COUNCIL SUPPORTS MOVE TO LEGALIZE HOME BUSINESSES.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer Panorama City video producer James Stewart was one step closer to ending his firm's outlaw status Wednesday, when the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. voted preliminary approval to legalizing thousands of
home-based businesses like Stewart's.
``It's about time It's About Time may refer to:
Years in the making, the ordinance given initial approval legalizes some kinds of home-based businesses in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , but with restrictions to make sure they do not disrupt residential neighborhoods. Council members said thousands of nonintrusive businesses already are being operated in homes throughout the city but outside the law and that it is time for the city to recognize the burgeoning industry as 77 other cities in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, already have. ``It's getting on that engine that has taken off without us and it's putting some regulations in place,'' said Councilwoman Laura Chick, author of the law. The ordinance would allow only those home-based businesses that meet certain standards for minimizing impact on their neighborhoods. The measure restricts signs, deliveries, employment, storage and visits by walk-in customers. In addition, the ordinance specifically prohibits certain businesses judged to be unsuitable for a residential neighborhood, including car repair shops, restaurants and tattoo parlors. Councilman Marvin Braude Marvin Braude (August 11, 1920—December 7, 2005)served as Los Angeles City Councilman for the 11th district from 1965 to 1997. At various times Mr. Braude (pronounced BROW-dee) served as chair of the Finance and Revenue Committee, the Environmental Quality and Waste said it is long overdue for the city to recognize that with the availability of computers, faxes and other technology, more people are working out of their homes. ``There is a tremendous revolution going on and a boom of home business,'' Braude said. ``Nobody can stop that. This (ordinance) is a means of controlling what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. .'' Councilwoman Ruth Galanter Ruth Galanter was a city councilwoman from Los Angeles. She served as President Pro-Tempore and President of the city council. said the rules adopted will guarantee that many people will not see any change in the character of their neighborhood. The council voted 12-1 to approve the ordinance, with Councilman Nate Holden casting a dissenting vote that forced the measure to be set for a final vote next week when it only needs eight votes to pass. Holden said the city would do better not to legalize le·gal·ize tr.v. le·gal·ized, le·gal·iz·ing, le·gal·iz·es To make legal or lawful; authorize or sanction by law. le any home-based businesses because it may open the door to disruptive businesses gaining legal sanction. Under current law, any business that is disruptive can be shut down, he said. ``I just think you're legislating a situation where you're going to create a lot more problems than you already have,'' Holden said. ``What we have is already working.'' Holden also questioned whether the three inspectors to be hired with funds from a $25 annual fee for home-based businesses will be sufficient to police problem businesses. There will be one inspector for the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. under the program. ``There's no guarantee you're going to police it at all,'' he said. |
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