Orthodox Jews want to build homes big enough for growing families within walking distance of their Shuls. Other homeowners want to ban so-called mansions from lording over the ranch-style homes around them. The council board – a majority reportedly Orthodox members of Shaarey Zedek Shul in west Valley Village – passed the measure despite objections from a packed hall of more than 100 residents opposing “big box” homes. Some say the hundreds of Orthodox Jews of west Valley Village are being squeezed between growing families and homes costing between $825,000 and $2.1 million.
The only way such families can afford to settle within walking distance of their Shul, (on Shabbos) they say, is to increase the size of their homes.
Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg, who joined Shaarey Zedek after moving to L.A. in March, said he wasn’t familiar with the zoning issue but understands the needs of growing families that hope for larger houses.
“My guess is that Valley Village, and the Orthodox community, is very vibrant,” Rosenberg said. “There are lots of families with school-age children.
“If you look into the community, to buy a house to move your family into, your options are limited. When you’re dealing with an Orthodox enclave, we’re not allowed to drive a car on Friday evening, so we must be within walking distance of the synagogue. That becomes the issue.” Some say the neighborhood council, in voting to serve the needs of Orthodox Jews, failed to heed the wishes of Valley Village as a whole.
(Source: LA Daily News)
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5 Responses
This type of conflict seems to be occurring with distressing frequency around the country. I don’t know what should be done, but it isn’t a good thing.
I am not sure this is an orthodox vs not issue- when visiting “the valley” you are shocked by the way the valley looks. The Valley is completely flat with row after row of small one story homes on large lots. when someone builds a two story home it literally towers over the others and when we are talking about big homes- we are talking HUGE as in blocking out the sun of for the smaller home. I agree that a person should be able to do what he wants with his home, to say its an orthodox issue- from what I understand is wrong.
Long time lurker, but I had to post on this issue. As a frum Jew living in Valley villlage, the idea of adding more mansions is enough to give me nighmares. The avarage home in the village, a normal one story house, costs around one million dollars. ONE MILLION. That’s great if you have it, but most of the valley is made up of young couples, most of whom are working class. As it is, owning a home is almost impossible as it is. If we make the houses bigger and more expensive, eventally it will have a negative effect of the community. Most young families are moving away in large numbers because they can’t afford to live here anymore. I feel for families have have a small house, but I know families with seven kids in a three bedroom aparment because it’s all they can afford. As bad as it if for well to do frum familes, remember how hard it will be for families who will never be able to buy a home if they get too expensive.
flatbusher.
Come to the valley and tell me if it’s not the Most hemisch community you’ve ever seen. I hate LA with a passion, but we stay because the valley is a family. Like I said, I’m agiast messing with the homes, but I understand wanting to live here.
Dear Flatbusher,
As one who has lived in Flatbush and now in LA, I think it is a bit naive for you to just say “let them find another community more agreeable”. This isn’t NY where you can pick up and go almost anywhere and find a Shul, School or other resources necessary to raise your family in a frum environment. The fact is that we as a people have more kids than the other communities that surround us and we require bigger homes.