Council Clash Due on Business Proposal

Two Los Angeles City Council members from the San Fernando Valley are expected to clash Tuesday over a proposal to allow businesses to operate in residential areas.

The dispute pits Hal Bernson, long lukewarm to home-based businesses, against Laura Chick, an outspoken advocate. Chick wants to loosen proposed regulations to allow clients to visit the businesses, and to eliminate a list of 26 acceptable occupations.

But Bernson, who heads the Planning and Land Use Committee, has repeatedly said he wants strict guidelines on all such businesses. The outcome of their disagreement will determine how far Los Angeles is prepared to go to welcome home-based entrepreneurs.

The disagreement represents the latest wrangling in a 10-year effort by city officials to rewrite zoning codes that until now have blocked commercial ventures in residential areas.

As proposed by planning officials, a new ordinance would allow the ventures but prohibit visitors, ban outdoor signs that advertise the businesses, allow only one employee besides those people living in a home, and outlaw excessive noise, dust, or vibrations caused by the businesses.

In addition, the city would issue fines of up to $500 for businesses that violate the rules. Immediate neighbors would also be notified by the city when any new home-based business opens.

Chick suggests that the city allow at least eight client visitors per business per day and allow all businesses that meet certain “performance standards.”

“There is just no way to keep a list up to date,” she said of the list of 26 occupations.

Chick said a ban on visitors would mean the city could not permit music teachers, tutors, psychologists and many other occupations that already are located in residential areas.

She said she tried to get Bernson’s support but to no avail.

Bernson said he would not abandon his position. “We can’t give up the sanctity of residential neighborhoods,” he said.

Chick believes the debate will be settled when the entire package comes before the City Council in a few weeks.

If approved, the ordinance will bring the city in line with dozens of other municipalities in Southern California that have legalized the home-based ventures.

Proponents say legalizing such businesses will allow the city to collect millions of dollars in revenues from license fees and taxes that have not been collected before from such operations.

But many homeowner groups worry that the law would turn residential neighborhoods into crowded, noisy commercial districts.