Zoning Change Strikes Nerve

As you reported in the Westside Section (Oct. 31), the Culver City Council voted 4 to 1 to change the zoning of the remaining property of Studio Estates.

This in spite of opposition by two-thirds of the residents of Studio Estates and by three-quarters of the residents of surrounding streets; in spite of purchases into Studio Estates based on advertisements, verbal promises, and a city plan depicting the area as a total single-family community; in spite of already congested traffic along Overland Avenue, especially at the Washington Boulevard and Venice Boulevard intersections; in spite of an awareness on the part of the council of numerous broken promises and improprieties by the developer, Goldrich & Kest; and in spite of warnings by council staff that not enough consideration had been given to the impact of the commercial buildings on Overland Avenue traffic.

This represents a betrayal by the council (of) the citizens of Culver City by whom they were elected. Only Councilman Paul Jacobs steadfastly refused to fall prey to this very “influential” builder.

Coincidentally, you also reported that this very same builder, Jona Goldrich, is eligible to receive a refund of “Quimby fees” due to the approval of a special ordinance which would grant such a refund for “additional considerations.” In the article, Goldrich was identified as a “politically well-connected real estate developer.” I guess the residents never had a chance against such influence. I wonder what “additional considerations” were involved in the zone change.

NANCY WILEMAN

Culver City