April 4, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Los Angeles City Council to Vote a Second Time on Benedict Canyon Hotel Development

Bulgari Hotel Development Faces Scrutiny Over Different Issues

By Keemia Zhang

A City Council vote on for the approval of a controversial Benedict Canyon hotel development will take place on Wednesday. Bulgari Hotels, an upscale hotel chain with ties to the luxury brand, has faced local backlash from a local activist group, Save Our Canyons, as a result of environmental and political concerns – while the opposing developer-supported group, Enhance Our Canyons, represents the hotel as an ecological sanctuary.

Alongside partner Gary Safady, the chain is set to develop Bulgari Resort Los Angeles on a 33-acre property in the hills of Benedict Canyon, at 704-9712 West Oak Road – however, a second City Council vote on whether the hotel’s construction should move forward, in a motion proposed by Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the Canyon’s District 5,will take place on Wednesday, August 16. 

The project has faced dissent due to concerns to preserve the environmental condition of the Santa Monica Mountains, as well as conflict of interest concerns as a result of Paul Koretz’ staff ties with a land consultant from the project, with Yaroslavsky alleges were not reported to the city. Koretz initially appeared to back the project, but later came out against it.

If successful, the motion will compel City Planning Director Vincent Bertoni to reconsider a General Plan amendment required for the construction of the hotel. Records from the Los Angeles Ethics Commision display that Shawn Bayliss – one of Koretz’ planning and land use deputies – is married to land consultant Stacey Brenner, who was paid $174,000 for being a lobbyist and signatory of the General Plan Amendment.

“This is a bad project,” Yaroslavsky stressed. “The process was deeply flawed. It’s Exhibit A for the idea that if you pay enough money to enough lobbyists and you pay for a [project labor agreement], you can build whatever you want, wherever you want.”

The previous vote drew a rare 7-7 tie, spurring the second meeting. Concerns about hotel construction in a “low density, fire prone residential area” has also drawn opposition from Yaraslavsky, who previously worked for Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Safady previously stated that developers would plant over 1,000 new trees, and let existing wildlife roam free on the property. 

Bulgari has planned to develop 58 guest rooms and eight private residences, alongside a spa and Michelin-star restaurant. Several celebrity canyon residents previously signed a letter backing Bulgari’s development. Safady referred to Yaroslavsky opposition efforts as “a shame – I think it’s based on a campaign pledge without having any knowledge of the property or merits of it,” he remarked. “There’s codified procedures that are built into the city to protect against stuff like this, so her actions are completely contrary to that.”

The vote to oppose is backed by the Benedict Canyon Association, which aims to “Monitor crime, safety, traffic, development and quality of life in the canyon.” The group has led opposition to real estate development in the area before, garnering substantial public support for a successful bid against Mark R. Hughes’s 45,000 sq ft villa, and an unsuccessful bid against a 85,000 sqft compound built by Saudi Prince Abdulaziz. 

The City Council meeting will take place in the John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340 at City Hall, on 200 N. Spring Street at 10am, and is open to public attendance.

Related Posts

Suspect Arrested and Charged in March 27 Hit-and-Run Death

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

The Victim Was on the Way to His Job at the Beverly Hills Hotel  A 20-year-old man has been arrested...

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Across L.A. This Weekend

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols Target High-Risk Areas, Come With High Penalties The Los Angeles Police Department will conduct a series...

Man Arrested After Violent Robbery During Camera Equipment Meetup

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

One Suspect Caught, Two Still Sought in Culver City Armed Robbery A suspect connected to a recent armed robbery involving...

(Video) Adorn Your Home With Plants and Pottery from Urban Jungle

April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

Go To Urbanjungleplantsandpottery.com For More Info Go To https://t.co/WwF5r95s90 For More Info⁠ pic.twitter.com/Ejled24yhJ — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) April 4, 2025

Join UCLA’s Innovative Memory Research Study!

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Are you ready to contribute to groundbreaking research and help shape the future of memory treatments? Do you sometimes find...

Coming Soon: Easter Extravaganza at Regent Santa Monica Beach

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Book your Delectable Brunch, Easter Festivities This Easter, step into a world of celebration and refined delight at Regent Santa Monica Beach....

Scoop Dreams Come True: Van Leeuwen Launches New Beverly Hills Shop

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Van Leeuwen’s Beverly Hills Opening Comes With Sweet Perks Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, a New York City-born brand celebrated for...

WeHo’s WeHappy Wednesdays Serve Up Big Discounts In Addition to Zero Parking Fees

April 3, 2025

April 3, 2025

Free Parking and $5 Cocktails? WeHo Makes Wednesdays Worth It The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Chamber...

Saijo Hand Roll Rolls into Culver City with Premium Japanese Ingredients

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Binchotan-Fired Perfection: Saijo Rolls Out Premium Sushi in West LA A new destination for hand rolls and Japanese culinary craftsmanship...

(Video) Check Out Bernie’s, a New Pop Up at Citizen Public Market in Culver City

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Made with fresh frozen fruit and a toasted merengue topping these flavors are irresistible. The pop up will be at...

From Cocktails to Coffee: U.S. Tariffs Threaten Imports, Jobs, and Your Grocery Bill

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Major Price Hikes Expected for Coffee, Wine, Chocolate, and Butter  A sweeping new set of tariffs announced by former President...

Levain Bakery to Open Venice Location with Special Guests and Charitable Twist

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Bigger Than a Cookie: Levain’s Venice Opening Is a Flavorful Fundraiser Levain Bakery, the cult-favorite cookie destination founded in New...

LAX Airport Server Finds Hate-Filled Message From Unidentified Diners

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Waiter Says He Was Stunned by the Message Left by Customers Guillermo Ortiz, who works at Planet Hollywood inside the...

Sunset Strip Staple Le Petit Four Shuts Down After Landlord Pulls the Plug

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

End of an Era: Le Petit Four Forced to Close in West Hollywood In a stunning reversal to the upbeat...

Metro LA Pushes Back Sepulveda Transit Community Meetings

April 2, 2025

April 2, 2025

Environmental Review Delay Prompts Metro to Reschedule  Metro announced that community meetings scheduled for early April to discuss the Sepulveda...