Approve Senior Housing Complex

Few places make better sense for a low-income senior housing complex than near a drugstore, a big mall, two freeways and a major shopping street with plenty of bus service. But neighbors of just such a proposed project in Sherman Oaks claim the four-story complex would ruin property values, clog streets with traffic and harm the suburban character of their community of single-family houses. Rubbish.

Although residents deserve a say in the development of their neighborhoods, complaints over the Menorah Housing Foundation’s project sound more like petty “Not In My Back Yard” politics than legitimate concerns over development. The Los Angeles City Planning Commission ought to approve Menorah’s application for a conditional-use permit and a variance when it considers the project next month.

Despite neighbor objections, the project at Noble Avenue and Moorpark Street promises three big community benefits.

First, the elderly poor could count on decent, affordable apartments in a safe community close to shopping and transportation. Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer correctly noted at a hearing last week that Sherman Oaks suffers from a shortage of housing for poor seniors. As 62-year-old Beverly Walter pointed out: “A lot of places there’s a waiting list of 400 people. You almost have to wait for someone to die.” That’s unacceptable. The 85 units in Menorah’s project won’t solve the problem, but they would be a good step toward providing the kind of homes seniors deserve.

Second, it would fill a giant, weed-choked hole left by a previous developer whose plans to build a condominium project fell victim to the soft housing market of the early 1990s. As it stands, the lot is an eyesore that benefits no one except maybe a few stray cats. Although a senior housing project generates more traffic and noise than a vacant lot, it’s far less intrusive than, say, an auto body shop or even a four-story condo building. Neighbors who complain that the project includes too many apartments should remember that the building was cut from 115 units after they complained. And it provides more parking spaces than are required by city codes.

Finally, the project is an example of smart planning--contrary to the fears of its critics. The lot abuts busy Ventura Boulevard and the project would provide a smart transition between businesses to the south and residential neighborhoods to the north. Because of its proximity to the Sherman Oaks Galleria, a drugstore and bus lines, seniors without cars would be a short walk from services. Plopping a four-story building in the middle of a residential neighborhood makes no sense. Tucking it along the edge does.

Few places make better sense for a low-income senior housing project than the Sherman Oaks site selected by Menorah. Planners should recognize that. If they take off their NIMBY blinders and look ahead a few years, opponents to the project should too.