UN4LA News - September 2022
A monthly newsletter published by United Neighborhoods for Los Angeles.
UN4LA's mission is to bring communities together to plan for a sustainable future. Growth must be shaped by community engagement, not developer dollars.
WHAT IS THE SIDEWALK & TRANSIT AMENITIES PROGRAM REALLY ALL ABOUT?
If you listen to City of LA officials, they'll tell you that the Sidewalk & Transit Amenities Program (STAP) would benefit transit riders and pedestrians, improve mobility and offer access to transit information. But if you listen to critics of the program, it's a Trojan horse which will allow digital ads to swarm our sidewalks and permit private companies to access private cell phone data.
Currently the City's street furniture program is managed by advertising company Outfront Decaux, but as that contract expires, City Hall is looking to do something radically different. If the new contract with Tranzito-Vector is approved, the plan is to provide over 3,000 transit shelters/shade structures and sidewalk amenities, many of which would replace current static ads with digital displays. At the same time, the City is moving to approve an ordinance which appears to remove restrictions on outdoor advertising, potentially allowing advertisers to put billboards, digital ads and kiosks in the public right of way.
Also troubling is the fact that the new digital displays at bus stops will include wireless devices that would collect personal data from cell phones. The City claims that Tranzito-Vector will only collect anonymous data, but since the company will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of new street furniture, it's hard to understand how the City can be sure what they're collecting.
Check out the City’s STAP fact sheet to learn what the City has to say about the program. Then check out UN4LA's comments to see why we're concerned.
STAP Program Fact Sheet from City of LA
STAP Comment Letter from UN4LA
DEBATE OVER RENT CONTROL CONTINUES AS MORE CITIES ADOPT ORDINANCES
Rent control has been controversial since it was first introduced, with tenants arguing they need protection from rising rents and landlords arguing that they're unfairly burdened by price controls. Interestingly, California voters have twice rejected ballot measures that would have implemented statewide rent control, but as rents continue to trend upward, more California cities are adopting ordinances to cap increases. The LA Times offers a summary of recent developments.
More California Cities Enact Rent Control to Protect Tenants, Upsetting Apartment Owners
DEBATE CONTINUES OVER L.A. ZOO VISION PLAN
Since 2016, the Los Angeles Zoo has been developing a Vision Plan, with the goal of updating and improving its campus. But when the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the project was first released, there was a lot of pushback from a wide range of groups and many individuals. Now the Zoo has introduced another option, Alternative 1.5, and the deadline for public comment has been extended to September 23 at 5:00 pm. The Zoo will also be hosting a virtual public meeting on September 12 at 6:00 pm.
While the new Alternative has its supporters, there are still many who feel the plan is seriously flawed. A number of commenters are alarmed about the aspects of the plan that would destroy existing habitat, and many question the need for proposed event spaces. Below is a sampling of the comments, starting with a detailed breakdown from Friends of Griffith Park.
Letter from Friends of Griffith Park
"As a resident of the San Fernando Valley, I write in support of the Zoo's latest Vision Plan...."
"In favor of the proposed changes...."
Follow the link below to learn more about the plan and to find how you can comment.
INGLEWOOD MAYORAL CANDIDATES SHARE THEIR VIEWS
The race for mayor of Inglewood is on, and eight candidates have put their names forward. UN4LA reached out to all of them to learn their views, asking about the challenges they believe Inglewood faces and what their priorities would be if elected. We've compiled their answers in a document that also includes links to candidate web sites and social media. As of this writing, four candidates have responded. We’ll publish updates as more responses come in.
PROPOSED MILLS ACT CHANGES CONCERN PRESERVATIONISTS
California's Mills Act is a program that allows local jurisdictions to offer incentives to property owners for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings. The City of LA recently commissioned a report on its Mills Act program to assess its fiscal impact, management needs, and equity outcomes. But the report's recommendations have been controversial, in part because they call for the cancellation of many existing Mills Act contracts, imposing more fees on property owners, and limiting the number of new contracts. Some community groups have expressed alarm, and there were complaints from neighborhood councils that they hadn't been notified of the proposed changes. The Larchmont Buzz offers a breakdown of the situation.
City Extends Comment Period on Mills Act Study and Recommendations
You can also review the proposed changes and submit comments by clicking on the link below.
Mills Act Changes at LA City Planning
WHY NOT JUST CALL IT THE FRANK GEHRY RIVER?
You may have thought the LA River belonged to the people of LA, but more and more people, including environmental groups, are asking why their voices aren't heard when it comes to making important decisions about the River's future. UN4LA offers a brief rundown on the history of the LA River Master Plan, and asks if we shouldn't rename it the Frank Gehry River, since the celebrity architect seems to be calling the shots.
