Bond Hotel appeal

Described dangerous conditions for parents dropping off toddlers after the Orange Grove lot closed and urged the council to uphold the appeal.

A 34-year Ogden Drive resident argued the project record has been inconsistent for a decade and asked the council to grant the appeal.

Argued the project fails the objective standards it chose to rely on and cited dangerous evacuation and congestion conditions on Ogden.

Said a 10,000-square-foot deficit should not be waived for a large developer and criticized displacement of LGBTQ+ community anchors.

A Fountain Day parent described a chaotic morning of gridlock at drop-off and demanded enforceable construction safety conditions.

Questioned the need for another hotel, criticized Faring's track record, and defended Brick Fitness as a community-serving local business.

Described gridlock and unsafe conditions for her young child on Orange Grove and asked the council to keep the neighborhood safe.

A Brick Fitness member urged the council to protect thriving queer-community businesses rather than displace them for a luxury hotel.

Cited severe congestion on Ogden and Santa Monica and said the oversized hotel does not fit the non-touristic neighborhood.

Argued that waiving the 10,000-square-foot deficit sets precedent that renders objective standards meaningless.

Called the project a slippery slope, citing Faring's record of demolishing LGBTQ historic sites and leaving blighted properties.

A former East Side Advisory Board member said the T-bone lot would block better development and called Faring not a credible partner.

Said the project is a luxury hotel rather than needed housing and urged the council to send it back to the drawing board.

A parent who had supported the project said she was shaken by the abrupt parking closure and pleaded for the developer to restore safety for school drop-off.

Urged nuance beyond YIMBY/NIMBY framing, said the city's hands are not tied, and asked where the city's transit-oriented development alternative plan is.

An Orange Grove resident near the school described the street as already hazardous with trucks and school traffic and shared safety concerns.