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Dear Angelenos,
July 7, 2025 marked the six-month anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton Wildfires, an unprecedented natural disaster with devastating impacts. With guidance from the Mayor’s Emergency Executive Orders, Los Angeles City Planning mobilized to serve as a key agency in the City’s efforts to expedite the rebuilding and repair of homes, businesses, and other properties that were destroyed or damaged as a result of the disaster.
City Planning is assisting in facilitating the quick and streamlined rebuilding of the Palisades community by fast-tracking all eligible projects as defined by the Emergency Orders. These orders included the removal of City Planning review and expediting initial permit reviews for projects involving structures damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.The Department’s Office of Historic Resources (OHR) also provided an assessment of the historic properties damaged by the wildfires. This information is captured in Palisades Fire: Damage Assessments, a new featured search in HistoricPlacesLA, which centers on the damage caused to historic places by the fire.
As the community recovers, one key theme that has emerged is LA Strong. Since day one, Angelenos have come together to uplift wildfire survivors, an ongoing effort that continues today. City Planning remains a steady presence at the LA One-Stop Rebuilding Center, which was established to guide Palisades residents and local businesses through the rebuilding process. To-date, through the LA One-Stop, the Department has provided assistance to 960 Angelenos, including 448 through in-person visits, 376 via email, 23 virtual meetings and 113 by phone.
On another note, since the adoption of the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) in February, the program has received proposals for approximately 14,800 new housing units, with 25% of proposed units set aside as covenanted affordable units. Approximately 58% of the units proposed under CHIP are located in Higher Opportunity Areas of the City, defined by strong economic and educational characteristics that support upward mobility and improved quality of life for residents. More detailed data will be published in the coming weeks.
We’re about solutions. We are planning for people: together, we are #Planning4LA.
Sincerely,
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Vince Bertoni,
Director of Planning
| | | | Affordable Housing Moves Forward with CHIP | |
Since the adoption of the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) Ordinance in February, the program has received proposals for approximately 14,800 new housing units, with 25% of proposed units set aside as covenanted affordable units. By comparison, when the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Incentive Program launched in 2018, which similarly incentivizes affordable housing development near bus and train stations, approximately 4,138 units were proposed, with about 23 percent covenanted affordable in its first five months.
CHIP is also accelerating project timelines by allowing more projects to file as by-right applications. More than 1,100 units are currently being reviewed directly by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), reducing the City’s review time by up to nine months.
Application trends also mark a significant shift in where housing is being proposed and where it will be built. Approximately 58% of units proposed under CHIP are located in Higher Opportunity Areas, defined by strong economic, educational, and social characteristics that support upward mobility and improved quality of life for residents.
Among the various CHIP pathways, the Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP) continues to lead. It accounts for 43% of all CHIP applications and builds on the momentum of Executive Directive 1 (ED 1).
More detailed data will be published on the CHIP webpage in the coming weeks.
| | | | New Feature Search Sheds Light on Palisades Fire’s Impact on Historic Places | |
Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources has launched Palisades Fire: Damage Assessments, a new Featured Search in HistoricPlacesLA, centered on the damage caused to historic places by the 2025 Palisades Fire. The curated search includes designated and previously identified historic places, located within or near the wildfire's burn area, that have received a fire damage assessment.
For the first time, post-fire damage assessment data—gathered through efforts by CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), and City Planning has been integrated into the city’s historic resources inventory, HistoricPlacesLA. The damage assessments, including site-specific evaluations and photographs, offer valuable insight into the wildfire’s effect on historically significant properties, further informing Palisades Rebuild and Recovery.
| | | | Los Angeles Releases First Climate Vulnerability Assessment | |
Los Angeles City Planning recently released the City’s first Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA), a major step towards building a more climate-resilient city. The CVA report identifies the City’s most vulnerable populations who are exposed to and negatively impacted by climate hazards and recommends mitigation measures to reduce climate hazard impacts. Findings and recommendations within the report were informed by extensive community outreach that included over 40 bilingual community events and input from more than 1,000 participants, primarily in Spanish, between April and August 2024.The community-driven recommendations provide a range of strategies and mitigations that can be implemented by City Departments and through partnerships with Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and non-profits.
