Land Use and Planning committee (LUPC) met 2 September to hear six applicants.

Before the hearing of the planning cases, Mehrnoosh Mojallali, member of LUPC, started to give a presentation regarding her plan for Windward Circle and the Westminster Dog Park. Mojallali, was interrupted during her presentation of renovating the Windward Circle. It appears giving the presentation could possibly show conflict of interest.

1620 Electric was a demolition of a single-family dwelling with another single-family dwelling on an R-2 lot. It was one of the “de minimus” cases returned by the California Coastal Commission and going thru the process. LUPC members turned the project down because it did not meet the neighborhood profile and because of shading. The project was within the Venice Coastal Specific Plan ordinance.

Neighbors spoke of it being out of character, destroying a cactus, shading others, and having incorrect statistics regarding height in relation to other buildings. One member of LUPC said the board should make decisions based on the specific plan, not on neighbors’ emotional input. The plan is the law.

LUPC member Ramsey Daham said neighbors’ emotional complaints should be directed at the Venice specific plan, not at a project that follows the plan. Neighbor Arnold Springer spoke about LUPC giving time to fix the specific plan.

Joe’s Restaurant which wanted an additional hour of operation “to keep up with his competitors” was granted the one extra hour.

2707 Ocean Front Walk which wanted a height variance and a side yard variance for a 630 square foot patio was approved.

Charcoal Restaurant at 425 Washington Blvd was approved for a full line of alcoholic beverages.

672 Brooks was approved as a small lot subdivision for two units.

665 Vernon which is an almost twin to 672 Brooks has unknown status at this time.