South Gate : Council Rescinds Parking Ban, Home Sale Inspections

The South Gate City Council has given preliminary approval to ending two programs that drew angry criticism from residents recently. Final approval is expected Jan. 13.

In one action Monday, the council rescinded an ordinance banning overnight street parking except by permit, a law that was adopted in August but never implemented. Citing public safety concerns because of many vehicles parked on narrow streets, the council had planned to test the parking ban in one single-family neighborhood. But the council backed away from the plan Dec. 9 when confronted by residents who charged that parking restrictions would discriminate against large families. A 600-signature petition opposing the permit system also was filed.

In another move, the council did away with city inspection of residential property prior to sale. In its place, the council approved a property protection program requiring that city building records covering such things as variances and permits be made available to buyers.

The inspection plan, designed to detect illegal or unsafe improvements, was denounced as a threat to homeowners who may be forced to remove alterations made decades ago. This week, inspections were defended by some residents and real estate brokers as protections for home buyers. The council, however, went on to eliminate the practice by a 3-2 vote.

Council members Mary Ann Buckles and Larry Leonard voted no, saying that inspections help ensure the quality of South Gate housing. “People moving in have a right to know the property they are buying is good,” Buckles said.