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BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME: LI
NUMBER 45
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SINCE 1965
November 4, 2016
Mirisch Moves To Buy Wanda Approval With Agreement Prior To Council Review
THIS ISSUE Will Rogers Awards Read all about the nominees for Sustainable Development & Historic Restoration for this year’s Will Rogers Awards. See page 5 for the list of nominees. •Fashion •Birthdays •Letters to the Editor
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Courier Supports Measure HH By Courier staff The Courier urges a ‘yes’ vote on Measure HH for the following reasons: Project review • The opposition’s arguments, largely paid for by the Wanda Group, claim the project is bypassing the City’s traditional review process, but the original 2008 plan went through extensive environmental review, including 19 public hearings and approval from City leaders before it was passed by voters. All 109 conditions and 32 pages of mitigation that were included in the project’s 2008 approval remain in effect. • The new proposal, according to the City’s own report, contains no additional impacts such
as traffic, square footage or any additional uses from the approved plan. Additionally, the City’s report shows Measure HH would reduce the project’s construction time and traffic impacts by 11 months. Green space • The national average for publicly-accessible open space is 43 acres per 1,000 residents. Based on those numbers, Beverly Hills has around 40 percent less open space than the national standard. It’s sorely needed in town. • Bound by a covenant filed with L.A. County that prohibits anything from being built on it in the future, the park will be open to the public every day of the year. (see ‘MEASURE HH’ page 12)
George Christy, Page 6 Songwriter Carole Bayer Sager Writes In Her Memoir, They’re Playing Our Song, That She Added An “E” To Her Name Because It Looked “Prettier”
CLASSIFIEDS • Announcements • Real Estate • Rentals • Sales • and More
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BLACK & WHITE BALL—The Beverly Hills community came together Wednesday night at The Beverly Hilton to once again honor the City’s finest at the annual Black & White Gala, benefitting the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association. Pictured above are members of the Beverly Hills Police Department’s Honor Guard. Pictured (from left): Sgt. Robert Maycott; Officer Andrew Myers; Officer Christian Bond; BHPD Chief Sandra Spagnoli; Sgt. Blake Nance and Sgt. Dennis Lynch.
Beverly Hills School District Bond Refinancing Will Save Taxpayers $6.2M By Laura Coleman Financial advisors to the Beverly Hills Unified School District successfully navigated a savings of over $6.2 million for local taxpayers by refinancing two previously issued sets of Measure E bonds this week. By refinancing portions of the $72 million 2009 series
and $45 million 2013 series issued from 2008’s voter approved $334 million Measure E bond, BHUSD Chief Administrative Officer La Tanya Kirk-Carter confirmed the community would realize the savings in the form of a reduced tax bill. In April 2012, the district
completed a similar bond refinancing that saved district property owners over $2.6 million. “I am pleased that our Finance Committee and staff continue to work with our bond advisors to find ways to save this community money,” (see ‘BOND’ page 12)
to sources familiar with the process. The Courier has received no official comment on the (see ‘WANDA page 10)
Krasne Calls On Mirisch To Recuse Himself From Wanda Talks
By Victoria Talbot At the Beverly Hills City Council study session on Tuesday, Vice Mayor Nancy Krasne delivered an impassioned objection to the fasttracked schedule for the Wanda project at 9900 Wilshire Blvd. (“One Beverly Hills”). Following her comments, Mayor John Mirisch responded, “You are so wrong and in fact, I will not (see ‘KRASNE’ page 10)
Police Report Alleges Planning Commission Chair Intimidated Voters On HH By Victoria Talbot Planning Commission Chair Joe Shooshani is the subject of a police report alleging voter intimidation. The report, dated Nov. 2 and taken at the Beverly Hills Police Department, details an incident that took place beginning on Saturday when Mayor John Mirisch addressed the congregation of the Nessah Synagogue to express his opposition to Measure HH. The complainant, Farhad
Celebrity Photo Agency/Scott Downie
VIEWS FROM WILSHIRE–Beverly Hills voters are being asked to vote ‘Yes’ on Measure HH in an effort to say farewell to the approved 2008 Beverly Hilton Specific plan. Measure HH gives The Beverly Hilton owner Beny Alagem the ability to alter his original plan to build two high-rise condominiums (partially pictured above left) to instead create one 26-story high rise condominum tower (pictured above right).
By Victoria Talbot A Beverly Hills City press release sent at 10:41 p.m. Friday evening extols an “Unmatched Agreement with the Wanda Group” that promises “an additional $550 million in payments to the City over 30 years.” The proposed development agreement includes $60 million in upfront fees. The press release claims that the project will bring in $820 million dollars in 30 years. The agreement, negotiated by Mirisch and councilmember Lili Bosse, was touted as a major achievement. By contrast, The Beverly Hilton will bring in $1.1 billion over the next 30 years. The Wanda project has not yet received final approval; there are major issues with the entrances and the loading dock which could have an affect on the final project. Publicizing the agreement in advance of a confirmed project is highly unusual according
Zomorodi, identified himself as a supporter during a Q & A. The complaint says another person, upset by his support, then alleged that the complainant “pushed” the Mayor, an allegation that Mirisch, when asked, said was untrue. The next day, Shooshani left a voicemail for Zomorodi, who retains the original in Farsi. In translation it says, “Mr. Fereydoun, I have no animosity or anything with you (literal (see ‘SHOOSHANI’ page 12)
BEAUTIES ON PARADE — Ashley Roberts, Gugu MbathaRaw and Jennifer Lawrence during the 2016 AMD British Academy Britannia Awards at The Beverly Hilton. For more photos, see George Christy’s column on pages 6 and 8.