It’s not uncommon for political bodies to address one concern while cleverly diverting attention away from another. However, when this tactic is used to harm a community it professes to serve, it’s time to blow the whistle. This is the case with the environmental land use ordinance under consideration by the Los Angeles City Council. Under the guise of wildlife protection, Councilmembers Raman and Yarslosky are poised to push through a measure that jeopardizes the security and property value of every homeowner in Los Angeles.

The ordinance, set to be passed by the Planning and Land Use committee this Tuesday, claims to solely focus on wildlife conservation. But a closer look reveals an underhanded move: it slashes the amount of square footage homeowners can build on their property by a whopping 50%. The apparent zeal to safeguard wildlife masks an alarming agenda that will dramatically shrink homeowner property values, hurt efforts to tackle the housing and homelessness crisis, and dodge public scrutiny and debate.

The subterfuge runs deep. This change in ordinance was slyly introduced just before a holiday weekend, with the vote scheduled for the day following the holiday. The timing leaves no room for public discourse, catching residents off-guard. The committee’s maneuver to appease out-of-town special interests over the concerns of homeowners illustrates a disheartening betrayal of their constituents’ trust. Facing what is already sparking community outrage, it’s not uncommon for political bodies to address one concern while ingeniously diverting.

Shockingly, the sole notification about this wildlife ordinance was a single-page document with an image of a bobcat (see above). There was no mention of the impending square footage reduction. This blatant omission leaves LA residents clueless about the real impact of the proposal. It’s clear that our Councilmembers have opted to prioritize special interests over their duty to their residents.

Let me be clear: Wildlife protection is important. Yet, it becomes detrimental when employed as a smokescreen to pass a harmful ordinance against homeowners. This ordinance, which now includes basements in the square footage count and requires loose fencing that compromises home safety, does little to actually aid wildlife. Beginning in CD4 and CD5, it will automatically rollout to the entire city. Alarmingly, it covers fully developed areas rather than targeting undeveloped spaces that could genuinely protect wildlife.

The impact extends beyond LA. This ordinance sets a dangerous precedent for cities across California, continuing to undermine property owners state-wide. While we grapple with a housing crisis, the Council is paradoxically endorsing a measure that will reduce housing availability. The ordinance further burdens City Hall with increased bureaucracy and reporting requirements. Remodeling or building homes will become more expensive, deterring property development and decreasing the taxes collected by the city due to reduced square footage and property values.

This is a clear echo of the smoke filled rooms of Washington. The ill-conceived, poorly thought-out special interest code assessment offers no consideration for the impact on homeowners. The Council appears set to pass this legislation only for those still living in Los Angeles to later grapple with its implications.

The issue is simple: Councilmembers can approve a wildlife ordinance but must remove the square footage reduction. It’s time to lift the veil on this backroom deal that severely disadvantages LA homeowners. People in Los Angeles need to raise their voices and demand the council to vote no on this deceptive ordinance.

Don’t take your intrepid blogger’s word for it, look at this 10-page letter that blasts this proposed ordinance from every conceivable angle! Letter Linked Here.

Get down there and make sure you are heard from!!!

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE