December 21, 2009 -- A nearly 1-million-square-foot mixed-use development could soon be coming to Santa Monica, and the developer says it would create less traffic than if a smaller project were built.

Former Mayor Paul Rosenstein, Photos by Frank Gruber

About 70 residents attended a meeting last Tuesday at Virginia Park to view the conceptual plans for the Bergamot Transit Village Center, which would be located on the north side of Olympic Boulevard between 26th and Stewart streets. The existing Papermate building would be demolished.

The concept by the developer, Hines, calls for 579,000 square feet of “creative arts office space,” 330,000 square feet of residential space and 60,000 square feet for “community-serving retail.” It also would include open space, pedestrian paths, a parking area and possibly a community amphitheater.

“They’re looking at creating a complete neighborhood in this area with the potential to actually live and work in the same area and also have access to services,” said City planner Jing Yeo.

“You can walk to the grocery store … You can pick up a bagel or donut. You do not have to get in your car.”

Colin Shepherd, a Hines vice president, said this concept would actually create less traffic than if the company were to build a 300,000 square-foot project in place of the Papermate building. He also noted that the site is across the street from the future light rail station, which is expected to open in 2015.

“To us, it was an opportunity to really work within the greatest possibility for a truly sustainable project,” Shepherd said. “That whatever evils it would bring, it would have the least impacts and have benefits.”

While a few public speakers applauded the concept and its sustainability features, not everybody was convinced Shepherd’s traffic information added up.

“I don’t see how you’re going to keep people who live in those buildings from driving a car,” said local resident Liz Kane.

Former Mayor Paul Rosenstein, who oversaw the development of nearby structures, said “this is a monumental challenge for anyone who wants to develop more in this area.” He noted the traffic chaos that exists on the two freeways and the local streets.

Santa Monica officials sent a letter to the City of Los Angeles during the summer to note concerns about the traffic impacts Bundy Village would have on Santa Monica.

Bundy Village and other nearby proposed projects would be included in the environmental analysis for Bergamot Transit Village, Planning Director Eileen Fogarty said.

Planning Director Eileen Fogarty

Fogarty added that there are some issues with the proposed size of Bergamot Transit Village and that portions of the project do not comply with the draft update to the Land Use & Circulation Element (LUCE) of the City’s General Plan.

If Bergamot Transit Village does eventually get City Council approval, it would be done through a development agreement. The developer must offer public benefits in exchange for zoning variances. Benefits would include affordable housing, open space and usage opportunities for the creative arts.