Through meaningful engagement led by the CVA Community Partners, which included CBOs and tribal organizations, the CVA reflects the lived experiences of underresourced, climate-exposed Angelenos. Their insights shaped the report’s recommendations, ensuring the City continues to strengthen its resiliency, prioritizing its most vulnerable communities.
The CVA provides several resources to explore climate hazards and community priorities, including an interactive Storymap, Fact Sheet, FAQs and Summary of Input. It also includes a Glossary of Key Climate Terms and Climate Hazard Summaries in several languages. The CVA report, StoryMap, and all the resources are provided in Spanish on the Spanish Climate Equity page.
This effort lays the groundwork for a future Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and Heat Action and Resilience Plan, increasing coordination across Los Angeles’s climate initiatives. For questions about the CVA, please email planning.climate@lacity.org.
| | | | “Good Neighbor Program” Fosters Good Will Between Residents and Local Establishments | The City of Los Angeles recently launched the “Good Neighbor Program” a partnership between operators, local stakeholders, and government agencies to ensure that alcohol serving establishments are operating within their prescribed limitations. The Good Neighbor Program placard displays contact information for the venue and the various regulatory and enforcement agencies including Los Angeles City Planning (Letter of Determination), the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (Condition Compliance Violations), the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (Alcohol License Related Complaints), and the Los Angeles Police Department (Complaints or Emergencies). The Good Neighbor Program seeks to promote operational accountability for alcohol serving venues by strengthening communication and relationships across business, residents, and the City. To-date, the Department has monitored approximately 157 establishments with alcohol approvals and requested inspections for 109 of them. Applicants may reach City Planning staff at either planning.best@lacity.org or (213) 202-5456. A consultation appointment may be scheduled via BuildLA. The Good Neighbor Program is an example of how City Planning supports small businesses as part of Mayor Karen Bass’ Executive Directive No. 4 - Identifying Barriers to Small Business Creation, Development and Growth. | | South LA DSC - A successful year in review! | | |
The South LA Development Services Center (DSC) celebrated its one-year anniversary on July 12, 2025. In addition to providing a closer option for South LA stakeholders and individuals from surrounding areas to receive City Planning counter services, the DSC signifies a major milestone toward greater inclusivity, economic opportunities and support for South LA, a historically underserved community.
In partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), the South LA DSC offers local residents critical services necessary to begin the building process.
In the past year, South LA DSC Planning staff have assisted with in-person consultations, case filings, and case condition clearances. Staff has also represented City Planning and shared valuable information with community stakeholders at major local events including the Taste of Soul Festival and Ciclavia.
Located at the Mark Ridley-Thomas Constituent Service Center at 8475 S. Vermont Avenue on the First Floor, the South LA DSC offers in-person appointments on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.a.m. to 4 p.m. for certain City Planning services. Virtual appointments are available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
For more information about the South LA DSC or to schedule an appointment, please visit http://planning4la.org/SouthLA-DSC.
| | City Planning receives 2025 Preservation Design Award | | From left to right - Architectural Resources Group (ARG) Senior Associate Elysha Paluszek, ARG Principal Katie Horak, Los Angeles City Planning Senior Planner Blair Smith, and Historian Becky Nicolaides | | |
Earlier this year, the California Preservation Foundation recently awarded Los Angeles City Planning’s Historical Housing and Land Use Study the 2025 Preservation Design Award for Cultural Resource Studies and Reports. The award is presented by a jury of distinguished professionals in planning, architecture, engineering, and historic preservation and recognizes outstanding contributions to the field. The Los Angeles Conservancy also honored the project with its Preservation Award.
