Planning Commission approves variance for unpermitted office conversion

DOWNEY – The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a variance to allow an unpermitted conversion of a house on Lakewood Boulevard into an office.

Commissioners Hector Lujan, Louis Morales and Ernie Garcia voted in favor of allowing the conversion by property owner Timothy Nilan.

The work at 10825 Lakewood Blvd. near Fifth Street didn’t conform to Downey’s building laws, which called for a wider driveway, wider setbacks and other conditions. Nilan also demolished the property’s garage without the city’s permission.

Nilan is an attorney and he plans to use the space as a law office.

The decision can be appealed to the City Council.