City Council Gives Green Light to 5-Story Development on Robertson

Culver City Council this week gave the green light to a proposed 5-story, mixed-use development on Robertson Boulevard with 6820 square feet of commercial space, 12 housing units and 19 subterranean parking spaces.

The development, comprised of two parcels totaling 6,108 square feet, is located 3727 Robertson, between Venice and Washington boulevards. City staff the project will contribute to the redevelopment of an underutilized site, compatible with existing transit-oriented developments.

“This was a proposed office building that morphed into development with affordable housing,” said Councilmember Albert Vera, voting for the project.

City officials said the proposed project will include “affordable housing; specifically, one moderate income unit and one workforce unit.”

To approve the project, Councilmembers unanimously voted to pass an ordinance to amend existing zoning designation from Industrial General (IG) to Commercial General (CG) as well as other housing policies and standards.

In other actions, the Council adopted an ordinance to establish “extended stay hotel” as a category of hotel/motel land uses.

City officials said the existing zoning code allows for hotels stays of less than 30 days but does not consider extended stay lodgings that certain populations may need.

The new hotel category will allow for stays of more than 30 consecutive days but less than a year, and will allow businesses and individuals to lease hotel/motel rooms for 365 consecutive days or more, officials said.

“With so many businesses coming to our city soon, our planners anticipate a significant demand for this type of accommodation, which could end up occupying ordinary residential space if we don’t plan to meet demand,” said Mayor Alex Fisch.

In its report, city staff noted the new code amendment “is also intended to reduce the strain on local housing stock so that relocating employees do not take up existing housing and apartment units on a month-to-month basis that would otherwise be available to those who plan to stay in Culver City long term.”