#57 PLANNING ISSUES DEBATE

From: Gerald A. Silver,
Pres., Homeowners of Encino

To: Parties Interested in Los Angeles City Planning Issues

Subject: #57 PLANNING ISSUES DEBATE

Urgent Need For Action on Mansionization Ordinance

Dear Community Leaders --

This past June, the City Planning Commission forwarded an anti-mansionization ordinance to the City Council. Our goal was to DO Real Planning. We were led by an unprecedented coalition of homeowners, environmentalists, architects, affordable housing advocates, and civic groups. Inexplicably, our effort has stalled for 6 months at PLUM. If you still believe that this City should take a balanced first step against grossly oversized homes, please read on and circulate this email.

Jane Usher, President, Los Angeles City Planning Commission

Urgent Need For Action on Mansionization Ordinance
What: Please attend the PLUM Committee meeting at 2 PM on December 18 in City Hall. There is no similarly effective tool quite like your showing up. In addition, you may wish to contact the City Council in advance to express your views.

Why: The December 18 meeting of the PLUM Committee will mark the third time that this body has heard the Mansionization Ordinance. Currently, the City does not regulate oversized homes that disproportionately impact their neighborhoods and the environment. The proposed Ordinance curtails gross overbuilding while it allows homes of more generous size than are permitted by similar measures in surrounding cities. Work on the proposed Ordinance was sponsored by Councilman Tom LaBonge, and seconded by Councilmembers Ed Reyes, Wendy Greuel, Janice Hahn, Bill Rosendahl, Eric Garcetti, and Herb Wesson. The measure was drafted and recommended by City Planning on June 14. The Council has yet to see this work.

PLUM History:

* At the July 24 PLUM meeting, the Planning Department and the City Attorney