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Urgent message from our President : Baseline Mansionization Ordinance (BMO) is failing

Dear Members,

Here is a report on the current status of further efforts to curb MANSIONIZATION throughout Los Angeles City. An amendment to the present Mansionization Ordinances is in the works but special interests are working with some success to divert the process, keep the status quo and continue with Mansionization. Please read it over and take action however you are able.

Thank You, Alan Dymond, President

Reform on the city’s failed Baseline Mansionization Ordinance (BMO) is failing.

Councilmember Koretz’s May 2014 motion was to amend the present BMO to remove loopholes and exemptions that allowed on going Mansionization Projects. As instructed by the motion, the City Planning Department produced their first draft of BMO amendments (published last fall). It was a good start and followed closely the requirements of the original motion.

Residents’ responses supported meaningful BMO reform by a factor of nearly 4 to 1, however the building and real estate lobby opposed this first draft and have appeared to be applying pressure at many levels.

As a result, the Planning department issued a second draft of a proposed BMO amendment that disregard the intent and language of the original motion notwithstanding the overwhelming public support for the amendment as proposed in the first draft.

The effect of the second draft is: • It keeps, and in some instances re-instates, bonuses and exemptions that have continue to undermine the original BMO ordinance. • It introduces concepts and tools that make a simple, straightforward ordinance into something difficult to understand and to enforce. • It weakens and complicates the amendment.

It is important that the city council understand that there is huge public support to clean up the old BMO and get rid of the loophole and exceptions. For information check the Planning Department’s Web Page,  Neighborhood Conservation . Also check NoMoreMcMansionsInLosAngeles.org,  an organization fighting to prevent further Mansionization.

***HERE IS A VERY IMPORTANT ACTION THAT MUST BE TAKEN ON OR BEFORE June 10th ***

E Mail City Council and Planning Staff. Subject matter: BMO/BHO Amendments Council File #14-0656

(Don’t forget to type in your name, neighborhood and council district at the bottom.) to: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org, paul.koretz@lacity.org, vince.bertoni@lacity.org, tom.rothmann@lacity.org, ken.bernstein@lacity.org, craig.weber@lacity.org, nicholas.maricich@lacity.org, phyllis.nathanson@lacity.org, niall.huffman@lacity.org, councilmember.huizar@lacity.org, councilmember.harris-dawson@lacity.org, councilmember.englander@lacity.org, councilmember.cedillo@lacity.org, councilmember.fuentes@lacity.org, councilmember.krekorian@lacity.org, areen.ibranossian@lacity.org, karo.torossian@lacity.org. sharon.dickinson@lacity.org cc: elizabeth.carlin@lacity.org, jordan.beroukhim@lacity.org, faisal.alseri@lacity.org, john.darnell@lacity.org bcc: stopmansionization@yahoo.com

(Here is a sample letter you can cut and paste if you’d like, or you can use your own language.)   Sample Letter Re Baseline Mansionization Ordinance

Other steps you can take, include:

1. **GET A YARD SIGN** Stand with your neighbors to express opposition to Mansionization! Yard signs send a strong signal that residents want to preserve the character of their neighborhood, and can also scare away developers and speculators. They will also serve an important role in bringing attention to this issue, leading up to the City Planning Commission and City Council votes. For $5 each, you can get 118″x 24″ plastic yard signs complete with tall wire stands. Email stopmansionization@yahoo.com for details.

2. **SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH INTERESTED FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS**

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