The project will transform the studio site with new facilities while preserving the historic façade along Beverly Boulevard. (photo by Edwin Folven)
Following a six-hour public hearing on Sept. 12, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission unanimously approved the Television City 2050 project, a plan to modernize and expand the historic 25-acre studio site at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. stage wash lighting
The approval capped a five-year process during which the Planning Department conducted an environmental impact review, held public meetings and responded to hundreds of concerns raised by opponents. Planning Department staff recommended the commission grant approval. The project will next go before the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee and later the full City Council.
Television City is owned and operated by Hackman Capital Partners, which is seeking to expand the studio to better meet the needs of production companies. The plan calls for 1,724,000 square feet of sound stage, production support, production office, general office and retail uses, with the retention of 264,377 square feet of existing uses. The Planning Commission approved a Specific Plan for Television City, which creates a special site where specific uses – such as studio production – are allowed, as well as the project itself.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District, worked with Hackman Capital Partners during the past year to reduce the size of the project by 150,000 square feet. On Sept. 11, she called for an additional reduction of 50,000 square feet as well as greater setbacks and lower building heights along Fairfax Avenue as a condition of her support. Combined, the 200,000-square-foot reduction amounts to a decrease of 10% from the initial project plan. At the meeting on Sept. 12, Hackman Capital Partners agreed to meet the councilwoman’s requirements.
“We are grateful to the Planning Commission for their vote of approval, which will help to improve the Beverly/Fairfax neighborhood while keeping and creating thousands of good entertainment industry and ancillary jobs in Los Angeles,” Hackman Capital Partners founder and CEO Michael Hackman said. “We are especially grateful to Councilmember Yaroslavsky for her direction and support, helping to guide refinements to the project in response to feedback raised by residents and stakeholders.”
The approval marks a milestone for Television City, which opened in 1952. The Television City project is supported by numerous organizations and individuals such as the Mid City West Neighborhood Council, Fairfax Business Association, Melrose Business Improvement District, Park La Brea Residents Association, Los Angeles Conservancy and Jewish Family Services. Hackman Capital Partners and the project’s supporters believe it will be a catalyst for economic growth in the city’s film and television production industry, and will create thousands of jobs. Hackman Capital Partners is also committed to providing more than $4 million for improvements in the surrounding community.
Dozens of people spoke both in favor and opposition to the project during the Planning Commission public hearing. Opponents believe the project is too large and will adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood with more density and traffic. They contended the project description is too vague and does not limit Hackman Capital Partners to using the site as a production studio. Opponents include Caruso and The Grove, the A.F. Gilmore Company and Original Farmers Market, the Broadcast Center Apartments, the Beverly Fairfax Community Alliance, Save Beverly Fairfax, Miracle Mile Residential Association, Beverly Wilshire Homes Association and Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development.
The Planning Commission denied nine appeals of the environmental impact report’s certification filed by the opponents before approving the specific plan and the project itself. Dates for the Los Angeles City Council review are still pending. The public will have further opportunity to weigh-in at the City Council hearings.
“While the TVC 2050 developer promotes the project as a studio, in reality they are asking the city for a blank check approval for many types of potential uses, a massive increase in square footage and up to 20 years of phased construction, all subject to minimal public review. In recent months, more than 2,200 local residents signed petitions against the project, and after the draft EIR was published, more than 450 residents, community organizations and businesses submitted letters to the Planning Department opposing the project,” Neighbors for Responsible TVC Development co-chairs Danielle Peters and Shelley Wagers said in a statement. “We are deeply disappointed that our Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky and the L.A. City Planning Commission prioritized speculative development over the community’s reasonable requests for changes that would produce a successful studio compatible with our neighborhood. We look forward to bringing our concerns to the L.A. City Council in the weeks ahead.”
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