Convenience at a Price

Mini-malls, those small street-corner shopping centers, are common in most neighborhoods. An estimated 400 have been built near busy intersections in Los Angeles and as many as 3,000 have been built in Southern California. More are planned.

Time-conscious consumers appreciate the convenience. Critics complain, however, about the nuisance of litter, loiterers, more traffic and the aesthetics of some designs. Those criticisms should be considered when a new mall is planned, but because most shops are clustered on locations already zoned for commercial use such as the sites of former gas stations, no new approval is required.

More controls are needed. An ordinance, due for consideration soon by the Los Angeles City Council, would provide reasonable restrictions without crippling business.

Proposed by Councilman Hal Bernson, the ordinance would require more parking, outdoor lighting, walls and additional landscaping. It would also prohibit trash collection before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. Special rules would govern the shops and eateries that stay open after 10 p.m. A zoning administrator would review that late-night use, which is most objectionable to many neighbors.

The ordinance cannot address the fears that mini-malls attract criminals, street people or throngs of youngsters, who are high-volume spenders and choose to congregate there. Some chains, however, have installed cameras and special safes to make the shops less attractive targets. Frequent trash collections discourage the homeless who are in search of something to eat. And, some stores have special rules, allowing only one student inside at a time, for example.

As for the aesthetics of the mini-malls, critics have complained about stark designs. They also dislike the parking lots in front of the stores because that discourages walking, an interesting concern in a city that is all but off-limits for strolling in most neighborhoods. However, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects is sponsoring a design competition for convenience centers. Councilman Mike Woo, who has an academic background in urban planning, has been asked to serve as one of the judges.

Mini-malls have become ubiquitous urban oases, providing one-stop-shopping relief from time-consuming errands. The shopping areas typically include a convenience store, an eatery, a dry cleaners, a video shop and the like. They are needed, but they provide convenience at a cost, higher prices for some items and disruptions to some neighborhoods.

The controls, proposed by Bernson, go far enough to restore peace to neighborhoods but not so far that they will inconvenience consumers. We hope that the Los Angeles City Council will approve the ordinance.