September 23, 2023 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Los Angeles City Council Considers Zoning Changes to Accelerate Affordable Housing Development

City Council Motion Seeks to Remove Density Restrictions on Public Facilities Zones

By Dolores Quintana 

The City of Los Angeles has a large and seemingly impossible task to complete, namely, build 255,000 additional homes by 2029. The City of Los Angeles will attempt to achieve this goal with a plan that uses community plan updates, the implementation of a citywide adaptive reuse ordinance, and a range of other initiatives, all aimed at bringing more housing to high-opportunity areas. 

The latest idea to make this possible comes in the form of a recent motion introduced by 13th District City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, which seeks to facilitate housing development in the city’s public facilities zones, as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles.

The City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee is considering Soto-Martinez’s new motion, which would change the zoning rules for the “Public Facilities Zones” and land use designations that are applied to many city-owned properties. 

Presently, parcels within this zone lack density rights. However, they can be developed based on the density and zoning regulations of neighboring parcels. This has significant implications, particularly in commercial districts where it could pave the way for the construction of dense multifamily housing. Public Facilities lands that are surrounded by areas populated by industrial areas, or single-family homes cannot be developed into dense multifamily housing without changing the zoning of the area entirely. 

To streamline the redevelopment of public facilities land, Soto-Martinez’s proposal includes an amendment to Section 12.04.089 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. This amendment seeks to eliminate zoning and density restrictions within the public facilities zone, as well as other city-owned properties, if the proposed development would be for public, affordable housing. 

Furthermore, the motion requests a comprehensive report from the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Legislative Analyst. This report will outline which city department would assume the lead role in the development of affordable housing on public property and delineate the distribution of responsibilities among relevant departments.

The motion underscores the potential of public land to catalyze new projects in alignment with the Mayor’s Executive Directive 1. This directive has rapidly gained popularity as a tool for expediting applications for affordable housing developments in Los Angeles. According to the motion, Executive Directive 1 has substantially reduced the average review period from six months to approximately 37 days, marking a significant step toward addressing the city’s housing challenges.

Related Posts

CAP UCLA Launches 2023-24 Season at Renovated Nimoy Theater

September 22, 2023

September 22, 2023

Actor Zachary Quinto to Host Special Event Honoring Leonard Nimoy By Dolores Quintana UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance...

Join Heal the Bay for the Official Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Make a Difference in Your Community by Removing Trash From Our Coast By Dolores Quintana On Saturday, September 23, 2023,...

COVIDTests.gov to Reopen for Free Testing Starting on September 25

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

HHS Invests $600 Million in Domestic COVID-19 Test Manufacturing By Dolores Quintana The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...

(Video) Citizen Public Market’s New Expanded Rooftop Bar Area

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

The rooftop bar’s size has been doubled and offers a relaxing and al fresco area for patrons to enjoy cocktails,...

Shake Shack Introduces Pilot Program with Eco-Friendly Oil

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Zero Acre Farms to partner with Shake Shack in NYC  By Keemia Zhang Shake Shack has announced a partnership with...

Pringles and Caviar Company Introduce New Tiktok-Inspired Collaboration

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

TikTok Trend Spurs Special Partnership Between Brands By Keemia Zhang ​Pringles and The Caviar Co. have collaborated to produce the...

FRIDA Mexican Cuisine Hosts Margarita Mondays, Discount on Food and Drinks

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Mexican Restaurant In Westwood Offers Weekly Happy Hour at the Bar By Keemia Zhang FRIDA Mexican Cuisine, a restaurant that...

6th Annual UCLA Westwood Village Block Party Celebrates Community and Local Businesses

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

An Exciting Showcase of Westwood’s Vibrant Culture and Welcoming Spirit By Dolores Quintana The highly anticipated 6th annual UCLA Westwood...

Union Solidarity Coalition Creates Charity Auction to Support Industry Workers Amidst 2023 WGA Strike

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

Showbiz Memorabilia, Personal Meetings, Celebrity Dogwalking Among Auction Items By Dolores Quintana The Writers Guild strike against The Alliance of...

Los Angeles Launches ERAP to Prevent Homelessness Amidst Rent Crisis

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

United to House Los Angeles Program Offers Vital Rental Assistance By Dolores Quintana The United to House Los Angeles (ULA)...

Flux Screening Series at The Hammer: Showcasing Global Short Films and Music Videos

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Night of Creativity and Entertainment with Prominent Filmmakers and Musicians By Dolores Quintana The Flux Screening Series is set to...

Phoenix House 5K Walk Fights Opioid Crisis, Raises Overdose Awareness

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Inaugural Walk Seeks To Unite Community and Show Support To Families By Dolores Quintana Phoenix Houses of California, a prominent...

U.S. Poverty Rate Records First Increase in 13 Years, Census Bureau Reports

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Data Shows an Alarming Surge In Poverty Among Most Vulnerable  By Dolores Quintana In a noteworthy development, the poverty rate...

(Video) The Opening of The Nimoy Theater in Westwood.

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Just a few glimpses of the celebration today of this new CAP UCLA venue for the performing arts. @centurycitywestwoodnews The...

Iconic Greta Garbo Estate in Beverly Hills: Where Hollywood History Meets Modern Luxury

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Step Inside the Enchanting Oasis That Redefines Creative Living in Los Angeles By Dolores Quintana Experience the enchanting allure of...