Last night, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Planning Association doled out awards at SCI-Arc, and while we missed the cocktail hour (planners must keep bankers' hours to start drinking that early), we did arrive just in time for the awards presentation. Architect and SCI-Arc director Eric Owen Moss delivered his welcome speech, complaining bitterly about neighborhood councils and their pastoralist nostalgia for small-town LA. How does he convince these "otherwise progressive" NIMBYs to accept new development? According to Moss, he uses a cunning technique of reverse psychology. Call them "arch-conservatives" and they will bend to his will because who can abide by that kind of spurious name-calling? Then it was on to the awards presentation. So who were the big winners?
No love for the mcmansion today at City Hall. Homeowners crying foul showed up in impressive numbers from "negatively impacted" neighborhoods (Tarzana, Hancock Park, Studio City, Cheviot Hills) to beg the City to enact the mansionization ordinance, which would forbid homeowners from building big ugly boxes on their lots by restricting floor areas. Builders, realtors and homeowner representatives from other neighborhoods (South LA) showed up to voice opposition to the "one size fits all" approach that they say would screw up the whole city for the benefit of a few affected neighborhoods. In the end, the City Council voted unanimously to enact the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance. What it says:
"...the maximum residential floor area contained in all buildings and accessory buildings shall not exceed 25 percent of the lot area, except that when the lot is 20,000 square feet or greater, then the residential floor area shall not exceed 20 percent of the lot area or 5,000 square feet, whichever is greater."
Following-up on this AM's quicklink on the proposed Luxury Tax on Angelenos of wealthier means (with big houses), we've finally been able to get our hands on the full text of the motion introduced by Councilman Richard Alarcon (CD7).
In the City of Los Angeles there is an increasing divide between the "haves" and the "have-nots." While a portion of our residents live luxurious lifestyles, the vast majority of Angelenos are bracing for a worsening economy. Currently, the number of residents who own homes in Los Angeles is declining, forcing less fortunate working families into the costly rental housing market. In addition to paying increasing rents, working families are being asked to pay higher utility fees, thereby further increasing the economic divide.
Budget woes solved. Via the Los Angeles City Council, the following motion will be discussed before the Budget & Finance Committee at some soon to be determined date (no link available yet). The resulting brawl shall be entertaining, to say the least: "MOTION (Alarcón – Reyes) that the Council direct the CLA, City Administrative Officer (CAO), Departments of Building and Safety and City Planning, and request the City Attorney and the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to research, calculate and report on a Luxury Tax which shall be levied on owners of mansions in Los Angeles which meet or exceed 5,000 square feet; and related matters." [City of LA]
In an affront to chicken lovers everywhere, the City of LA is considering two motions next week that may limit the rights of our roosters to cock-a-doodle at will while also limiting the rights of homeowners to enjoy the company of more than one rooster. The motions, originally introduced in October, will be heard at the May 7th council meeting, and were introduced under the guise of fighting blight, protecting property values, stopping the bird flu and cock fighting - which can also result in prostitution, gambling, gang activity, human trafficking, drugs, and weapon sales. Evil, filthy birds! The motions, introduced by Councilwoman Janice Hahn (representing the Pedro!) also requires that pet roosters be microchipped and that a "mechanism" be established to respond to complaints of noisy roosters.
A reader is losing it. The city is reconfiguring property lines resulting in the loss of a precious commodity - a parking spot. What options does this chap have: "Okay, so we're out talking to the parking meter dude earlier after a whole half-a-block has been getting tickets for parking in our assigned spaces. Now, we're being informed that the whole half-a-block is losing one of their tandem parking spots, because the city is changing the property line on us. Parking is already tough as it is here, we can't normally even find parking spots with everyone parked in their normal spots. So my question is, what defense do we have, and are we entitled to a rent deduction if they are taking away a parking space?"
· Ask Curbed: I Can Has Rent Increaz? [Curbed LA]
Councilman Dennis Zine (CD3) appeared on last night's The Daily Show to explain Britney's Law - the law designed to reign in the out-of-control paparazzi. Rob Riggle does a fine job of grilling the Councilman. "If the nipple slips and it's not photographed - that's not going to break anyone's heart."
· Fights, Camera, Action [The Daily Show]
· Dennis Zine Introduces Britney Spears Act of '08 [Curbed LA]
It was only a matter of time, but finally all our crazy judicial dreams have come true. A lawsuit has finally popped up, as a citizen opponent of the State's SB 1818 Density Bonus law has sued the City. The Density Bonus law would incentivize developers to include affordable housing in their projects in exchange for being allowed to build with added height, more dwelling units, fewer parking spaces or a host of other options. The Daily News reports that Valley Village homeowner Sandy Hubbard filed the lawsuit in order to stop the city's implementation of the ordinance, following the advice of Planning Commission President Jane Usher. We got a hold of the lawsuit and are reading it now. Here's some of the verbage from the document:
"...in passing the 'SB 1818 Implementing Ordinance' defendant and respondent Los Angeles City Council abrogated its responsibilities to the people of Los Angeles, completely and thoroughly abused its discretion, and utterly failed to proceed in the manner required by law..."
