Photo: Diane Edwardson, June 14, 2009. Menlo Property includes much open space (to the left of the fence) above their upper retaining wall. (Click on photo to enlarge.)February 23, 2010, the City Planning Advisory Agency issued a decision to approve 120 condo units on the Menlo Property. The scheme includes removal of almost all of the manufactured slope on Riverside Drive, while leaving the giant retaining walls.
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy filed an appeal of the decision for failure to include a recreational trail in the approved plan.
The Advisory Agency failed to require a General Plan Amendment to remove the trail from the Community Plan map. This is important because it sets a bad precedent allowing developers to ignore whatever they don't like in the Community Plan.
It also sets precedent for developers to get rid of trails in higher use areas without going through the proper approval process, which includes review by the Planning Commission.
The Silver Lake - Echo Park - Elysian Valley Community Plan includes a trail through the Menlo Property as part of a the trail between Griffith Park and Elysian Park, connecting further to El Pueblo de Los Angeles. It is also a part of the Rim of The Valley Trail Corridor which includes the Red Car Property, Semi Tropic Spiritualists' Tract and Elysian Park in our neighborhood.
City Planning Commission Hearing
Thursday, April 8, 2010
After 8:30 AM
City Hall 10th Floor
200 N. Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Case # VTT-70871-A1
2600-2750 Riverside Drive
See also: our neighborhood's Legacy of Failed Development
