Protect Windsor Village:
Community Concerns & How to Help
Opposition to the Wilshire/Crenshaw Mixed-Use Development
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As a resident and your neighbor, I am presenting this information to inform you about the proposed development at Wilshire/Crenshaw and its potential impacts on our community. My intention is not to persuade you in any way—either for or against—but to provide you with background, data, and resources so you can make an informed decision.
Professionally and personally, I believe this proposed development could lead to significant negative impacts on traffic, safety, and the character of our neighborhood—issues we have the power to address and prevent. After attending the community meeting on April 30, 2026, I learned that while the development has design elements that will help sustain the esthetics of Lorraine Blvd, due to its narrow design, by having all vehicular access on Crenshaw Blvd. My concern as a planner, is the amount of daily traffic generated, in an already intersection that is already gridlocked for blocks. This creates more use of residential streets that will impact Windsor Village neighborhood. Because of the size of this development, according to the plans, it is not clear to allow sufficient parking as usually there is at least one-car per person. Without sufficient parking for all residents means parking will spill over to already congested Windsor Village residential streets. Furthermore, while the design is quite unique by layering the levels from Wilshire down to the neighborhood, from 5 stories at Wilshire would be sufficient, then go downward towards the neighborhood. However, the plans call for 8 stories (not 6 as originally informed) on Wilshire Blvd. This is significantly higher than many of the existing office buildings and especially being adjacent to lower levels right on Wilshire. This needs to be reduced. The proposed mixed-use residential development at Wilshire/Crenshaw, developed in partnership with Metro, aims to provide 196 affordable rental homes and transit-oriented amenities that will increase the population of our community by 54% (from 900 to 1,390) resulting in an additional 1,300 vehicle trips per day. While supporting regional goals, we strongly oppose the project in its current form due to its potential impacts on traffic, community services, neighborhood character, and the historic fabric of Windsor Village. The following is a general overview. For a more detailed analysis, download the full report here. |
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About Windsor Village
Windsor Village is a peaceful, walkable historic neighborhood in Los Angeles, located immediately south of Windsor Square, which is to the north across Wilshire Blvd. Both neighborhoods are designated as individual Historic Preservation Overlay Zones and were built in the early 1920s. Windsor Village features upscale, single-family homes with rich architectural diversity, primarily reflecting styles from the 1910s to 1940s. The neighborhood showcases Spanish Colonial Revival homes with stucco exteriors and red tile roofs, English Tudor Revival houses with steep gable roofs and decorative half-timbering, Mediterranean Revival residences with wrought iron details and open courtyards, and Colonial Revival structures with symmetrical facades and columned porches. Both Windsor Village and Windsor Square offer a charming, historic character and are highly walkable communities. Both are protected by a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone, with homes and structures identified as being Historic Contributors in the Historic Resources Survey, one of the most intact historic neighborhoods in the nation.
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Background & Context
This development site is within an area characterized by small multi-housing and single-family homes.
This development site is within an area characterized by small multi-housing and single-family homes.
- Windsor Village and Windsor Square (to the north of Wilshire Blvd) are designated historic communities with unique architectural styles.
- Streets are narrow and not suited for large-scale traffic increases.
- Many office buildings along Wilshire remain vacant since the pandemic, indicating underused existing space.
Details of the Proposed Development
- Six buildings, beginning with 8 stories along Wilshire Boulevard (terraces down lower towards neighborhood), with 196 apartment units
- Community amenities including bike stations, scooter corrals, widened sidewalks, bus shelters, and extended bus bays
- Potential impacts:
- Disruption of neighborhood aesthetic and historic character
- Significant increase in traffic, parking shortages, noise, and pollution
- Safety risks for pedestrians and children
Impact of Affordable Housing on Neighborhoods
While vital for social equity, adding affordable units alone does not necessarily reduce overall housing costs.
While vital for social equity, adding affordable units alone does not necessarily reduce overall housing costs.
- Studies (e.g., Journal of Urban Economics, 2018) show minimal or mixed effects on surrounding property values.
- Market forces like land prices and demand are the primary drivers of housing costs.
- Gentrification concerns: New affordable housing can sometimes accelerate displacement by attracting higher-income residents, as observed in places like San Francisco.
My Professional Perspective & Concerns
As resident, and as a public health professional with expertise in injury prevention, urban planning, and city development, I am particularly worried about the traffic, safety, and neighborhood cohesion impacts.
As resident, and as a public health professional with expertise in injury prevention, urban planning, and city development, I am particularly worried about the traffic, safety, and neighborhood cohesion impacts.
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Projected Traffic Impacts:
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Impacts to Safety:
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Impact on Community Services
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Environmental & Neighborhood Character Impact
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Opposition & Community Action
We oppose this project because its scale and impacts are incompatible with Windsor Village’s historic and community values.
It threatens the aesthetic, safety, and integrity of our neighborhood.
We oppose this project because its scale and impacts are incompatible with Windsor Village’s historic and community values.
It threatens the aesthetic, safety, and integrity of our neighborhood.
How Can You Help?
Your voice is essential. Share your concerns directly with neighbors, friends, and local leaders.
Your voice is essential. Share your concerns directly with neighbors, friends, and local leaders.
- Contact city officials to express your concerns:
- Local City Council Office, representing Windsor Village
- Councilmember: Katy Yaroslavsky
- Website: councildistrict5.lacity.gov
- Phone:
- City Hall Office): (213) 473-7005
- District Office (323) 866-1828
- Email: [email protected]
- Local City Council Office, representing Windsor Village
Protect Windsor Village: Read the Full Report (Note: The report was prepared prior to the April 20th, 2026, community meeting with the developer)
While this development promises affordable housing and better transit, concerns remain. The scale of the project could significantly increase traffic, strain local utilities, and threaten the unique character of Windsor Village. An estimated 1,000–1,300 extra vehicle trips daily could worsen congestion on our already busy streets, and a 54% population increase would put additional pressure on our neighborhood’s infrastructure and historic charm.
The proposed development height of eight stories along Wilshire Boulevard, despite terraces reducing the height to six and five stories adjacent to the single-family Windsor Village neighborhood, is considered too tall and would have a significant negative visual impact. The increased height would disrupt the aesthetic harmony and historic character of the Windsor Village neighborhood, diminishing its visual integrity and community appeal.
We urge city officials to reconsider the scope of this project, implement meaningful mitigation, and prioritize preserving Windsor Village’s character and safety.
Learn more about these concerns and how you can help-read the full report and join us in protecting our community.
While this development promises affordable housing and better transit, concerns remain. The scale of the project could significantly increase traffic, strain local utilities, and threaten the unique character of Windsor Village. An estimated 1,000–1,300 extra vehicle trips daily could worsen congestion on our already busy streets, and a 54% population increase would put additional pressure on our neighborhood’s infrastructure and historic charm.
The proposed development height of eight stories along Wilshire Boulevard, despite terraces reducing the height to six and five stories adjacent to the single-family Windsor Village neighborhood, is considered too tall and would have a significant negative visual impact. The increased height would disrupt the aesthetic harmony and historic character of the Windsor Village neighborhood, diminishing its visual integrity and community appeal.
We urge city officials to reconsider the scope of this project, implement meaningful mitigation, and prioritize preserving Windsor Village’s character and safety.
Learn more about these concerns and how you can help-read the full report and join us in protecting our community.
Prepared by:
Windsor Village Neighborhood Group
Community Service by: Public Health Behavior Solutions
April 2026
Windsor Village Neighborhood Group
Community Service by: Public Health Behavior Solutions
April 2026
