Three years ago, Los Angeles passed temporary regulations to limit where people living out of cars could park their cars to sleep. The City Council extended those restrictions in a heated hearing this week.
"Sleeping overnight in cars, vans and RVs will be prohibited again in many parts of Los Angeles, after the City Council voted Tuesday to reinstate rules that limit where people can live in their vehicles," reports Emily Alpert Reyes.
"The decision extends the L.A. regulations, which had expired at the beginning of July, until January. Under the rules [pdf], people cannot spend the night in their cars on residential streets, or live in their vehicles at any time within a block of a park, school, preschool or day care facility."
The City Council hearing to approve the extension of the rule was heated: activists chanted "shame on you" after the vote and at least one person had to be removed from the council chambers in handcuffs. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson spoke to reporters after saying it was "totally unacceptable" to allow people to live in cars in neighborhoods.
"More than 9,500 people live in cars, vans or RVs throughout the city of Los Angeles, according to the last annual count [pdf]," according to Reyes, and the city only has the operating capacity of safe parking sites around the city currently totals fewer than 200 parking spaces. That number is expected to rise above 300 in the fall.
The article includes more of the politics and history of the decision, which has encountered controversy every time the city has revisited the rules.
FULL STORY: L.A. City Council votes to reimpose limits on living in vehicles
Los Angeles Tightens Restrictions on Encampments
During a city council meeting that had to pause while police cleared the room of activists opposing the measure, the council voted to ban public sleeping within 500 feet of schools, making one-fifth of city sidewalks off-limits to unhoused people.
Late Action, Local Opposition Frustrate Emergency Homeless Shelter Plans
Some progress, but not nearly enough, has been reported as California and its cities scramble to procure temporary shelters to house homeless people during the pandemic.
Cities Still Sweeping Away Homeless Camps, Despite Legal Challenges
Denver and Los Angeles kicked the new year off by committing to the enforcement of a sleeping ban and sweeping away a large homeless encampment, respectively.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont