New proposal would mandate affordable housing in return for zoning changes

The L.A. County Federation of Labor and a group of other activists have unveiled a ballot proposal that would require L.A. developers to provide affordable housing on residential projects that require a zoning change.

It would also ensure that a percentage of construction jobs at significant projects go local or disadvantaged residents, the L.A. Times reported.

The proposal drew mixed reviews from developers and community activists.

“By creating a path that will enable development to continue with affordable housing and good jobs, we think this will be a win for the city,” said Alexandra Suh, executive director of the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, noting that the measure would address the city’s rising rents and homeless crisis.

A spokesperson for the Coalition to Preserve L.A. disagreed.

“This plan will give developers new incentives to super-size their projects,” spokeswoman Jill Stewart told the Times. “This plan can be expected to saddle Los Angeles residents with more traffic misery, more concrete, more congestion, more noise and more air pollution — all in all, a diminished quality of life.”

The proposal is the second in recent months to address dense residential development in the L.A. region. A proposal by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation would put a two-year black out period on developments of a certain size. [LAT] — Katherine Clarke