Bell Gardens : Rezoning Protesters Cite Lack of Spanish Translation

Protesters against a recent City Council decision to rezone Bell Gardens are attacking the city’s lack of Spanish translation during public meetings.

A group of about 30 protesters, chanting “no rezoning,” disrupted a city Planning Commission meeting this week, protesting the commission’s failure to provide an interpreter to residents who do not speak English but wanted to address the commission. Audience members encouraged Latinos who could speak English to address the commission in Spanish.

Many of those present said they believed that they were not given a fair opportunity to challenge the Planning Commission and City Council decision to rezone the city because a majority do not speak English and when the zone changes were first discussed no Spanish translation was provided. At later meetings, however, translation was provided.

The zoning changes, which will go into effect in 20 years, were approved by the commission last October in order to reduce density in the city. Some residents may be forced to move, while others may have to reduce the number of apartment units on their property.

Planning Commission Vice Chairman Clifford J. Dunbar said the city is trying to find translators for meetings.