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Dear Angelenos,
Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources is proud to launch Historic Places LA Revealed: Latino Los Angeles during Latino Heritage Month. The project is dedicated to highlighting significant sites in the City’s history. The initiative will install more than 100 physical markers citywide featuring QR codes linked to multimedia content on the City’s inventory of designated and surveyed resources, HistoricPlacesLA. Angelenos will be able to interact with these culturally significant sites, allowing them to learn more about the many places throughout the City that tell the history of Latinos in LA. Additionally, City Planning created a community input form available here. The Department invites Angelenos to share with us other meaningful sites throughout the City that should be highlighted with a physical marker so that we can showcase more stories.
City Planning is committed to equity, education and uplifting historically marginalized communities in a meaningful way. Latinos represent LA's largest ethnic and cultural group, yet the community’s history is underrepresented. This initiative builds upon City Planning’s SurveyLA Latino Los Angeles Historic Context Statement, which was published in 2015 to showcase the early roots of Latinos in LA and their regional contributions to shaping the city’s culture, economy, built environment, civic engagement, and public policies. The statement provides a broad overview of themes related to LA’s Latino History, including civil rights movements, immigrant communities, neighborhood businesses and institutions, and public art.
In other news, Senate Bill (SB) 79, the “Abundant and Affordable Homes Near Transit Act,” was passed by the California Legislature last month and is now before Governor Newsom, who has until October 12, 2025 to sign or veto. SB 79, if signed, will enable increased housing density near transit by introducing new by-right development standards for residential and commercially zoned parcels located ¼ mile or ½ mile from qualifying heavy rail, light rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and full time bus lanes. All sites within the station area will be eligible for the bill incentives, except for manufacturing zones and sites containing more than two units subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) meeting certain occupancy requirements. If the bill becomes effective in July 2026, five- to nine-story buildings will be permitted within a half-mile of an eligible stop. With the significant application this bill will have within Los Angeles, City Planning has prepared an overview of the bill along with an interactive StoryMap of Citywide Potential Eligibility that has been added to the department’s website. Please note that these maps are not official eligibility maps, as SB 79 requires that the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) create a map of the City’s transit-oriented development stops and zones by tier. Updated mapping will be released as new information becomes available and if any changes to potential TOD stops are identified. We will continue to update this webpage with our analysis and will be adding more details on the potential for delayed effectuation, local SB 79 alternative plans, and impacts to sensitive areas in the coming weeks. To learn more, click here. In mid-September, the Los Angeles City Council introduced a motion directing Los Angeles City Planning to prepare a report on the implementation of SB 79, as directed by Council File 25-1083. The public is encouraged to subscribe to the Council File to receive future updates on the motion.
We are planning for people, communities and our future. We are #Planning4LA.
Sincerely,
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Vince Bertoni,
Director of Planning
| | | | Celebrating Latino Heritage - Tell Us About Places that Are Meaningful to You | |
HistoricPlacesLA Revealed, a new initiative by Los Angeles City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources (OHR), will celebrate the places and stories associated with Los Angeles’s underrepresented histories. The pilot project, HistoricPlacesLA Revealed: Latino Los Angeles, will highlight sites that reflect the heritage of Los Angeles’s Latino communities, the city’s largest ethnic/cultural group. Over 100 physical markers will be installed across the city to enrich the public's engagement with places that have too often been marginalized. The markers will have QR codes linked to multimedia content in HistoricPlacesLA, the City’s online inventory of designated and surveyed historic resources.
Building upon the City’s Latino Los Angeles Historic Context Statement, a crucial part of HistoricPlacesLA Revealed: Latino Los Angeles is the involvement of community members in identifying places important to Latino heritage. Angelenos are urged to contribute stories, photographs, and historical information to this project. As part of this effort, the project includes a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) composed of distinguished experts and civic leaders representing Los Angeles’s diverse Latino communities. The CAC plays an instrumental role in shaping the project, guiding the prioritization of the sites that will receive markers, and sharing the project with their networks.
