City Council votes to seek harsher restrictions on McMansions

Council member Paul Koretz (credit: Facebook)
Council member Paul Koretz (credit: Facebook)

The end may be near for “McMansions” in Los Angeles.

Members of the City Council voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of rewriting a couple of ordinances that regulate the development of large houses in single-family neighborhoods.

An amendment to one ordinance would dictate that people building houses in single-family neighborhoods could build to just 45 percent of the overall lot size, down from 50 percent. The council also moved to eliminate policies that allow developers to gain additional buildable space, such as the ability to build 20 percent larger if they follow environmentally friendly designs.

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Council member Paul Koretz, who is spearheading the new policies, told the L.A. Times that he had received numerous complaints from constituents about “very boxy, ugly homes” in their neighborhoods.

“Every time a house goes up for sale, we’re terrified,” said Deni Mosser, a resident from near South Robertson Boulevard. [LAT]Cathaleen Chen