The Region - News from May 1, 1987

The state Senate gave unanimous approval to a measure asking the Los Angeles Unified School District to cease for 180 days the seizure of property by condemnation for new school sites. The “cooling off” period would be aimed at exploring alternatives to the acquisition of additional land in established residential neighborhoods, including constructing multi-story buildings. The proposal, which went to the Assembly on a 23-0 vote, does not have the force of law and merely requests the moratorium on the district’s use of the power of eminent domain. District trustees, who opposed the measure, could go along or ignore it. Senate proponents charged that the district’s ambitious $400-million construction program to relieve severe overcrowding in existing schools will inflict hardships on low-income people who are displaced by condemnation and who cannot find affordable housing.