Government Affairs news and updates from the South Bay Association of REALTORS. For more information, go to www.SouthBayAOR.com.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
SBAOR joins the Torrance Chamber in welcoming Assemblymember Muratsuchi
Friday, November 15, 2013
Manhattan Beach puts the brakes on proposal to prohibit offices in pedestrian retail streets
On Wednesday, the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission took a big step back from the proposal to prohibit banks and offices from leasing space on pedestrian storefront areas in two commercial districts, at Highland Ave. and Manhattan Beach Blvd., and in the north of the city at Highland Ave. and Rosecrans.
As reported here earlier, this proposal, if passed, would have eliminated banks and offices from locating in those pedestrian-friendly streets that we all love. A number of reasons for this idea emerged during the hearing For example, the cost of leasing such a prime spot appears to be more difficult for, say, an apparel store than it is for a bank of real estate office. And, what kind of land use best contributes to walkable communities? Are banks with their boring, barren facades a drain on the street's vitality or are they are necessary fabric of the street?
In the end, after a robust discussion and public hearing the Planning Commission did the right thing by backing away from the proposal to prohibit banks and offices. At the same time the Commission called for the creation of a committee, focus group or other entity to take a long-term view of Manhattan's retail scene, ask real questions about what residents and business want, and come up with a long range strategy that works.
SBAOR applauds this approach. We are already hearing from REALTORS who are interested in taking part in this. After all, you cannot legislate a good economy - if you could then we would all be rich.
Meanwhile, to help us think about how Highland Ave. or any city street should look, we are digging out our dog-eared copy of Jane Jacobs' brilliant book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", which, in our humble opinion, defines everything about urban planning when it is done right, even 40 years after it was first published.
As reported here earlier, this proposal, if passed, would have eliminated banks and offices from locating in those pedestrian-friendly streets that we all love. A number of reasons for this idea emerged during the hearing For example, the cost of leasing such a prime spot appears to be more difficult for, say, an apparel store than it is for a bank of real estate office. And, what kind of land use best contributes to walkable communities? Are banks with their boring, barren facades a drain on the street's vitality or are they are necessary fabric of the street?
In the end, after a robust discussion and public hearing the Planning Commission did the right thing by backing away from the proposal to prohibit banks and offices. At the same time the Commission called for the creation of a committee, focus group or other entity to take a long-term view of Manhattan's retail scene, ask real questions about what residents and business want, and come up with a long range strategy that works.
SBAOR applauds this approach. We are already hearing from REALTORS who are interested in taking part in this. After all, you cannot legislate a good economy - if you could then we would all be rich.
Meanwhile, to help us think about how Highland Ave. or any city street should look, we are digging out our dog-eared copy of Jane Jacobs' brilliant book, "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", which, in our humble opinion, defines everything about urban planning when it is done right, even 40 years after it was first published.
Los Angeles loses a Journalist's Journalist; Sometimes telling a good story is the best way to connect with someone
This morning while waiting at Urgent Care with a kid's potentially broken foot*, we read with dismay about the passing of uber L.A. journalist Mark Lacter. Mostly recently he had a regular column with the great folks over at LA Observed as well as a regular weekly appearance on NPR affiliate KPCC-FM.
The accolades streaming into @LABizObserved show how Mark Lacter, the journalist's journalist, delved deeply into a story, asked the tough questions and cut through the industry jargon to tell a story in plain English. Do you remember when you used to talk to people in plain English rather than the corporate-speak euphemisms of your particular profession? Yeah, we don't either.
As a business reporter, Lacter's job was doubly hard in that he had to wade through corporate marcom memos, earnings reports, and regulators' comings and goings - and then relay it back to the rest of us so that we would actually understand it and see how it is relevant. A true skill that is desperately needed in both business and political journalism.
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Ever since college we had a soft spot for journalists, one of our preferred career choices before going on to practice the dark arts of public relations. Still, no PR person is complete without some training in how to be reporter. Moments like these make us think about how we as a Realtor profession are telling our story. Do we know who our audience is? Other Realtors, non-Realtor licensees? The media? Regulators? The consumer public? All of the above?
Then, are we taking advantage of every opportunity to reach our audience? Perhaps a newly passed state law or city ordinance can find its way into a press release and a consumer story featuring families in the middle of a home purchase. Or maybe a favorable - or unfavorable - slew of economic data can inform how and why we are promoting certain legislation. Or even a landmark court case might help us educate Realtors and consumers, strengthen the REALTOR brand and uphold our more than 100 years of history.
