Council limits new fast-food outlets in South L.A.

Concerned about a proliferation of fast-food restaurants, the City Council on Wednesday voted to impose new limits on fast-food establishments across a broad swath of South Los Angeles.

Among other restrictions, the lawmakers voted to ban the opening of new fast-food concerns within a half-mile radius of similar eateries.

The council’s unanimous vote was the culmination of years of effort to bring greater dietary choice and an improved aesthetic to an area that suffers from both slapdash development and a high rate of diet-related health problems -- including obesity and diabetes -- that some researchers have linked to fast foods.

“For a community to thrive, it is important to have balance, a full variety of food, retail and service providers,” said Councilman Bernard C. Parks, who spearheaded the measure along with Councilwoman Jan Perry.

Two years ago, the council slapped a moratorium on many new fast-food establishments in the densely populated area in a bid to encourage alternatives such as sit-down restaurants, full-service grocery stores and healthy food outlets. Planners have since been looking at permanent ways to promote diverse dietary options.

The new rules adopted Wednesday are to become part of the permanent planning guidelines for the 32-square-mile area, lawmakers said. Similar restrictions are already in place in other L.A. neighborhoods.

Affected are a sprawling zone south of Interstate 10 that is home to an estimated 800,000 people and encompasses much of South and southeast Los Angeles, including the West Adams, Baldwin Hills and Leimert Park communities.
 
The new guidelines, which seek to improve landscaping, trash storage, parking and other factors, apply only to so-called “stand alone” eateries, not those situated in malls and other sites considered “mixed use”  developments.

In a bow to concerns from the fast-food industry, existing fast-food establishments seeking to remodel or expand would be exempt from some of the new requirements.

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-- Patrick J. McDonnell at Los Angeles City Hall

Comments

[Bt0]

WOW!!
Gee thanks city council.. Ill sleep better tonight now that i know the streets are safer from fast food boogie man...

[Robert]

Its not a good thing when the Gov't tries to take away the Freedom to choose from the people. Now that its election time Parks and Perry care about people. What have they been doing all these years prior? NOTHING. Its NOT their job to monitor what people eat and if they cared so much they would have helped get decent chain markets in the area which don't have any. There are no Ralphs, Vons, Gelsons Zippo, zero but there's plenty of liquor stores and run down buildings.

[Mike]

While some may see this as big brother stifling the free market, any reasonable person will admit that there are far too many fast food outlets in general, and many areas are saturated with them. It's a positive move for the city to act to impose reasonable limits on the amount of fast-food locations in a given area.

[Jesus H.]

Big Brother controlling people's choices...? Oh, please! McDonald's power rivals that of government these days.

And the private-sector's determination to have almost no alternatives to corporate fast food in a neighborhood does NOT give a single individual much choice when he or she wishes to eat more healthily. Only government can still (sometimes) step in to ensure that ordinary people, like you and me, actually have choices.

[IvanG]

If "there are far too many fast food outlets in general, and many areas are saturated with them" then why would you need to prohibit the opening of more of them? If there are too many, opening more will be unprofitable. In truth, the problem is that residents of those areas want fast food, either because they like it or because it is cheap or convenient.

[greg]

Hooray, now they can legislate that Gelsons or Whole Foods has to open a store there. That will fix everything wrong in the community. Well done, rainbows and unicorns all around! This is just more PC nonsense. Fast food outlets bring money and JOBS into the community. If people don't want to eat there, they close shop. That's the risk the franchise owner takes, it should not be legislated for or against. More slippery slope stupidity, where does it stop?

[Steve Rodriguez]

Hey LA City Council, go back and meddle in Arizona's business so you can stay out of ours!

[Ron Jeremy]

I support the move, not because it's perceived 'benefit' to lazy people who can't control their junk food habits, but for restricting the growth of CRAP fast food joints in our community.

I for one am sick of seeing fast food trash lining up the sidewalks where ever there are a Mickey D's, Wendy's, Jack in the Crate, or Taco Hell.

[Ron Jeremy]

I for one support the restriction of Fast Food joints in the community, NOT for the perceived benefit of helping lazy junk food addicts control their access to crap food, but for cutting down on the clutter of Fast Food joints in our communities.

