This evening’s homeowners meeting with the HWPOA had many residents asking about Holmby Hills is now an under ICO’s. Many wanted further explanation about the ICO’s and to be informed more about the future HPOZ that they weren’t aware was in the works for the neighborhood. Although these have been actions that have been in the works for a long time, residents were suddenly reading more about it in the news and hadn’t paid full attention until it is now affecting the neighborhood.
Holmby Hills ICO’s and mansionization
Holmby Hills ICO’s and Mansionization Restrictions were questioned. Residents are worried how it will affect property values and are starting to ask the questions “Will this be good for the neighborhood?” How will it affect real estate values?” What if I want to add or remodel to my home, who is going to dictate what I can and can’t do?” etc. Below is further information about what the current ICO ordinance prohibiting demolitions and substantial alterations of single family homes temporary hold means. Holmby Hills ICO’s and Mansionization restrictions are something everyone wanted to know more about so lets start with the ICO’s:
“On March 25, 2015, the Los Angeles City Council approved two Interim Control Ordinances [ICOs]: one ordinance prohibited demolitions and substantial alterations of single family homes in five proposed Historic Preservation Overlay Zones [HPOZ], and the second ordinance limits the scale of new home construction in 15 additional neighborhoods, including the Miracle Mile. Both ordinances took effect immediately upon adoption. The ICOs were enacted for an initial 45-day period, during which they may be renewed in six-month periods for up to two years. Given that they were “urgency” measures adopted (by a vote of 15–0) as a result of intense political pressure from neighborhoods under attack throughout the City, it is highly unlikely that the City Council will not routinely extend the ICOs for a full two-year period – but the MMRA and other ICO communities will be vigilant. The ordinances are intended to provide immediate relief from demolitions in areas experiencing the deleterious impacts of new “super-sized” homes – providing time for the Department of City Planning to execute a much needed reform of the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance [BMO], which has been wholly ineffective in stopping the spread of McMansions. The ICO prohibits the issuing of any building permit in Holmby Hills unless the proposed structure complies with the regulations set forth in the Beverly Grove Residential Floor Area District, which was adopted by the City Council in October 2013 to stop the unchecked spread of McMansions in that community. ”
Here is some additional information about BMO Baseline Mansionization Ordinance
“Reform the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance [BMO]:
The City adopted the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance [BMO] in 2008 to prevent McMansions, but developers have skillfully exploited loopholes in the ordinance to circumvent restrictions on height and square footage. This resulted in a surge of mansionization in the Beverly Grove and La Brea/Hancock areas. Desperate to stop the destruction of their neighborhoods, these communities pursued becoming Reduced Floor Area Districts [RFA] to plug the many loopholes in the BMO.
Homeowner and residential associations, as well as other community organizations, have recently increased the pressure on the City Council to fix the BMO so that RFAs would not be needed to stop mansionization. Having an ever-growing number of RFAs created throughout L.A. would strain the already threadbare resources of the Department of City Planning. Reforming the BMO would protect Los Angeles neighborhoods and save the taxpayers money.
The MMRA has been lobbying City Hall to enact speedy reform of the BMO. The City Council Planning and Land Use Management [PLUM] Committee held a public hearing this month that attracted a large showing of community representatives clamoring for revisions to the BMO. The PLUM Committee gave the Department of City Planning a month to come back with suggestions on how to change the ordinance.
The MMRA is closely monitoring the actions of the PLUM Committee and will continue to exert pressure to eliminate the loopholes in the BMO.”
I hope this article Holmby Hills ICO’s and Mansionization helps explain for those that haven’t been following what is happening in the neighborhood to have a quick reference. I will be continuing to post about the IOC, HPOZ and neighborhood news. Follow my blog at http://www.wilshirecorridorblog.com,or http://www.westwoodnewsletter.com, or http://caronschwartzcom.rs4.aios-staging.com to find out what is happening in Westwood . Bel Air will be keeping a watchful eye as they are looking for and IOC and HPOZ to help restrict what is happening with construction of homes in their neighborhood.
http://www.belairhomestoday.com http://www.belairnewsletter.com http://www.holmbyhillsblog.com
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