Galanter Wins Temporary Curbs on Venice Development

During her nine months on the Los Angeles City Council, Ruth Galanter says she has learned that nothing comes easily in her Westside district, especially when it involves the beach community of Venice.

Two weeks ago, Galanter was shouted down at a City Council meeting by an angry group of Venice property owners, developers and real estate agents when she attempted to win approval of temporary restrictions on development in the community. The City Council, taken aback by the unusual public thrashing, decided to delay a vote on the proposed controls--a move that delighted Galanter’s opponents but clearly embarrassed the freshman councilwoman.

On Tuesday, Galanter got her revenge. The City Council, by a 14-0 vote, approved the temporary restrictions despite a well-organized effort by Galanter’s opponents to win another delay. This time, the council chamber was stuffed with as many supporters as opponents of the restrictions, and the proceedings were interrupted by outbreaks of applause rather than boos and jeers.

Back-Scratching

“You want to know the game?” asked a disappointed Don Doyle, whose family owns Sail Realty and who was an organizer of the opposition. “If you vote for me, I’ll vote for you. With kings and queens, that is the way the city is run.”

In an interview after the vote, Galanter said the turn of events did not come by chance. Two weeks ago, her office launched an intense lobbying effort of her colleagues, while at the same time encouraging residents who support the restrictions to show up at City Hall on Tuesday. She said council members were briefed on the restrictions, and while it was not articulated as such, they understood that she expected their support on this issue if they want her support on others.

“Generally speaking, unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise, council members prefer to support members (on issues) within their districts,” Galanter said.

Interim Ordinance

The temporary restrictions, which will be implemented in the form of a one-year interim control ordinance, reduce height and density limits and increase parking requirements in the area bounded by Marine Street on the north, Washington Street and Via Marina on the south, Lincoln Boulevard and Via Dolce on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west.

The restrictions are intended to limit new development while city officials devise permanent planning guidelines--known as a “local coastal program”--for the Venice area. Shortly after her election last June, Galanter promised to begin work on the program, which is mandated by state law for oceanfront communities but which languished for years under former Councilwoman Pat Russell.

Currently, developers are caught in what Galanter calls a “double bind of inconsistent permitting practices” because they are required to obtain approval from both the state Coastal Commission and the city for projects. Once the city completes and the state certifies the local coastal program, the state will no longer need to review projects.

Effort Supported

Opponents of the interim control ordinance say they support Galanter’s effort to draft a local coastal program, but they have complained that some of the temporary restrictions are too severe. They say, for example, that parking requirements in the so-called beach impact zone--an area that extends several blocks east along the entire length of the beach--will make some projects too expensive to build. Galanter said the requirements will help solve nagging parking problems throughout the community.

On Tuesday, critics focused their attack on an issue particularly close to Galanter--the issue of public participation in decisions that affect the community. In her campaign last spring against Russell, Galanter promised to open city government to residents. Galanter, however, never held a formal public hearing on the interim control ordinance, which her critics say is one of the most significant measures in Venice in years.

City officials said Galanter is not required by law to hold a formal public hearing on an interim control ordinance. Galanter dismissed claims that Venice residents and property owners have been kept in the dark about the ordinance, which she said was publicized through newspaper articles.