[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98,110],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6664776,"mediaKeyId","2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0","parentId",2371475,"title","City Council refers Hernandez proposal requiring economic-impact studies for large retail to planning commission","audioSeconds",1314,"startMs",3191000,"endMs",4505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0&start=3191&end=4505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0/thumbnail_3191000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6664776/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/City-Council-refers-Hernandez-proposal-requiring-economic-impact-studies-for-large-retail-to-planning-commission","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664776-d83281821776c3f4d022206cb835e008/orig.mp4?Expires=1769879300&Signature=YS3AW~UFDuUhWlYy9-ZMbZ0-gazXI8o4ab23k4AM7RQl6ptM1cUJuTrdwfT8az0hUW4fHELm137sK7cQgD348y37lBV8cA-YSWy8SpKPOA8hFv451vnfcvDbv2eVj2KU5k~6~HW3Kiq35hjbt9-bpEMvoJSiMxIqYsjEOip89fz3CyG8atvMAT7a33NKUXG23uWHzqJU2oQ3AlJV5ErKZefnE6qmj--kuwfO7wSewioqK-8u6ZMen7I1uKW4F4aIzAPkwlLil6Kz7Js2k0~r3o7~t0k4-JZp7N23pyIt64XeOELUq3e3vZVqTaz56sneADOftxAf6T5eyEMJcMucww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Los Angeles City","date","2025-02-21T16:53:18.437Z","article","The Los Angeles City Council on Friday referred to the Planning Commission a proposed ordinance by Councilmember Mike Hernandez that would require an economic impact analysis when large retail projects come before the city’s conditional-use permit process.

Hernandez told the council the measure is intended to pair with a separate planning committee ordinance setting design standards for “big-box” stores and to supply the economic analysis the Planning Department does not currently perform. “When there's a conditional-use process that basically affects big boxes of a 50,000 square feet or more, the community development department [should] pursue an economic analysis of the impact of that big box,” Hernandez said.

Supporters said the studies would provide officials with information about the effects of large retailers on neighborhood businesses, jobs and tax revenues. Margo Feinberg of the United Food and Commercial Workers and the UFCW-backed coalition said the city has not conducted its own studies on how these stores affect local economies and urged passage so the city could plan “as a planning issue.” Madeline Janice Aparicio of the L.A. Alliance for a New Economy said the measure would not block projects but would give the council “more information … to make an informed decision.” Professor Jamshed Danuri (transcript name) cited a Ventura County study that linked big-box entries to reductions in well‑paying jobs and broader regional effects.

Retail industry representatives pushed back, arguing the ordinance risks legal problems and could be used to impede competition. Philip Recht, representing Walmart stores, told the council the city already has land‑use tools before the Planning Commission and expressed concern about putting additional burdens on sales of groceries and other goods.

Councilmembers who spoke in discussion said the measure represents a different approach from an outright prohibition and emphasized the need to craft a legally defensible rule. Councilmember Joel Burnson said the analysis could help prevent neighborhood decline by revealing when a large retailer would cause nearby businesses to fail. Councilmember Cindy Mzakowski and others asked who would pay for the analyses and suggested the Planning Commission and city attorney review the measure for legal exposure.

The council voted to refer the ordinance to the Planning Commission for review and requested that the commission combine Hernandez’s proposal with the related item that the Planning Land Use Management (PLUM) committee would forward. The referral passed unanimously, 12–0.

What happens next: the Planning Commission will review the proposal and the city attorney will assess legal issues before the item returns to PLUM and then the full council.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council - 06/29/01","oneSentenceSummary","The Los Angeles City Council on Friday referred to the Planning Commission a proposed ordinance by Councilmember Mike Hernandez that would require an economic impact analysis when large retail projects come before the city’s conditional‑use permit process.","taxTitle","Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4025,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6664758,"Council approves Alameda Corridor compliance agreement and related findings",80,4776000,4856000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0&start=4776&end=4856","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0/thumbnail_4776000.jpg","/articles/6664758/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-Alameda-Corridor-compliance-agreement-and-related-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664758-6e591c341391525ba63e00c976dcee27/orig.mp4?Expires=1769879300&Signature=DU1ObByDqgo2XxBP-OnbVqwMH~sorWD6~BIvMbdln2gMnbloe5eCe3D4QFE4bqEqZ7fAWmUzWXFUCCXxkXjGkFOaM3Pp4wfpz1IaudjPaV8m4I0idkPNI809aYgqrbwYJuMKVii~RSQrJLJZdrnySC7pOvL4e7Ji6VhNrfjEVK8XWcCNN7IN20vvN~OXyTTTaHEskCIy70GK4vrS5rVu8qxZ-fce-eWjjRZVY9LRGGkxSwqCemut~Qe4pWZF4gJN6GiU8i9841ZFGGBDybFheLmgj3zTsi2W8ATi9w1dhPVx7l12VFaK6TvNVw7Yv8hvAIhFJsdppBDYDHT56JjHJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a compliance agreement with the Alameda Corridor authority and the Department of Public Works on Friday after the City Attorney said immediate action was necessary to prevent reversion of funds.

