One of the most important parts of keeping a city safe is making sure emergency vehicle access for first responders is kept clear. When someone calls 911 or there is a sheriff’s department call for help, the last thing you want is any intersection to be log-jammed.
IN RECENT WEEKS I HAVE BEEN ASKED which West Hollywood City Council members approved the controversial Chevron car wash project, and the answer was surprising to those who asked me.
Former council members Lindsey Horvath, John D’Amico and John Duran approved the project with John Heilman recusing himself since he lives less than 500 feet from the project. Council member Lauren Meister voted to support my appeal to deny the project.
But what does this all mean? It means the three former council members supported a project that will create more gridlock and problems to the overburdened intersection of Holloway Drive and La Cienega Boulevard.
One of the most important parts of keeping a city safe is making sure emergency vehicle access for first responders is kept clear. When someone calls 911 or there is a sheriff’s department call for help, the last thing you want is any intersection to be log-jammed.
But now, the intrusion of what will almost certainly be an incredibly busy car wash, you can count on it creating an unending traffic problem at that intersection.
Are there ways to get around this pending problem? Well, those who are aware could plan to avoid that area and intersection. But that is not going to cure the problem with the MTA buses and morning and evening rush hour using this main drag to get to work.
The particulars are: the proposed project was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission which includes the demolition of the 1.724-square-foot Chevron station building with a 24-hour convenience store and automobile repair service. The proposed new construction includes a 2.584-square-foot, two-tenant commercial building with a 24-hour convenience store that will sell beer and wine. The project includes the construction of an attached 900-square-foot automated car wash facility.
My appeal opposed the approval of the project based on the fact that the project does not adequately address traffic mitigation measures, adds unnecessary additional beer and wine sales to the vicinity, did not follow proper public noticing and Planning Commission approval procedures, does not comply with environmental regulations, and that onsite parking is insufficient to support the proposed operation.
Then there are the residents who live nearby that now tell me they had no idea this project was approved. But I would say that was probably because the Planning Commission meeting was on March 5, and the following week the global pandemic began and continued during my Zoom appeal city council meeting in August 2020.
Residents were, of course, distracted by the ongoing news of this pandemic.
Jerome Cleary is a longtime West Hollywood resident and business owner. He can be contacted at JeromeCleary@aol.com
