March 14, 2012 7:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers

Come to discuss why you think that the Sepulveda Commercial Corridor needs an upgrade to match the other commercial districts in Culver City.

Here's what I'm going to tell the Planning Commission:

Just last week, my in-laws came through and had a lovely time first at Pho Show and then over to Coolhaus. When they returned to see us, they commented on how fun and unique their experience in Culver City was, and how it is so nice and refreshing to have individually owned businesses rather than the cookie cutter chain stores one usually sees.

We can continue that tradition by working together to create a Specific Use Plan in the Sepulveda Commercial District. Right now it is zoned "Commercial General" and as a result, property owners have more freedom to choose the types of business they wish to house. Andrew Swerdlow doesn't live next door to the proposed 7-Eleven, butwe do. With a Specific Use Plan, we can limit the types of business to match a more unified purpose. This is not unusual. We have these plans in place in Downtown Culver City and West Washington.

Don't get bogged down by other issues. The City has already received a threatening legal letter from Andrew Swerdlow's attorney. It is very clear that there is only one issue: zoning. You can read the letter yourself. It is part of the public record and in the agenda documents for this meeting.

Unless we modify the municipal code to include a Specific Use Plan for the properties in that Commercial General Zone, then we will have this 7-Eleven as the corner store. And then beyond that, who knows how else the character and flavor of our neighborhood will change.

We need to stay hip, fresh, green, interesting, unique and fun. Culver City is different for a reason. Let's keep moving forward.

Yours,

Bryan Sanders

Culver City