Planning For Growth, Prosperity & Quality of Life

by Gary Toebben

Last week, the L.A. City Council voted unanimously to finally move forward with construction of a Target store on Sunset and Western.  This project, which has broad neighborhood support, has been stalled for two years due to lawsuits. The Chamber applauds this long overdue decision.

Target is dedicated to investing in L.A. and the East Hollywood community. This store alone is expected to create 75 construction jobs, and employ 250-300 people once opened, many of whom will call the local neighborhood home. Additionally, the ground-floor retail and restaurant operations located at this site will bring economic opportunities and desired amenities to the surrounding area. The new store will provide access to affordable food, clothing and household goods that will improve the quality of life for the residents of the East Hollywood community.

Target is the type of corporate citizen we all admire. Every Target store in L.A. County provides financial support to hundreds of nonprofit organizations and schools in their communities – nearly $5 million of support in 2014. In addition, Target employees engage in their local communities around their stores. You see them volunteering at community beautification projects, school assistance programs and activities that address a myriad of social challenges.

So why the two-year delay in moving forward on a project almost everyone wanted? An anti-development group sued the City of L.A. claiming the approved height of the building was too tall for the neighborhood and violated the community plan. The community plan was old, thus a judge agreed and revoked the building permits. Most of the L.A. community plans are outdated and reflect a L.A. from decades ago, not the city of the future that Angelenos are excited to become.   

The Target project is just one example of why, last month, Mayor Eric Garcetti and several City Council members announced a plan and a budget to update 35 community plans throughout the City during the next decade. This process will solicit neighborhood input in the planning of our diverse, distinct L.A. communities. The new plans will reflect the community’s vision for the future and will create necessary housing, provide certainty to residents and land owners and go a long way towards avoiding the type of stand-off that denied East Hollywood neighbors a project that they supported.

In a report two years ago, the LA 2020 Commission recommended an updating of all our community plans to address one of our city’s most pressing problems. This is challenging but necessary work, and the Mayor’s recommendation is a major step in the right direction.  We look forward to supporting the Mayor, City Council and Planning Department in this important effort. Our children and grandchildren will benefit. 

And that's The Business Perspective.