Stop Small Lot Subdivisions in SoHo
Thanks to SoHo's efforts, the above proposed Small Lot Subdivision project will not be built in place of the recently renovated historic 1923 house pictured on the right.
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Over the last few years, many Small Lot Subdivisions and McMansions have invaded and damaged some of Hollywood’s historic neighborhoods with tall, dense and architecturally inappropriate structures. As more neighborhood associations have consolidated to request laws limiting and/or preventing such projects, it seems that developers have been in a greater hurry to get projects done that may permanently transform historic neighborhoods before protective legislation is enacted. The actions of the South Hollywood Neighborhood Association (SoHo) have shown that we will do what it takes to protect our neighborhood.
SoHo was formed on 9-19-2013 by neighbors who organized a few months earlier to oppose a proposed Small Lot Subdivision in our area. Once formed, the association’s goals were expanded to include working with our city leaders to fix the Small Lot Subdivision law and the Mansionization law so that they would prohibit inappropriate development in our historic neighborhood.
During our existence we have been instrumental in getting City Hall motion # 14-0343 written and passed to have our neighborhood zoning restrictions reviewed and updated to protect our historic buildings, as well as Motion # 13-1478 to get the Small Lot Subdivision act re-evaluated to include requirements that new projects be consistent with existing neighborhoods citywide.
The result to date has been Interim Control Ordinance ( ICO) # 183497 that restricts Mansionization in parts of our neighborhood. This will be in effect until the City Planning Department can act on our pending Motion # 14-0343 to review our area for an appropriate overlay. The overlay requested would restrict new construction to two stories, require a 25 ft front setback and a 16ft rear yard setback and would allow a total floor area on all buildings not to exceed (.5) times the area of the lot.
What can you do to help? Participate in your neighborhood association and/or make a donation. Fighting for these issues often costs a lot of money. Our association has already had to file a lawsuit against the city related to a Small Lot Subdivision and we will probably need to do it again. Other neighborhoods will doubtless incur similar expenses in their efforts to oppose Small Lot Subdivisions and Mansionization.
We thank all of those who have donated money and/or their time and efforts.
SoHo was formed on 9-19-2013 by neighbors who organized a few months earlier to oppose a proposed Small Lot Subdivision in our area. Once formed, the association’s goals were expanded to include working with our city leaders to fix the Small Lot Subdivision law and the Mansionization law so that they would prohibit inappropriate development in our historic neighborhood.
During our existence we have been instrumental in getting City Hall motion # 14-0343 written and passed to have our neighborhood zoning restrictions reviewed and updated to protect our historic buildings, as well as Motion # 13-1478 to get the Small Lot Subdivision act re-evaluated to include requirements that new projects be consistent with existing neighborhoods citywide.
The result to date has been Interim Control Ordinance ( ICO) # 183497 that restricts Mansionization in parts of our neighborhood. This will be in effect until the City Planning Department can act on our pending Motion # 14-0343 to review our area for an appropriate overlay. The overlay requested would restrict new construction to two stories, require a 25 ft front setback and a 16ft rear yard setback and would allow a total floor area on all buildings not to exceed (.5) times the area of the lot.
What can you do to help? Participate in your neighborhood association and/or make a donation. Fighting for these issues often costs a lot of money. Our association has already had to file a lawsuit against the city related to a Small Lot Subdivision and we will probably need to do it again. Other neighborhoods will doubtless incur similar expenses in their efforts to oppose Small Lot Subdivisions and Mansionization.
We thank all of those who have donated money and/or their time and efforts.