Pizzulli Answers Community Council Questions

By CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA | Reporter

Continuing a hearing on a new development of eight homes with pools on Marquette Street, the Pacific Palisades Community Council voted on Thursday, Nov. 8, to write a letter to the city stating the council’s position.

The letter will ask the city of Los Angeles “to seriously consider detailed concerns of the project’s neighbors and for the developer to provide all plans to the community, including sewer and sewer ejector plans.”

It will also ask city to “consider neighbors’ concerns about the appropriateness of the use of lot line adjustments in lieu of a subdivision process,” and to “determine if the street has been withdrawn from public use, and if so, determine the ramifications.”

To further clear up any concerns and circulating misinformation, the Marquette Street project developer, Cosimo Pizzulli, attended the meeting after being scrutinized for not attending the prior meeting, Pizzulli was given three minutes to read a statement to the board. He also printed out and distributed a list of things that are to be expected from the project.

“The property already consists of eight legal lots with address since the Palisades was created in approximately 1926,” the document explained. “The style of the proposed homes reflects the character of the Palisades, coastal tradition.”

Pizzulli informed the PPCC that he has received over 50 letters of support for the homes that will span from 2,900 square feet to over 5,300, although many residents on Marquette Street have expressed harsh opposition to the project and claim the letters were from old residents who have since moved.

With geological instability as a major concern for neighboring residents, Pizzulli again explained that he had gotten the required reports done, and that there was no issue from the city.

“I don’t think there’s a safety issue at all. I’ve been assured by the experts,” said Pizzulli, as he reminded everyone that he has gotten the required reports and studies done to build on the lots.

In the past, Marquette Street residents were told they would be able to connect to a new sewage line running through the street, but Pizzulli said that he was informed that would no longer be possible.

He also said he will be working with the community to make sure concerns are addressed and to build at times that would least impact the street.

“I think your community deserves to know who your builder is going to be and who’s going to come into the community,” said Area 8 Representative Reza Akef, but he was not given an answer.

With audience members not given an opportunity to ask questions due to time constraints, the matter is now before the hands of the zoning administrator, who is expected to make a decision on the proposed project in early 2019.