Construction Continues at Highlands Eldercare Facility

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Construction of the subterranean concrete parking structure at the site of the Palisades Highlands eldercare project is underway, with developer Rony Shram reporting that overall, construction is slated to take place over the next 18 months.

“In order to streamline the schedule, we are simultaneously fabricating the metal framing offsite,” Shram explained. “Once the concrete is complete, the walls and floor assembly will be delivered and installed in place, shortening the framing portion of the project considerably while also minimizing the disruptions inherent to traditional stick-framing processes.”

Shram said a website about the project is live and updated regularly with pictures, schedules and descriptions of the ongoing work at the site.

In an update posted February 17, the developer wrote that they were back to work after a hiatus that started at the end of December 2020.

“Our hiatus was longer than expected, partly because recent rains had left the site with too much water to do the foundation work,” he wrote. “We are now ready to resume site prep for concrete.”

According to the website, this week is going to be active: Concrete was poured for footing on Monday, March 29, and a second pour is slated for Friday, April 2. There will be “No Parking” signs along Vereda de la Montura on that day.

Pacific Palisades Residents Association has been fighting against aspects of the development since 2018, appealing exemptions and approvals by the city and California Coastal Commission of the four-story, 45-feet-high, 64,646-square-foot project.

PPRA initially filed a petition for writ of mandate on July 24, 2018, and took the city to court last year before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge John A. Torribio—who denied the motion on April 21, 2020.

PPRA’s attorney Thomas Donovan told the Post the appeal is still active. The PPRA appealed the Superior Court’s decision by Judge Torribio to the California Court of Appeal.

“We are presently awaiting notice from the Court of Appeal regarding their receipt of the Superior Court record and the briefing schedule for the appeal,” Donovan said. “There has been a delay as the Superior Court has not yet forwarded the record on appeal to the Court of Appeal. We had thought that this would take place in February, but it still has not occurred. This delay may be related to the pandemic situation, but we do not know for sure.”

“In light of these circumstances and as urged by Highlands homeowners, PPRA seeks to appeal Judge Torribio’s order,” according to PPRA’s website. “This is the last opportunity to do so.”

For more information on the project, visit 1525pali.com.