STUDIO CITY : Inquiry Reopened on Condos’ Zoning

At the urging of a local residents association, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety has reopened an investigation into whether a partially constructed Studio City condominium complex violates local zoning ordinances.

At the request of City Councilman Joel Wachs, building and safety officials investigated the 21-unit complex on Laurelwood Drive near Carpenter Avenue in June and found it to be in compliance with regulations.

But members of the Studio City Residents Assn., not satisfied with the ruling, have pressed for further investigation.

“The homeowners are sort of on the bandwagon again,” said principal building inspector Bob Kline. “They are asking more questions, but I think we’re going to be giving them the same answers.”

However, Kline added that a spa on the roof of the structure may need to be lowered or removed.

At issue is the 1988 approval of the project, which placed a 35-foot height limit on half of the project, and a 45-foot ceiling on the remainder. If measured from the curb, the project exceeds height limits dictated by the Planning Department in 1988 and local zoning ordinances, but if measured from the grade of the hill, it does not.

Though project developer Ajit Mithaiwala said he is confident the project is up to code, he also said he would correct any problems officials discovered.

“If there is any error I’ve made, then I’m going to fix it,” Mithaiwala said. “Even if we’ve missed something by a foot or two, I’m going to fix it.”

John De Pascale, a member of the residents association, said the job should be stopped while the investigation is being conducted.

“We still question why they haven’t shut that aspect of the job down,” De Pascale. “As far as we’re concerned this is not resolved.” Residents also say the project was approved as apartments, not condominiums, and they will fight any attempt by the developer to have the designation changed.