Residents Group OKs CBS Landscape Plan

The Studio City Residents Assn. has given its OK to landscape plans for a proposed $30-million parking structure at CBS Studio Center, part of the studio’s overall expansion project approved in 1994.

The landscape improvements were needed for CBS to win conditional city approval for the six-story, 1,420-space structure to be built along Radford Avenue near Ventura Boulevard.

“We are happy to say that we reviewed the plans with our landscape architect, met with neighbors and we see that everything looks fine,” said association President Tony Lucente.

Both the association and city officials approved the landscaping plan Tuesday, Lucente said.

Area residents had objected to the location, size and design of the parking structure when studio expansion plans were unveiled three years ago.

Initially, the parking structure was to be built in the center of the studio lot. After residents protested about increased traffic in residential areas, CBS revised its plans and moved the structure 300 feet to the edge of the lot along Radford.

While CBS has won approval for a six-story structure, it is likely that it will build five stories and retain the option to add another floor later, said association member Art Howard, who spearheaded the residents’ effort.

Howard lauded recent design changes to the structure, which he called “much more attractive and aesthetically pleasing” than the initial design.

“The facade of the building that faces Radford [now] has window glass and looks more on the order of an apartment building,” Howard said.

Although the group is pleased with the parking structure, Lucente said it plans to work with the studio to mitigate an expected increase in congestion due to the expansion.