Marina del Rey : Condo Project Approved

A 96-unit Marina del Rey condominium development got the go-ahead last week from the Los Angeles Planning Commission, overcoming objections from a neighboring property owner that construction might disturb underground toxic contamination on a nearby lot.

The project by developers Paul Plotkin and Jeff Rosen is planned for a vacant lot at the corner of Glencoe and Maxella avenues, across the street from the movie theaters in the Marina Marketplace shopping center.

It was fought by industrial property owner John Bohn and some tenants of the several-block business area, who say the residential encroachment on their turf would mean the beginning of the end for the industrial area. Land values are rapidly escalating in the area, which is surrounded by exploding development plans, including Channel Gateway and Marina Place shopping center.

City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter and neighboring condominium owners favored the condos over a plan by an earlier owner to erect more movie theaters on the site. Galanter is spearheading an effort to downzone the industrial area, while preserving its current industrial and commercial uses.

Bohn succeeded in derailing the condo project last November, by raising the toxic issue before the Planning Commission and requesting an environmental impact report. In the interim, the state Department of Health has advised the city that the toxics, which are on the state Superfund cleanup list, will not be disturbed by the condominium construction, less than 300 feet away.

The spill, which is contained beneath ground and covered with asphalt, is not considered an immediate danger, thus, its cleanup date is in a few years.

Because of further city proceedings, developer Rosen said construction will not begin until next year.