South L.A. residents are not hungry for more fast food

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More than eighty South Los Angeles residents attended a hearing today at City Hall to protest a provision imposed by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning, which would add more fast food restaurants to their neighborhood.

Specifically, the provision, known as the West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Park Community Plan, would exempt the 10th Council District from exisiting fast food restrictions. If this plan is passed, the policy would allow for more fast food establishments, which residents argue will harm local businesses and limit choices in the neighborhood.

"Please make sure that for once, after a very long history of being disadvantaged by design, that South Los Angeles residents have an opportunity to have alternatives. You're linkage will not go away if every square foot of space is occupied by fast food," said Mary Leigh, a West Adams resident.

The original plan was adapted in 1998 and is being updated to reflect current and upcoming issues in the community.

In 2008, City Council restricted new fast food restaurants from being built within half a mile of an exisiting fast food restaurant. This restriction did not ban fast food restaurants but it did limit them to prevent too many in one area. If this Plan is passed, this restriction will no longer exist. Residents at the hearing seemed more concerned with health than the business consequences.

"In the West Adams, Baldwin Hills, and Leimart Park community planning area, 27.5 percent of children are considered obese. 32 percent of adults in South L.A. are obese," said L.A. Department of Public Health member Nicole Vick. "More than half of children drink at least one soda or sweetened drink a day. This is the highest consumption of sugary drinks in the county."

The plan hopes to improve the community for the next 20 years with better living and work environments to become, what they call, a "model of health and sustainability."

"So we're really trying to create vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, inclusive prosperity for all residents and businesses. Quality neighborhoods for the residents, diversity of uses that really enhance the quality of life," said South L.A. Unit Head and city planner Arthi Varma.

The plan would affect 13-square miles of land and about 183,000 residents.