Plans to keep nearly 80% of downtown L.A.'s industrial lands exclusively industrial has developers and business leaders up in arms.
"In recent weeks, dozens of Downtown Los Angeles stakeholders have criticized a plan by the city Planning Department and the Community Redevelopment Agency that would prohibit residential development on approximately 80% of Downtown's industrial-zoned land."
"The debate could set the stage for a drawn-out battle between city planners and Downtown's elected officials."
"While City Planning Director Gail Goldberg and CRA CEO Cecilia Estolano said the new plan will help developers by clearly dictating where their agencies will and will not approve housing projects, the business community is receiving backing from two key allies."
"Last Tuesday, 14th District Councilman José Huizar introduced a motion asking the City Council to consider the Planning Department and CRA's industrial land recommendations before they are implemented. Ninth District Councilwoman Jan Perry recently introduced a similar motion asking the council to direct Planning Department and CRA staff to form a working group with Downtown community members to receive input on the recommendations."
