The City Council’s PLUM Committee decided to NOT hold a hearing on the controversial draft Wildlife Ordinance at its Nov. 19 meeting. The decision was in response to the strong backlash that swept over the committee after the City Attorney released the draft ordinance last month.
Among those who submitted letters to the case file urging a delay of at least 90 days was the president of the AIA Los Angeles chapter (Will Wright), a Realtors’ group, and two well-known land-use attorneys (here and here) who represent property owners who would be willing to sue the city if the public wasn’t given due process.
Since the ordinance wasn’t on the Nov. 19 agenda, there won’t be enough time for the City Council to consider the draft ordinance before the council’s winter break. Thus, the earliest that the ordinance would be heard is in mid-January when the council returns.
In response to the delay, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky hosted a virtual town hall late last month. More than 100 attendees watched a 20-minute presentation by CD5 Planning Deputy Sergio Ibarra on the draft ordinance, followed by 40 minutes of Q&A with City Planning staff. The questions were pre-submitted and hand-selected by CD5 staff. Another virtual town hall will be hosted by CD5 in the coming weeks, staff said, but no date has been announced.
