The Beverly Hills City Council considered a proposed ordinance on a new ministerial permit process for Builder’s Remedy housing projects at its June 3 Regular Meeting. The proposed ordinance would create a streamlined approval process for Builder’s Remedy projects that meet certain requirements according to objective development, performance and affordability standards.
The item drew many public comments from residents and union organizers from UNITE HERE Local 11, prompting Mayor Sharona Nazarian to suggest the creation of an ad hoc committee for further study and to review public comments. The council unanimously passed a motion to proceed with the suggestion and to return to the item at a later, uncertain date.
Other items on the meeting agenda included a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and the nonprofit organization Friends of Greystone (FOG). FOG seeks to formalize its role, as well as obtain further direction on naming conventions for the historic property.
Members of FOG expressed their desire to use “Doheny Greystone Estate” on their materials, while the city currently uses “Greystone Mansion: The Doheny Estate.” City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey explained that the city’s choice for naming the estate was to distinguish it from other Doheny properties in Los Angeles, such as the Doheny Library.
After public hearing and discussion, the council voted to approve the MOU between the city and FOG with several amendments, including that FOG use the city’s name for the estate on their printed materials and merchandise. Other amendments to the MOU include instating ex officio board members on FOG (one from city staff and one from City Council) and a notice of 120 days instead of 180 days by the city to cancel a FOG event for any or no cause.
Earlier in the day, at its Study Session, the council heard two presentations on work plans for the 2025-26 Fiscal Year (FY). The proposals included the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB) budget of approximately $4.7 million and the Rodeo Drive Committee’s budget of approximately $185,000.
The CVB focuses on six main areas, including marketing and sales, public relations, meetings and conferences, international marketing targeting, digital programs and metrics/data analysis. Some of the highlights of the FY 2025-26 include a new sales position to target tourism challenges and underserved markets, a Route 66 Centennial collaboration with Visit California, better market forecasting through Demand 360, and new marketing campaigns. The plan reflects efforts to maintain Beverly Hills as a premier luxury destination while addressing safety concerns and exploring new streams of revenue.
Meanwhile, the Rodeo Drive Committee, a nonprofit organization, consists of nearly 100 retailers, hotels and property owners who promote Beverly Hills as a premier shopping destination. The work plan for the FY 2025-26 focuses on digital marketing and two yearly “Rodeo Drive Celebrates” campaigns, including “Rodeo Drive Celebrates Fashion” and “Rodeo Drive Celebrates Timepieces and Fine Jewelry.”
Both of the formal agreements for the CVB and Rodeo Drive Committee will return to the council for a vote at a later date.
Additionally, City Council reviewed the Willaman Drive Street Tree Master Plan, which proposes the removal of 70 red ironbark eucalyptus trees on Willaman Drive and replacement with crape myrtle trees.
North Willaman Drive property owners petitioned the city in July 2024 to remove the eucalyptus trees due to sap leaking, insect infestations, and failure to establish uniformly on the street. South Willaman Drive property owners joined the petition just a month later.
The city conducted extensive public outreach upon receiving the petition, including sending a ballot to property owners, with a majority preferring uniform crape myrtle planting.
The Willaman Drive Street Tree Master Plan outlines replacement priority criteria for the eucalyptus trees and financial impact of the project, which amounts to roughly $200,500. The majority of Willaman Drive property owners and the Public Works Commission endorse the proposal.
The council voted to approve the plan later that evening at its Regular Meeting.
