Mark Ryavec, president of the Venice Stakeholders Association, announced today (4 June) that  his organization will be filling a letter requesting that the City obtain a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the City’s proposed use of the Metro lot as  a “Bridge Housing” shelter.

In addition to the CDP, Ryavec says the City will have to obtain zoning approval for a  change of use to permit the shelter use, and  the property will have to meet the California Environmental Quality Act  (CEQA) requirements for “temporary” use, according to Ryavec.

Councilman Mike Bonin announced this weekend that he wanted to use the 3.5 acre site  for Mayor Eric Garcetti’s “Bridge Housing” that he plans for his CD11.  Second spot  on the map is the VA Campus in Brentwood for the “Bridge Housing.” 
The specific details for a “Bridge” are not known to community members.  There is a Community Open House planned for 13 June, 6 to 8 pm at Westminster Elementary School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd.

The Metro lot, also known as Metro 6 and MTA for Metropolitan Transit Authority, is in the process of being demolished in preparation for an undisclosed project.

“The temporary use of the bus yard as a stop-gap shelter for the homeless may be appropriate if it moves homeless from existing Venice encampments and prevents the re-use of these sites as encampments in the future,” wrote Ryavec.

“We will propose to the city means to accomplish the closure of existing encampment sites at the same time as the Metro site is brought on-line — after the city meets coastal, zoning and CEQA requirements.”