Bellflower : Zoning Proposal for Large, Single-Family Lots Reviewed

The Bellflower City Council has sent a zoning proposal back to the Planning Commission for further study after more than 100 residents and landowners protested the change, which would prevent owners of large single-family lots from building multiple-residential units on their property. Under current zoning, lots larger than 10,000 square feet may have more than one house, even though they are in an R-1 zone.

The proposal, prepared by the city staff in an effort to preserve single-family areas, would restrict owners of R-1 property larger than 10,000 square feet from building more than one house. Planning Director Bruce G. Leach said the change is an effort to minimize multiple rental units in R-1 areas and to promote owner-occupied housing.

But local realty agents said the ordinance would be financially devastating to people who plan to develop their properties. Property owners with existing multiple houses on their lots expressed fear that they would not be allowed to rebuild in the event of fires or other disasters.

According to the city staff, almost 6% of Bellflower’s 7,475 single-family zoned properties either contain more than one dwelling, or could under current regulations.

Some property owners complained that the city failed to notify them about the zoning change, prompting the council to direct the Planning Commission to consider revising the method of advertising public hearings.