Council approves plan amendment and zone change for Avalon Bay site over objections from planning commission and local industry

The Los Angeles City Council voted to approve a general plan amendment and a zoning ordinance that clear the way for a multi-hundred-unit residential project on a site located within an area designated in the city's plan for industrial use.

The council took two votes as required for a plan amendment and zoning ordinance. The resolution for the general plan amendment passed by a 12-2 roll-call vote; the implementing ordinance also passed by a 12-2 vote.

Members of the public and local businesses urged the council to reject the change. John Moranville, a television producer who said he represented production studios adjacent to the site, argued the project would be "a pure residential play disguised as commercial" and warned that an island of residences surrounded by industrial uses would force industrial users to move. Moranville and other industrial speakers said the area is an established industrial park supporting thousands of jobs and film production activity.

Leslie Daigle, representing Verizon Wireless, said the company operates a mobile telephone switching office and a 60-foot tower next to the proposed project and that locating residences nearby would limit Verizon's operations and future expansion. "We oppose the proposed housing development as it curtails our development rights and erodes the predictability of our expansion," Daigle said.

William Feldman, an industrial property owner, described heavy truck activity and industrial uses in the area and said residences would be incompatible.

Councilmember Bernsen said he had reconsidered the matter after additional review and discussion with the district councilmember and local stakeholders and supported approving the committee minority report together with a commitment to pursue a plan amendment and zone change for the broader area so existing businesses would not be forced out.

Councilmember Mysikowski, who said she was part of the planning committee majority that opposed the change, reiterated concerns about spot zoning and the unanimous recommendation by the Planning Commission against the amendment and zone change.

Councilmember Miska Lantra (identified in transcript as raising housing/worksite balance issues) argued the West Side has a shortage of housing relative to jobs and supported the project as a way to reduce commute distances and traffic impacts for workers.

Planning staff clarified that the zone-change ordinance contains an affordable-housing requirement: "The zone change ordinance requires 20% affordable of those, 10% moderate income and 10% low income," Larry Friedman of City Planning said during council questioning.

After debate, the council approved the general-plan resolution (roll call announced as 12 ayes, 2 noes) and then approved the ordinance on second reading by the same tally.

The council record shows the votes taken as required for plan amendment and ordinance consideration. The council instructed staff to proceed with the related plan and zone amendments for adjacent properties, and members emphasized they expect implementing conditions to address transitions between industrial and residential uses.