Land Use Partner Ellia Thompson Quoted in The Commercial Observer on Corruption at City Hall
Ellia Thompson, Partner and Chair of Ervin Cohen & Jessup’s Land Use Department, was extensively quoted in a Commercial Observer article titled, "Real Estate Industry Descries LA’s Plans to Address Corruption at City Hall."
The article discusses the ongoing corruption scandal involving two key former members of the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee and a series of measures being taken by elected officials to address the approval process and zoning code. Industry experts are questioning these measures and whether the city has the authority to rescind entitlements for any reason, whether related to alleged corruption involving these members of the City Council. According to Ellia, it is a good idea for the city to investigate projects connected to alleged wrongdoings but a "wholesale reversal of approval" on other projects is not necessary. She points out that people are constantly calling in favors on both sides — for and against development — and the City should be very careful in its investigations and allegations.
Developers have been pushed away due to the constant political battles. Projects must go through an entitlement process because the City Council wants it that way. Ellia says that making fewer projects subject to a lengthy public entitlement process would be an effective solution to these intricate processes.
To view the full article click here.
