Since 2006, ELACC members have engaged Boyle Heights residents in the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update, a document that guides future land-use changes. Through meetings, forums, town halls, workshops, focus groups, marches and other actions, community members developed a list of community requirements. General requirements include:
• Preserve and Increase Affordable Housing
• Create Jobs and Economic Development Opportunities
• Create a Healthy Environment & Open Spaces
The Problem:
As early as 2005, community residents discussed how numerous developments and projects would impact the future of Boyle Heights. Not only was Boyle Heights losing families to other counties and states, we were also losing affordable housing units and local businesses due to new construction. Past community plan updates failed to include participation from an array of area residents. Community members who were tenants, low-income, Spanish speaking immigrants, had minimal, if any, input.
The Solution:
Foreseeing more changes and a greater impact, ELACC members actively participated in the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update, using this document as a tool to preserve and bring forth the changes necessary to favorably impact the neighborhood for years. Community members actively participated in meetings, forums, town halls, workshops, focus groups, marches and other actions, developing a list of community demands.
Our Campaign Goals:
Current budget cuts have had an impact on the City of Los Angeles Planning Department. Unfortunately, six other communities have been given priority to complete their community plan and the Boyle Heights Community Plan has been put on hold. However, ELACC is continuing the BHCP update work and is committed to reaching the following goals and demands:
• To develop a core group of trained and knowledgeable leaders to participate and engage in the Boyle Heights Community Plan update and be future decision-makers for future land-use changes in their neighborhood.
• Because the official BHCP update has been stalled for so long, community residents developed their own plan that captures the People's Plan Vision and demands. Demands include:
1. Preserve and Increase Affordable Housing:
- No net loss: no units lost due to proposed changes.
- Establish a No Net Loss policy of affordable housing policy that applies to all development projects in Boyle Heights
- Affordable housing: mixed-income houising with 30% affordable at 50% AMI or below for all new proposed development.
- Create incentives for affordable housing developments.
- Create mixed-income ordinance that automatically provides a density bonus for affordable housing developments.
- Establish the strongest penalties for the illegal destruction of affordable housing.
- Wyvernwood Apartments: Preserve and retain current building density.
- Public Housing: Preserve and retain current housing.
2. Create Jobs and Economic Development Opportunities
- Create a Business Improvement District along Cesar E. Chavez to support & preserve the already strong and vibrant corridor.
- Preserve sufficient industrial use zoning to create space to develop green jobs and industry
- Create Street Vending District in the community to provide healthy and safe areas for street vendors to operate free from harassment or hostility from local police.
3. Create a Healthy Environment & Open Spaces with Green Industry and Green Jobs
- Establish green industry incubator in vacant industrial buildings on western and southern borders of Boyle heights to create new economy alternative to the declining construction industry
How Will This Change Lives? Might change
In 2006, ELACC's Neighbors Building Neighborhoods (NBN) Action Committees met to decide how best to mitigate the impact of gentrification and how to favorably impact the neighborhoods for years to come. After research, much discussion, and a vote NBN members decided to focus their efforts on influencing the City of Los Angeles Planning Department's revision of the Boyle Heights Community Plan. Including the community's priorities in the community plan would provide a long-term tool and foundation to make Boyle Heights an inclusive vibrant and healthy community for current residents, with a particular focus on lower-income residents.
In addition, ELACC successfully set a model of community participation throughout the BHCP process. We established a Resident Advisory Committee made up of tenants, homeowners, students, parents and community organizations to ensure active participation at public workshops and meetings with the Planning Department. We continue to actively engage community residents in decision-making for the future of the community, a future offering quality affordable housing, good schools, and access to services, opportunities for economic advancement, a rich cultural life, and a healthy, green and attractive environment.
