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Residential Hotel Controls
In May, the City Council imposed a year long interim control ordinance on the conversion and demolition of residential and single room occupancy hotels. As a result of the ICO, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) put together permanent guidelines for the development and control of residential hotels in CRA areas. The guidelines were presented to the CRA board yesterday and will regulate all projects within CRA areas, including non-CRA assisted private development affecting residential hotels.
The guidelines prohibit the CRA from signing permit requests for demolition, rehabilitation or conversion of a residential hotel unless the proposed new use is: a 55-year covenanted affordable housing project; the permit is necessary to meet Building & Safety requirements and no tenants will be permanently displaced; or all lost units are replaced on a one-for-one basis and all displaced persons receive relocations benefits.
CCA voiced concerns in opposition to the controls at several hearings, and strongly believes that the ICO and the CRA restrictions will maintain an undue level of blight in Downtown, as these restrictions allow a number of substandard residential hotels to continue to serve as inadequate affordable housing for our neighbors most in need. It is CCA's hope that the CRA will review this policy if these hotels remain in their present condition.
Astani's 8th & Grand Project Approved
On Thursday, the CRA board approved plans for 8th & Grand - a master planned, 875 unit condominium project complete with ground floor retail space, a paseo, landscaped pedestrian mall, fitness center, and roof-deck recreation. CCA member
Astani Enterprises
is developing the project, which will change the corner of 8th and Grand into a vital residential and retail center.
CCA's Victor Franco, Jr. advocated for the project, noting its immense benefits for the Downtown community, including a $1.5 million contribution to the Skid Row Housing Trust. The Board voted unanimously in support. CCA congratulates Astani Enterprises and looks forward to 8th & Grand's completion.
Industrial Land Policy Updates
CCA's subcommittee on industrial land reached agreement over grandfathering language this week. The framework document, which has the approval of CCA's executive committee, is nearing completion. CCA has been working closely with VICA, the Hollywood Chamber, and the L.A. Chamber to gain support from these and other business organizations. The Los Angeles Business Council has already offered support for the proposal. CCA intends to submit the policy paper to the City within the month.
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• Forest City held a kick-off party for the MetLofts, a recently opened 250+ unit project on 10th and Flower. Manager of Public Policy, Linda Mogadam attended as CCA's representative. CCA has been a key advocate for this project and congratules Forest City. • Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs Victor Franco, Jr. will be in Sacramento next Tuesday to testify before the Assembly Public Safety Committee in support of SB 1318, sentence enhancements for drug crimes. SB 1320, which prohibits persons on probation for drug crimes to enter skid row, as specified, passed the Public Safety Committee in the State Assembly this week. SB 1318 and SB 1320 are part of a package Senator Cedillo put together to help alleviate Downtown homelessness. • CCA's Victor Franco, Jr. testified in opposition to a City Council motion that would oppose AB 2987, a bill changing telecommunications laws. • CCA participated in a meeting with other business organizations, including LAEDC, VICA, and the L.A. Chamber on an initiative to make Los Angeles more business friendly. 
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