L.A. Council Votes on Zoning Issues

Re “One Zoning Law, Two Outcomes,” Nov. 11: With all the hullabaloo about L.A. City Council approval of the Barracks vis-a-vis the disapproval of a synagogue, commentary seems to come from all sides.

The Burton Way Homeowners Assn. for many years had a very busy sex club immediately adjacent to a residential area, although the club itself was in a C-2 commercial zone. The sex club is no longer in operation. We still have a very active church with a large congregation immediately adjacent to densely populated residential areas; the church is on an appropriately zoned parcel. The sex club did not really start operations until very late in the evening and the church operates mainly on the weekend, when other traffic is light. There were and are no problems with either use. Both operated on properly zoned land.

The same cannot be said for the synagogue. It was functioning in a private house in a residential zone and could be condoned as long as it was small. When it moved to larger quarters, that could no longer be done. Any neighborhood association worth its salt would have opposed this expansion to protect the residential character of its area. The Barracks, from what we understand, is the successor to a business that operated at the same location for 20 years. It is located on a major commercially zoned boulevard. This issue really is about zoning and proper land use. We believe that the City Council acted correctly in both matters.

HARALD R. HAHN

President, Burton Way

Homeowners Assn., L.A.

The clear, highly disturbing message sent by the City Council is that if you live in a working-class, mostly Latino neighborhood and are attempting to close down a location where perverse acts are committed (sex club), you will be readily spurned.

If you live in a more affluent area and wish to close down a location where people are congregating to pray, you will be appeased. Fairness is but a farce in these matters. Latinos throughout the city should be outraged!

MARIA CHAIDEZ

Mission Hills