foot high ceilings.
“That was quite a different experience than what is proposed here,” Genser said. “I can understand why people would have a problem living there.”
The Planning Commission has already spoken out against creating units of 250 square feet, saying they should be at least double that size. The commission also recommended that the council take into consideration the loss of existing garden area and open space and compensate for that loss.
Councilmembers also criticized the proposed size of the development, saying it seemed too large for the neighborhood.
Changing the proposal significantly may change the economics of the project and force the owners to consider other options.
The owners of the park said they want to make the condos affordable for the city’s workforce, in particular, firefighters and police officers, teachers and nurses. To do so, the condos will be smaller than the average, and in turn, will be more affordable.
The Village Trailer Park Homeowners Association and its attorneys from the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles submitted a letter to the council stating their support for the development agreement process, but raised concerns about relocation benefits and the size of the studios.
The developer initially gave notice to the tenants that the mobile home park would close on July 31, 2007, but has extended that closing date to Jan. 31, 2008. Evictions have been put on hold following the council’s decision to enter into the development agreement process.
At least one councilmember wasn’t ready to give up on the project as proposed. Pam O’Connor said her colleagues should “keep an open mind” about the scale of the project and look at various factors such as the city’s commitment to affordable housing.
Mayor Richard Bloom said he believes the development agreement process will help in creating a project that most will be happy with. He also said Luzzatto seemed genuine in his efforts to help the trailer park residents find homes.
“Mr. Luzzatto alluded to the fact that we are talking about people’s homes and that is always a difficult subject,” Bloom said. “But I believe this is an applicant who has come to us in good faith …”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 30, 2007. Read the original PDF.