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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The city Transportation Commission Wednesday approved a hotly debated housing project in West L.A. -- much to the frustration of residents who have raised concerns over public safety and impacts to nearby businesses.
Commissioners voted unanimously, 4-0, to use the city-owned parking lot at 2377 Midvale Ave. near Westwood and Pico boulevards for an interim housing project. The commissioners also concurred with a recommendation from the Bureau of Engineering to determine the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
According to the office of Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the 5th District and who introduced the project in July, the commission's action was necessary as it controls the use of the parking lot.
The commissioners previously took up the matter last week, but board president Eric Eisenberg requested the matter be held until the members could hear from a representative from the Bureau of Engineering to better understand the commission's role in the project. His request was unanimously supported by his colleagues.
On Monday, however, during a radio interview on KFI AM640, Eisenberg said Mayor Karen Bass' administration removed him from his position. He had served on the Transportation Commission since 2013, serving under former Mayors Antonio Villaraigosa and Eric Garcetti.
"My integrity matters more than my position as a voluntary commissioner," Eisenberg said. "Yeah, it's fun to be a commissioner, but it's not that much fun that I'm going to sell out my community."
The Los Angeles Times reported Eisenberg "believes he was removed because of his role in delaying the vote."
Bass' office did not respond to a request for comment regarding Eisenberg's removal from the commission.
Residents of the Midvale/Ranch Pico neighborhood have vehemently opposed the proposed 33-unit interim housing facility for unhoused people. The facility would include three laundry units, storage, a pet area, office/case management conferencing space, dining areas and security fencing.
On Oct. 12, the Westside Neighborhood Council voted 12-2 to oppose the project as well.
Barbara Broide, a member of the board of directors of the neighborhood council, said in a statement it was "very troubling" in regard to Eisenberg's removal from the commission.
"It demonstrates that citizen commissions under this administration are designed to be nothing more than rubber stamps," Broide said.
Residents have concerns the project will only bring occupants who have a "criminal history and substance abuse problems," according to Jay Jacoby, an alternate member of the neighborhood council. Additionally, opponents say the loss of the parking lot would negatively impact local businesses.
Bass and Yaroslavsky, along with other supporters, say the project is needed for interim homeless housing in the Fifth District.
According to Yaroslavsky's office, there are as many as 1,300 unhoused people in the district, and not enough beds to bring people off the streets, adding there's about one interim housing unit for every eight unsheltered Angelenos in the Fifth District.
The council's Housing and Homelessness Committee voted unanimously to support the interim housing proposal.
Before that vote, Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who sits on the committee, reminded concerned residents that the city is in a crisis.
"We have to lean in and do this everywhere. It's not easy to do it as a council member, and I applaud Councilwoman Yaroslavsky for coming forward to bring this project (online) -- there's no project like this in her district," Blumenfield said.
He added the proposal would create a 1,000-foot 41.18 zone around the facility -- a city law that prohibits camping, sleeping and placing belongings in designated areas.
Kay Hartman, president of the Palms Neighborhood Council, who spoke for herself during that meeting, said change can be hard, but change can and will benefit the city as a whole.
"I don't live very far from Pico. I can walk to it. I sometimes park in the lot under discussion. Interim housing is needed. This one project by itself won't make much of a difference but many such projects might. It should be built," Hartman said.
The project will be considered by the full Council on Friday.