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January 29 – February 26, 2021
Venice Homeless Encampment Fire Spreads to Boardwalk Building Over 100 firefighters respond to Ocean Front Walk fire B y S am C atanzaro Over 100 firefighters responded this month to a fire that started at a Venice homeless encampment before spreading to a 68-year-old building. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the fire was reported at 6:19 a.m. January 13 at 800 Ocean Front Walk. The blaze–dubbed the “Ocean Front Fire”– damaged a 68 year-old, two-story, commercial structure that was vacant when an outside fire at a homeless encampment on the south side of the building extended into the structure. The Department says the fire briefly threatened two nearby structures, including another home. According to the LAFD, it took 116 firefighters 2 hours and 17 minutes to put out
the fire using “largely defensive firefighting operations”. The LAFD says any contents within the heavily damaged and now unstable 68-yearold building have yet to be identified. No injuries were reported. “LAFD Investigators are now at scene of what is considered an active investigation,” said LAFD spokesperson Brian Humphrey. According to LAFD Deputy Chief in Charge of Operations for the West Bureau Armando Hogan, the arson team will make an official determination of cause but noted that during colder weather crews often respond to calls for warming fires at local homeless encampments. The fire is the latest blaze to break out near a Venice homeless camp. In Venice alone, six such fires were reported in less than a month between September and October. In addition, just last week a RV went up in flames along Penmar Golf Course. In the wake of these fires, some of which are believed to be arson, Los Angeles City
Venice Homeless, see page 6
Photo: Citizen
A fire burns in a vacant Venice building Tuesday morning.
City Planning Approves Venice Boardwalk Apartment Development Los Angeles Planning Department advances nine-unit development B y T oi C reel The Los Angeles Planning Department has signed off on a three story, nine-unit Venice Boardwalk development according to an unanimously-approved letter of determination by the Planning Commission. The mixed-use development will be located at Venice Beach at 811 and 815 Ocean Front Walk. It will also include a small 454 square-foot courtyard located in the center of the building along with a ground-floor restaurant and nine parking spots behind the restaurant. Plans include a proposed building just under 40 feet with 13,412-square-foot of
space. The included parking structure would hold 18 spaces for cars and 28 spaces for onsite bicycle parking. The project will be designed by representative John Reed of Reed Architectural Group, being owned by Vera J. Sutter and Gary L. Sutter MD. Currently in the space is a two-story family home along with and two buildings, each housing four units. The proposed development would include nine units. The project has received support from two parties: the Venice Chamber of Commerce and Venice Neighborhood Council. The Neighborhood Council’s approval did come with a few stipulations. In a 2020 letter the group wrote of conditional support, including that the future restaurant allow the sell of on-site alcohol with a conditional use permit.
Rendering: Reed Architectural Group
A rendering of the project planned for 811-815 Ocean Front Walk in Venice.