Businesses

Sacks Real Estate Consulting assisted with the Conditional Use Permit process for a Commercial Corner Shopping Center in Woodland Hills on behalf of the owner of the shopping center and the tenant, Starbucks. The small, beautifully rehabbed shopping center is located in a charming commercial stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Woodland Hills, which is surrounded on all sides by single-family residential uses.

Starbucks’ need to open early in the morning at a location immediately adjacent to residences triggered the need for the CUP. Sacks Real Estate Consulting was tasked with the project of successfully obtaining a CUP with the operational conditions needed by Starbucks within a very tight time frame. The shopping center’s proximity to residences generated significant controversy despite the considerable support for the project on the part of many of the neighbors and local businesses. Sacks Real Estate Consulting was extensively involved in proactive community outreach efforts and was instrumental in obtaining a timely public hearing date and decision letter from the City.

Topanga Willows Shopping Center/

Starbucks Topanga Willows

Contact:

Topanga Dumetz Group

256 26Th. Street, Suite 201
Santa Monica, CA., 90402
310-393-6005

Contact:

www.blackhorsemotorsinc.com

Blackhorse Motors

Sacks Real Estate Consulting took over the process of obtaining needed City permits for this auto dealership and repair shop specializing in high-end cars from another expeditor. The project fell within an “Interim Control Ordinance” area that prohibited “new” automobile uses pending the passage of a new ordinance that imposed aesthetic and operational requirements on new auto uses. This ordinance required many such uses to apply for a CUP, an expensive and time-consuming process requiring extensive public input. The expeditor initially retained by Blackhorse Motors informed the owner than he would need to go before the Zoning Administrator for a CUP and the City Council for a “hardship waiver” because of the ICO. When Sacks Real Estate Consulting took over the process, a careful review of the ordinance revealed that Blackhorse Motors did not need a hardship waiver, and in fact did not need a CUP at all. The entire matter was thenceforth handled “over the counter.” Sacks Real Estate Consulting’s involvement with this matter thereby saved the client thousands of dollars in what could have been unneeded consultant time, unnecessary City fees, and lost business based on delays.

Sacks Real Estate Consulting successfully obtained a Conditional Use Permit for the service of beer and wine accompanying a restaurant use. The restaurant planned to open in the ground floor of an existing office building and relied on nonconforming rights for supply of required parking. This project was handled on a tight budget on behalf of the landlord and tenant jointly.

Aki Sushi