On Monday, West Hollywood’s City Council voted 4-1 to advance Item F.6, a proposal to streamline housing approvals for the 3,933-unit Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goal by 2029. The reforms, shifting approvals for projects under 100 units to the Community Development Director and bypassing public input, drew fierce opposition from 19 residents and Councilmember Lauren Meister, who warned of threats to tenants, oversight, safety, and neighborhood integrity.
Residents decried the loss of public input. Leslie Karliss, representing the West Hollywood West Residents Association, called it a “steamroll” of safeguards, stating, “It tells residents they no longer matter.” Jay Jacobson warned it “shuts residents out,” risking traffic and parking chaos. Yun Ju Brock demanded transparency, arguing the reforms bypass the city’s 1984 resident-driven ethos. Larry Block labeled them “slashing and burning” of that ethos, urging tenant protections.
Tenant displacement was a major concern. Victor Omelczenko highlighted a 1,000-unit loss of rent-stabilized housing over 23 years, with luxury developments dominating. Meister, dissenting, criticized the 100-unit threshold, stating, “A 90-unit project would be approved over the counter,” risking Ellis Act evictions in a city with 18,000 people per square mile, compared to Los Angeles’ 8,300. Vice Mayor John Heilman warned, “Developers could tear down existing stock,” leaving tenants vulnerable without transitional housing.
Safety and accessibility were critical issues. Brian Schuli opposed single-stairway buildings, warning, “When the only staircase is blocked by fire, how do you get out?” Greg Karns cautioned against over-densification, citing Palisades fires and emergency access challenges. Myra Friedman questioned single-stairway buildings’ ADA compliance, warning of risks for disabled residents. Elyse Eisenberg’s written comments noted grid and water pipe failures, arguing density threatens infrastructure.
Residents challenged the reforms’ necessity. Stephanie Harker and Omelczenko cited an 11.2% vacancy rate and 2,800 vacant units, arguing public input improves projects without delays. Rick Watt proposed a vacancy tax to address corporate landlords withholding units, tackling affordability. Written opposition was robust. Rebecca Damavandi decried silenced residents, while the Doheny Sunset Plaza Neighborhood Association advocated zoning updates. Gregory Rutchik urged resident-led governance. Clementine detailed appeal process failures, undermining trust.
Council amendments, driven by opposition, included Erickson’s reinstatement of neighborhood meetings, Danny Hang’s advisory postcards, and Chelsea Byers’ parcel size-based thresholds. A hotel carveout addressed commercial loopholes. Meister and Heilman remained skeptical, with Heilman and Omelczenko reiterating displacement and vacancy concerns post-vote. Staff will refine the proposal over 6–24 months, balancing housing goals with demands for tenant protections and oversight.
Outrageous that Erickson, Hang and Byers want to eliminate the people, the residents they were elected to protect, from the democratic process of being heard regarding large construction projects in their neighborhood. This is a stain on West Hollywood city government that won’t soon be forgotten. We know what countries bypass their citizens in governing; never thought it would include West Hollywood.
Was it just me, or did a couple of the public commenters supporting the proposal sound like paid actors?
So more luxury condo buildings and no public oversight… how progressive.
I attended the meeting and it was heartbreaking and a clear sign that our city council puts developers first and residents last. Their arguments for this measure don’t add up as we are facing an AFFORDABLE housing crisis, NOT a housing crisis – as there are many expensive empty homes and apartments all around (including many next to me). The reason is developers want to get the most for their money, and now they have free rein to do so – without having to go through the city planning department (unless they are asking for extras), now able to do… Read more »
100% correct.
Wow, sounds like a lot of folks are really worried about these new housing reforms in West Hollywood! Hope they can find a way to balance new development with protecting the residents already there. Seems like a tough situation!
The City has cherished the input made by the public. Why change now? I would like to know more about the motivation for this change.
The truth is, most of City Council and staff would like to streamline city government and city council meetings by eliminating all public comment and interaction. Who needs those pesky troublesome residents getting involved in their community and slowing things down?
It’s like Elon Musk came to town and created chaos where none was previously present. In his authoritarian demeanor, Erickson did his overlord’s bidding and collectively the council flipped the middle finger to residents, and to West Hollywood’s much-hyped, but worthless words enshrined in the so-called “core vallues”. Hang’s postcard demand is an insult to public process. Heilman once again spoke pretty words and then voted against his words anyway. Byers had to run home to cash the developers’ checks. This is no longer the peoples’ town. Outside forces steamrolled lackey politicians once again.
I attended this meeting to discuss Erickson’s initiative to eliminate public input and bypass the Planning Commission for almost all housing projects proposed in West Hollywood. This initiative would give developers and heir paid lobbyists the keys to the city and free rein to maximize profits with zero assurance that the new buildings would be affordable. In spite of public comments and dozens of emails outraged by the idea, the initiative passed 4-1. Lauren Meister was the only voice of reason in a council led by officials whose campaigns were funded by developers, who are now getting their payback, leaving… Read more »
Truth is, most of city council and staff would like to streamline city government and council meetings by doing away with all public comment and interaction.
Those pesky residents only slow things down and get in the way.
For those of us that have lived in West Hollywood for many years (and helped shape it), we mourn the destruction of what once was a lovely place to live.