Published Date: 7 May 2026
OUR TAKE: 100% AFFORDABLE IS A WIN
Pro’s
- AHIP Comes to the Neighborhood: This is Westchester-Playa’s 2nd 100% affordable building, and our first project to take advantage of the City’s new housing incentives (CHIP, AHIP, MIIP)
- Activates an Odd Vacant Lot for Housing: there’s not a lot of empty land in our community, so it’s encouraging to see this lot on Centinela—close to transit—activated for affordable living. No pre-existing building is being taken down to add these 136 units to our community’s inventory.
- Experienced Local Developer: The builder (Killefer Development) has a strong portfolio of high density buildings in LA. Previous projects show thoughtful design, versus the plain boxes neighbors fear are the only option for affordable architecture.
- Open Space: Even with requested reductions, the design still delivers an open air center courtyard on the 2nd floor and balconies for units facing Centinela.
- Parking! Includes parking not required by law.
Con’s
- Small Apartments: This building’s units are smaller (by sq ft) than similar apartments in our community’s first 100% affordable building—Red Tail Crossing on Airport. That does raise questions of livability, especially for income-limited families in the 3-bedroom units.
Published Date: 7 May 2026
WHO'S INVOLVED
Owner/Developer
- Joe Killefer
- joe@killeferdev.com
- Killefer Development
- 2665 30th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- 310-710-1808
Land Use Consultant
- Jeff Zbikowski
- jeff@jzarch.la
- JZA
- 4043 Irving Place, Culver City, 90232
- 310-853-5004
Published Date: 7 May 2026
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Building type: AHIP 100% Affordable
Parcel’s Previous Use: Develops a vacant (unimproved) parcel near Arizona Circle, immediately across from the new office building @ 6181 Centinela.
Allowable Density Unlimited (LAMC 12.22.A.39)
vs. Application Plan Density 136 Units
100% affordable units @ lower total Height, lower Floor Area, and more Parking than legally entitled.
DETAILS
Allowable Height
- 28’0″ per LAMC 12.21A
- 61′ 0″ per LAMC 12.22.A.39
- 83’0″ per LAMC 12.22.A.30 with Public Benefit Option
vs. Application Plan Height as documented on Plan elevations
- Per LAMC: 77’0″ (from lowest adjusted grade)
- Per LABC: 58’6″ (from grade plan calculations)
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Allowable Floor Area 179,454 sq ft
vs. Application Plan Floor Area 93,110 sq ft (4.72:1 Floor Area Ratio)
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Parking Requirement None when within 1/2 mile of major transit stop.
vs Application Plan Parking 45 vehicle parking plus bike parking delivered at the # required (93 stalls for long-term and 10 stalls for short-term)
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Apartment Mix
- 3-bedroom: 15 (ranging from 607 to 792 sq ft; average of 715 sq ft ea.)
- 1-bedroom: 106 ( ranging from 425 to 485sq ft; average of 450 sq ft ea.)
- Studios: 15 (ranging from 340 to 346 sq ft; average of 343 sq ft ea.)
Qualified Income and # Units
- BaBWP is awaiting an update from developer.
Incentives Requested in Application – 10 Total
Base (3)
- Unlimited Density (per 2.22.A.39)
- 33′ or three additional stories (per 2.22.A.39)
- Zero Parking (per AB 2097)
Off-Menu (5)
- Averaging of Zoning Standards (Note: Multiple zoning types apply to this parcel: Al Fresco Ordinance (ZI-2517, Transit Priority area (ZI-2452), Specific Plans for both LA Coastal Transportation Corridor (ZI-1874) and Playa Vista (ZI-1320), Freeway Adjacent Advisory Notice for Sensitive Uses (ZI-2427), Local Emergency Temporary Regulations; Time Limits & Parking Relief (ZI-2498)
- Open Space reduction of 76%: 3681 sq ft in lieu of 14,725 sq ft
- Side Yard (North) reduction of 45%: 5′ in lieu of 9′
- Rear Yard reduction of 67%: 5′ in lieu
- 100% reduction of side yard plan breaks (required in 12.08.C2(a)
Waivers of Development Standards (1)
- Relief from side yard encroachment plans (required in 12.08.C.5*a)
Public Benefits Incentives (1)
- 2 additional stories in exchange for 10% of the total units to be 3-bedrooms
Timing
- Application filed on 04/08/2026
- Application assigned to Kenton Trinh
- Application status: “On Hold”
- Construction Start Date: TBD pending project approval.
- Construction Completion Date: Unknown
- Occupancy Date: Unknown
Published Date: 7 May 2026
WHAT THIS PROJECT IS REPLACING