Developer Bends to Pressure: Agrees to EIR Process

EXCLUSIVE TO CITYWATCH—-DEEGAN ON LA--A very controversial development project that would have sent housing units twenty-six stories into the sky in the Fairfax neighborhood was grounded today

with news that developer Ira Smedra would relent to community pressure, and submit his development project to a full Environmental Impact Report process. It could be a year or more before he can break ground, pending a clean EIR and mitigation of numerous community concerns. 

Since announcing his tower plans four weeks ago, in what many have likened to an information ambush, Smedra has faced mounting criticism from community groups, and serious concerns from Hancock Park Elementary School parents that fear their children will be exposed to toxicity and other dangers as the Kmart at Third and Fairfax is demolished to make room for Smedra’s housing tower. 

The office of Councilmember David Ryu (CD4) revealed through a deputy that “we heard from the developers today that they will be pursuing a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for this project and have submitted to the planning department. A full EIR means public and detailed assessment of impacts, additional public scoping meetings and noticing and provides a process for safety concerns to be heard and answered which is why Councilmember Ryu stated he will not support this project without one.” 

CityWatch first reported the controversy on June 11, right after Ira Smedra went public with his plans. 

One beneficiary of the formal EIR process may be longtime mom and pop Italian eatery Andre’s that was facing eviction by Smedra. The delay may give longtime and loyal Andre’s customers time to mobilize and force Smedra to reconsider his intended eviction of a community favorite.

(Tim Deegan is a civic activist whose DEEGAN ON LA weekly column about city planning, new urbanism, the environment, and the homeless appear in CityWatch. Tim can be reached at [email protected].)

Photo credit: Holland Partner Group