Competing Land Use Initiatives on the November Ballot in Los Angeles

"A coalition of labor unions and housing advocates unveiled a ballot proposal Wednesday that would force real estate developers in Los Angeles to provide affordable housing when seeking city approval for residential projects that are larger than planning rules allow," report David Zahniser and Emily Alpert Reyes for the Los Angeles Times.

The proposal has been submitted for consideration on the citywide ballot on November 8, 2016. The coalition of labor unions and affordable housing activists are pitching the ballot initiative as a win-win for affordable housing and the city's employment base. A press release announcing the initiative focuses especially on the initiative's local hire provision.

Zahniser and Alpert Reyes note that the "Build Better LA" agenda conflicts with the "Neighborhood Integrity Initiative" agenda—though developers and businesses aren't likely to favor either alternative. The article includes a quote from the Coalition to Preserve L.A., the group behind the "Neighborhood Integrity Initiative," describing "Build Better LA" as a "wolf in sheep's clothing." The article also quotes Carol Schatz, president and chief executive of the Central City Association, who voices concerns that "Build Better LA" might backfire, choosing the phase, "They’re cutting off their nose to spite their face," to describe her opinions about the new initiative.