Request to Postpone CF 12-0460-S4 (Processes & Procedures Amendment)

Motion

Refers to City Council file 12-0460-S4

(_______________Neighborhood/Community Council) requests that the Los Angeles City Council postpone consideration of Council File #12-0460-S4 (the Processes and Procedures Amendment to the City Charter) for a minimum of six months in order to enable further community presentations and feedback. The document in this file, including technical amendments and attachments, are over 900 pages. To date there have been approximately 3 meetings of 1.5 hours each for the Department of Planning to summarize this extensive document and receive limited feedback. Further, “technical amendments” were made prior to the PLUM committee’s June 1 consideration which incorporated more than just technical changes and that need review and feedback. The language supporting the Neighborhood Councils’ charter-given authority to hold public hearings and provide public comment and feedback concerning matters of land use must be restored to the Processes and Procedures Amendment sections to ensure it complies with the Los Angeles City Charter and the specific authority it grants to Neighborhood Councils. The community engagement has been insufficient to conduct a full review of the substantial changes involving land use authority and procedures. Further we encourage that the Los Angeles City Council obtain Cumis counsel (independent counsel) to review the document in its entirety to ensure that no transfer of City Council authority occurs as a result of this document and that final decision regarding land use matters remains with the City Council pursuant to the City Charter. There are numerous instances where authority appears to be vested in the Director of Planning, an unelected official, which may be in violation of the City Charter.