Garcetti Overrules His Own Appointees for Koreatown Developer

NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS-Mayor Garcetti throws support behind a 27-story tower in Koreatown over a planning panel's objections.

It's rare, but not unheard of, for Los Angeles mayors to veto decisions by the City Council.

It's also not unusual for the council to veto a decision by one of the city's commissions, whose members are selected by the mayor.

But Mayor Eric Garcetti did something recently that surprised activists, housing advocates and planning wonks: He rejected a decision by a panel of his own appointees.

Last month, Garcetti threw his support behind a controversial 27-story residential tower in Koreatown.

He did so even though the people he put on the city Planning Commission unanimously rejected the apartment project, saying it would be too big for the surrounding neighborhood. On April 15, Garcetti notified the council he was disapproving his commissioners' decision.

I'm probably one of the biggest advocates on this commission for housing -- market rate and

affordable -- and I just cannot in any way feel good about this project. - Maria Cabildo, Planning

Commission member. (Read the rest.)

-cw

 

Vol 13 Issue 41

Pub: May 19, 2015