From: Alek
To: City Clerk; Chloe Chen
Cc: Timmi Tway
Subject: Re: Dec 13th City Council Study Session on Current Renters" Protections Date: Monday, December 12, 2022 1:29:18 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Good afternoon.
I would like to submit a public comment,
regarding the Renters' Protection ordinance.
I believe, the City should not only *continue* renters protection, but the City should encourage the State of California -- to resume the "Housing is Key" program.
It is shameful - and wrong - that the State has discontinued the renters' assistance, even though we are still in the middle of the pandemic; the numbers of COVID cases are rising significantly, and there are many renters who still owe backpay.
So, once again: please encourage the State of California to reinstate / resume the "Housing is Key" program, so that the future and/or back-pay (delinquent) rent is paid to the landlords by the State, just as they did prior to April 2022.
Thank you.
~ Alek Friedman
Los Angeles, California
From: Darian Bojeaux
To: City Clerk
Subject: Today"s Study Session A-3, Renters Protections Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 1:31:38 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
________________________________
Please red the following comments at today’s study session. Thank you.
I am very pleased that council member John Mirisch had this matter placed on the agenda, to summarize and educate tenants who will be displaced of their existing rights and legislative protections.
This concern recently came up when a wealthy developer obtained permission from the Planning Commission to tear down about a dozen charming apartments on several lots in the 100 South block of Maple Drive. These are the type of lovely two story buildings which make our city so attractive and appealing. The builder wants to replace them with a big ugly box of a building which goes up to 6 stories, does not fit into the neighborhood, and brings the neighborhood down aesthetically.
On top of that, the Planning Commission allowed the builder greater incentives than the builder was entitled to under the State Density Bonus Program. The approval was disgraceful, but if the Planning Commissioners did not have good enough taste or judgment to understand that, shouldn’t they have at least required some kind of development agreement under which displaced tenants could receive more benefits? These tenants are not only losing their lovely apartments—they will also be forced to pay much higher rent for comparable places to live, and regardless of their legal protections, they are going to suffer loss.
Since the start of this project, the developer was making offers to the tenants to make it easier for him to bring down their lovely apartments, and the city did not require the developer to inform the tenants of their rights—rights which they likely would have lost if they had accepted early offers. Now I understand an offer is being made with a harsh take it or leave it deadline in the beginning of January.
Our city should require developers to provide the information which has been assembled by city staff to tenants, on their rights and protections, at the time a building application is filed, so that the tenants will be informed and cannot be coerced to into accepting an agreement which deprives them of their rights.
Thank you for your attention.
Darian Bojeaux
From: William Cerqueira
To: City Clerk
Subject: Comments for today"s meeting pertaining to development at 149-159 S. Maple Drive Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 12:43:15 PM
CAUTION: External Sender
Use caution when clicking links or opening attachments
Please include this letter below:
Dear City Council Members,
I would like to express my deep concern with the proposed development project and its potential impact on my family and the other tenants who may be displaced. We have been a part of the community for nearly 20 years, and my son has been attending the Beverly Hills school system since preschool. The thought of being abruptly relocated in the middle of a school year is not only inconvenient and stressful, but it could also have a negative impact on my child's education and well-being.
As you are likely aware, rental prices in Beverly Hills are high, and it will be difficult for us to find a replacement unit that is both affordable and compatible with our current living situation. We are very involved in the community and would like to continue to be a part of it, but situations like this make it difficult to do so.
We understand that the development will continue, but we strongly believe that the owner should be required to provide appropriate compensation for the inconvenience, hardship and extreme rental prices that we will face as a result. In addition, we believe that provisions should be put in place to prevent children from being displaced during a school year.
I hope that the City Council will take our concerns into consideration and provide us with the support and assistance that we need to find a suitable replacement home in Beverly Hills.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely, William C.