In Koreatown, tenants woke to find their cars gone, only to discover their parking spots were being converted into accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Towing Sparks Tenant Outrage
The property owner towed cars parked in the spots slated for ADU conversions. Tenants at the apartment building on 5th Street and Kingsley Drive reported that they woke up to learn their vehicles had been removed in the middle of the night.
“I woke up to a message from my neighbor, saying they’ve got tow trucks here, they are towing cars,” Seely said. “This is a huge blow. I have no idea what I’m going to do now.”
Landlord’s Justification
The landlord and property management company confirmed to NBC Los Angeles that they indeed moved the cars that were in the way of the ADU conversions. Joel Rodstein with North Oak Property Management said the property owner and management company are trying to create more affordable housing, but tenants argued a parking space was guaranteed in their lease.
Legal Battle and Court Date
After the tenants appealed in court and lost, Rodstein said the city gave the property company the green light to start the ADU project. Seely said the towing of the cars was premature as the tenant group was planning to challenge the ruling.
“We lost our appeal, but we can take it to the state Supreme Court. We filed for a petition for a judicial review of that decision, and we have that court date coming up on Jan. 30,” said Seely.
The tenants said they had asked the landlord to pause the work until the state Supreme Court decision. “I’m feeling kind of despondent and a bit hopeless,” said Mel Raymond, another tenant.
Impact on Residents
Now the renters will have to look for somewhere else to park in Koreatown, one of the most dense LA neighborhoods notorious for the lack of street parking. Some women said they fear for their safety when walking around alone at night after parking far away from the building.
Key Takeaways
- Towing of cars amid ADU conversions has sparked tenant outrage.
- Tenants lost a court appeal but plan to appeal to the state Supreme Court on Jan. 30.
- Residents face parking shortages and safety concerns in the dense Koreatown area.
The dispute highlights the tension between landlords’ redevelopment plans and tenants’ parking rights in a city where space is at a premium.
Hi, I’m Ethan R. Coleman, a dedicated journalist and content creator at newsoflosangeles.com — your trusted source for the latest news, insights, and stories from Los Angeles and beyond.
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