News

It’s a no-grow: South LA restricts new QSRs

December 8, 2010

On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to restrict new quick-service chains from opening in the South L.A. area.

In a 13-0 vote, the council approved an amendment to its general plan that prohibits new QSRs from opening within a half-mile radius of another existing chain. The restriction covers a 32-square-mile area that includes South Los Angeles (formerly South Central Los Angeles), West Adams, Baldwin Hills and Leimert Park.

Officials noted their votes stemmed from the over-saturation of QSR chains in the area, and an objective of establishing healthier options for residents. Officials said 72 percent of eating establishments in the area are QSR providers, compared to the county average of 48 percent.

The effort was led by Councilwoman Jan Perry and was first conceptualized two years ago, when a moratorium was put into place on the opening of new QSRs in the area. That moratorium expired in September. As a result of the two-year hiatus, Perry said there are now more grocery stores, retail establishments and sit-down restaurants in the district.

The new proposal notes any future community plan limits new QSRs, including a ban on locating within a half-mile of any existing QSR. There are exemptions for existing restaurants remodeling or rebuilding.

From the story:

"This is not a ban on fast food restaurants, but it will give us more healthy choices," said Lark Galloway-Gilliam, executive director of the Community Health Foundation. "We have to look at ways to keep our community more healthy. We have more fast food restaurants than we do schools. This is part of a larger strategy of building a healthier South Los Angeles."