Council approves Normandy Avenue housing project despite opposition over open space and pipeline concerns

The Los Angeles City Council approved a housing development on a former railroad right-of-way on June 5, 2001, voting 11–0 to uphold the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee report and move the project forward.

The project drew a 10-minute public hearing at the request of the chair. Opponents included neighborhood residents and community activists who urged the council to keep the corridor as open space or a greenbelt and raised concerns about soil contamination at a nearby Superfund site. Several speakers also warned about crime and graffiti along the abandoned corridor and questioned whether the plan fit the neighborhood’s pattern of mostly lots larger than 5,000 square feet.

Resident Dale Friedley, who said he has lived in the area his entire life, told the council the community wanted a greenbelt and cited graffiti and safety concerns along the abandoned rail corridor. “I would appreciate it if you would not approve this development,” Friedley said, urging preservation of open…