For more information about the project, or to tell us about an historic Latino site that you think should receive a marker, please visit the webpage for the initiative.
| | | | City Council Approves Harbor LA Community Plans | |
On Sept. 9, 2025, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved City Planning’s Harbor Los Angeles Community Plans Update, marking a major milestone for the Harbor Gateway and Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan Areas. The Council’s unanimous decision supports sustainable growth, job creation, codifies environmental justice initiatives, and amends the zoning code to activate the New Code. The Plan Updates represents a multi-year effort and collaboration between Neighborhood Councils, Community Based Organizations, residents and stakeholders. The Harbor LA Plans are expected to create approximately 11,000 additional housing units, attract 38,000 more work opportunities, and accommodate 38,000 new residents through the year 2040.
The Harbor communities have a rich history tied to the Port of Los Angeles, and have many notable assets that provide an array of jobs. The Harbor geographies have a long-standing history of heavier industrial uses that have helped the City and region grow. While these industries have contributed significantly to the economy they have also created many complex environmental justice, public health and safety, and land use challenges.The Harbor LA Plans address those issues with an environmental justice and equitable framework; create opportunities for the modernization of clean and green industries, transition non-compatible industrial land to Hybrid Industrial or Light Industrial to buffer residential properties from heavy industrial, and incorporate Clean Up Green Up standards like landscaping, buffering, enclosures, and screening from adjacent properties.
Following City Council’s approval of the Plans, the implementing ordinances have been referred to the City Attorney’s Office to ensure clarity of regulations and consistency with state laws. Upon the completion of the City Attorney’s legal review, the plans will return to the City Council for final adoption.
| | | | “Return & Rebuild - LA Strong” More Than 500 Attend Palisades Rebuild Webinar | |
More than 500 attendees tuned in on September 17 for “Return & Rebuild LA Strong,” a webinar designed to provide guidance to single-family homeowners in the Palisades on streamlined rebuild options and how to navigate the permitting process. The event was led by Mayor Karen Bass and Council District 11 Councilwoman Traci Park. Director of Planning Vince Bertoni delivered remarks about how City Planning is working closely with Mayor Karen Bass’ Office and other local and state leaders to cut red tape in the rebuilding process for properties both within and outside the Coastal Zone. "So many people have gone through incredible loss. We're here to do what we can do to make it as smooth as possible." During the webinar, Senior City Planner Shannon Ryan provided detailed responses to complex technical questions about the rebuilding process. The event also included representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), along with other City Departments. The webinar can be viewed here and additional information on rebuild options is provided on our website.
An estimated 5,400 structures were damaged or destroyed in the Palisades wildfire. Immediately after the fire, City Planning established a team of planners dedicated exclusively to the Palisades rebuild. The Department reopened the public counter at the West LA Development Services Center to provide in-person appointments and assistance. In addition, City Planning also prepared a comprehensive webpage outlining important resources, including an interactive map showing the Coastal Zone boundaries. The website also includes information about historic landmarks that were damaged or destroyed during the wildfire.
| | | | Planning Joins Community Event Asking CD6 Constituents to Reimagine Van Nuys Boulevard | On September 13, Los Angeles City Planning staff joined CD6 Councilmember Imelda Padilla’s Your Voice, Your Blvd. The community listening event allowed neighbors, stakeholders, and small business owners to discuss their vision for the future of Van Nuys Boulevard from the Interstate 5 Freeway to the north and Oxnard Street in Van Nuys. Representatives included individuals from the San Fernando Transit Constructors (SFTC), LA Metro, Initiating Change in Our Neighborhoods (ICON CDC), New Economics for Women, Primestor Panorama, The Valley Economic Alliance, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). City Planners from the Department’s East San Fernando Valley and Orange Line Transit Neighborhood Plans (TNPs) teams participated in small open house focus groups. Attendees from the community and staff exchanged perspectives and technical expertise and provided valuable feedback, which elevated the voices of the vibrant and engaged CD6 community. | | OFFICE OF RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND TRANSFORMATIVE PLANNING | | |
The Office of Racial Justice, Equity, and Transformative Planning (ORJETP) is updating its webpage with information about the office’s upcoming closure as the result of budget measures, as well as opportunities to stay engaged with the Department's equity initiatives. While ORJETP as a standalone office is winding down, the commitment to racial justice and equity in planning will continue. This important work will live on through the Department’s long range efforts, with equity principles being incorporated into community plans and other citywide initiatives.
As part of this transition, the ORJETP will be releasing several key resources developed during the course of its work, including:
- A Framework Document outlining guiding principles and strategies for advancing racial justice in planning.
