Prop. JJ

Proposition JJ unfairly attempts to meet the needs of sidewalk repairs and Americans With Disabilities Act updates. Many residential properties in Los Angeles do not have sidewalks, let alone curbs or gutters. What’s to fix? These properties would be charged regardless of any benefit to them. Multistoried commercial and residential properties will carry a heavy tax burden, yet may have little sidewalk frontage. Most responsible property owners have been fixing their own sidewalks since Proposition 13. Most new construction is required to upgrade sidewalks and driveways for disabled access.

Will the city waive permit fees for all of the required work and expedite permits to facilitate construction? Will ramps that have been constructed but no longer meet the changing specifications of handicapped ramps be a lower priority than presently unramped intersections? Let’s go back to the drawing board on this one.

SANFORD P. PARIS, Encino