Members of the Beverly Hills Planning Commission moved closer to a final vote on plans for a proposed development at 9600 Wilshire Blvd., which currently houses the Saks Fifth Avenue buildings, at their July 24 meeting.
The commission’s discussion, which was continued from its May 1 and June 10 meetings, focused primarily on issues that have slowed progress on the project since its inception. Those issues include how much traffic the project will generate in the neighborhood and how much additional noise it will cause, both during construction and upon completion.
Following more than three hours of discussion, Commissioners Terri Kaplan and Gary Ross said they could support the project based on the information they had, and Chair Jeff Wolfe and Vice Chair Lou Milkowski said they needed more information before they could cast a vote.
Milkowski stated that he would like more updated data about how the project will impact traffic in the area, taking into account how rideshare services such as Uber and Waymo would affect the situation.
“I would be hesitant to vote at this point in time,” said Milkowski. “I would like to see more data … I would like to delay a vote.”
Wolfe requested additional information about how the project’s commercial space will be distributed between retail, restaurants and office space; how noise from construction might be better mitigated; and assurance that regulations around amplified noise in neighborhood districts will be made clear to future residents of the new buildings.
“This is a very complicated and large project … there’s some additional things that I want to make sure are incorporated into this and then we’ll want one more bite of the apple at another meeting,” he said.
Plans for the 9600 Wilshire Blvd. project were initially submitted to the city in 2022. If approved, it will include the construction of two six-story mixed-use residential structures and two commercial buildings, one six stories and the other seven stories. The commercial buildings would feature a spa, retail space, boutique hotel, membership club and office space.
As part of the project, the existing Saks Fifth Avenue Women’s building would be redeveloped through a rehabilitation and adaptive reuse plan.
Some residents have spoken out against the project at previous public hearings, particularly those who live in the southwest neighborhood of Beverly Hills, which would be heavily impacted by the development.
Their concerns have primarily focused on the height of the buildings, traffic implications and noise related to construction, which is expected to take approximately five years.
At the July 24 meeting, southwest Beverly Hills resident Ken Goldman reiterated concerns regarding traffic, density and street closures that he has voiced in the past.
“You’ve heard from dozens of southwest residents opposed to this project, which will have a long-lasting effect on the quality of our residential life,” he said. “You have our written comments … I hope you will take our concerns into account.”
Representatives from four local trade unions also restated their ongoing opposition to the project, including IBEW Local 11, which represents electrical workers; United Association (UA) Local 250, which represents steamfitters; UA Plumbers Local 78; and Ironworkers Local 433.
“We are here to show continued opposition to this project as we represent the hardworking men and women in the construction industry,” said Mike Costagin of IBEW Local Union 11. “I am disappointed that the applicant has failed to reach out and make a strong commitment to the practice of sound development practices. This applicant should make commitments to the skilled and trained workforce.”
In response, Douglas Adams, senior vice president of development for Saks Global, said that it is “premature” to begin discussions with construction-related trade unions as they have not hired a general contractor and do not yet have a final project approved.
“We believe a project of this scale and this quality will require lots of union participation on the project, and at the right time, when we have a contractor on board and a project approved, we will sit down with them and work things out,” he said.
Commissioners will continue their consideration of the issue at their August 15 meeting.
