Bennett Jones, neighbor across the street

​Lukens purchased a residential property with no intention of living there, with every intention of converting it into a business, and may never have let the neighborhood know of his plans until it was too late were he not caught in the act.  To see Bennett's full letter click here.

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Lee Ringuette, neighbor of 24 years across the street

​"Many times...our neighborhood has come together to face a challenge...drugs and gangs, graffiti, an arsonist, etc.  We have hung together and aided each other through a major earthquake and a riot.  Our work has made our neighborhood attractive enough that someone wants to capitalize upon our effort, by inserting a business into the middle of our residences...We must not allow the character of our neighborhood to change."  For the complete letter click here.

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Heather Carson, nearby neighbor on Lafayette Park Place

"The intersection at Silver Lake Blvd. and Marathon "is quite treacherous.  It will dramatically increase the traffic right at that juncture and cause a lot of chaos, if not accidents.

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I attended the November 14th meeting of the (SLNC) Urban Design Advisory Committee...to voice my opposition.  Instead of being heard or having any of my concerns addressed, it was very clear that the Committee had already made up their minds and were very annoyed to have to listen to any criticism of the proposed variance.  The Committee Chair...in particular was very condescending and hostile."

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Elgin James, neighbor across the street

"We bought our house so we could start a family and settle into a community to stay, but now this situation has us feeling duped.  We feel that our voice, as residents, stakeholders and local tax payers, has not been heard or has been casually dismissed at best.  I worry that the board is contemplating putting the personal needs of an individual over the needs of the neighborhood.  An individual that also happens to be a co-chair of

the (SLNC) council."  ​For Elgin's complete letter including concerns re parking click here.

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​Zachary Krug, former tenant of 800 Silver Lake

​"It was represented by the applicant (Lukens) that the house has been vacant and on the market since 2003.  That is untrue: My wife and I lived in this house from August 2007 through January 2012.  Additionally, the previous owner (from whom we rented) also lived at the house...
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To the extent that a decision is based on a concern that the property is not suited for residential use, I can assure that it makes a lovely home.  My wife and I felt lucky to live there and only moved because our landlord decided to sell and terminated our lease.  Frankly, I'm surprised that this is an issue, as many of our friends and colleagues inquired about the house when they knew it would be listed for sale.  I strongly encourage the Committee to heed the wishes of these neighbors to maintain the residential character of the neighborhood."​

 

​Jesse Deluxe, neighbor across the street

"Imagine your favorite neighbor replaced by a business.  It completely changes the environment, I feel for the worse"

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Brian Wilson, neighbor across the street

"I love this neighborhood and have lived in it since 1997.  I bought my building at 810 Parkman Avenue in 2002 and invested an extraordinary amount of time and money into renovations.  Around this same time a local actor bought the church across the street at 800 Parkman and turned it into a beautiful artist loft - an ideal use for this arty residential area. The possibility that this artist loft could be re-zoned into a commercial space with 12 workstations worries and saddens me.  It's totally the wrong direction for this neighborhood and I worry about parking availability for my tenants and their guests and the future commercial use of the space."

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​Wes Joe, retired City Planner and Silver Lake resident

"This request is a strong departure from what's normally allowed in a residential zone   If what is proposed was a smaller operation, the argument might be made that it's similar to a home occupation, but with this number of employees..."

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"Here's the 'Findings' section of the LAMC with respect to variances LAMC 12.27:

Findings for Approval. # 5.  A variance shall not be used to grant a special privilege or to permit a us substantially inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the same zone and vicinity.  The Zoning Administrator may deny a variance if the conditions creating the need for the variance were self-imposed."

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Tom Bliss, neighbor across the street

​"A staff of 9 to 12 would not be small for this neighborhood.  There are plenty of vacant shops on Sunset.  Who buys a home in a residential neighborhood with plans to turn it into a business?"

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Roberto Haraldson, nearby neighbor on Silver Lake Blvd.

"I do ask you to consider the countless number of neighbors, freelancers, homeowners, students and others that will be carrying the burden of his (Lukens) risk, without the benefit."

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Leigh and Jan Wenstad, neighbors across the street

"All neighborhoods are subject to change and growth, and as residents of this neighborhood, we want to help cultivate a close-knit community of diverse neighbors that is both safe and residential in feel.  Allowing a commercial property to move into the neighborhood sets a tone and precedent that moves us in the opposite direction."

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Julie Hageman-Wells, nearby neighbor on Vendome Street

"I would really prefer to stay in Silver Lake, but if there is even more traffic...and business taking over the available homes, it makes sense to go elsewhere.  Please consider the families living right around this 'office' at 800 Silver Lake while determining an outcome in the proposed variance."

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Barbara Ringuette, neighbor across the street

"We've owned our home for 24 years...There is no need for a commercial use on this residential property.   Twelve (12) work stations is not low impact.  In addition to the employees there are seven (7) agents working under the broker, plus all those additional agents, property owners, and property managers, who all indicated at the Neighborhood Council meeting they go to Lukens' office.  And there are service providers - gardeners, housekeepers, renters, too, coming and going.  That would be a lot of additional activity for our up until now quiet block...It's just not right for our neighborhood."

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Nur Saldivar, nearby neighbor on Parkman Avenue

"If the corner of Parkman becomes an office, parking will turn to chaos.  The area is no longer going to be exclusive to the residents.  I don't want this place to change, let's keep Silver Lake peaceful."

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Anna Slotky, nearby neighbor on Parkman Avenue

"I am concerned about the property at 800 Silver Lake because it will negatively affect me and my family as neighbors.  I bought my house because of the location - close enough to walk to a plethora of businesses, but far enough that our street is cute, residential, pleasant.  We have a 15 month old and go for walks, play on the street, etc.  A business at 800 Silver lake will ruin the character of the neighborhood I LOVE, making it less of a family friendly environment with all of the extra traffic, clients, and signage.  Frankly, this is unnecessary and only benefits the realtor at the expense of everyone else nearby.

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Nicholas Emme, neighbor on Parkman Avenue

"Nearby Sunset Blvd. is lined with vacant commercial space providing plenty of viable alternatives.  Because of that fact, any argument for the zoning variance based on necessity is specious and should be met with the strongest skepticism."

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Barbara Clement, nearby neighbor on Parkman Avenue

"The commercial use of this property does not allot for parking for the business and will limit the parking for the residences.  This is not a good neighbor policy for this area."

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Vanita Tyler, nearby neighbor on Silver Lake Blvd.

"My decision to purchase this property was made with full awareness...What I did not bargain for was living in a commercial district.   Living within walking distance of a commercial district is a positive for me.  I like being able to walk to an independently owned pharmacy, convenience store and numerous restaurants.  This does not mean that I want a business virtually next door with the looming threat that others could follow."

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Armand Jalayeri, nearby neighbor on Parkman Avenue

​"At 839 Parkman the 14 completely renovated apartments are coming on line beginning June 1st.  The price of rent has been raised, approximately $2200 for the largest.  We expect two working adults in each apartment.  There is no on site parking for these units; renters will park on the street."

 

Leigh and Jan Wenstad, neighbors across the street

"By allowing...realty to re-designate residential zoning and operate a real estate and management office in the neighborhood, we open the potential flood gates for other commercial properties to move in."

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Milton Liu, nearby neighbor on Silver Lake Blvd.

"The applicant's letter stated they are expanding from their current office in an area zoned for commercial property as it contains a 7-11, Lamill Coffee, Spaceland, and several other retail stores and restaurants.  The area at 800-810 Silver Lake is not.  In fact it would be a blight to have one single commercial office nestled among hundreds of homes."

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