Prepared in partnership with Architectural Resources Group (ARG), the study was developed as part of the 2021–2029 Housing Element of the General Plan (The Plan to House LA). It explores the historical roots of zoning and land use policy in Los Angeles, particularly how these policies were shaped by attitudes around race and class. The study sheds light on how these early decisions continue to influence housing outcomes today.
Serving as a vital tool for both current and future planning efforts, the study supports staff training, community planning programs, and ongoing Housing Element implementation. Its findings will help guide the City’s work toward reversing past harms and building a more equitable and inclusive Los Angeles for all.
| | Project applications filed decreased by 5% and completed applications decreased by 42% between May and June 2025. Proposals for affordable housing units decreased by 84.4%, while the number of affordable units approved by Los Angeles City Planning declined from 1,610 units in May to 869 units in June, representing a decrease of 46% month-over-month. | | | | - The City Council adopted the Boyle Heights Community Plan on Sept. 25, 2024. The plan’s final ordinances were referred to the City Attorney to be finalized.
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- Prepared the LOD and City Planning Commission (CPC) recommended exhibits, and transmitted to the Mayor for approval on Jun. 10, 2025; following the Mayor’s approval, the plans have been transmitted to the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) for adoption; this begins the process of being scheduled for a PLUM hearing.
- Published the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) on Jun. 6, 2025.
- The CPC considered and recommended for approval the proposed Harbor Community Plans on Feb. 8, 2024 and modified the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan on Jan. 23, 2025.
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- Released Outreach Summary detailing an overview of what was heard on the proposed Land Use.
- Drafting zoning and a draft map including historic consideration, in addition to finalizing draft policy documents, anticipating releasing Fall 2025. Public outreach will coincide with the release of the draft zoning map and draft policy documents.
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- Staff is preparing revised Land Use maps and an Interactive StoryMap to address feedback and comments received during outreach conducted in 2024.
- Preparing an overview of 2024 outreach and key topics and themes we heard.
| | TRANSIT NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS | | | |
- Orange (G) Line Transit Neighborhood Plan
- Staff continues to make revisions to the proposed General Plan Land Use (GPLU) designations and zoning based on public feedback and consideration of overlapping incentive programs
- A public hearing and information session is tentatively planned for the second half of 2025
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While one often hears that “a house is not a home,” both are necessary for leading a full and thriving life. For decades, young LGBTQ people migrating to Los Angeles seeking a better life searched in vain to find decent and discrimination-free housing, struggling to feel at home anywhere. Seeing this, the LA chapter of the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) envisioned the Liberation House as the first housing program designed to meet the needs of young gay people. From 1971-1973, the non-descript bungalow at 1168 N Edgemont Street in East Hollywood was the first attempt to put a gay-affirming transitional housing model into practice.
Eschewing the shelter model, residents nominally contributed to rent and maintenance. In doing so, they built a home where they could live authentically in a communal setting. GLF activists created, managed, and then expanded the program to five other houses that were tailored to LGBTQ folks of varying orientations and genders. The Liberation House model was eventually replaced by other housing programs by the end of the 1970s. Called out in City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources’ LGBT Context Statement, the legacy of the first Liberation House lives on in the sprawling network of housing and rehabilitation programs that the LA LGBT Center manages today.
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This month, the City Planning Commission (CPC) approved the construction of a two-tower, 23-story mixed-use development located at 1600 South Flower Street in the Downtown Community Plan Area of Council District 14. Tower 1 will be a 22-story building with 300 hotel guest rooms and 3,120 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Tower 2 will be a 23-story building with 250 residential dwelling units and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Additionally, an outdoor pedestrian paseo will bisect the Project Site, running north-south between the two towers and connecting Venice Boulevard to the north to a proposed circular drive aisle on the southern portion of the Project Site.
Staff Report
| | August City Planning Commission Meetings | | | August Area Planning Commission Meetings | | |
South Valley: August 14, 2025
West: August 20, 2025
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LOS ANGELES
CITY PLANNING
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