Bando Dela Beats Appeal on Apartment Complex in Koreatown

Bando Dela has beat back a union-supported appeal trying to block a 153-unit apartment complex in Koreatown.

The Koreatown-based developer led by Dong Chul Shin was approved by the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, which denied the appeal against the seven-story building at 3355 West Olympic Boulevard, Urbanize Los Angeles reported. It would replace a shuttered restaurant.

The appeal was filed by the Covina-based Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility, an affiliate of the laborers union, which argued the project should be subject to further environmental study because of unspecified impacts to air quality and traffic congestion.

A staff report suggested denying the appeal, citing a lack of evidence to support its claims. Such appeals can be a pretext for a demand for union labor paid at higher wages.

Plans for the complex, dubbed The Bora, call for 153 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments above 4,800 square feet of ground-floor shops and restaurants.

An underground parking garage at the complex on Olympic Boulevard at Western Avenue would hold an unspecified number of cars.

Bando Dela employed Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit a larger building than allowed by zoning rules in exchange for 16 affordable apartments for extremely low-income households.

The white and beige complex, designed by Koreatown-based Andmore Partners, includes both inset and exterior balconies, according to a rendering. It has a rooftop terrace, podium deck and recreation rooms.

The Bora is Bando Dela’s second large project in Koreatown, following a 252-unit apartment complex at Olympic and Hobart boulevards, according to Urbanize.

The project is just west of Olympic and Manhattan Place, where Jamison Services is now building a similar complex with 118 apartments above ground-floor shops.

— Dana Bartholomew