First, let me thank our newest signers -- we are almost to 1500 signatures! 

I personally met with Sen. Lena Gonzalez to discuss our concerns about the obliteration of single-family residential zoning by the California legislature and the construction of multi-unit ADUs going up in backyards all over Lakewood. Almost 500 permits have been issued by the City of Lakewood for ADUs -- some of which are singles and garage conversions -- but many that we are seeing are building up two stories and out to the property lines. Home after home that goes on the market is being snatched up by a developer to turn it into rental property.

I am endeavoring to arrange for a tour of building sites around Lakewood for the Senator and I need your help with addresses of multi-unit construction that is negatively affecting your neighborhood. I especially appreciated the photo of two cars parked on a neighbor's parkway on street sweeping day. Some addresses have come through on the Facebook groups where most of you found the link to this petition. But I need more. I'll also follow up with the City's building and permitting department. Here is my email address: SaveLakewoodCA@gmail.com.

Here's something else you can do -- join Our Neighborhood Voices. This is a group formed to get an initiative qualified for the ballot to return local control of housing decisions to all cities. Charter cities were granted a reprieve in court but Lakewood and many, many other cities fall into the category of "General Law" cities and are subject to the state legislature. Here's the link to register with Our Neighborhood Voices: https://www.ourneighborhoodvoices.com/ 

Thank you for making your voices heard!

Joy Janes