Academy known in the area for more than just Grammy’s
PICO BOULEVARD While the music industry is buzzing about the reunion of British pop-rock trio The Police for the Grammys telecast in February, those in charge of putting on the prestigious awards show and their neighbors seem equally excited about winning the approval of the Planning Commission to expand their national headquarters here in Santa Monica.
Representatives with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, located at 3402 Pico Boulevard, went before the Planning Commission earlier this month to ask for a variance that would allow them to convert just under 7,500 square feet of below-grade parking into office space.
The only hurdle is current zoning laws do not allow for office space on the ground floor of a building along Pico Boulevard and other major thoroughfares where foot traffic is encouraged. The conversion would also leave the academy nine parking spaces short of what is required for the amount of square-footage added, hence the request for a variance.
After learning from city staff that the variance and text amendment to the zoning code would only affect one or two buildings in the city, not including the academy, and that the building is situated so that it does not face Pico Boulevard in any meaningful way, the commissioners unanimously approved the academy’s request.
That means the academy, known for putting on the Grammy’s and for its philanthropic work with children, will remain in Santa Monica and not have to look elsewhere for more “elbow room,” said Wayne J. Zahner, chief financial officer for the academy.
“This has been our home for the last 13 years and we could not be more pleased with the residents of Santa Monica, our neighbors and the Planning Commission for approving this request,” Zahner said. “We simply need this build-out.
“This is where we want to stay,” Zahner added. “We love our building and our neighbors.”
Zahner said the academy does not plan to add any additional staff.
Before the build-out can go forward, the academy still needs the consent of the City Council, which will most likely approve the commission’s recommendation, given the strong showing of support the academy has received from residents for its work with local schools as part of The Grammy Foundation’s Sound Checks program, which links students with professional musicians so that they can learn about various careers in the music industry.
The academy also sponsors a Little League team in town and opens its doors to the community, inviting neighbors to its annual Christmas party while also hosting events for the school district, such as the farewell party for former school Superintendent John Deasy.
“There was tremendous support for the Grammy organization,” said Gwynne Pugh, chair of the Planning Commission. “We felt like it was a worthwhile business in the city, the kind of business we would like to have in the city. They were very good neighbors and people who live on the street were very supportive of it and the community in general were supportive.”
One of those residents is John Heinritz, president of the Westowne Homeowners Association, with represents residents living in condominiums directly next to the academy.
“They are excellent neighbors, always supportive and willing to share their facility with us,” Heinritz said. “I would hate to think of Santa Monica and our neighborhood without the academy.”
The academy’s request is expected to go before the council on March 13. Since the building was constructed in 1969, there have been at least two permits granted for the conversion of the parking area to office space, the most recent being in 2003, when 2,422 square feet of parking was converted, according to a city staff report.
To ensure that the lack of required parking does not affect residents, the academy has agreed to institute a parking reduction plan. The plan seeks to reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips by 8 percent and to achieve a 10-percent employee participation rate. As part of the plan, the academy will offer preferential parking on site for those who carpool and offer public transit subsidies, among other incentives, according to a city staff report.
Also, because of a reconfiguration and redesign of the parking lot, the academy will be increasing its parking spaces from 135 to 143. “With the newly designed lot and our ride-share programs, our parking needs will be more than adequately met, so there should be no concern about us parking on the street,” said Jorge Flores, a spokesman for the academy. “The bigger picture is that we will be remaining in Santa Monica.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 31, 2007. Read the original PDF.