The Hollywood skyline could soon be changing with the addition of new buildings. The Los Angeles Times reports that earlier this month, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved zoning changes that could make it easier to erect skyscrapers in the heart of Hollywood.
Skeptics are concerned that tall buildings will block views of the Capitol Records building and add even more traffic to the already busy 101 and nearby city streets.
L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is calling the plan “elegant density,” since the population is only expected to grow in the area. The projected growth of the city by the construction of mixed-use buildings is being hailed as smart growth. According to the Times, the buildings would be constructed around transit hubs, giving residents the option of using public transportation instead of cars.
The Hollywood Community Plan will be sent to the City Council in a few months for review. While some local residents are unhappy about the construction and the looming costs of the project, there seems to be no other direction in which to build.
Former Los Angeles city planner Dick Platikin is against the idea and explained his logic to the Times. He challenged the idea of erecting mega-projects to propel growth and wonders what will happen if no one comes, and the city does not grow.
Being that Southern California is a popular place to visit and live, this may not be a problem that developers need to worry about. On the flip side, Hollywood’s population has fallen by 6% in the last decade. That 6% has not made an impact on easing traffic congestion. Morning and evening commutes along the 101, and other Los Angeles area freeways are still congested, and slow. If commuters more latch on to the idea of using public transportation, traffic could see an improvement now instead of later.
Krystal Salmans
KrystalS@totaltrafficla.com
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Huh?.. “Hollywood population has FALLEN in the last 6 years”?? One could never tell!
Because I see more people than ever before, and I’ve lived in Hollywood for over 20 years. But hey… maybe the statistics is right.
In any case, I salute the developments and increased density, as this is the only thing perhaps that will help people to improve quality of life, to get out of their little metal box (aka “cars”), start walking, using transit, and become more sociable. Afterall, walking and socializing is not all that bad
I SALUTE THE HOMEOWNERS WILL TO FIGHT WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN. BUT I HAVE ONE QUESTION TO ASK. WHAT CITY DO YOU THINK YOU ARE LIVING IN? I MEAN IF THIS WAS MISSISSIPPI OR ALABAMA, I WOULD PROBABLY BE FIGHTING ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE HOMEOWNERS NOT WANTING A BIG CITY LIFESTYLE. WHEN DID HOLLYWOOD EVER HAVE TRAFFIC AND LOUD NOISE INCLUDING SUNSET STRIP? THATS LIKE ME LIVING IN MANHATTAN AND COMPLAINING ABOUT SKYSCRAPERS BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC IT MAY CAUSE. WHAT THE COMPLAINERS OF DEVELOPERS AND DEVELOPMENT ARE SAYING IS NOT THAT THEY HATE DEVELOPMENT. BUT THEY HATE LIVING IN A BIG CITY. YOU CANT CHANGE A CITY LIKE LOS ANGELES THAT IS GROWING BUY THE NUMBERS. MOVE IF YOU DONT LIKE BIG CITY LIFE BUT DONT CHANGE IT MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE.