Westside : HOTEL ON HOLD

The Beverly Hills City Council this week rejected a developer’s plan to build an eight-story hotel on Wilshire Boulevard without first conducting an environmental study of the project.

In a 5-0 vote, the council decided the owner of Wilshire/Linden Properties must submit an environmental impact report before going ahead with the proposed 274-room luxury hotel at 9730 Wilshire Blvd.

The council acted in response to an appeal filed by developer Bahador Mahboubiwho challenged a planning department finding that an environmental review was mandatory.

Mahboubi, who owns the property, contended that past studies of Wilshire Boulevard developments--including those for stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York--adequately identified any impact the hotel might have on the area.

More than a dozen residents spoke against the proposed hotel.