I have been a resident of West Hollywood for 25 years and I am currently a candidate for West Hollywood City Council. But I am writing this article not as a candidate, but as a resident of our city for a quarter of a century.
If there is only one good thing that comes from this city election on March 7, other than my joining our City Council, I wish for it to be that our council LISTEN to our residents. There is, right now, a great disconnect between the council and the residents of the city they serve. And so I ask the council to pause and LISTEN to our neighbors.
Most commonly, over the last decade or so we see this great disconnect with regard to the discussion centered around overdevelopment.
I will give you the most recent example of just such disconnect. Last week I had the opportunity to meet with the architects, developers and city planner involved in a new project proposed on Corey Avenue. Currently there is a lovely, single-family home on this parcel where the developer is proposing to raze the property and build a six-unit building with underground parking and a large metal fire escape on the exterior of the property. The only residents who attended this community meeting were a senior couple who reside in their home on that street.
Now this is EXACTLY the type of development to which the vast majority of our residents are opposed. By the time this proposed project comes before the council for approval, it will be too late to address any major concerns. Our neighbors will come and rail against the council and beg them not to approve the project but the council will, indeed, approve it regardless. And they will say that the council must approve it legally because the zoning ordinances and the minimum density requirements mandate that they do so. And they will be right in their response. Where the council gets it wrong is where they do not listen to the residents, pause for self-reflection and address the problem.
To me the answer is SIMPLE. We must address the roots of the problem. We need to change the city’s zoning ordinances and change the minimum density requirements so that we do not find ourselves in this exact same position week after week as we have for the last decade.
All the council needs to do is LISTEN to the residents and be our voice in deciding these issues. The council members need to speak for us, and not the developers, as they are all elected to do. If I am elected to be your City Council member that is exactly what I will do. I will listen to my neighbors and be our voice on the council.
Thank you for listening!
https://www.facebook.com/michaelcautilloforwesthollywood/
Tweets by MichaelCautillo
@Michael Cautillo: Yesterday I attempted to find the objectionable issue on Cory. Could you please be specific since you pointed this out? Thank you.
Unfortunately Michael you appear to not understand the planning & development process at various intervals. Some essentials: 1. Knowledge of and specific ideas as to how any individual project can be influenced or ultimately changed. Conversant in basic code and design parameters. 2. Specific ideas of what one wants to see aesthetically and in the context of neighborhood compatibility within the code. 3. Speak directly with city personnel that have ability to effect change or modification. Be able to to articulate the change you want to see and reasons for it. 4. Sell your case to a particular commissioner and… Read more »
The arguments against the construction of very necessary housing seem classist. Limiting supply drives up rents to the point where any newcomer must be pushing 100k in salary to live here. It works for people who got lucky buying here 50 years ago but not the new comers. “City’s full, get out!”
The city council’s political appointments to the planning commission is a key factor in over-development. It’s my understanding that NO members of the planning commission have any background in architecture, land use or city planning. It’s outrageous.
Hi Nir. Thank you so much for your support. I greatly appreciate it. I agree with you completely! This is why I am stepping up to be of service. Together we will make a difference in bringing POSITIVE CHANGE and a FRESH PERSPECTIVE to the Council and to West Hollywood. Thanks again!
Interesting. I believe we as a city need to encourage residential development rather then “just” retail or mixed use buildings. It’s far overtime for CONDOMINIUM construction to be promoted too. Rentals need to continue of course, if not promoted for updating construction efforts.
Here’s some non-leader, factual, opinion based speculations that Michael Cautillo has posted on fb: Voter’s please choose wisely. “The city will only say that is was paid by insurance. The settlement can’t be disclosed by the parties. It’s all part of the cover-up. The LA Times and Wehoville have investigated and reported in depth. We all know the truth.” Michael Cautillo. “Michael. You should step down from your employment by John Heilman and from your position on the board of the West Hollywood Democratic Club. It’s a conflict of interest and shameful. As is your behavior.” Michael Cautillo. I have… Read more »
If you disagree with his ideology, and he argues allegations as fact; beware! As a voter, I was very combative, accusatory and is out-of-sync on current issues that face our City. More disturbing, as a long-time resident and voter, advocate and activist, Michael Cautillo has no plan for replacement, replenishment of our depleted affordable housing stock. I believe in my conversations with him that he lacks a basic understanding of West Hollywood’s core values. If his style of governing is any example what he has posted above be afraid. He is not for West Hollywood Government. Of course he is… Read more »
First i want to wish you good luck on our next election. our council members are not interested to get us involve in any meetings, look at our city council meetings every other Monday, same people. same issues over and over again. When is the last time you saw our city council members advertising our meetings anywhere, or providing the “PICK UP” Bus to make it easier to get to those meeting? I never did, but they are very good on “running” our lives and say yes to all new developments, those people pay for they “sit” they know that… Read more »