Housing and jobs in Los Angeles

Re “Growth plans upset neighbors,” Feb. 28

The Valley Industry and Commerce Assn. is delighted with many of the projects being proposed for the east San Fernando Valley. This part of Los Angeles has still not recovered from the 1994 earthquake, and collectively these projects represent an opportunity to create thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in new tax revenues -- something the city desperately needs.

It goes without saying that the city planning department and local officeholders will carefully scrutinize each project throughout the planning process. Perhaps not all of the projects will ultimately work, but, in the meantime, Valley leaders should continue to provide input to the developers and lawmakers. The goal should be to work together to create housing and jobs for our future as opposed to holding on to distant memories of the Valley’s past. This is a dynamic time in the east Valley; we need to embrace it.

Brendan L. Huffman

Sherman Oaks

The writer is president and chief executive of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.

The staggering selfishness of some Los Angeles NIMBYs and such so-called urban-affairs experts as Joel Kotkin never ceases to amaze me. After decades of seeing jobs and development flee Los Angeles for exurbia, developers now want to pour their investment dollars into urban infill projects that will create jobs and housing near rail transit. Thousands of good, middle-class entertainment industry jobs will be created by NBC Universal on top of the Universal City Metro Rail station, for instance.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is right to choose economic development and smart growth for the city over a few homeowners living off their home equity.

Dennis Lytton

Hollywood