LA City Council Supports Residents, Limits Development at McCowan’s Site

After hearing testimony from half a dozen San Pedro residents, the Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to limit residential development on the grounds of the former McCowan’s market.

The council voted unanimously to support Councilwoman Janice Hahn’s motion to restrict construction to one unit per 5,000 square feet of land.

This would enable the developer to build three homes on the property at 20th Street and Walker Avenue, far fewer than the 18 condominiums originally proposed.

Local residents waged a grassroots campaign against the prospect of condos, culminating in the city council testimony this week.

Members of Vista del Oro Neighbors Against Condos (VDONAC) blanketed the area with lawn signs and flooded Hahn’s office with phone calls and emails.

More than 200 attended a Harbor Area Planning Commission hearing in March to push for the zoning restriction. Tuesday’s city council action affirms the commission’s vote in favor of limited development.

VDONAC President Barbara Dragich is urging residents to keep the lawn signs in place until it is apparent that one house is being built on each lot.

Developer Michael Rosenthal did not return a late Friday call from San Pedro News. He told the Daily Breeze he was unaware that the issue was going before the city council.

VDONAC leader Barbara Dragich spoke to the City Council.

Among the other community activists who testified was Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Councilwoman Linda Marinkovich, chair of the council’s planning committee.

Councilwoman Hahn and neighborhood activists share a victorious moment in the City Council chamber.