City Attorney staff explained the active board had authorized its CEO to enter into an agreement with the City of Los Angeles and Department of Public Works on June 14; the Department of Public Works board also approved the agreement on June 29. The City Attorney’s office urged the council to adopt the associated findings and approve the agreement promptly to avoid financial problems.

Councilmember Rudy Savornich moved approval and the council approved the findings and the agreement by unanimous vote, 12–0.

","The council approved findings and an agreement with the Alameda Corridor authority and the Department of Public Works that the City Attorney said had to be acted on immediately to avoid reversion of funds; vote was unanimous.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6664763,"Council approves industrial bond financing item after company agrees to living‑wage terms",218,4512000,4730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0&start=4512&end=4730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0/thumbnail_4512000.jpg","/articles/6664763/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-industrial-bond-financing-item-after-company-agrees-to-livingwage-terms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664763-ee6f4ff4c2bff77ab91e78fc77d22650/orig.mp4?Expires=1769879300&Signature=MGz-TgCXQdvJbaI~tRH35mSB5IT6MkQ48e95A5Qrv3Ag3STr8pfc~AVXK95mZZD4HA~IjgGVUQQg~LQxk2J5nYzOAs8FbGo5aVNRfCynZa-MCWlMN3p9qXrVg3SX0~8zh4kUDhgWy4dX5EpQcCDtKoiyxkixGuZRGk5a4T3-tP6sIFUDc-E8oaIrrSx24JRXrwFl2fv~oMXQr3S1AZKHgPnVhXxgc1Boxf-WpE1S5adBS9ILrLNWulptAA3pJKo2ObkOhr~oE2hnabXIaO-dX3KYSAFNGaVNsSy2EGlaACrWVSas8oDQ8iBc1J9ig0hIPCYo7VZpRQX7HCz9usK3dQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved an industrial bond financing request for a company planning to locate in an empowerment zone after the company agreed to pay a living wage as part of follow‑up negotiations.

Council discussion, raised initially in committee, centered on whether city assistance should contribute to the creation of low‑wage jobs. Councilmember Mike Hernandez said the package — which the committee previously reviewed — involved approximately $4.7 million in bond financing to buy equipment that would create roughly 70 jobs in the empowerment zone. Hernandez said the original committee had negotiated with the company after concerns were raised that many proposed jobs would fall below the city’s living‑wage standard.

According to the committee discussion summarized to the full council, the company has voluntarily agreed to pay a living wage; Hernandez said officials also would pursue other empowerment‑zone benefits and incentives (tax credits, workforce investment funds, energy discounts) to raise job quality. The council approved the amended motion and directed departments to engage the company to ensure it takes advantage of available benefits.

The motion passed 12–0. Councilmembers described it as an example of using public support to improve job quality rather than subsidize low‑wage employment.

","An industrial bond financing package to support equipment purchases for a company in an empowerment zone — estimated $4.7 million, creating about 70 jobs — was approved after committee negotiations produced voluntary living‑wage commitments from the company; council sought additional follow‑up to maximize zone incentives for quality jobs.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6664767,"Council asks city agencies to report on investments with Household International amid predatory‑lending concerns",611,6192000,6803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0&start=6192&end=6803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0/thumbnail_6192000.jpg","/articles/6664767/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-asks-city-agencies-to-report-on-investments-with-Household-International-amid-predatorylending-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664767-7cd5665909cf47a3e6273734386efcd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1769879300&Signature=fBP-~LFlgd-cOTJmHZv8K07jtSMr1yk4V8UtFTEJoBoiymky7eYU3fvUpwWk80Uoq7maU9a9angeWtIs5l2x4lLIQHah0CTEysE7N1wowHtpjbs9y5OWD08OUD0RBvT4eK1eggdazJuSzCF-jHRC~Z64eA~WUgrbt9qjDV-TXgHUms4-Dyn6~97dujjh-~wm8lHE7G86KJjjiAQlAj7vZo9AVvLG4oepiQkcAtYYlv3KTUn83gtGvyqfLRAsL5KhiFzEEOn~Ew04LpxSY4fZI3idVLxvFN4VvU0xiIODmfL9EkRDaYRCUsP62VrdHUYKJ7uorq1qrFUGwYXiaype5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After public testimony criticizing high‑cost and variable‑rate lending practices, the City Council on Friday directed city agencies to review investments and recommend next steps regarding Household International (Household Finance).

