Subject: Petition Against the Proposal to Rezone Osage in the Westchester/Playa Community Plan V3

Dear Honorable Councilwoman and Mayor, Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa, and LACP Westside Community Plans Update Team,

We, the residents of Osage, come together with a shared concern about the proposed changes to our neighborhood through the updated Westchester/Playa Community Plan. The proposal to rezone the areas WPDR 6 and 7 (R1 Very Low Residential single-family housing), and WPDR 8 (R2 Low-Medium Residential) to High-Density Multi-Family housing raises numerous worries that we earnestly wish to express.

We understand that we are located within a newly established TOC (Transit Oriented Communities) zone due to the Westchester/Veterans Metro and we are concerned about the implications this proposed Community Plan upzoning will have on our neighborhood. We fear developers will be entitled to use TOC incentives, among many other incentives, to permit larger structures with more housing than allowed by zoning rules.

Osage has long been a thriving community, diverse and one of the very few areas offering barely affordable starter homes to first-time buyers; we are the real “Missing Middle”. We value the peaceful, safe, and close-knit environment that single-family & duplex homes have fostered; however, the prospect of high-density housing will disrupt this harmony. We foresee increased noise, traffic congestion on our narrow and curvy streets, which are already strained with limited parking options, and potential stress on the infrastructure within our modest lots. Additionally, we are apprehensive of the financial impact of this proposal, as it will lead to a substantial loss of property value for many homeowners and increased property taxes - affecting those on fixed incomes the most. We firmly believe that any new developments should complement the existing character of our neighborhood.

While we recognize the need for diversification and growth within our city’s housing options, we appeal to you for greater transparency, inclusivity, and consideration of our concerns. Progress should not come at the disproportionate cost of the Osage neighborhood nor at the exclusion of its residents’ involvement in decisions that will harm and reshape the community. We stand united in the preservation of the neighborhood we deeply care about and have invested in, both financially and emotionally.

There are far better options for mid-rise and high-density housing within the TOC boundaries that will not harm nor displace current homeowners and residents. In fact, there are two city properties - the LAPD Ahmanson Recruit Training Center at 5651 W Manchester Blvd. and the LA County Road Maintenance / Public Works Department at 5530 W 83rd St. Also, the dilapidated strip malls on Manchester Blvd. between Aviation Blvd. and Airport Blvd., the lots on Aviation Blvd. between Manchester Blvd. and Century Blvd., and the rental car lots (soon to be empty) & commercial lots on Bellanca Ave. Why not use these properties within the TOC to create high-density and/or mixed-use developments?

Why destroy diverse, established residential neighborhoods when we have solutions that can help solve the affordable housing crisis while enhancing the quality of life in our communities?

We feel excluded from the decision-making process that directly impacts our lives and homes. The lack of accessible information, infrequent public updates regarding plans or revisions, and the absence of invitations to planning meetings have left us feeling overlooked. We strongly believe that our voices deserve to be heard and considered in these crucial discussions. It feels like our lives do not matter to the city in this plan as it is now. The welfare of our community should be of paramount importance.

-Residents request the city to host in-person meetings, open to the public, with a Zoom component. 

-Residents request the city be held responsible for notifying each resident whose home is at risk of being rezoned. 

Respectively, we urge you to carefully think about our concerns and prioritize open communication and engagement with the residents of Osage. We are eager to actively participate in constructive discussions, offering valuable insights to shape the future plans for our cherished neighborhood.

Please, do not displace this long-standing community - Please reimagine how the city can achieve the goal without harming these single-family & duplex residence areas. 

We have signed this petition to voice our opposition to the Westchester/Playa Community Plan V3 updated in June 2023.

We trust that our great deal of consternation will be given the attention it merits.

Sincerely,

The undersigned residents of Westchester

**Please make sure your 90045 Zip Code is correct when signing**

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