Council Considers How to Use City’s Last Major Piece of Land

City Council members listened to suggestions Tuesday on how best to use Beverly Hills’ last major piece of undeveloped, city-owned real estate--nine acres next to the Civic Center in what is known as the industrial area.

At the first of a series of hearings to introduce a plan for development of the 43 acres, the city staff and a citizens planning advisory committee recommended rezoning the area--bounded by Santa Monica and Beverly boulevards, Burton Way, Maple Drive and the Civic Center--for commercial mixed use.

Deputy Planning Director David Lightner said buildings such as corporate headquarters would be suitable for the 10 acres within the industrial area that are privately owned, because they would fit into the proposed plan, which calls for a business park consisting of low-rise buildings with low-density occupancy.

Construction of one hotel and some residential units is also possible, though controversial, he said.

Planning Commission Chairman Ron Rosen said that all city-owned property in the area would be reserved for municipal use, such as vehicle repair, and, in the future, perhaps water pumping and human services.

Currently on the property are city refuse transfer and trash compaction plants, a Pacific Telephone facility and Edison substation, Hilton Hotels headquarters, small office buildings and a Mercedes-Benz showroom.

The David Geffen Co. has already submitted plans and an environmental impact report for a corporate headquarters building to be built at its property at 3rd Street and Maple Drive in the industrial area. The proposal is scheduled for a hearing by the city’s Environmental Review Board in December, then by the Planning Commission.

A public hearing on the industrial area plan will be held Dec. 9.