More context for yesterday's post on the first lawsuit to arise out of the City's handling (or mishandling) of the density bonus ordinance. Above is the lovely watercolor rendering of the proposed neighborhood-character ruining project at 12449 Louise Avenue in the Del Rey neighborhood. Despite the lush landscaping and soothing brown facade, we can definitely see how this project would kill the soul of the neighborhood.
· City of LA, You Got Served: The First Density Bonus Lawsuit [Curbed LA]
· City's Density Bonus Plan Taking More Heat [Curbed LA]
A reader forwaded us a letter sent out by City Planning Commission chairperson Jane Usher on the saga that is the City's Density Bonus ordinance [PDF]. Wonks take note! If you're unfamiliar with Ms. Usher, you're really missing a lot. She is what you may call: a brutal force of nature. She yells, she skewers developers, she gets all up into people's faces--and she's unrepentant about it. It's fun to watch from the peanut gallery. Now she's taking aim at the density bonus ordinance, which appears to exempt certain projects (those only asking for a density bonus and reduced parking) from environmental review. As the emailer notes, Ms. Usher's letter appears to be inviting someone to sue the city over the density bonus implementation.
Please answer these three questions from real life metro area-Angelenos (metrolenos) with a need to know. You may answer by email, la@curbed.com, or through our friendly comment system. Answers posted on Thursday.
1) Ladera Heights: A reader wants an update on the Stephen Kanner designed United Oil gas station. "You wrote about this a year ago and the damn thing still isn't finished. In fact it doesn't seem to be much more complete than it was a year ago. Is United Oil out of $$$ to finish it? This can't be an issue with delayed permits."
2) Santa Monica: New residences in Santa Monica! Alert the media. "Do you know anything about the building just completed on the northwest corner of Santa Monica and Berkeley in Santa Monica? Are they condos or rentals? Why can't I find out any information about this place? WHY!?!?!"
3) Los Angeles: More parking confusion. Where's LA CityNerd when you need him? "I have a parking question for Curbed: I live next to a school and there is a sign on the street stating, No Parking from 7am-4pm School Days (Buses Exempt). Since [yesterday was] President's Day does that mean parking there is allowed? How about during the summer when school is out of session?"
Through the miracle of YouTube, the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association has posted a six part video compilation of LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky speaking to the group from its January meeting. The mustachioed one hits a number of hot-button issues including the City's density bonus plans (Clip 2) and the ongoing negotiations between USC and the Coliseum Commission (Clip 6). Zev rails against density along Ventura Boulevard and gives his side of the story from the negotiations with USC: "...I think some people on the Board of Trustees of the University of Southern California thought they could bully the Coliseum Commission into giving away the facility to the University for 75 years for nothing." Fight On!
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Following-up on 
Budget woes solved. Via the Los Angeles City Council, the following motion will be discussed before the Budget & Finance Committee at some soon to be determined date (no link available yet). The resulting brawl shall be entertaining, to say the least: "MOTION (Alarcón – Reyes) that the Council direct the CLA, City Administrative Officer (CAO), Departments of Building and Safety and City Planning, and request the City Attorney and the Department of Water and Power (DWP) to research, calculate and report on a Luxury Tax which shall be levied on owners of mansions in Los Angeles which meet or exceed 5,000 square feet; and related matters." [City of LA]
In an affront to chicken lovers everywhere, the City of LA is considering two motions next week that may limit the rights of our roosters to cock-a-doodle at will while also limiting the rights of homeowners to enjoy the company of more than one rooster. The motions, originally introduced in October, will be heard at the May 7th council meeting, and were introduced under the guise of fighting blight, protecting property values, stopping the bird flu and cock fighting - which can also result in prostitution, gambling, gang activity, human trafficking, drugs, and weapon sales. Evil, filthy birds! The motions, introduced by 
A reader is losing it. The city is reconfiguring property lines resulting in the loss of a precious commodity - a parking spot. What options does this chap have: "Okay, so we're out talking to the parking meter dude earlier after a whole half-a-block has been getting tickets for parking in our assigned spaces. Now, we're being informed that the whole half-a-block is losing one of their tandem parking spots, because the city is changing the property line on us. Parking is already tough as it is here, we can't normally even find parking spots with everyone parked in their normal spots. So my question is, what defense do we have, and are we entitled to a rent deduction if they are taking away a parking space?"
It was only a matter of time, but finally all our crazy judicial dreams have come true. A lawsuit has finally popped up, as a citizen opponent of the State's SB 1818 Density Bonus law has sued the City. The Density Bonus law would incentivize developers to include affordable housing in their projects in exchange for being allowed to build with added height, more dwelling units, fewer parking spaces or a host of other options. The Daily News reports that Valley Village homeowner Sandy Hubbard filed the lawsuit in order to stop the city's implementation of the ordinance, following 
A reader forwaded us a letter sent out by City Planning Commission chairperson Jane Usher on the saga that is the City's 
