Dear Angelenos,
Since the launch of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy Program in 2023, staff has been working to engage with community-based organizations and other stakeholders from neighborhoods most burdened by EJ issues and discuss concerns around land use, sustainability, climate equity, and open space in the context of those communities’ lived experience. This multi-dimensional approach to outreach is essential to ensuring that the team’s eventual policy recommendations are responsive to furthering equity in land use decision-making in the City’s General Plan.
Below in this newsletter, you will read more about the extensive outreach the EJ team has embarked upon. Staff continues to be available twice a month if you have any questions or concerns about neighborhood environmental issues. Those appointments are available by signing up on the EJ engagement page or by email planning.envjustice@lacity.org.
We encourage you to share your comments about your environmental concerns. Your insight helps ensure that our outreach process is inclusive and acknowledges those lessons learned to inform community centered solutions in the context of public health, equity, and environmental justice.
Together, we are #Planning4LA.
Sincerely,
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Vince Bertoni,
Director of Planning
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Los Angeles City Planning will conclude the first outreach phase of its multi-year Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy Program this Spring 2024. The program’s outreach and engagement efforts have included various methods to involve EJ communities across the City. In April, the EJ team held their last meeting with the EJ Working Group - an advisory group of over 20 community based organizations (CBOs) focused on social and environmental justice. In addition, the EJ community survey closed on March 31.
On April 20, the EJ Team participated in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Mental Health and Wellness Symposium at East Los Angeles College (ELAC). More than 900 students attended and the team was able to engage with many students via activity boards and information sharing. In collaboration with Planning’s housing policy team, the EJ team formed a partnership with three CBOs in the South LA and Westlake areas to host community workshops, and discuss new housing policies and EJ concerns. The workshops allowed the teams to engage with more than 100 community members through interactive activities. More recently on Sunday, May 19, the EJ Team hosted a booth at the Wilmington CicLAmini Waterfront Hub, alongside our climate equity staff and local CBO partner, where they engaged with over 100 community members via activity boards, distributed program resources, and featured a spinning wheel for small prizes.
The next phase of this work program consists of drafting updated policies and programs that are informed by the team’s community outreach efforts. This will involve a targeted update to the City’s Open Space Element and the development of a new Environmental Justice Element that combines the City’s existing Health and Air Quality Elements.
Friendly reminder, the team continues to hold office hours every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Office hours are an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a member of the EJ team to share in-depth feedback. Interested parties can sign up via this link or email at planning.envjustice@lacity.org.
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Assembly Bill 1287 - Density Bonus Update |
On May 16, 2024, the Los Angeles Department of City Planning issued a memorandum that describes the changes, clarifications, and additions to State Density Bonus Law, and will serve as interim guidance for staff and project applicants on the implementation of AB 1287 until the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance is updated. The State Density bonus is comprehensively updated this year by AB 1287 (Alvarez), which introduces an additional density bonus of up to 50% which can be stacked on top of the density bonus available in previous state density bonus law. This bill will also increase the number of available incentives for all project types by one. Mixed-income projects can now receive up to four incentives, and 100% affordable projects can receive a maximum of five. AB 1287, will also allow the allocation of moderate income rental units for the first time through an additional (stackable) density bonus. By allowing for the allocation of moderate income units, this bill encourages housing developers to maximize incentives to construct additional moderate, or middle income housing units.
Key provisions include:
- Allows for a Density Bonus of up to 100% by allowing for an additional or “stackable” density bonus.
- Allows for the allocation of Moderate Income rental units for the “stackable” density bonus.
- Increases the number of available incentives for all project types by one (1) with 100% affordable housing developments receiving up to 5 incentives, and mixed income projects receiving up to 4 incentives.
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New General Plan Search Tool |
Los Angeles City Planning recently debuted a new feature on the department’s website: the General Plan Search Tool! This interactive tool makes the City’s General Plan easier to access and use by allowing the general public to search for keywords in the goals, policies, and programs of all Elements of the General Plan, including Community Plans. The tool allows users to peruse online, copy and paste, or download the policy text. It also provides a link directly to the relevant page in the original PDF document.
A user guide includes tips to get the most out of the keyword search function.
