Residents Voice Opposition to Coptic Church Development

The voices of opposition were loud and clear at a community forum hosted by Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Church on Tuesday; residents who live adjacent to the church's proposed senior living facility at the corner of Aldama Street and Avenue 50 feel the project is out of scale with the community.

For nearly two hours, residents who filled the church's community room aired their concerns about the proposed project, which comprises a four-story, 62-unit apartment building, a 3,700 sq. ft. recreation center and approximately 70 parking spots.

The church is seeking a zone variance to build the 62-unit development on their 26,922-sq. ft. piece of property located within a RD2 Zone. Current zoning law does not allow more than 13 dwelling units of that size.

Maria Calderon, whose home is next-door to the proposed project, expressed fears that that the apartment building would block out her view of surrounding environment. According to the plans presented on Tuesday evening, the 6-foot tall retaining wall that would surround the project's borders could be as close as 17-feet to neighboring homes.

Ginger Adams, a Terrace 49 resident, worried that the construction of a 70-spot asphalt parking lot would amplify the noise of passing motor vehicles.

Harvey Slater, of the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council's Land Use Committee, noted that the building's Mission style did not blend with the nearby community.

Residents from across the neighborhood expressed major concerns over increased traffic.

For nearly two hours, Lee Embers of the land use and entitlements firm California Property Consultants and architect Nassef Askander, verbally sparred with the residents who gathered for the meeting.

They argued that the scale and density of the development was necessary for the non-profit church to break even on the project, and that the senior residents would barely impact traffic or noise levels.

For the most part, the residents appeared unconvinced by Eskander's and Embers' arguments, even as the former stated that the church was committed to hearing their feedback and adjusting accordingly.

Nancy Campau, another nearby resident, asked if the church would consider developing single family dwellings across the property instead of the large apartment building.

Eskander responded that the utility easements that run below the property would likely make plans unfeasible. However, after the meeting ended, Eskander said it was "workable" for the 62-units to be redistributed across the property. For example, he said, the apartment building could instead be three-stories tall, and run at an L-shape along the portion of the property nearest San Rafael and Terrace 49, rather than being built so close to properties on Aldama.

The development was not without its supporters, one Aldama Street resident raised her hand when Embers noted that at least one neighbor was in favor of the plans. The same woman nodded emphatically when Embers noted that, if the project was denied, the likely alternative was that the land would be sold, potentially to a developer with less altruistic aims.

Community members will have another chance to log their concerns about the proposed project next week. The Office Of Zoning Administration will hold their public hearing on the development on Thursday, April 11 at 9 a.m. in room 1020 of City Hall, located at 200 N. Spring St. in Downtown Los Angeles.