KAC Holds Press Conference to Encourage Community Engagement in Public Hearings

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
CONTACT
Joon Bang
(213) 365-5999
joon@kacla.org

Los Angeles, CA – On April 2, KAC held a press conference with community member David Kim to raise awareness regarding the process for residents of Koreatown to let their voices be heard by participating in public hearings scheduled by LA’s Department of City Planning. Public hearing notices are sent to property owners or occupants residing near a site for which an applicant has filed with the Department of City Planning. Notices contain information on the development project applicant, permits and entitlements requested by the project, date of the public hearing, and directions for submitting testimony regarding the project. Public hearings allow community members to provide feedback, ask questions, and have comments recorded for public record. With over 40+ development projects in the pipeline for Koreatown, the majority of public hearings are not being attended by community members.

Mr. David Kim is a homeowner abutting a hotel project on Dewey Avenue in Koreatown. He sought the support of KAC when he received a notice regarding the deadline to submit an appeal to the project. The hotel project is being planned in the middle of a residential block which would cause a number of issues for Mr. Kim. KAC supported Mr. Kim by evaluating the project’s Letter of Determination and provided assistance with submitting his appeal with the City.

“Koreatown is evolving at an incredible pace, which is why it’s important for residents to utilize opportunities like public hearings to voice our concerns, provide input, and ask questions. The majority of the 40+ new developments in Koreatown are not homes for residents to invest in, rather they are for commercial use, hotels, and apartments for rent. We must take advantage of every opportunity to to participate in the growth of our community and recognize the importance of engaging in the process, said Joon Bang, ED of KAC.

​Media Coverage: Korea Times, Korea Daily, Radio Korea, Woori Radio, Radio Seoul, KBS, YTN Radio 

​###
​
Educate | Embrace | Empower
Korean American Coalition-Los Angeles (KAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1983 to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. KAC endeavors to achieve these goals through education, community organization, leadership development, and coalition-building with diverse communities.