Development had its supporters

Re “L.A. stops 5,553-unit home plan,” March 20

No member of the Los Angeles City Council who voted to stop the 5,553-unit Las Lomas development should dare make a statement lamenting the lack of affordable housing in Los Angeles, where the median price hovers around $500,000. Restricting the supply of homes while the long-term demand from an ever-growing population will continue to rise simply guarantees that prices will remain beyond the reach of those not currently in the market. As this burden falls heaviest on the Latino and African American populations, actions like this are particularly divisive.

Those who encourage this policy madness are generally self-satisfied existing homeowners who can correctly be labeled the “let them eat cake” crowd.

John Husing

Redlands

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I commend The Times for writing a balanced article on Las Lomas. Describing a multifaceted project with commercial and retail development, housing and significant infrastructure development is always challenging. I do not believe, however, that Las Lomas pits housing and job creation against quality-of-life issues. For Los Angeles to be a 21st century city, it must have a large, affordable housing stock and good-paying jobs. Any project that provides both deserves a thorough evaluation by the City Council.

Las Lomas would have been a step forward. Rather than debating if the project should be processed by the city, we should be discussing how best to bring jobs, housing and economic opportunity to the northeast San Fernando Valley.

Louis Graziadio

Redondo Beach