Incorporating Marina del Rey

There have been proposals to incorporate the county portion of Marina del Rey into a separate city. I can understand why renters in the Marina are frustrated by their increased rents. I can also understand why there is an effort by them to create their own city, as West Hollywood has recently done, in order to fight this action.

The report from the director of the Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission, which concludes that a Marina city would not be economically viable, is an important step in clarifying the issue of separate incorporation. The county exercised exceptional long-term judgment in creating this tremendous recreational and housing resource for the citizens of Los Angeles. The county also allocated a significant amount of land for commercial activity, which relates to the focus of this area for regional recreation. This area exemplifies a partnership between local government and private enterprise and has shown the benefits to the public that such a partnership envisioned.

If any incorporation takes place it should be an annexation to the City of Los Angeles. It seems to me that it makes no sense whatsoever to have this housing, recreation and commercial area incorporated as a separate city. It is totally surrounded by the City of Los Angeles. It depends a great deal on the city for many of its governmental services. In my opinion, these small incorporated cities surrounded by another city don’t make social, economic, political or fiscal sense.

I am not advocating in any way that the county give up its jurisdiction; but if it does, it certainly should not be for a separate incorporated city.

CALVIN S. HAMILTON

Director of Planning

City of Los Angeles