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Westside Community Plans Update team connects with residents at Pick Pico Street Fair |
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(From left to right) External Affairs staff member Chris Galindo, with West Los Angeles Community Plans team members Melissa Lim and Nick Vasuthasawat at the Pick Pico community event. |
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The Westside Community Plans Team hosted a booth at the Westside Neighborhood Council’s Annual Pick Pico Street Fair on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Approximately 100 people visited City Planning’s booth to meet with staff and learn more about Planning the Westside efforts as well as share their ideas and recommendations.
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OFFICE OF RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND TRANSFORMATIVE PLANNING |
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As the four year anniversary of George Floyd's tragic death approaches, the Office of Racial Justice, Equity, and Transformative Planning (ORJETP) reflects on the profound impact this event had on the nation and Los Angeles community. In the wake of this tragedy, the ORJETP was established with a commitment to address systemic racism and foster equity within the Department and City. In the past four years, the ORJETP has made significant strides toward these goals and reflects on key milestones and future initiatives, including:
- Facilitating internal listening sessions to better understand staff experiences regarding workplace equity and public safety
- Assisting the City Planning Commission with organizing a citywide equity day, leading to the adoption of an Equity Values Statement underscoring its commitment to creating equitable, prosperous, resilient, and healthy communities for all Angelenos
- Ongoing collaboration with equity focused groups within the department, including the Black Professionals of Los Angeles City Planning (BPLA) and the Employee Workplace Action Committee (EWAC)
- Consistent outreach efforts to educate stakeholders on the racial disparities embedded within City Planning decisions, and how transformative planning seeks to address past harms by reimagining the tools of the planning profession
The past four years have deepened the Department’s understanding of systemic challenges and strengthened its resolve to create meaningful change. Looking ahead, the ORJETP remains committed to building on its achievements by expanding community engagement, strengthening relationships with stakeholders and internal partners, and embracing transformative planning practices. In honor of George Floyd’s legacy, the ORJETP reaffirms its commitment to building a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
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Applications filed and completed declined by 8.2% and 3.8%, respectively, between March 2024 and April 2024. After several months of strong growth, the number of affordable units proposed for entitlement decreased from 1,294 in March to 1,063 in April. |
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- The City Planning Commission disapproved modifications to the City Council adopted amendments to the Community Plan at its meeting on January 11, 2024. Following the Mayor’s consideration of the City Council’s modifications, the Plan is anticipated to be heard again by the PLUM Committee and City Council in spring of 2024.
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The Planning and Land Use management (PLUM) committee recommended approval of the Community Plan with amendments on December 5, 2023, following which the City Council also recommended its approval on December 12, 2023. The City Council’s actions on the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update are summarized here.
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Following the Mayor’s approval, the plan has been transmitted to the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) for adoption (Council File 23-0861).
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On Tuesday, November 7 Los Angeles City Planning held an Open House event in partnership with Council Member Kevin de León - Council District 14, and the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, as part of the Boyle Heights Community Plan Update.
- Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) was published on August 10, 2023
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Proposed Plan was unanimously approved by City Planning Commission on April 20, 2023
- Held a public hearing on the Draft Community Plan text, zoning regulations, Draft Land Use Map, and Draft Community Plan Implementation Overlay (CPIO) on October 27, 2022
- Published Draft EIR on July 28, 2022, and the EIR comment period ended on October 11, 2022
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- The City Attorney is reviewing the Downtown Community Plan Implementing Ordinances and the New Zoning Code. After City Attorney Review, documents will be transmitted to theCity Council for final approval and an effective date will be established.
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Per direction from City Council, transmitted reports on topics such as Adaptive Reuse, and Public Open Space in September 2023, to inform further refinements to the Community Plan
- The Planning and Land Use management (PLUM) committee recommended approval of the Community Plan with amendments on April 24th, 2023, following which the City Council also recommended its approval on May 3rd, 2023
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Transmitted Director of Planning's Memo to PLUM in September 2022, and a Director of Planning's Supplemental Memo to PLUM in March, 2023 describing a few amendments to the CPC Recommended draft
- Transmitted Letter of Determination, Final EIR (FEIR), and CPC's recommended Community Plan to the Mayor and City Council for adoption on September 27, 2022
- City Planning Commission recommended the plan and new zoning for approval in September 2021
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Released revised materials in advance of City Planning Commission hearing, including Zoning, Plan Text, Land Use Map, and Community Benefits Program, in June 2021
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- Preparing for the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee
- Preparing Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR)
- The Proposed Harbor Community Plans were considered and recommended for approval by the City Planning Commission on February 8, 2024
- Hosted a virtual information session and public hearing - November 2023
- Released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for public review and comment – September 2023
- Hosted Virtual and In-Person Office Hours – September 2023
- Released the proposed Harbor LA zones and new zoning tutorial video series in September 2023
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Released Harbor LA StoryMap with new zoning information in December 2021
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On May 3, 2023, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously adopted the Hollywood Community Plan Update. The City Council also recommended an amendment requested in the motion from Council District 13 (Soto-Martinez) and a follow up report requested in the motion from Council District 4 (Raman). Additional information about the requested amendments is summarized here.
