Over the last several years, lawmakers in Sacramento have drastically reduced local input and control over upzoning and densification through bills such as SB9, SB423, and SB330. Collectively, these bills have effectively eliminated R1 zoning across California. And, State mandates to produce hundreds of thousands of new housing units here in Los Angeles require neighborhoods to absorb this densification, even without plans to address the increased strains on local infrastructure. Like so many of you, I don't prefer politicians who aren't accountable to local residents dictating the feel and character of our local neighborhoods. But, whether we like it or not, we are now bound by these laws.

What remains of our local control is our ability to assess the most suitable places for added density through the Community plan update process. As I've explained in prior newsletters, the City's Land Use Element is comprised of 35 local Community Plans that cover our entire City. The update process for the Westside Community Plans has been ongoing for several years. While the City Planning Department did extensive outreach and worked with a 52-member Advisory Group comprised of community leaders, residents, Neighborhood Councils, businesses and other stakeholders, many of us remain unhappy with the draft plan updates released by the Planning Department, and I know many of you feel as though your input was not heard.

Over the last several weeks, my team has been hosting listening sessions to receive additional community feedback and proposed changes to the draft plans and maps. We have already completed 15 listening sessions in Westchester, and we will continue this work in Venice, Del Rey, Mar Vista, and West LA/Sawtelle over the coming months. Additionally, our local Neighborhood Councils also continue to hold hearings and elicit public feedback.

As we gather more feedback, we will continue working with the community to incorporate your suggestions into revised drafts. This process is going to involve a lot of hard work and effort, but we are committed to working collaboratively with you to address your concerns and work toward an outcome that will deliver density in a way this is respectful of the existing neighborhood.
 

If you wish to participate in a CD11 listening session about your Community Plan Update, click here to connect with your field deputy. 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - a time to call attention to a disease that impacts 1 in 8 women. While we wear pink to raise awareness, the core mission is early detection and prompt treatment, which can significantly improve survival rates. You can get your free Healthy Living and Personal Risk Guide from the National Breast Cancer Foundation by clicking here. 

The Los Angeles Public Library's Neighborhood Science Initiative is hosting its Third Annual LA BioBlitz Challenge. The LA BioBlitz Challenge encourages you to observe and photograph native wildlife, including animals, insects and plants, using the iNaturalist mobile app. The Library and its partners will also be hosting special programs to engage local communities about biodiversity, native wildlife and sustainability.

You can email me at councilmember.park@lacity.org.