Thank you for making an accurate reply. It is worth noting that the situation in LA is very different than in SF -- people may be using the state of affairs in SF as a comparative, and it's just not the same: there is now and has been much more intensive housing development in LA.
Certainly there are many NIMBYs in LA, but the regulations in LA are not tilted as strongly against development as they are in SF. In the past years, there has been a lot of infill development in Hollywood (especially), mid-Wilshire, and around downtown. It has been encouraged by changes in zoning regulations that lift some parking and density rules, especially along transit corridors. These changes have been supported by two mayors now, and by most of the City Council. (One of the sued parties in the OP had units in mid-Wilshire, and another in Hollywood; the other two were in Venice.)
Here's a very selective overview of some new Hollywood projects: http://urbanize.la/post/hollywood-construction-binge-revisit... -- but the story is similar in many other neighborhoods.
The resulting density increases have caused considerable gnashing of teeth among older residents, who think of LA as a city of single family residences. There is going to be a proposition on the ballot soon, seeking restrictions on this development, and it's not clear where things will shake out (http://la.curbed.com/2016/1/21/10844688/los-angeles-anti-dev...). I don't see it passing, but it's too early to be sure.
It's also worth saying that it's often poor renters who are forced out by these changes -- their little three-story apartment building is torn down and replaced by a 6-story mixed-use building. That's the message the City Attorney is trying to get across to landlords.