West Hollywood : Rooftop Parking Plan OKd

Against the recommendation of Councilman John Heilman, the City Council has agreed to allow the Sports Connection, 8612 Santa Monica Blvd., to scrap plans for a rooftop track and recreational area in favor of additional parking spaces.

Heilman, appealing Planning Commission approval of 38 additional spaces, argued Monday that the developers of the health club were attempting to renege on a promise to install a running track and other facilities on the roof.

Defending the request for additional parking, an attorney for the health club told the council that the Sports Connection decided not to build a rooftop basketball court for insurance reasons.

“Our insurance company is going crazy about the possibility of a basketball flying off the roof and onto someone’s head,” attorney Arlen Andelson said. He said the club would not install a basketball court even if the council voted against the additional parking.

Neighbors of the club, who have been opposed to both increased parking and rooftop recreational space, expressed concern that added parking would mean more noise and would create the need for increased lighting, which they regard as a nuisance.