City of Los Angeles
Planning and Land Use Management Committee 
City Hall 200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, California 90012

Attn:    
Councilmember Ed Reyes
Councilmember Jose Huizar
Councilmember Jack Weiss
Councilmember Eric Garcetti

Re:      Capitol Studios
            Proposed Parking Facility at 6230 Yucca Street, Los Angeles
            Matter No. 08-0550, CPC 2006-7068, ZC HD ZAA SPR, CD13

Dear Councilmembers:

I am a musician and a member of Professional Musicians Local 47 of the American Federation of Musicians. I have followed in the footsteps of the many musical giants who have recorded the music that put LA on the map at Capitol Studios. Local 47 represents over 8,500 professional musicians, and our community depends on the availability of this world class recording facility.

It has been brought to my attention that the City Planning Commission has preliminarily approved construction of a sixteen story high rise building with a three level underground parking lot at 6230 Yucca Street, near the Capitol Records Building. This construction threatens to disrupt the operation of the world-famous Capitol Studios located in the Capitol Tower, and the operation of a high rise building and parking structure on this site might force the Studios to close permanently. I urge the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, during its meeting on April 22, 2008, to reconsider the approval of construction at the Yucca Street site in light of the anticipated disruptions to Capitol Studios' business.

I am deeply saddened and disappointed at the prospect that the Studios might be closed in favor of a parking structure. One cannot overstate the importance of Capitol Studios within the Los Angeles music scene and, indeed, to the history of recorded music. Capitol Studios has long been among the busiest studios on the west coast, and the threat of its closure to those employed in the recording industry in Los Angeles cannot be understated. And, the long list of musicians who have worked at the studios -- including Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Seger, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Benny Goodman, Gene Vincent, the Beach Boys, Steve Miller Band, Harry Connick Jr., Green Day, Crowded House, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Dave Grusin, Sting, Celine Dion, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr -- reads like a veritable history of recorded music.

I urge the Committee to reverse approval of construction at 6230 Yucca Street.

Very truly yours,