- The implementing ordinances will now be reviewed and finalized by the City Attorney, to ensure clarity of regulations and consistency with state law, which can take approximately six months to a year. After this process is complete, the Plan will be brought into effect by the City Council.
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- Released StoryMap for the Draft General Plan Land Use (GPLU) Designations for three Community Plans: North Hollywood - Valley Village, Sherman Oaks - Studio City - Toluca Lake - Cahuenga Pass, and Van Nuys - North Sherman Oaks.
- Scheduling outreach meetings with various stakeholder groups and neighborhood councils across all three community plans, Spring-Summer 2024
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- Released an interactive draft Zoning Map, draft Plan Policy text, and updated draft General Plan Land Use Designations map, accompanied by public engagement
- Ongoing outreach efforts with various community organizations.
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- The Westside Community Plan Update team held Virtual Office Hours on May 21st, May 23rd, May 28th, and May 30th with over 50 attendees.
- Revised Draft General Plan Land Use Maps published and showcased in interactive ArcGIS StoryMap.
- Ongoing outreach efforts with various stakeholders across all four community plan areas in the the Westside
- Preparing 2024 WCPAG Curriculum that outlines meeting topics, dates, and times
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WCPAG draft materials, recordings and presentations made publicly accessible on the Westside Community Plans info page
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The Y.C. Hong Office Building |
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Located within Chinatown’s Central Plaza, the Y.C. Hong Office Building is a two-story commercial building designed in the East Asian Eclectic style that included the law office of Y.C. Hong (1898-1977), a prominent attorney and civic leader. Hong’s office, designed and furnished by interior designer Honor Easton, was located on the upper floor. In 2006, the office was restored to its 1930s appearance by architect Richard Liu, who currently owns the building.
The first person of Chinese descent admitted to the California State Bar, Hong fought tirelessly to protect the civil rights of his fellow Chinese Americans, working on over 7,000 immigration cases throughout the course of his 50-year career. He testified at numerous hearings in Washington, D.C. to advocate for the repeal of the discriminatory Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Hong also played a key role in the development of Los Angeles’s Chinatown, then known as “New Chinatown,” in the 1930s.
The Y.C. Hong Office Building has been featured in the Office of Historic Resources’ 2018 Chinese Americans in Los Angeles historic context statement, and now in a storytelling hub launched this month for AAHNPI Month. Welcome to America’s Chinatowns, created by Google Arts & Culture and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, highlights the history and culture of 15 Chinatowns across the country; the Los Angeles Conservancy’s collection showcases some of our own Chinatown’s significant businesses and sites.
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This past month, the City Planning Commission (CPC) considered a proposed five-story, multi-family residential building located at 10756 W Wilkins Avenue in the Westwood Community Plan area of Council District 5. The proposed structure will contain 11 residential units, 2 of which will be set aside for very low-income households. The project will be approximately 11,941 square feet and will provide seven vehicular parking spaces and 12 long-term bicycle parking spaces in one subterranean level. The Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the City Planning staff recommendations, and have advanced the project to continue moving through the development and approval process with the City. More information about the project is available in the staff report.
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June City Planning
Commission Meetings
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June Area Planning
Commission Meetings
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Central: June 11, 25
South Los Angeles: June 4, 25
South Valley: June 13, 27
West: June 5
East: June 12, 26
Harbor: June 4, 18
North Valley: June 6, 20
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June Cultural Heritage
Commission Meetings
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LOS ANGELES
CITY PLANNING
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