LOS ANGELES (CBS) —Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has asked for approval for a six-foot-wall around the Getty House, the mayor’s official residence in Windsor Square, according to city documents.

But at least one planning official was “caught off guard” by Villaraigosa’s request for increased security around the taxpayer-owned property.

The mayor’s office filed its request on Feb. 2 for a variance to city bylaws with plans to erect a security wall around the property at 605 S. Irving Blvd.

Officials say the wall’s design includes “embedded” security features that will save taxpayer money by cutting costs for security staffing.

Initially, the mayor proposed an eight-and-a-half-foot wall, which was quickly rejected by the Windsor Square Association.

Villaraigosa has scaled down his plans, but the new proposal still exceeds the permitted 42-inch height.

While zoning decisions can often take months, a public hearing will likely come soon after a deadline of April 18 has been set for the ruling.

However, Department of City Planning officials are wary of pledging any final decision before that date, saying the office is already backed up.

After Tom Bradley, Villaraigosa is only the second mayor to reside at Getty House upon his election to office in 2005.



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