to be in front of you before you’ve made your decision, not afterwards.”

Philip Arons of New York-based Millennium Partners said that, while "the state may further investigate the location of the Hollywood Fault," he is confident the company's own "site-specific investigation" will hold up.

Although he could not be present, Councilmember Tom LaBonge of District four expressed written disproval for the proposed project through a statement read by O’Farrell.

“While I support the jobs the Millennium Project will create, I would not have voted for the project as presented,” he said. “The height is too tall and out of character (and I’m) concerned with the impact of the traffic.”

Council members said more geo-technical studies would be required before any final building permits for the project are issued. 

Dana Prevost, engineering geologist with the Department of Building and Safety, said the City recognizes the Hollywood Fault is active and has requested the developers perform additional seismic studies in addition to the fault investigation they conducted in 2012.

He also noted that he spoke to California State Geologist John Parrish, who sent the City Council a letter last Saturday informing it the California Geological Survey is conducting a study of the area. After the CGS determines if the property falls under the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, it will require additional seismic studies for developments on the property.

“The same fault investigation we’ve already required from Millennium,” he said.

The City Council's vote Wednesday was only in support of the project as a concept, according to Department of Building and Safety spokesman Luke Zamperini. The developer faces another hurdle with the city engineering staff, which issues building permits, he said. 

-City News Service contributed to this story


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here