Council OKs Deal for NoHo Commons Project

With scant discussion and a unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved the NoHo Commons redevelopment deal in North Hollywood, including $43.9 million in public subsidies and loans to help the $218.7-million project.

The 16.7-acre private development next to the North Hollywood subway station is designed to provide 822 residential units, including 162 categorized as affordable housing; 220,000 square feet of retail space; 250,000 square feet of office space; and 3,500 parking spaces.

Of the affordable housing units, 28 will be for very low-income residents, 80 for low-income and 54 for moderate-income families.

The plan requires that 75% of the 1,600 permanent jobs created by the project will pay at least the city’s living wage of $7.99 an hour, or $9.24 an hour if health benefits are not provided, according to the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency.

Cliff Goldstein, a senior partner of developer J.H. Snyder, said some figures may change, and office space may be reduced to 200,000 square feet.

Councilman Eric Garcetti said the council’s approval came on the same day voters went to the polls to select a representative in the area. But he said that since both major candidates support the proposal, there was no reason for delay.

Developers have promised that a child-care center, public school and community clinic will be part of the project.

At least 50 places in the day-care center will be set aside for families with very low to moderate incomes.

The living wage and other low-income parts of the project were negotiated by the nonprofit Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, based downtown, and North Hollywood community representatives.

Developers are scheduled to break ground next summer, with the project to be completed in the fall of 2003. Some property acquisitions will begin next month.