Westwood Village Project Defended

As the developers of a proposed mixed-use project in Westwood Village, we would like to take this opportunity to respond to various letters regarding our proposed new hotel in the village and correct some misstatements.

Nansay Corp. USA undertook this project with the express intent of fulfilling a mandate from the Westwood community as outlined in the Westwood Village Specific Plan. Following a design competition, we retained world-class architects with a specialty in creating urban, pedestrian-oriented environments. We instructed our architects to design a project which embodies the spirit of the recently enacted Specific Plan, in conformance with its design and use guidelines.

Prior to the recent controversy regarding the status of the Westwood Horizons Retirement Hotel, we--like the city officials and community leaders who endorsed the Specific Plan--were totally unaware that anyone might interpret that building to be a hotel. We continue to believe we are designing a project that meets the spirit and intent of the Westwood Specific Plan, which represents a compromise and agreement between the various diverse elements of the Westwood community.

Regarding the impact on the residents of Tiverton Avenue, it should be noted that the Specific Plan protects this neighborhood by limiting pedestrian and vehicular access, prohibiting retail display and signage, and requiring a 15-foot landscaped setback on Tiverton. The design of our hotel is sensitive to our Tiverton neighbors.

We look forward to continuing our efforts to realize this project in cooperation and consultation with the community.

T.C. WANG

vice president, Nansay Corp. USA