Zoning Plan Approved Over Strong Objections
A sweeping zoning plan that will force some Bell Gardens residents and businesses to relocate has been approved by the City Council despite the strenuous objections by more than 600 residents and a plea from state Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles).
After a raucous six-hour meeting Monday night, the council unanimously passed the law, designed to control the city’s population density and eliminate the haphazard mix of zoning.
The law will not take effect for 20 years.
Torres, a candidate for county supervisor in the district that includes Bell Gardens, called the council’s action the “shattering of the American dream,” and said the outcome could have been different if a Latino sat on the council. Though Bell Gardens is about 85% Latino, no Latino has served on the council.
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