Hello stranger...new developments on Walgreens project: City fails to notify State regarding toxic chemicals

The city recently published the draft Environmental Impact Report we as a community fought so hard to win. One thing that is interesting...the developer had to make many changes (including a new exit onto Santa Monica Blvd.) in order to 'pass' the traffic report. Not surprisingly, the report found that the project is OK to proceed with some mitigation.

The report raises many concerns, but standing out is a stunning omission by the City of West Hollywood. As you recall, the biggest reason the city finally agreed to conduct the EIR is that the community discovered the toxic chemical problem at the site - information either ignored by the City or kept from the City by the project developers. the State Water Quality Control Board has reams of documents and studies about this very problem.

Well, the City did not notify the Water Board - as mandated by law - of the EIR and the 45-day comment period. Essentially, they failed go give a copy of the document to the most relevant government agency and the one whose oversight led to the EIR.

Unbelievable.

We have reached out to the City asking whether the extension will be granted. While the City has not responded yet to our email, we read this afternoon in Weho News that the public comment period has been extended to the middle of July.

Stay tuned...