Ban on Chain Stores sought for Abbot Kinney, Ocean Front Walk
When Dawn Hollier read an L.A. Times article two
years ago about citizens of one San Francisco neighborhood organizing to pass an
ordinance that banned chain-stores after a Wal-Mart suddenly moved in, she was
inspired to take action in her own neighborhood. Hence, Venice Unchained was
born.
Venice Unchained is dedicated to preserving the
unique character of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Ocean Front Walk by enacting an
ordinance that would prohibit chain stores. With the recent explosion in
building and property values in those areas, Ms. Hollier believes conditions are
ripe for the chains. “I’ve watched as the funky, arty community of
Soho in Manhattan (which I visit once a year) has morphed into a glorified
shopping mall. I envision a different future for
Venice.”
Ms. Hollier and her
partner, Melissa Bechtel, launched an on-line petition from their website,
veniceunchained.org, to gain public support. To date, the petition has 2,336
signatures from Venetians, Abbot Kinney Business Owners and supportive
Angelinos. “The website has given Venice residents the opportunity to
speak out for their community” says Ms. Bechtel, “the comments
section of our petition has elicited some very articulate and impassioned
responses.”
One passionate
Venetian who signed the petition wrote, “My folks moved to Rose Ave in
1964. I and all 7 siblings are Venice High alumni as are most of our kids, too.
We need to keep Venice from becoming “3rd St. Promenade
SOUTH.”
California communities
that have been successful in enacting such an ordinance include Arcata,
Calistoga, Carmel, Coronado, Pacific Grove, San Francisco, Sausalito and
Solvang.
On Wednesday, June 7,
the Land Use and Planning Committee of the GRVNC will be asked to vote in favor
of the ordinance. If the LUPC supports it, and the wider GRVNC gets on board,
then Venice City Councilman Bill Rosendahl will make a motion asking the City
Attorney to draft the ordinance, which he will then bring to the City
Council for approval.
The LUPC meeting
will be the next step in the process. Venice Unchained has asked for a show of
community support at the meeting, 6:30pm, Wednesday, June 7, at the Westminster
School Auditorium.
Posted: Thu - June 1, 2006 at 10:00 PM