Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa this week signed into law an ordinance codifying the Residential Floor Area, known as the RFA. The ordinance was unanimously approved by the City Council Feb. 7 and follows more than two year’s worth of meetings with community groups across a divergent landscape of concerns as Councilmember Krekorian’s office worked to adopt a better way of addressing mansionization while preserving the character of neighborhoods.
The RFA will control mansionization for 3,945 Studio City homes and represents the widest ranging set of guidelines a community has ever enacted to maintain the integrity of their neighborhood.
"I am very happy to report that Studio City’s long journey toward greater community protection is complete as the Mayor has signed the Residential Floor Area (RFA) ordinance into law,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “This action comes after a sustained effort by my office and so many in the community to limit the mansionization of Studio City. With this ordinance, nearly 4,000 Studio City homeowners will now enjoy a level of comfort knowing that the character of our neighborhoods will be protected against the impacts of mansionization without unduly imposing on property rights. I’m proud that we have been able to develop a community consensus around a pragmatic and effective solution.”
Alan Dymond, president of the Studio City Residents Association who hammered out the agreement over a period of two years said, "I'm delighted that this has come to a conclusion and that all sides are satisfied with the outcome. It is a long time coming."
Ron Taylor, member of the Studio City Neighborhood Council board, said, "This was one of the issues that turned me into a neighborhood activist. I am glad that other neighborhood councils in other parts of the city, and other communities around the country are looking at what we've done here to resolve issues in their own communities."
The ordinance takes effect March 25, 2012.
