Category Archives: Los Angeles

Latino Informal Housing panel at APA-CA 2016 in Pasadena, Sat 10/22/16


Interested in informal housing? Los Angeles? Latino Urbanism? Attend our talk, “Crafting mi casa: Lessons of Latino Informal Housing Practice in Los Angeles” at the 2016 APA California Conference: Crafting our Future – The Art of Planning in Pasadena, Saturday, October 22, 2016.

Mark Vallianatos, James Rojas, Vinit Mukhija, and I will examine the visual, spatial, policy and regulatory implications this practice has in planning multicultural Los Angeles.

https://planning.org/events/activity/9107473/

OVERVIEW: Latino homeowners renovate their homes based on imagination, needs, and know-how — sometimes without proper permits. This cultural practice has been happening for decades, producing some of the most innovative housing typologies and construction practices, and redefining the basic dwelling unit in Los Angeles. Despite its ingenuity, Latino informal housing development runs into considerable urban planning obstacles. Rigid municipal codes imbued with middle class values render informal units illegal. Rising numbers of tragedies resulting from fires in substandard garage conversions underscore legitimate safety concerns. NIMBYism stifles efforts to build accessory units in Single-Family Residential zones. And in the midst of an acute housing crisis, restrictive zoning and land use laws both discourage and obstruct opportunities to build legally in communities. Planners can learn a lot from the lessons of Latino informal housing practice. This panel will examine the visual, spatial, policy, and regulatory implications Latino informal housing practice has in planning multicultural Los Angeles County.

AICP CM 1.5 units, Course No. 9107473

#APACA2016 #LosAngeles #InformalHousing

Informal Housing and Safety Risks to Occupants: The Case of the Aviles Sisters


Capt. Patrick Wills and I thank everyone who attended our talk today, “Informal Housing and Safety Risks to Occupants: The Case of the Aviles Sisters.”

Please read up on the City of Long Beach’s Aviles Law and ACR 32 addressing unpermitted housing in California.

#InformalHousing #CityofLongBeach #SouthCentral #LosAngeles #ADU #AvilesLaw #CodeEnforcement

Latino Informal Housing panel at 2016 APA CA in Pasadena

I’m moderating a session on Latino informal housing at the APA CA Conference in Pasadena, October 22-25, 2016

Join me, Mark Vallianatos, James Rojas, and Vinit Mukhija as we examine the visual, spatial, policy and regulatory implications this practice has in planning multicultural Los Angeles.

Session:

“Crafting Mi Casa: Lessons of Latino Informal Housing Practices in Los Angeles”

Location:

Pasadena Convention Center

Day/time:

Saturday, October 22, 2016, 2:45p to 4:15p

#APACA2016

#LosAngeles 

#InformalHousing

DRP will stay in DTLA

The misguided plan to move the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (DRP) to the suburbs bites the dust.

DRP headquarters will stay in #DTLA in the purpose-built, Neutra designed Hall of Records!

Thanks to LA County Supervisors Hilda Solis, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Sheila Kuehl, and Don Knabe for their leadership, and everyone who sent letters demanding we #KeepDRPinDTLA

Candidate Statement for CAPE Board of Directors

CAPE represented planners, engineers, appraisers, GIS professionals and inspectors:

My name is Jonathan P. Bell. I’m a planner in the Zoning Enforcement section at the Department of Regional Planning. Currently I’m serving on our CAPE Board of Directors, and was honored to accept the appointment after the retirement of a long-time Director. I’m now seeking a full-term on the Board, and I humbly ask for your vote.

Leadership, experience, and dedication are the qualities I bring to our Board. Since 2012, I’ve served as a CAPE Delegate striving to improve workplace conditions for members. My service includes:

– 2013 and 2015 Contract Negotiations teams
– 2014 Political Endorsement Committee
– Recruitment of 13 new members since 2012
– Organizer for 2013 pay raise petition that garnered over 1,700 member signatures, and was delivered to the BOS

I’m proud that my hard work in support of our members helped me earn the Robert “Bob” Remes Outstanding CAPE Volunteer Award in 2014. This is the passion you’ll always get from me as your Board Director.

Union activism is in my blood. My mom and dad were Communications Workers of America union members for a combined 56 years. Mom was a CWA Shop Steward, and I helped her write grievances when I was in college. As your Board Director, I’ll continue to fight for union members, as I always have.

You need a Board Director who’ll fight hard for better benefits, wages, and pensions for our 2,700+ hardworking members. I have. I WILL.

I humbly ask for your vote.

In solidarity,
Jonathan P. Bell