Dear Angelenos:
The City Council approved our revised fee schedule for case processing on October 19. When it takes effect on December 27, 2021, the new schedule will put City Planning on solid financial footing, helping us responsibly steward public funds and avoid disruptions to vital services.
Under the fee schedule currently in place, the City recovers approximately 63% of the estimated full cost of providing project planning services. On average, this has resulted in annual revenue that is about $14 million less than our expenditures. One reason for this shortfall is the changing distribution of entitlement applications. The last few years have seen a decline in applications for General Plan Amendments and Zone Changes, along with a corresponding rise in requests for projects that qualify under the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Incentive Program, Senate Bill 375, and other administrative approvals.
By adjusting our fees to reflect our costs, the revised schedule will bring our rate of cost recovery from 63% to 83%, resulting in savings of nearly $8 million per year to the City’s General Fund. Yet, while the cost of many entitlements will increase, the City will continue to subsidize entitlements that support local economic development, small business growth, and community-based planning, taking a balanced approach that meets the needs of the City and its residents.
Together, we are Planning4LA.
Sincerely,
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Vince Bertoni,
Director of Planning
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2021-2029 Housing Element Update |
On October 27, the Housing Committee voted to approve City Planning’s proposed 2021-2029 Housing Element (also called the Plan to House L.A.). As cities expand alternative models for housing ownership, the housing elements of their general plans play an important role in articulating goals, objectives, and policies for housing, and identifying an array of implementation programs, including future rezoning, that are needed to achieve those goals.
Every eight years, the City is required to update its Housing Element to demonstrate how it will meet residents’ housing needs. Los Angeles’s 2021-2029 Housing Element aims to accommodate nearly 500,000 housing units, with over 200,000 of those units reserved for lower-income residents. Upon adoption by the City Council, it will set new citywide strategies in motion to achieve a more equitable distribution of market-rate and affordable units.
The 2021-2029 Housing Element will now advance to the Planning & Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee on November 2, prior to adoption by the full City Council.
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Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Amendment |
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On October 27, City Planning and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation held the first of three information and listening sessions about the Ventura-Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Amendment. During the online meeting, the departments provided background information and a presentation on the proposed updates to the Project Impact Assessment (PIA) fees as part of this work effort.
Currently, the PIA fees largely fund intersection improvements along Ventura Boulevard. In expanding the program’s eligibility to support other mobility-related improvements, the City is looking to increase opportunities for investment in the public right-of-way. The full list of eligible programs will be informed through a community-driven process, and will be designed to benefit the existing needs of business owners and their patrons.
Two more listening sessions are scheduled for November. Click here for details on how to join the discussion and share feedback.
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Monthly rates of filing and completion remained high in September, with the number of filings 23% above last year’s monthly average and completed applications up 8%. |
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- Staff is preparing the final determination letter that will be transmitted to the City Clerk
- City Planning Commission recommended approval of the Draft Plan and Zoning in September 2021
- Held Public Hearing and virtual open house events in December 2020
- Facilitated Community Planning 101 webinar sessions in November 2020
- Released updated Draft Zoning, Plan Text, Land Use Map, and Community Benefits Program in November 2020
- Extended the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to December 4, 2020 and Draft Plan to January 13, 2021 to allow for additional input
- Conducted virtual office hours in September 2020
- Released updated draft Zoning, Plan Text, Land Use Map, and Community Benefits Program in August 2020
- Released Draft EIR in August 2020 for a 120-day comment period
- Conducted office hours in January and February 2020
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- Preparing Draft Zoning and EIR for the Harbor LA Community Plans Update
- Released the Draft Policy Document for the Harbor Gateway Community Plan in July 2021
- Released the Draft Policy Document for the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan in May 2021
- Held Office Hours in November 2020 to collect feedback on the Draft Land Use & Basic Zoning
- Released Interactive Story Map for Harbor LA Community Plans in October 2020
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- Outreach for Ventura-Cahuenga corridor in February/March 2022
- Release of General Plan Land Use Map in Summer 2022
- EIR to be initiated in Fall 2022
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- Released recorded webinars of the Draft Land Use Designations in December 2020
- Developed an interactive StoryMap in December 2020 to detail the proposed Draft Land Use Designation maps and proposed Draft Zoning
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- Refining Draft Plan Concepts
- Preparing for continuous outreach efforts to diversify and expand public participation
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Summarized community feedback in April 2021
- Held a virtual public workshop to kick off the Venice Survey 2021 in November 2020
- Conducted a series of Office Hours and virtually attended community meetings, including neighborhood council meetings in September/October 2020 and early 2021
- Released Draft Concepts and held Virtual Webinars in July 2020
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The City Council recently designated the Simpkins Residence in Tujunga as Historic-Cultural Monument #1231, recognizing the house as an example of Mid-Century Modern design for post-World War II residential tract development, and as a significant early work of master architect Carl Maston. The Simpkins Residence was part of a new suburban residential tract called Kentword Gardens.
In the 1950s, Polkingham Construction engaged Maston and architect/engineer Edgardo Contini to design Mid-Century Modern post-and-beam style homes—the predominant style in post-war design for single-family homes because of its use of standardized, prefabricated materials and economical construction.
In August, City Planning's Office of Historic Resources released a comprehensive new framework for identifying and evaluating other excellent examples of Modernist architecture across Los Angeles. Click here to read the “L.A. Modernism, 1919-1980 Historic Context Statement.” |
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On October 28, the City Planning Commission (CPC) recommended approval of a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and Height District change, along with the remaining project approvals that would allow for the construction of an eight-story mixed-use building. Located in the Central City North Community Plan Area in Council District 14, the project will include up to 185 live/work units (including 21 units for Very Low-Income households) and up to 23,380 square feet for art production and commercial space, and associated parking facilities. In addition, the project will provide residents with a rooftop space that will consist of a pool deck, landscaping, outdoor seating and kitchen, indoor yoga and fitness center, urban farm, and private art production area for residential use.
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November City Planning
Commission Meetings
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November Area Planning
Commission Meetings
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Central: November 9, 23
South Los Angeles: November 2, 16
South Valley: N/A
West: November 17
East: November 10, 24
Harbor: November 2, 16
North Valley: November 4, 18
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November Cultural Heritage
Commission Meetings
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LOS ANGELES
CITY PLANNING
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