Backers of the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative offer to halt campaign if Mayor meets demands

Supporters of the controversial Neighborhood Integrity Initiative, a proposed ballot measure that would curtail major developments, told Mayor Eric Garcetti Wednesday that they will halt their campaign if he bans private meetings between real estate developers and city officials.

Backers of the controversial initiative, spearheaded by an affiliate of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said Garcetti must pledge to ban the behind closed doors meetings and make other concessions in the next week.

They also want Garcetti to update development guidelines, banning the practice of altering zoning rules on a case-by-case basis and forbidding developers from choosing their own environmental consultants, the L.A. Times reported.

Garcetti’s spokesperson said he’s reviewing their requests and has met with members of the group.

“Mayor Garcetti is already leading one of the city’s most ambitious efforts to reform the development process in L.A.,” she told the Times in a statement.

The Neighborhood Integrity Initiative would establish a two-year moratorium on any development that seeks zoning changes. [LAT] — Cathaleen Chen