In case Office Landry kicks me out of City Hall on Friday for tying my shoelaces or breathing too loud, I better post all this info people have given me about Interim Control Ordinances (ICOs)/Prohibiting Conversion of Existing Units to Condominiums.
There are five Councilmembers who sit on the Housing and Economic committee, and many Councilmembers have initiated these ICOs to help but the brakes on the rampant condo conversions happening all throughout the fifteen districts at such rapid pace, even Councilmembers need a take-five to see what is actually up.
Only problem is, as well written and upstanding as these ICOs actually are, it doesn't do any good if you keep sticking them back to the bottom of your "to do" pile. Here's a compilation on memos, documents and Superior Court Civil Complaints regarding this Citywide epidemic:
For the past few years, the City of Los Angeles has experienced widespread demolition of multi-family residential structures and the replacement of such structures by new condominiums. Consequences of these activities include the loss of thousands of rental units regulated by the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and the creation of an extreme shortage of affordable rental housing. [Like Councilmembers care???] (Then a Sept. 12, 2006 motion to the Planning and Land Use management Department to do something about it.)
Here's an excerpt from a couple ICOs someone gave me from various Councilmembers who are being ignored by the Housing Committee: There is an urgent need for protections from displacement until the appropriate course of action Citywide is established, and policies for fair and smooth transitions for affected tenants are implemented.
But they aren't being implemented, hence the Superior Court Complaint (Case No. BC359641): Complaint to enforce tenant mitigation conditions...for unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business practices; for conspiracy to engage in the foregoing practices...and more bad stuff. [TOTAL VIOLATION, Y'ALL!]
In the meantime, while you're sitting on the ICO's, let's see tenants get the 180 day notice and relocation money (at today's rate, not 1980's rate) ASAP.
And finally, to give equal time, this election season, a quote from Councilmember Eric Garcetti's memo on the matter to a "concerned citizen":
"While I am open to the concept of limiting conversions and demolitions, I am waiting to see to further-developed proposal for such a moratorium before providing my full support." - Eric Garcetti. Thanks, Eric! So keep waiting little old ladies being kicked out of your lifelong units without notice or any relocation fees unless you file a civil complaint in Superior Court. Eric needs some more time to think about it.
And remember, when visiting Los Angeles, stop by Venice Beach and buy a one dollar incense from one of the Eastside stores. They won't let me see them on the beach side anymore. And have a happy day!
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