More power to neighborhood councils

In a win for neighborhood council activists seeking a greater say in development decisions, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo said Friday that city law can be changed to allow local boards the right to appeal land-use rulings. Daily News.

Currently, the City Charter does not give neighborhood councils the right to appeal planning decisions, and that's frustrated councils that want to challenge projects in their community.

"This is an issue of fairness. We are seeking the same appeal rights as virtually every other stakeholder in the city," said Jill Banks Barad, founder and chair of the Valley Alliance of Neighborhood Councils and president of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council.