Constant vigilance, creativity, honesty and cooperation. And, in plain English.
* Update: No broken foot, and the added bonus of staying home from school today. Onward.
The accolades streaming into @LABizObserved show how Mark Lacter, the journalist's journalist, delved deeply into a story, asked the tough questions and cut through the industry jargon to tell a story in plain English. Do you remember when you used to talk to people in plain English rather than the corporate-speak euphemisms of your particular profession? Yeah, we don't either.
As a business reporter, Lacter's job was doubly hard in that he had to wade through corporate marcom memos, earnings reports, and regulators' comings and goings - and then relay it back to the rest of us so that we would actually understand it and see how it is relevant. A true skill that is desperately needed in both business and political journalism.
---
Ever since college we had a soft spot for journalists, one of our preferred career choices before going on to practice the dark arts of public relations. Still, no PR person is complete without some training in how to be reporter. Moments like these make us think about how we as a Realtor profession are telling our story. Do we know who our audience is? Other Realtors, non-Realtor licensees? The media? Regulators? The consumer public? All of the above?
Then, are we taking advantage of every opportunity to reach our audience? Perhaps a newly passed state law or city ordinance can find its way into a press release and a consumer story featuring families in the middle of a home purchase. Or maybe a favorable - or unfavorable - slew of economic data can inform how and why we are promoting certain legislation. Or even a landmark court case might help us educate Realtors and consumers, strengthen the REALTOR brand and uphold our more than 100 years of history.
Constant vigilance, creativity, honesty and cooperation. And, in plain English.
* Update: No broken foot, and the added bonus of staying home from school today. Onward.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Will Manhattan Beach pull the welcome mat from downtown businesses?
Next week the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission will consider a proposal to encourage "street front ground floor pedestrian oriented retail uses" in two commercial districts in the City - downtown near City Hall and also at Rosecrans and Highland.
Sounds fair enough. After all, during our college years backpacking through Europe and elsewhere we loved the vibrant mixed-use street life in neighborhoods for every resident: families, office workers, students, retirees, tourists, and more.
However, the Planning Commission notice contains this eye-popping suggestion: There will be discussion for "discouraging or prohibiting other uses, such as offices and banks." This non-starter proposal risks reducing - not increasing - a variety of commercial uses to serve customers, where they are needed and when.
So what is the complaint here anyway? Too many banks or restaurants downtown? If true, then some will close for lack of customers. The success or failure of a city street - pedestrian friendly or not - is out of the hands of a Planning Commission or a City Council, and squarely in the hands of the economy itself.
While we're on the subject, what sort of "offices" could be prohibited anyway? Why, real estate offices of course! And yet any broker, REALTOR, or happy new homeowner can show you that real estate offices are a legitimate retail storefront use.
While more information will emerge later this week, it is readily apparent that such prohibitions are an improper way to improve street life and an intrusion of the rights of property owners in these areas.
REALTORS: Mark your calendars for the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Tell the Planning Commission to respect property rights and not cherry-pick some businesses while prohibiting others - possibly including yours!
Watch this space for more information on this important discussion that you cannot afford - literally - to miss.
Sounds fair enough. After all, during our college years backpacking through Europe and elsewhere we loved the vibrant mixed-use street life in neighborhoods for every resident: families, office workers, students, retirees, tourists, and more.
However, the Planning Commission notice contains this eye-popping suggestion: There will be discussion for "discouraging or prohibiting other uses, such as offices and banks." This non-starter proposal risks reducing - not increasing - a variety of commercial uses to serve customers, where they are needed and when.
So what is the complaint here anyway? Too many banks or restaurants downtown? If true, then some will close for lack of customers. The success or failure of a city street - pedestrian friendly or not - is out of the hands of a Planning Commission or a City Council, and squarely in the hands of the economy itself.
No more storefront real estate offices?
While we're on the subject, what sort of "offices" could be prohibited anyway? Why, real estate offices of course! And yet any broker, REALTOR, or happy new homeowner can show you that real estate offices are a legitimate retail storefront use.
While more information will emerge later this week, it is readily apparent that such prohibitions are an improper way to improve street life and an intrusion of the rights of property owners in these areas.
REALTORS: Mark your calendars for the Manhattan Beach Planning Commission on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Tell the Planning Commission to respect property rights and not cherry-pick some businesses while prohibiting others - possibly including yours!
Watch this space for more information on this important discussion that you cannot afford - literally - to miss.
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