Official Says Units Billed as Condos May Be Rented

The developer of what was advertised as a luxury condominium complex under construction in Warner Center apparently can legally rent the units as apartments instead of selling them, a Los Angeles city building and safety official said Friday.

Richard Holquin, chief of structural plan check for the Building and Safety Department, said a preliminary examination of the 760-unit Summit project showed that the developer, G. H. Palmer, could alter the status of the development to apartment units, even though the complex had been approved as a condominium project.

Holquin said a more detailed examination by the city would have to be completed before a definitive determination was made. “But on the face of it, it looks like there’s nothing to keep him from turning them into apartments,” he said.

The decision appeared to be a blow to homeowners in Woodland Hills who oppose changing the condominiums to apartments. They said renters would bring additional traffic and noise and would lower the area’s property values.

Councilwoman Joy Picus had asked city officials to examine the project, saying the change in status raised questions about whether its approval should be withdrawn.

Picus questioned whether the developer had addressed traffic and parking impacts and other issues.

Palmer executives announced two weeks ago that economics and an analysis of real estate conditions indicated that it was impractical to sell the units, even though they had been advertised for sale as luxury townhouses. Palmer spokesmen said the firm never promised to sell the units.