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Thursday, May 8, 2008

Laws for Gentrification?

Could it be possible the city is actually taking notice on how gentrification is affecting certain areas and the people that live in the area? Well according to the latest LA Times article, the Los Angeles City Council approved new rules on factors concerning gentrification. They put limits on the size of "Mansionization" in what is so called low income areas.

This has certainly been happening all around us in LA it has even creeped up here in my town in the past 5 years or so. The recent effect of mansionization happened to a friend not so long ago. He lived in an area of San Pedro which was considered the "lows" most people did not see the area as the greatest place to live. His home which is located on top of a hill overlooking the port and beautiful Vincent Thomas Bridge. Just last year they started construction on a empty lot that had been Vacant for years, they built these huge homes totally obstructing the view of the port. Now the only thing him and his neighbors see is other peoples windows. Instead they could of replaced that lot with a park or much needed dog park.

Another incident that bit it's self in the ass was the construction of the new luxury lofts in downtown San Pedro called " The View" which obviously had a view of the port until another developer decided to built a different luxury condo right in front of it rising higher which made the point of The View well pointless. Apparently the yuppies that bought the more expensive condos with the Port View are angry? they been even screwing them selves over so someone of lower income who lives in an area being redeveloped, would they really care iif there view was taken away? I think not.
The new rules are good news to restore historic areas the right way, now lets see if one day they can make it affordable!

LA Times artical
'mansionization,' downtown hotel conversions
Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
A new city ordinance restricts conversion of L.A.'s residential buildings, such as the Hotel Bristol , into luxury units that would displace low-income tenants. The Bristol , at 8th and Olive streets, was to be turned into a boutique hotel.
The City Council adopts rules curbing the size of remodeled homes on the flatlands and preserving low-income housing, mostly on skid row, that advocates fear are in danger of becoming lofts.
By Jessica Garrison and Cara Mia DiMassa, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers May 7, 2008
» Discuss Article (63 Comments) The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved new rules to address major byproducts of the gentrification that has swept the city: limiting the size of "mansionization" additions and making it harder for developers to convert low-income housing into luxury lofts.
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