Venice Town Council, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles

Opinion

JOHNSON, J.

This case raises the issue whether the Mello act (Gov. Code, §§ 65590 & 65590.1) imposes a mandatory duty on local governments to require developers to replace residential units, or pay an in-lieu fee, whenever they demolish or convert dwelling units occupied by low- or moderate-income persons in the coastal zone. Appellants, the Venice Town Council, Inc., the Barton-Hill Neighborhood Association and Carol Berman, a low-income tenant who resides in Venice, contend the Mello act imposes such a duty. Respondent, the City of Los Angeles (City), argues the Mello act imposes no…