Culver City Observer -

Los Angeles councilmembers Paul Koretz and Bill Rosendahl announce their opposition to a proposed development along Pico Boulevard.

The proposed Casden Sepulveda Project includes a mixed-use commercial and residential development. The project would include approximately 266,800 square feet of retail commercial floor area and 538 residential units. Developers say 59 units would be senior-affordable units.

Councilmember Koretz explained "area businesses, homeowners and neighborhood councils all agree that this project is too large for this congested area. I urge the developer to work with area stakeholders to design a new smaller project that reflects neighborhood needs and input. I know that together the developer and community can create a project that we will all be proud of."

Part of the Metro railroad easement at the southern portion of the site along Exposition Boulevard between Sepulveda Boulevard and Sawtelle Boulevard is planned for use as rail-line-related infrastructure associated with Phase II of Metro's Expo Line.

"I join my council colleague Paul Koretz in opposing the Casden project in its current form," said Rosendahl. "The size of the project is completely out of scale with surrounding development in the area. I hope the developers will be good neighbors and work towards scaling back the project and better leverage the transportation assets that Expo Phase 2 and the accompanying bike path will provide."

The project sits in the 5th Council District represented by Koretz.

Rosendahl says he has received emails in opposition to this project and the impact it will have on traffic in neighboring 11th District communities.

A City Planning Department Hearing Officer heard plans for the project this week. The project will now go to the LA City Planning Commission in February. The Los Angeles City Council will make a final decision on the project sometime in 2013.