Beverly Hills : Council OKs Zoning Rules

Despite last-minute appeals from residents who said new zoning rules meant to limit the bulk of private homes were not strong enough, the City Council voted the changes into law Tuesday night.

The new rules allow houses on smaller lots in the south part of the city to be replaced or remodeled with more square footage than would be permitted under the old rules.

At the same time, the size of homes on bigger lots in the north part of the city would be more restricted than at present.

“This council has come up, after laboring like an elephant, with a mouse,” said Joseph Zoleen, a resident who addressed the Planning Commission several times when it drew up earlier versions of the ordinance.

But council members said the issues had been thoroughly hashed out in public hearings and informal consultations that have lasted more than three years.

The vote was 5 to 0 to approve the ordinance in its final required reading. People whose plans call for houses that do not fit the guidelines can appeal to a committee to be made up of architects and residents.