Committee upholds decision to discontinue Highlight Motels transient use after LAPD cites pattern of crime

The Planning and Land Use Management Committee voted 5-0 to deny an appeal by LA Highlight Property Incorporated and to uphold the zoning administrators determination discontinuing the transient motel use at the Highlight Motel, 10321 South Broadway in Council District 8.

City planning staff told the committee the zoning administrator found persistent nuisance activity at the property and imposed six administrative conditions related to fees, change of use and covenant recordation. "The zoning administrator's action to discontinue the transient motel use is a result of LAPD crime reports, citizen complaints, and testimony which indicate that activities at the subject site have resulted in impacts to the community at large," planning staff said during the committee presentation.

The recommendation to deny the appeal drew detailed testimony from Los Angeles Police Department officers who described multiple years of enforcement actions. "By early 2023 my opinion was that…