VIA U.S.P.S. and E-Mail
The Honorable Ben Allen California State Senate 2512 Artesia Blvd. #320 Redondo Beach, CA 90278-3279
8/26/2021
Re: OPPOSE SENATE BILLS 9 and 10
Dear Senator Allen: We all understand the need for more affordable housing, but SB 9 and SB 10 are not the answer. We do not want our community to be destroyed by multiple lot splits. These bills are based upon the faulty premise that housing prices will drop if more housing units are built. In our area, which is close to the ocean, developers have taken advantage of density bonuses to build larger projects that are then rented out as luxury short term rentals or co-living spaces, i.e. not at “affordable” rates. The effect of additional density on the community’s needs for infrastructure (water, power, telecommunications, roads, parking, schools, libraries, parks) is also disregarded. Our organization was founded in 1972 in part “To maintain the single family residential character of the Del Rey community.” Senate Bills 9 and 10 do not account for how additional density changes the “feel” of a community when the trees and plants that clean the air are covered over by Accessory Dwelling Units and paved driveways. Half of Del Rey’s residents are tenants, not homeowners, but all of our residents enjoy the low density, residential nature of Del Rey. Del Rey is traversed by three creeks – Ballona Creek, Centinela Creek and the Sepulveda Channel, and those creeks are an important consideration when one is planning land use in this area. SB 9 and SB 10 would impose a statewide “one size fits all” approach that does not consider local conditions and concerns.
The Honorable Ben Allen
July 6, 2021
Our Board of Directors e-voted and approed this letter. The letter was previously approved by our land use committee.
When these bills come before you again, we want you to cast a clear “NO” vote.
Very truly yours,
Elizabeth Campos Layne, President
cc: L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell
via deputy Arminé Sargsyan(e-mail only)(asargsyan@bos.lacounty.gov)
Councilmember Mike Bonin
via deputy Vishesh Anand (e-mail only) (vishesh.anand@lacity.org)