Shocking! LA Zoning Wants Skid Row to Remain the Same

Blogdowntown reported that the LA zoning commission has refused to give major developers permits to operate restaurants and nightlife -- the reason, "Permitting the sale of alcoholic beverages on the scale requested by the applicant will contribute to the incremental upgrading of the subject building and the image and character of Main Street while also contributing to the incremental dislocation of the Skid Row community. Because of the lack of balance, the Finding defaults to the negative."

So basically they don't want Main street and areas as far away as the Metlofts near Staples center to get nice because that may improve the neighborhood and push out Skid Row. They should give developers their permits and require them to contribute to the betterment of Skid Row rather than advocating to keep the blight that currently exists.

This kind of negative action can have big consequences for all the new loft buildings coming on-line with hopes of filling their retail space. The decision was appealed and looks like the developers will get their permits but that won't be decided for sure until the October 9th meeting.

Read all about it in blogdowntown
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