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January 2026

The Beverly Hills City Council provided direction on priorities for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the Jan. 13 City Council Study Session.

The Beverly Hills Planning Commission at its Jan. 8 meeting approved a resolution to recommend that the City Council adopt an updated Open Space Element (OSE) in the city's General Plan.

On June 30, 2025, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 130, which made significant modifications to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) but also dramatically changed the landscape for HOAs.

A proposed development at 9229 Wilshire Blvd. will be reconsidered by the Beverly Hills Planning Commission at almost twice its original height following a decision by the City Council at its Jan. 13 meeting.  

The vote could reshape transportation from the San Fernando Valley to West Los Angeles.

Saks Global Holdings LLC (Saks Global) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on Jan. 13.

Councilmember John Mirisch filed a Petition for Writ of Mandate against Huma Ahmed, in her capacity as clerk of the city of Beverly Hills; the office of the city clerk; and the city of Beverly Hills on Jan. 12 in Los Angeles Superior Court. 

Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board Member Amanda Stern demanded to be installed as the board’s next vice president at a heated board meeting on Jan. 13.

Beverly Hills City Councilmember Lester Friedman has announced exclusively to the Courier that he will seek reelection this year for his third and final term.

The incident took place while Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) campuses were closed for winter break.