TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file information provided in this report and at the public hearing;
Direct staff to implement the administrative procedural changes to the tenant notification and relocation benefit processes;
Request Planning and Building Department and City Attorney to prepare an ordinance that codifies administrative procedures, protects tenants rights, and provides relocation benefits to qualifying tenants earlier in the condominium conversion process; and
Consider whether to implement policy options for lifetime leases for existing tenants in lieu of relocation benefits, and provide direction to the Planning Commission. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 24, 2007, the City Council requested that the Planning Commission be directed to conduct a review of the current procedures used during the condominium conversion process related to tenant noticing and payment of relocation benefits (see attachment 1). Additionally, the Planning Commission was asked to review the impacts of condominium conversion on the City's vacancy rate and the impact of conversion upon displaced tenants. The Planning Commission was directed to conduct a public meeting to receive input, and then forward their findings and recommendations to the City Council for consideration.
In anticipation of the Planning Commission hearing, Planning Bureau and Housing Services Bureau staff met on several occasions, including two meetings with representatives of Housing Long Beach, represented by Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angles (Legal Aid), and the Apartment Owners Association, to discuss possible revisions to the administrative procedures and municipal code sections regulating condominium conversions and the payment of relocation benefits.
On October 18,2007, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on this subject. Based on the concerns heard about the existing process, staff reported (see attachment 2) the following:
ยท A series of administrative procedures could be impl...
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