- An Inclusive Planning Language Guide providing guidance on how to use language that reflects equity and inclusion, and;
- A Public Meeting Safety Guidelines and Toolkit to encourage public participation at meetings and while fostering a safe and equitable work environment.
City Planning will provide more information in the coming months once these resources are posted to the Department’s website.
| | 7th Annual Beautification Conference | | Left: From left to right - City Planner Denzel Henderson, Mayor Karen Bass, and City Planning Associate Santos Sanchez. Right: Sanchez, CD1 Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, and Henderson. | | In August, Planning staff participated in the 7th Annual Beautification Conference at the Lincoln Heights Senior Center, joining colleagues from multiple City departments to support community beautification efforts. The full-day event featured special guest speakers, resource sharing, and giveaways, offering tools and inspiration for residents and organizations to engage in cleaning, greening, and sustainability projects. Planning’s presence helped highlight the department’s role as a resource and partner in citywide beautification and community-building initiatives. The City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works, Office of Community Beautification and Keep Los Angeles Beautiful held the event in honor of National Public Works Week 2025. This year’s theme —People, Purpose, Presence —focused on different beautification opportunities to improve the quality of life for all Angelenos. The goal of the conference was to convene a wide range of stakeholders to develop a shared vision of a cleaner and more sustainable Los Angeles. | | CicLAvia Historic South Center Meets Watts | | From left to right - City Planner Denzel Henderson, CD15 Councilmember Tim McOsker, City Planning Assistant Angela Williams, and City Planning Associate Fipe Leilua. | | In September, Planning staff attended CicLAvia Historic South Central meets Watts, a free open-streets event. Planning engaged with residents at the Watts Hub, sharing information, answering questions, and offering a fun “Spin the Wheel” game for prizes. This participation underscored the department’s commitment to being accessible and involved with the community in public space, mobility, and walkability projects. The event also provided an opportunity for Planning staff to spread the word about the South LA Development Services Center (DSC), which opened last July. The South LA DSC provides convenient access to a Planning counter, including opportunities to schedule an in-person appointment with a Planner to file cases, obtain Case Condition Clearances and receive information or assistance with navigating through challenging Planning policies, procedures and regulations. For more information about the South LA DSC and available services, or to make an appointment to speak with a Planner, please visit Planning4LA.org/SouthLA-DSC. | | Project applications filed decreased by 14.9% and completed applications decreased by 5.9% between July and August 2025. Proposals for affordable housing units increased by 44.7%, while the number of affordable units approved by Los Angeles City Planning increased 24.4% from 947 units in July to 1,178 units in August. | | | | - 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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- On Sept. 9, 2025, the City Council unanimously approved Wilmington-Harbor City and Harbor Gateway Community Plans.
- The Plans will move into form and legality with the City Attorney’s Office. Upon the completion of the City Attorney’s legal review, the plans will return to the City Council for final adoption.
| | | | - Staff is drafting zoning and finalizing draft policy documents to release to the public by the end of the year.
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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.
- Preparing to conduct a scoping meeting this fall.
| | TRANSIT NEIGHBORHOOD PLANS | | | |
- Finalizing proposed zoning with MIIP compliant form districts.
- Preparing for an information session and public hearing later this year to include detailed GPLU and Zoning maps to be posted on the website in advance of the meeting.
- Proposed updates to the City’s Enhanced Networks and limited street redesignations and associated environmental review.
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A few months back, the City Planning Commission (CPC) approved a five-story multi-family structure located at 17829 Halsted St in the Northridge Community Plan Area of Council District 12. The project is a 100% affordable housing building, containing a total of 232 dwelling units, with 47 units set aside for Moderate-Income households and 184 units for Low-Income households along with 1 manager’s unit. Of the total 232 proposed residential units, there will be 63 studio units, 165 one-bedroom units, and four two-bedroom units. The project will also provide a total of 11,650 square feet of open space, comprising a courtyard, roof deck, and recreation rooms.
Staff Report
| | October City Planning Commission Meetings | | |
Downtown: Oct. 9
Van Nuys: Oct. 23
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View agendas and future meeting dates for the City Planning Commission (CPC), Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC), and all Area Planning Commissions (APCs) by visiting Commissions, Boards, Hearings.
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LOS ANGELES
CITY PLANNING
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