Bell Gardens : Crowd Protests Rezoning, Succeeds in Getting Delay

More than 60 Bell Gardens homeowners, developers and residents filled the City Council chamber Tuesday night during a Planning Commission meeting to protest a city staff recommendation that certain portions of the city be rezoned.

Many held colorful handwritten signs carrying such messages as “End the abuse” and “We demand justice.”

Twenty-nine families in the Kress Avenue area said they have been attending Planning Commission meetings for the past four months, requesting notification of rezoning plans. They were never informed of the changes and found out about the meeting after a neighbor saw the notice posted in the public library, they told commissioners. City officials say notice of the meeting was published in the local newspaper.

Property owners are concerned that the recommended downgrading of zones will decrease property values. After three hours of heated discussion, the commission decided to send the recommendation back to the city staff for review before the next Planning Commission meeting Oct. 16.