Council Deliberates on Ministerial Permit Proposal for Builder's Remedy Projects

In a recent session, the Beverly Hills City Council tackled a proposed ordinance that would introduce a ministerial permit process to expedite Builder's Remedy housing projects, adhering to specific development and affordability standards. The proposal, which garnered extensive public feedback, led Mayor Sharona Nazarian to recommend forming an ad hoc committee to further examine the proposal and review public comments. The council unanimously agreed to revisit the matter at a future date. During the same meeting, the council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of Greystone (FOG), aiming to clarify naming conventions for the historic Greystone Mansion. City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey noted the importance of distinguishing the estate from other Doheny properties in Los Angeles. The agreement mandates FOG to adopt the city's naming preference in their materials and introduces new governance elements like ex officio board members and revised event cancellation notices. The council also reviewed fiscal plans for the 2025-26 year from the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau and the Rodeo Drive Committee. These plans focus on enhancing Beverly Hills' status as a luxury destination and premier shopping hub through targeted marketing strategies and digital campaigns. Additionally, the council approved the Willaman Drive Street Tree Master Plan, which involves replacing 70 red ironbark eucalyptus trees with crape myrtles following a petition from local property owners concerned about maintenance issues. The project, endorsed by a majority of property owners and the Public Works Commission, is set to cost approximately $200,500.