Council OKs Kings Road Complex; Residents Turn Out to Oppose Renovations at Plummer Park

A four-story, 25-unit apartment building project on Kings Road got the go-ahead Monday by the City Council, which denied an appeal filed by residents trying to block the complex. 

The council voted 3-1 at its meeting to deny an appeal of the city Planning Commission's approval of the proposed apartment building at 1232-1236 Kings Road. Councilwoman Abbe Land, who was on vacation, was not present for the vote.

At its the project, which involves demolishing two single-story 1920s-era houses to make room for the new apartments. Upset residents then filed the appeal.

The City Council was not swayed by residents' arguments that the complex was a “big-box” development that would increase traffic and noise on the street and adversely affect the environment.

Councilman John D’Amico cast the sole vote to approve the appeal, saying he had concerns about the project fitting the neighborhood.

Plummer Park

Even though it was not an agenda item, Plummer Park ended up dominating much of the council meeting as numerous angry residents came out to speak against plans  

About 20 people spoke during the public comment period at the beginning and end of the meeting. Wearing green “Protect Plummer Park” stickers, those residents voiced intense opposition to the upcoming park renovation that will see a 179-space underground parking garage built in the central part of the park.

As a result of the parking garage dig, Great Hall and Long Hall, both built in the 1930s by the Work Progress Administration (WPA), along with the Tiny Tots pre-school building, will be demolished. The school will be rebuilt once the parking garage is completed, but Great Hall/Long Hall will not.

Most of the trees in the central portion of the park, including all of the old-growth trees, will also be removed during the dig. Those trees will be replaced afterward, but city staff estimates it will take 15 years for the new trees to grow to the point where they create the same amount of shade that currently exists in the park.

Additionally, Fiesta Hall will be made over into a state-of-the-art performing arts center, and a new playground area will be built. These renovations are scheduled to start in early 2012 and take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Residents made clear their anger about the park closure in their comments, as they did at a . They said the closure would disrupt their social lives, some noting that the park had become their defacto living room. Parents asked where their children were going to play during those two years.

Vista Street resident Stephanie Harker, who is spearheading the opposition, told Weho Patch after the meeting that she was pleased that residents turned out in such strong numbers.

“I hope the council sees how many people are here and hears how upset they are,” Harker said. “We want to unwind this project, stop it before it starts.”

Problems with the new chamber

At the , the first time the council used its new chamber, lighting and acoustic problems in the new room became evident. Many assumed these kinks would be worked out before Monday’s meeting, but they were not.

Lighting in the audience seating area and over the public comment podium continued to be poor. “I couldn’t tell any difference [in the lighting] between the first meeting and this one,” said resident Allegra Allison. “They need to turn the lights on bright.”

Several audience members complained of being unable to hear portions of council members' comments and staff presentations, even though microphones were used. Noise from the lobby also made it difficult to hear in the rear of the audience seating area.

“I know what Jeanne Dobrin must feel like now,” said one resident, referring to the 91-year-old, hard-of-hearing regular at council meetings. “I could barely hear a thing.”

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