STUDIO CITY : More Limits Sought on Hillside Buildings

The president of a Studio City residents association has asked Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs to close what he calls a loophole in a 1992 ordinance designed to prevent the “mansionization” of hillsides in Los Angeles.

While the Hillside Ordinance restricts the height and density of single-family dwellings, it does not place such limits on condominiums or apartment buildings.

Tony Lucente said failure to do so is a potentially serious flaw in the ordinance, and has asked Wachs to amend it to include such structures.

As an example, he cites a 21-unit Laurelwood Drive condominium project that his group has been battling. The project was approved before the ordinance went into effect, but Lucente said similar structures could still be built under the ordinance.

“I think the intention of the ordinance is to protect the hillsides--period,” Lucente said. “It’s just that the focus was on family homes, and that leaves some things out.”

Tom Henry, planning deputy for Wachs, said the ordinance did not overlook apartments and condominiums, but rather intentionally targeted single-family dwellings. Henry said it is possible that some zoning changes may be needed.

“A lot of the hillside has been graded and is being replaced by what could easily be perceived as a bulky project,” Henry said, referring to the Laurelwood Drive project.

He said he would be willing to meet with Lucente and others to discuss the possibility of zoning changes that would place height limits on multi-unit buildings, lessen the amount of buildable area on a plot and require landscaping.