Some of the worst scandals in the City’s history originated in abuses of the planning and land use process. For years, the law allowed individual Councilmembers to delay discretionary approval of building projects, prolonging the process indefinitely. In the worst cases this gave rise to bribery and pay-to-play schemes.
Last week, the Council voted decisively to put an end to the abuse of discretionary approval. Acting on a motion by Council President Krekorian, the Council directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance requiring all discretionary approvals to be heard by the Council within 120 days, unless the applicant chooses to extend the process. No law ever written can completely protect a society from persons with corrupt intent, but this measure will dramatically reduce the opportunity for dishonest individuals to abuse the process.