Yaroslavsky Responds About Fox Expansion

I would like to clarify two points in your analysis article on the 20th Century Fox expansion proposal (Jan. 17). First, contrary to your report, I did propose to cut 100,000 square feet from the proposed project when I testified before the Planning Commission’s hearing examiner. Apparently, I did not make that point clear enough.

The framework I proposed for resolving the Fox issue hinged on phasing the development in order to monitor traffic impacts and check the traffic generation assumptions upon which this project is based. Under my proposal, the final phase of the Fox project--the last 100,000 square feet of office space--would require a full discretionary permit process, identical to the one Fox is in the midst of now. There would be a full environmental review, traffic analysis and a public hearing. The city could approve the final phase or reject it. In no case could Fox request a third phase, unless it fulfilled the requirements of the first two phases; limiting traffic generation to agreed upon daily and peak-hour traffic levels. In other words, unlike the first two phases, there would be nothing ministerial or automatic about the final phase.

Second, I must take issue with the criticism that the city hasn’t listened to the community’s concerns on this matter. Over a dozen homeowner associations have slaved during the last three years to analyze the Fox proposal and to provide me and city staff with meaningful information, which has helped frame our recommendations on this matter. Every homeowner association in and around Century City, with the exception of the Cheviot Hills Homeowners Assn., has worked closely with us. Cheviot has chosen to absent itself from the process. Ironically, it is the Cheviot association that has complained most about being excluded from the process.

I wish I had the benefit of their input. Unfortunately, all I’ve had is a political campaign designed to drive Fox out of our community. One should not confuse lack of input with disagreement over our ultimate objective. I don’t share the view that Fox should leave Century City, and I don’t think a majority of Westside residents do either. Fox is important to our region’s and our city’s economic base, and properly limited and conditioned, it can be a good neighbor to the surrounding communities.

As I said at the hearing, I don’t think this issue has to be a choice between jobs and our quality of life. We must strive for both. The phased Fox development and the reduction of 100,000 square feet of office space from its requested entitlements, which I have proposed to the Planning Commission, is just the framework which can accomplish both.

ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

Councilman, Los Angeles