Petition on Condo Standards Is Filed

A group of Lawndale residents this week filed a petition that seeks to place on the ballot the less-strict condominium standards passed last month by the City Council.

A spokesman for the group said the petition contained 1,081 signatures, or 140 more than the 941 needed to let voters decide whether to affirm the condominium standards. An official with the county registrar of voters said it will take no more than 30 days to verify the signatures. There are 9,405 registered voters in Lawndale.

The standards, adopted by the council Feb. 15 on a 3-2 vote, would permit condominiums on lots previously zoned only for apartments or single-family homes. The standards eliminate the 10,000-square-foot minimum lot requirement for condominiums. They have been replaced with requirements for setbacks, open space and parking that are somewhat stricter than those for apartments.

Assistant City Atty. Robert Owen said the new condominium standards automatically were suspended Monday when the petition was accepted at City Hall. If county officials do not verify at least 975 signatures, the standards would be reinstated.

If there are sufficient signatures, the council would have to revoke the standards or place them before the voters. That could not come before the November balloting, unless the council sets a special election.