Just like every other commercial enterprise, Fast Food joints should face the same zoning restrictions so as not to over-ride and cut out family restaurants and diners that actually offer restaurant services and freshly prepared food (sorry, but Fast Food is NEVER "freshly made").

Too bad this rule only applies to certain areas. In some areas it's too late.

[DavidinLA]

“For a community to thrive, it is important to have balance, a full variety of food, retail and service providers,”

No one is preventing a healthier food alternative from opening its doors...but there has to be a demand. So what you are basically doing by disallowin fast food restaurants is preventing a viable business from opening, employing, and contributing to the tax base. Its no wonder our City is in such a bad financial state. Our City Council does not understand the basic principles of ecomnomics.

[DavidinLA]

Mike wrote "...any reasonable person will admit that there are far too many fast food outlets in general,..."

I consider myself reasonable and I do not agree for one simple reason. If the market were oversaturated than fast food places would close on their own due to not being profitable...the fact that more want to open suggests that there are not enough establishments to satisfy the demand.

[Ruskinite]

Unlike many of the posters in here, many of the people in these communities heartily welcome this and kudos to the L.A. City Council for their actions for recognizing the importance of good nutrition despite the grumblings of the corporate junk food kingpins and their lackeys.

You see, many people in these neighborhoods are too busy working and have better things to do than sit behind a computer posting right wing garbage.

And @Robert -
How do you know that they've not TRIED TO GET a Ralph's, Vons or any other large chain in there? It's easy for you to comment out of sheer ignorance.

[joy]

I went to Boston in July and noticed hardly ANY fast food restaurants in the city... I remarked how nice it would be if Mid City/South L.A. could do something about all the fast food restaurants. Thank you City Council.

[EMPS]

Uh Robert, if you knew anything about this subject at all you would know that they DID get a Fresh N Easy to come in. But for some unknown reason LA Times just didn't report that.

[IvanG]

This is too much paternalism. There won't be more healthy-food restaurants because that is not what the residents want or they can't afford the prices. LA will lose revenue as residents go to nearby cities. And, perversely (as usual) newer fast-food restaurants that might offer healthier foods will be banned.

[WHAT?]

It IS election time isn't it... FTR, I Still can't stand Parks...
It would be nice to have "Real" sit down (complete with waiters) restaurants in the area ... It's funny... most of the people in the neighborhood do not shop for or eat food from the neighborhood... They go out of the area for "REAL" food... this is fact.... Wish Sprout's would come in... They would make big $$$ Healthy Food Cafes anyone? Greek, Japanese? Indian? There's more to life than chicken wings, Starbucks, TGIF's and... soul food is just cliche...
The reason folks are eating the vile junk at Fast food joints is because there are no other options or real markets that offer "Fresh Foods" just rows and rows of sodium and sugar laden processed foods. They are really missing the boat when it comes to what foods we eat...Anyone remember Raffle's in Leimert Park?

[Zapper]

The better we all eat, the better our moods and the better we think and behave. Our diets are very important.

[Bugs]

Has Bernie been sampling some of that south central medicinal marijuana again? What the heck does bringing a "greater dietary choice and an improved aesthetic" mean to someone struggling to make it on $8 an hour?

Good lord.

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[about time]

A step in the right direction... considering, for the most part, it is in fact the only option in some neighborhoods.... I don't eat the crap! But then, most have cars to get to neighborhoods that actually have fresh food choices. It's been going on since the 60's, so it's nothing new... But needs to change.

[Cyndy Greger]

WOW. People are so stupid that they can't figure out how to go buy fresh produce, grains and meats and create a meal for themselves? Do you really think that limiting the # of FF outlets helps anyone?

I can't wait until they start limiting the # of cookies sold, or boarding up the soda vending machines too!

EVERYTHING will be sold from behind the Pharmacy counter soon!
Yipee!

[Cara D]

Good. People need to stop buying into the franchise opportunities of these fast food chains and open independent businesses. I hope this is something all city and county councils will act upon. Don't see any fast food joints in Beverly Hills.