The Los Angeles City Planning Department has officially halted a controversial hotel project in Benedict Canyon. The project, known as the Bulgari Resort Los Angeles, faced opposition from neighbors concerned about its impact on the environment and public safety.
City Planning Director Vincent Bertoni sent a letter to developer Gary Safady, revoking the city’s approval for the 58-room luxury hotel. The project had been in the works for six years, with Safady investing millions of dollars into it.
Attorney Mike Gatto, representing Safady, criticized the decision, stating that it sends a message to potential investors that the city cannot be trusted to follow its own rules.
L.A. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the 5th District including Benedict Canyon, supported the decision to halt the hotel. She argued that the proposed location would pose a danger and negatively impact residents, especially considering the increasing threat of fires in the hillsides.
Although the Council had initially voted in favor of the hotel, they later changed their stance. In August, they voted 8 to 6 to ask the city’s planning director to consider stopping the project.
The motion called for a reconsideration of the zoning for the hotel, which had been approved in a previous General Plan amendment. While the Council’s request was not binding on the planning director, the department agreed to review the action.
The Department of City Planning released an official statement, stating that they would carefully consider the Council’s request and review various factors before making a decision.
In his letter to Safady, Bertoni cited the sensitivity of the project site, which includes habitat areas for protected or endangered species. The impacts of the project were found to be greater than initially anticipated.
Councilwoman Yaroslavsky celebrated the decision, calling it a monumental win for the mountains and a clear message that the hillsides are worth protecting.
The proposed hotel, located at 9704-9712 W. Oak Road, was undergoing an environmental review. Safady’s plans included bungalows, a restaurant, a spa, and eight homes on the property. He also promised to replace any trees displaced by construction on a 4-to-1 basis.
The project faced strong opposition from residents, community groups, and environmental organizations, such as the Sierra Club and Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. They argued that the hotel would harm the environment and public safety.
Labor organizations, on the other hand, supported the project, citing the potential for job creation and overall benefits for the city.
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