Barrington Plaza Plan Opponents Concerned About Density, Traffic : Development: The builder has asked for zoning variances that would allow commercial development on a residential-zoned portion of the property.

Opponents of a proposed 23-story commercial development at Wilshire Boulevard and Barrington Avenue have started a campaign to block the project, which they say exceeds official density limits set for the property.

The developer, Barrington Plaza Ltd., has asked for zoning variances to the Los Angeles Municipal Code that would allow commercial development on a residential-zoned portion of the property.

Activists, organized into the West L.A. Community Organization, say that the variances, along with proposed amendments to the Los Angeles General Plan, call for a denser use of the land than allowed when the plans were drawn up nearly 30 years ago.

“Every ordinance that governs development in this city has to be changed to squeeze this thing through,” Jon Shaughnessy, a spokesman for the activists, told a group of 30 residents Tuesday evening, at the first in a series of community meetings. “There’s a feeling that there’s already too many people and not enough room in West L.A. We are exceeding the carrying capacity of the area.”

As proposed, the 402,000-square-foot project would include a 262-room hotel and nearly 210,000-square feet of office space. Nine levels of subterranean parking also are planned.

A two-story, professional-retail building and three high-rise apartment buildings with 712 units, known as Barrington Plaza, now occupy the parcel.

The existing commercial building on the site would be demolished.

Opponents say the project will generate too much traffic, pollution and sewage. An initial draft of the environmental impact report predicts that the project would create an additional 4,706 vehicle trips per day on surrounding streets. Eight nearby intersections would be adversely affected by the traffic, the report predicts. The intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Barrington Avenue already is classified as one of the most congested in the city, planning studies show.

The West Los Angeles residents who oppose the project are supported by a number of Brentwood and Westwood homeowner groups. Los Angeles City Councilman Marvin Braude, whose 11th District includes the property, also opposes the project as it is currently proposed, according to his chief deputy, Cindy Miscikowski.

“There is no evidence to substantiate that the city should allow a development of higher density than what is allowed in this area,” Miscikowski said. “We’re not talking about (affordable) housing. There is no desperate need for this.”

Miscikowski said that Braude would favor a combined residential-commercial use of the land, as long as it does not increase the density of the property. But residents say they are opposed to any altered or scaled-down version of the project.

The developer plans a number of public benefits, including a 3,500-square-foot recreation room to serve Barrington Plaza residents. Facades and balconies of the three apartment buildings on the site also would be refurbished, according to the plans.

Representatives for the developer did not attend the community meeting this week. They could not be reached for comment. The project is only in the most preliminary planning stages. The draft of the environmental impact report was submitted to the city in July. No formal public hearings by the Los Angeles Planning Commission are expected before February.