Echo Park is experiencing some pretty significant changes recently: A two-year Echo Park Lake rehabilitation project, a 200-plus seat bar and restaurant at the old Ramona Theater and a slew of proposed residential-commercial loft developments.

The 62-unit Sunset Flats project along the west end of Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park seems like it's just another development taking advantage of an empty lot, but it's a lot more than that–and, honestly, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

It's been a long past couple of years for architect Jay Vanos: Sunset Flats has been in development for two and a half years. And he's frustrated. Once the project needed to be put to a vote, for instance, at a recent Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council (GEPENC) planning and land use committee meeting in November, residents showed up and vehemently opposed.

But instead of keeping his cool, he told the crowd that if he didn't get a vote of approval for the proposed plan at 2235 Sunset Blvd., the alternative would be bigger and be worse for Elsinore. This is a threat that both angered and confused a few residents–could he really? The simple answer is: Yes.

So let's crunch the numbers: They could technically build a 59-unit complex on the Sunset and Elsinore combined zones. With a density bonus (which the city could give to them for providing a certain percentage of affordable housing units), they could increase that size to 127. But Mr. Vanos is being extremely kind to the neighborhood, so he's mentioned, by building "only" 62-units, 45 feet high on Elsinore and approximately 66.5 feet (a height which does not entirely measure from street level) on Sunset Boulevard.

I know, lots of numbers, but it seems Mr. Vanos is looking for a thank you, and he's just not getting it from the community. We've watched him lose his cool a couple of times, and he's not budging  despite community resistance. There are quite a few issues the community has taken up, but here's a breakdown:

• The project is just too dense and there has been no official Environmental Impact Review (which would help determine the impact on the community)
• The developer is asking for 11 additional feet on both the Sunset and Elsinore sides as a "density bonus"
• Eight commercial storefronts will be on the Sunset side, with additional parking access at the Rosemont light for the commercial units and a small number of residents.
• 12 additional feet could be added to the Sunset Boulevard side because the lot is on a slope, but the additional floor will be stepped back
• Six homes (11 units) will be torn down for the project. Many of those residents didn't even know about plans to demolish their homes until the past couple of months--a blame we should place on, and rightfully so, the developers for not doing productive outreach from the get-go
• Only 10-12 low income housing units will be a part of the project, providing little net gain for the community
• And finally the most important concern when it comes to this project: The Elsinore side will feel the most impact with the loss of existing homes, and because the parking lot access is currently planned for that street, which results in more than 60 additional cars driving on the low-medium density streets. And those residents are not happy about it.

A lot of community members who oppose the project say that it counteracts the goals and intentions of the Echo Park Community Plan, but what exactly does that mean? Initially established in 1984, the Community Plan was created to address many housing issues in the Silver Lake, Echo Park and Elysian Valley communities, including providing affordable housing, protecting hillsides, address size, scale and design of multi-family projects, preserve stable single and multiple family units, among other things. Specifically, this development directly violates the plan's height limitations. Overall, the guidelines developed in the Community Plan meant to control not just development, but to also maintain a common vision and goal across commercial, residential, and all other zoning.

Because Echo Park is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, we really have to fight hard to preserve the unique charm of the community and control its growth before we end up with structures that don't benefit the community. This is one such project. Plus, if the planning department doesn't like it, and the council district office doesn't like it (Eric Garcetti has said he is behind the community), we've got some stuff to work out.  

Mr. Vanos did try to calm nerves at a recent Echo Park Improvement Association meeting, saying "I promise you the building that shows up is going to be worthy of being built where it is."

Personally, I don't want future Echo Park to be a place where additional large developments can be built. I want houses for families with trees, dogs, and backyard barbecues, not huge buildings with parking lots, elevators and lobbies. Sunset Flats just happens to be the first one of this size and of its kind that we are faced with.

In late November, the Sunset Flats proposal was submitted to the city hearing officer for review. A decision to grant the project requested provisions won't be made until Jan. 13, 2011. Until then, perhaps I'll take a stroll in the old Echo Park Community Garden and reflect on what the community lost–sounds cheesy but I'm just that nostalgic.