Land Use Core Values

We love living in Mount Washington! Most people you meet walking their dog will tell you there is something about Mount Washington that takes away the hustle and bustle of the rest of Los Angeles. Our core values regarding land use seek to protect and preserve that special community here on the hill:

  • We support and welcome the rights of property owners to construct single new homes in the neighborhood that respect the letter and intent of the zoning laws of the City of Los Angeles including the Mount Washington / Glassell Park Specific Plan, the Hillside Ordinance, and the Hillside Retaining Wall Ordinance.
  • We value the contribution that our Specific Plan makes to preserving natural habitat, open space, wildlife corridors, and our connection to nature in the neighborhood.
  • We do not support real estate developers that propose projects that would overwhelm the limited infrastructure of streets, water lines, and sewers or create safety hazards for residents.
  • We treasure the uniquely different architecture of homes in Mount Washington and we expect new development to demonstrate a commitment to such variety in housing design. (For this reason, developers that buy two or more lots in a row and then, using stock plans for a house intended for a flat lot, propose building multiple identical or nearly identical houses in a row, are acting inconsistent with the applicable planning and zoning laws and our core values.)
  • While a secure home is important, we encourage the use of creative and attractive fencing materials to provide an appropriate level of security for homeowners instead of forbidding and uninviting materials.
  • We support the acquisition of critical open space to protect and preserve the natural habitat, allow view preservation, and maintain the tranquil ambiance of the community.
  • We will actively participate in the City of Los Angeles policy-making process for the clarification and continuous improvement of planning and zoning law.
  • We will actively review the environmental consequences of public and private development projects affecting Mount Washington and its environs.