A 45-story condominium project proposal adjacent to Beverly High is causing concerns among City Council members and area neighbors. The $400 million SunCal development to be located on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Moreno Drive has raised fears that it will cause unbearable traffic during peak hours.
Safety concerns and the literal shadow the proposal will create over the high school have also been brought to the Council’s attention. "We want to make sure we know exactly what it is and how it affects our city," Mayor Jimmy Delshad has said of the project.
Given the existing traffic at Moreno Drive during the end of school days, many are afraid that the entrance to the new development on the same street will prove disastrous for traffic. The proposed addition of 177 new large residences could bring flow around the area to a halt.
L.A. Councilmember Jack Weiss’ office could not comment on specific measures regarding the proposal but noted that, because the building will be centrally located, it will encourage pedestrian traffic instead of auto traffic. At the very least, it may encourage people to take public transportation.
"If you’re familiar with Century City, you know that getting around as a pedestrian, particularly from the Beverly Hills side, is very challenging," Lisa Hansen from Weiss’s office said. "The vision, developed in conjunction with the property owners and Bob Hale [the architect] involves improving streetscape, making it more accessible for pedestrians…so ideally fewer people will need to drive to Century City."
SunCal’s entitlement application is being reviewed over the next several months, and they will be meeting with the City’s leaders to discuss the future of the development.
(Source: Beverly Hills Weekly)