UN4LA News - September 2023
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.
L.A. CITY COUNCIL REJECTS ETHICS COMMISSION NOMINEE
The LA City Council's unanimous rejection of a nominee to the Ethics Commission has once again raised serious questions about the Council's ethical standards. Reseda Neighborhood Council member Jamie York was nominated by Controller Kenneth Mejia to serve on the Commission. In addition to her work for the RNC, York has been an advocate for updating the City's Municipal Lobbying Ordinance. Members of the public speaking at the August 18 meeting expressed strong support, and the agenda included a recommendation that the nomination be approved.
In spite of all this, the Council voted to reject the nomination unanimously, with no discussion. Outrage followed. The Los Angeles Public Press contacted council offices to ask elected officials for an explanation, but found that few were willing to comment publicly. In a scathing editorial, the LA Times pointed out that the rejection of York's nomination leaves the Ethics Commission without a quorum, making it unable to function. UN4LA has written to the members of the Council to voice its concerns. Our letter is below.
UN4LA Letter to LA City Council Re Rejection of York Nomination
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION APPROVES INCREASING NATURAL GAS STORAGE AT ALISO CANYON
In spite of the fact that it was the site of the worst methane leak in the nation's history, on August 31 the California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to increase capacity at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility to 68 billion cubic feet. Porter Ranch residents, who were forced to evacuate by the 2015 leak, were strongly opposed to the increase. They were joined by environmental groups, as well as state and local officials, in pressing for the closure of the facility.
Aliso Canyon Can Now Increase Its Gas Storage
CITY OF L.A. STOPS BULGARI HOTEL PROJECT FROM MOVING FORWARD
A controversial luxury hotel project planned for Benedict Canyon will not be moving forward. After initiating a General Plan Amendment when the application was filed, LA City Director of Planning Vince Bertoni now believes the Bulgari Hotel would be "inappropriate" for the proposed location in the Santa Monica Mountains. Bertoni's action comes on the heels of an LA City Council vote which instructed him to reevaluate the project. Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky advocated for reconsideration of the hotel, fulfilling a promise she made when campaigning for office last year.
L.A. Kills Developer’s Plans for Bulgari Hotel in Benedict Canyon
L.A. AREA CITIES ENACT RENT CONTROL ORDINANCES
In July, the City of Maywood joined a growing list of LA area cities that are enacting rent control ordinances. Within the last year, Bell Gardens and Cudahy have also imposed rent control to protect tenants from large rent increases. Real estate interests argue that such measures will discourage the construction of new housing, but State law prohibits imposing rent control on apartments built after 1995, so new units are exempt.
Southeast LA County Cities Enact Rent Control to Keep Residents Housed
In November 2022, Pasadena voters approved Measure H, which imposed rental increase caps on qualifying buildings, in addition to protecting tenants from eviction without just cause. Measure H also created a Rental Housing Board to enforce compliance with these new protections.
Pasadena Rental Housing Board Now Active, August 4, 2023
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION TO CONSIDER DIGITAL BILLBOARDS
On Thursday, September 14, the LA City Planning Commission will consider an ordinance to implement the Transportation Communications Network (TNC), which would allow the installation of over 80 digital billboards near roads and freeways. Public comments regarding the TCN Ordinance have been overwhelmingly negative, but the City of LA seems determined to push it forward. Those interested in commenting can find instructions in the CPC agenda
City Planning Commission Agenda, Thursday, September 14, 2023
L.A. ZOO PLAN APPROVED. OPPONENTS ARE CONSIDERING OPTIONS.
Despite widespread public opposition, in early August the LA City Council voted to approve the LA Zoo Vision Plan. The Plan involves the removal of protected trees, the destruction of wildlife habitat, and the excavation of a 60-foot deep artificial canyon through a significant geological feature of Griffith Park. It also includes an 18,000 sq. ft. event space on top of a ridgeline that will alter Griffith Park's natural topography. The Plan has met with stiff opposition from a number of groups, including Friends of Griffith Park (FoGP). It remains to be seen what steps these groups will take to halt the plan. In its latest post on the project, FoGP says it is "considering options".
COMMUNITY PUSHES BACK AGAINST WESTSIDE COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATES
An overflow crowd showed up at an August 28 meeting of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) to debate the merits of a proposal to update the area's community plan. While attendees expressed a range of views, reports indicate that the overwhelming majority of the those who spoke were opposed. One of the central controversies is the proposal to increase allowable density on parcels currently zoned for single family homes.
The most recent summary of the plan available on the LA City Planning web site is from 2020. The Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa posted their own analysis of the plan prior to the meeting.
Special Community Plan Update Ad Hoc Committee Meeting
IS THE CITY OF L.A. READY TO TAKE ACTION ON TRAFFIC DEATHS?
In 2015, former Mayor Eric Garcetti established the Vision Zero initiative, with the stated goal of eliminating traffic deaths in the City of LA by 2025. It's now 2023, and traffic deaths have risen dramatically since Garcetti set that goal. Last year the number of people killed in car crashes within the city's boundaries reached 312, a new high. In August the Los Angeles Department of Transportation released its annual report on Vision Zero, offering new strategies for implementation, including upgrading traffic signals, reconfiguring streets and installing flashing lights at pedestrian crossings. Let's hope this makes a difference.
Vision Zero Implementation Strategy, 2023 Report from LADOT
