Shortly after the Los Angeles City Council voted Friday to approve the Playa Vista development’s second and final phase, a development executive criticized Councilman Bill Rosendahl for "vacillating" over the issue.
The council voted 12 to 2 to approve the plan, with Rosendahl, who represents the area, and Councilman Paul Koretz voting no.
After the council vote, Playa Vista President Steve Soboroff said Rosendahl had vacillated.
Soboroff said the councilman indicated Thursday that he would cast a “yes” vote in return for concessions by Playa Vista.
Soboroff said he agreed to those conditions — to add senior housing, to build retail as quickly as economically feasible and to build parks at the same time as other elements of the project. Just minutes before the council meeting, Rosendahl admitted to Soboroff that he had changed his mind and would vote no.
“It was a very difficult decision for me,” Rosendahl said. “I went back and forth and up and down.”
He said he made the decision Friday morning to honor his 2004 pledge to voters not to approve going forward with Phase 2 until the first phase was completed. Several commercial and retail buildings, he said, are still under construction or remain unoccupied.
Project opponents have said the project should include more green space.
Phase 2, known as the Village, will add 2,800 homes (including 200 for senior residents), a shopping center, office buildings and parks to the community between the Westchester bluffs and Marina del Rey.
Hundreds of Playa Vista residents showed up at City Hall wearing green lapel stickers stating "The Village yes!" Residents have been eager for a grocery store and other amenities that they expect to be part of the new development.
The council initially voted to approve Phase 2 in 2004, but opponents sued, saying the environmental analysis was flawed. Some opponents have vowed to continue their legal fight.
–Martha Groves and David Zahniser