The motion, led by Councilmember Mike Hernandez, asks the Office of Finance, the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Los Angeles Housing Department, with assistance from the City Attorney, to report on invested funds, stocks, securities and other business obligations involving Household International and to provide recommendations to the council. Hernandez said the goal is to ensure the city’s investments and incentives are not supporting predatory lenders that harm low‑income residents.

Public commenters described specific foreclosure and high‑interest cases. Helen Coleman said her property had been sold under circumstances she called predatory and offered photographs showing deterioration; she said seniors and fixed‑income residents were particularly vulnerable. Richard Marshall called out the use of public pension funds invested in predatory lenders and urged the city to stop such investments.

Councilmembers voiced broad concern about predatory lending and said the council should send a strong public message. Mark Ridley‑Thomas said the report is a necessary first step and expressed hope that the council would later pursue stronger regulatory or programmatic responses. The motion passed 11–0.

","Following public testimony about high‑cost loans and foreclosures, the council asked the Office of Finance, CRA and Housing Department to report on city investments tied to Household International and recommend next steps; members said public policy should not subsidize low‑wage job creation.",{"_32":111,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":112,"_40":113,"_42":114,"_44":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6664772,"Council advances municipal disclosure rules after earlier emergency ordinance; first‑reading vote carries to next week",2938,2986000,5924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0&start=2986&end=5924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2371475-def1c3bf3e744f91e996b12ecdab37a0/thumbnail_2986000.jpg","/articles/6664772/Los-Angeles-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-advances-municipal-disclosure-rules-after-earlier-emergency-ordinance-firstreading-vote-carries-to-next-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6664772-b31ca4bfe469df86402fd7e64c8929c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1769879300&Signature=Xv7wmZe1GKCbKvslfJOX4ZevLtWOj5WO82t46OjjCUgJMBuLiUYpwW31kigP33D1SiFUOIsJEvRclHGeXvirUmjRyhhfng1esdpYY3vKIxMCUiuelmbOR4XwZooaBVK1-3XEG0bI7PuOPuaaQDyfQ-FTr50TE5u9LuJJOGG4U00L3dHNsk6RtgENSjKP3FqP0jRvuQJrEZ12O9RIXCJOyWTFzkUKZ-GQFomH65~DI6nR8aehz6S-D3bBoISWMd0RKFukD9UTlYtPF4xAYgBDi-9FQBtDbxb5GvjwIxtduT~n5VlDHWyCxtJmedYj8eTPa9aZfm7nPAzYCHGv1BmGDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Los Angeles City Council on Friday advanced a municipal code amendment aimed at improving disclosure by organizations and entities that send communications urging votes in city elections.

Council President Laura Chick and the city attorney's office led the effort to convert short‑term emergency ordinances adopted earlier this spring into a permanent municipal‑code rule. The code change would require organizations that send membership or employee communications urging a vote to notify the Ethics Commission when they spend specified amounts and, for major communications, file a campaign‑style statement seven days before an election.

City attorney staff explained that state law and recent changes had created a disclosure gap: some membership or employer communications that would previously have been treated as independent expenditures are not disclosable under current state rules. The code change aims to ensure the public and the city’s public‑matching program receive timely notice of large independent expenditures or election‑related communications.

City attorney counsel Alperin told the council the ordinances adopted in May covered the April and June elections, but only as temporary measures. The proposed municipal code amendment would make the disclosure requirements permanent; if adopted it would become effective 30 days after publication. Councilmembers discussed additional potential tightening of disclosure windows and asked the Ethics Commission to consider expanded reporting to close other loopholes.

The item passed an initial, first‑reading vote 11–0 in the special meeting; as a first‑reading ordinance it will carry over to the next week for final action. Several councilmembers said the measure is a step forward but does not go far enough in preventing large sums of party or interest money from being routed into municipal races without earlier public reporting.

","Councilmembers approved a first‑reading municipal code amendment to require disclosure of member communications and certain expenditures; the ordinance was originally adopted as a time‑limited emergency measure and now seeks permanent placement in the municipal code. The ordinance will take effect 30 days after publication if adopted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City Council refers Hernandez proposal requiring economic-impact studies for large retail to planning commission

Council approves Alameda Corridor compliance agreement and related findings

Council approves industrial bond financing item after company agrees to living‑wage terms

Council asks city agencies to report on investments with Household International amid predatory‑lending concerns

Council advances municipal disclosure rules after earlier emergency ordinance; first‑reading vote carries to next week