Saturday, February 23, 2008

City Council Signs Off On Density Bonus Bonanza For Developers & Herb Wesson For Mayor Rumors in LA Times


The Los Angeles City Council this week finally signed off on an ordinance to give developers incentives to build more apartments and condos to be rented or sold at below market rate. Click here for previous ZD post on "Density Bonus Bonanza".

Next up in the fight over the shape of the city's landscape: The Mixed-Income Housing Ordinance. Councilman Herb Wesson, who chairs the housing committee, told the Los Angeles Current Affairs Forum lunch on Thursday that the mixed-income housing plan would be coming soon. (ZD: Although right now it's just preliminary conceptual talk. So don't expect anything for at least two years or more.)

Wesson also deflected an attempt by Jim Hilfenhaus of Laborers Local 300 to pin him down on a position on the controversial Las Lomas proposed development. Wesson said he still has more to learn before reaching a decision on whether to support the project. ["Still has to learn more." That's smooth Herb. How about, "have to weigh the political ramifications/what's in it for me in case I run for mayor?"]

The opinion piece also says that Wesson decided not to run for Y. Burke's County Supervisor seat, since Prop R was passed (extending his term), and hinted that Herb may still run for Mayor with this comment: "And one more thing -- he just might want to stay in City Hall but leave its Fourth Floor, where council members have their offices. I don't think he meant he wants to run for city attorney."

And I don't think he means City Clerk...I guess it depends on how much weaker Antonio gets, if he can get any weaker. Who do you think ZD would endorse between the two. Well, Herb's name isn't "Antonio Villariagosa" if that is any clue.

full article

lacityupdate.com


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