Council Passes Slew of Westside Projects on Eve of Weiss' Departure

Just weeks before City Councilman Jack Weiss' departure on June 30, a number of high-profile projects have been presented to the council for review. Jack Weiss, who lost his recent bid for city attorney to Carmen Trutanich, presides over the 5th district - one of the wealthiest in LA. Among those projects already passed by the council are a 39-story tower at Westfield's Century City shopping mall and a controversial residential tower on La Brea Ave. Tomorrow will see whether the Museum of Tolerance will get its much-anticipated expansion. The flurry of requests comes in anticipation of Councilman-elect Paul Koretz' reputation for anti-development.

One project however, will not make it out so easy. Koretz has asked the council to delay their vote on a 14-story Burton Way condo proposal. The project, which asks for exemption from the existing 45-foot height limit, is staunchly opposed by the neighboring Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. Jack Weiss on the other hand, has built his reputation as a development-friendly Councilman, and sits on the council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Having made numerous area developer friends, Weiss' run for city attorney relied on financial support from these relationships. Interest groups from Rick Caruso to Westfield were represented in his losing bid.

Two other projects were also recently approved on Burton Way - on the same premium stretch of land between the Beverly Center and the Beverly Hills city limits. Incidentally, the apartment project at 8500 Burton Way is an 88-unit Caruso development. The other developer attempted to woo the council with a supplementary affordable housing building nearby targeted toward workers at Cedars Sinai, but the city shot down that idea as a "bribed" liability. This town may never find a feasible solution for affordable housing. Oh well, Caruso claims his building will house a Trader Joe's.