The Associated Press reported over the weekend that Johnny Depp is trying to block construction of a proposed Sunset Strip commercial development. The Pirates of the Caribbean actor says the building will block the scenic view from part of his Hollywood Hills estate.
In a lawsuit, the actor contends that the city of West Hollywood violated environmental quality laws by approving development of retail shops, a restaurant and a parking structure on a lot beneath his gated, 2 1/2 -acre property.
Depp also argues that the project would block the view his children, Lily-Rose, 6, and Jack, 4, have while playing on a terrace outside the 7,430-square-foot home that was built in 1932. Depp and his partner, Vanessa Paradis, live with their children in France.
The development would rise about 45 feet above the famous Sunset Strip. Its roof would be about 40 feet below Depp's home, but the building would still block views from a portion of the backyard terrace, which is down the hill from the house.
In an interview with the L.A. Times, Joseph Emrani of Venice Investments, who is a partner in the project with his brother, Youdi Emrani, said he challenged Depp's representatives.
"They said, 'The kids are playing over there and they don't want it to block their view.' I mentioned that his children live in Paris, and one of them said, 'That's very personal and we don't want to get involved with that,' " Joseph Emrani was quoted as saying. Depp's attorney declined to discuss the case.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled against Depp last year. The case is being appealed on his behalf by his sister, Christi Dembrowski, who is also Depp's personal assistant and president of his film production company.
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