West Hollywood Reviews Sweetzer Avenue Housing Plans

A developer wants to build a four-story apartment building near West Hollywood’s city limits.

Property owner Dariush Lamy submitted plans to the West Hollywood Planning Commission’s Design Review Subcommittee for a four-story building with nine units at 1280 North Sweetzer Avenue, Urbanize Los Angeles reported. The vacant lot spans 6,800 square feet.

The developer is looking to build taller than the three-story height limit permitted by zoning. One unit of on-site affordable housing would be provided in exchange for the density bonus. A single-level subterranean parking garage with 11 spaces is also proposed.

Renderings of 1280 North Sweetzer Avenue (Mobius Arch)

Lamy’s property is across the street from another multifamily development at 1257 North Sweetzer Avenue that recently opened to residents. As part of its state-mandated housing goals, the City of West Hollywood must plan to add 3,933 housing units to its stock by the end of the decade, making projects such as Lamy’s a drop in the bucket.

More housing in West Hollywood is on the way. West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation is moving forward with its plans for a seven-story building at 910 North Wetherly Drive comprising 89 units, all of which would be designated for rent as affordable housing. That development will welcome residents with chronic illnesses, young adults transitioning from foster care and people aged 16 to 25 who face challenges in mental health, housing, education and employment. Construction is expected to finish next year.

Developers across Los Angeles are increasingly pursuing affordable housing projects, often to take advantage of streamlined approval timelines under legislation such as L.A.’s Executive Directive 1 or state and local density bonus laws, including Lamy’s proposal in West Hollywood. Among metro areas nationwide, Los Angeles ranked among the top 10 building affordable housing in the post-pandemic era, according to RentCafe data.

— Chris Malone Méndez