Month: November 2014

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North Valley Area Planning Commission – New Commissioner

CF 14-1449

COMMUNICATION FROM THE MAYOR relative to the appointment of Ms. Yolanda Anguiano to the North Valley Area Planning Commission.

Recommendation for Council action: RESOLVE that the Mayor’s appointment of Ms. Yolanda Anguiano to the North Valley Area Planning Commission for the term ending June 30, 2018, is APPROVED and CONFIRMED. Ms. Anguiano resides in Council District Seven. (Current Commission gender composition: M= 3; F=2)

Financial Disclosure Statement: Filed.

Background Check Review: Pending

Community Impact Statement: None

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Mills Act historical property contracts

CF 14-1469
PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a request for authority to execute 66 Mills Act historical property contracts.

Recommendation for Council action: AUTHORIZE the Director of Planning, or designee, to execute 66 Mills Act historical property contracts between the City and the property owners identified in the Department of City Planning (DCP) report dated September 22, 2014 and attached to Council file No. 14-1469.

Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the DCP. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

City Planning Department Report

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Reminder to update your Sixth Edition Codebook

American Legal distribution of Los Angeles City Codes – July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014

Ordinance 183,145 (Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay (RIO) / Los Angeles River Design Guidelines) Effective August 20, 2014 affecting Sections 12.04, 12.32, 13.17, and 13.18 of the LAMC.

Ordinance 183,165 (To allow building permits for small lot subdivisions to be obtained prior to the recordation of the final map when a covenant and agreement is filed) Effective September 16, 2014 affecting Section 17.06 of the LAMC.

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Prohibit the Growth of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops within City Limit

CF 13-1374

City Council has referred the following to Arts, Parks, Health, Aging, and River Committee, Energy and Environment Committee, and Planning and Land Use Management Committee

City Attorney report R14-0427, dated November 20, 2014, relative to a draft ordinance adding to the Municipal Code regulating the propagation, cultivation, raising, growth and sale of genetically modified organisms.

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Ordinance Clarifying that Notices and Instruments Related to Nuisance Abatement Proceedings and Proceedings

CF 14-1585 

The Department of Building and Safety (the “Department”) respectfully requests that the Honorable PLUM Committee initiate an ordinance that would clarify that notices and instruments related to nuisance abatement and Code Compliance proceedings shall be entitled to recordation.

Recently, a member of the public has questioned the Department’s authority to record certain documents, including proposed liens in connection with nuisance abatement and other Code enforcement and Code compliance activities.

California Government Code Section 27201 provides that the county recorder shall not refuse to record any instrument, paper, or notice that is authorized or required by statute, court order, or local ordinance that relates to the recordation of any instrument, paper, or notice that relates to real property to be recorded on the basis of its lack of legal sufficiency.”

To clarify that the Department has the authority to record notices and instruments, the Department respectfully requests that the PLUM Committee initiate the attached draft ordinance and request that the City Attorney’s Office work with the Department to make any necessary revisions to the draft ordinance to ensure its legality.

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Ordinance – Increase Fee for Demolition of Older Structures

City Council CF 13-1104

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to options for an increased fee structure to cover demolition work enforcement cost and public notification for demolition of structures.

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

FIND, that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to continuing administrative activities or organizational activities of government that will not result in specific direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, or to the creation of government funding mechanisms or other governmental fiscal activities that do not commit to any specific project that may result in potentially significant environmental impacts. Pub. Res. Code § 21065 and State CEQA Guideline §15378(b). This proposed ordinance merely establishes a public notification process that alerts affected persons whenever an individual applies for a demolition permit to demolish an older structure under existing permit procedures. On that basis, the proposed ordinance is not subject to CEQA.

PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE, dated October 15, 2014, to add Sections 91.106.4.5.1, 91.106.4.5.2, 91.106.4.5.3, 91.106.4.5.4 and 91.106.4.5.5 to Article 1 of Chapter IX of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to add a public notification process for the demolition of older structures and adopt a fee to cover administrative costs.

NOT PRESENT and ORDER FILED the Ordinances, dated October 1, 2014 and July 28, 2014.

Fiscal Impact Statement: The City Attorney reports that a fee of $60.00 is introduced to cover increased administrative costs for the demolition of older buildings, as directed by the City Council in its May 20, 2014, budget resolution and based on the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety’s fee study. The fee is in addition to preinspection fees set forth in Section 91.107.3.2 of the LAMC and will be used to fund the expansion of the City’s demolition program. The fee reflected in the proposed draft ordinance should increase annual fee revenue by .08%, or $95,000, if implemented for a full fiscal year. This change is not anticipated to have a significant impact on revenues, inasmuch as the anticipated increase in the revenue has already been projected in the FY 2014-2015 Budget.

Community Impact Statement: Yes
For: Hollywood United Neighborhood Council

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Warner Center Building Line Removals

CF 13-0197-S1 Adopted, (12); Absent: Cedillo, Krekorian, Martinez (3)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR), PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to building line removals for the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan project.

Recommendations for Council action; SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

FIND under the California Public Resources Code Section 21166 and the State’s Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15162, on the basis of substantial evidence contained in the whole record, that since certification of EIR No. ENV-2008-3471-EIR (SCH No. 1990011055) on October 23, 2013, there have been no changes to the project, changes with respect to the circumstances under which the project is being undertaken, or new information of substantial importance concerning the project, which cause new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects, and therefore no additional environmental review is required for the project.

ADOPT the FINDINGS of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (LACPC), including the Environmental Findings, as the Findings of the Council.

PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE, approved by the LACPC, to remove the building lines throughout the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan area established by the following ordinances:

Ordinance No. 96195 Ordinance No. 97939 Ordinance No. 108684
Ordinance No. 109010 Ordinance No. 111507 Ordinance No. 116539
Ordinance No. 122801 Ordinance No. 123412 Ordinance No. 126242
Ordinance No. 126243 Ordinance No. 126564 Ordinance No. 126565
Ordinance No. 127491 Ordinance No. 127873 Ordinance No. 127874
Ordinance No. 128935 Ordinance No. 128936 Ordinance No. 130126
Ordinance No. 143574 Ordinance No. 143575 Ordinance No. 147972
Ordinance No. 150366

Applicant: City of Los Angeles

Case No. CPC-2008-3470-SP-ZC-GPA-SUD-BL

Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the Department of City Planning. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

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Ordinance – Increase Fee for Demolition of Older Structures

CF 13-1104

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT and ORDINANCE FIRST CONSIDERATION relative to options for an increased fee structure to cover demolition work enforcement cost and public notification for demolition of structures.

Recommendations for Council action, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR:

FIND, that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to continuing administrative activities or organizational activities of government that will not result in specific direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, or to the creation of government funding mechanisms or other governmental fiscal activities that do not commit to any specific project that may result in potentially significant environmental impacts. Pub. Res. Code § 21065 and State CEQA Guideline §15378(b). This proposed ordinance merely establishes a public notification process that alerts affected persons whenever an individual applies for a demolition permit to demolish an older structure under existing permit procedures. On that basis, the proposed ordinance is not subject to CEQA.

PRESENT and ADOPT the accompanying ORDINANCE, dated October 15, 2014, to add Sections 91.106.4.5.1, 91.106.4.5.2, 91.106.4.5.3, 91.106.4.5.4 and 91.106.4.5.5 to Article 1 of Chapter IX of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to add a public notification process for the demolition of older structures and adopt a fee to cover administrative costs.

NOT PRESENT and ORDER FILED the Ordinances, dated October 1, 2014 and July 28, 2014.

Fiscal Impact Statement: The City Attorney reports that a fee of $60.00 is introduced to cover increased administrative costs for the demolition of older buildings, as directed by the City Council in its May 20, 2014, budget resolution and based on the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety’s fee study. The fee is in addition to preinspection fees set forth in Section 91.107.3.2 of the LAMC and will be used to fund the expansion of the City’s demolition program. The fee reflected in the proposed draft ordinance should increase annual fee revenue by .08%, or $95,000, if implemented for a full fiscal year. This change is not anticipated to have a significant impact on revenues, inasmuch as the anticipated increase in the revenue has already been projected in the FY 2014-2015 Budget.

Community Impact Statement: Yes
For: Hollywood United Neighborhood Council
Adopted to Continue, Unanimous Vote (14); Absent: O’Farrell (1) CONTINUED TO NOVEMBER 25, 2014

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Motion – Establish ICO Relative to Baseline Manisionation Ordinance (BMO)

CF Nos. 14-0656, 14-0519, 14-1135, 14-0625, 14-0343, 14-0344, 14-1262

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to proposed amendments to the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance (BMO) and the Department of City Planning’s Neighborhood Conservation Initiative.

Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motions (Koretz – Bonin), (LaBonge – O’Farrell), (Krekorian – Wesson), and (Koretz – O’Farrell):

ESTABLISH an Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) for:

Area Council District
Sunset Square 4
Carthay Square 5
Holmby – Westwood 5
Oxford Square 10
El Sereno – Berkshire Craftsman District 14
South Hollywood 4
La Brea Hancock Neighborhood 4
North Beverly Grove 5
The Oaks 4
Valley Village 2
Faircrest Heights Neighborhood 10
Old Granada Hills Neighborhood 12
Larchmont Village 4
Miracle Mile 4

INCLUDE in the Valley Village ICO the following condition: The ICO in Valley Village should not allow any new building permits for new single family homes and major remodels unless the plans comply with the limitations in Ordinance No. 182048 also known as the Studio City Residential Floor Area.

AMEND the BMO to address the items below that were outlined in Motion (Koretz – Bonin), attached to Council file No. 14-0656:

Green Bonus Provisions
Design Bonuses
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and R1 (Single Family) Zones
FAR Exemptions

ESTABLISH new single family zones for:

Area Council District
Studio City and Valley Village 2
South Hollywood 4
La Brea Hancock Neighborhood 4
North Beverly Grove 5
The Oaks 4
Faircrest Heights Neighborhood 10
Old Granada Hills Neighborhood 12
Larchmont Village 4
Miracle Mile 4

ESTABLISH new Historic Preservation Overlay Zones for:

Area Council District
Sunset Square 4
Carthay Square 5
Holmby – Westwood 5
Oxford Square 10
El Sereno – Brekshire Craftsman District 14
Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the Department of City Planning. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement: Yes

Suport:
Neighborhood Council Valley Village
Studio City Neighborhood Council
PICO Neighborhood Council
Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council
Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council
Mid City West Community Council

Support, if amended
Westwood Neighborhood Council
Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council

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SB 743 / California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines / Transportation Impacts

Planning Land Use and Management consideration of the following:

“On September 27, 2013, Governor Brown signed SB 743 into law, which requires the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to create a process to change the manner in which transportation impacts are analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Currently, the environmental review of traffic impacts focuses on vehicular capacity at intersections and on roadway segments. SB 743 requires that we move away from the auto -centric metric of level of service (LOS) for determining whether there are traffic impacts under CEQA. Instead, impacts to transportation network performance are to be viewed through a filter that focuses on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, the development of multimodal transportation networks, and the promotion of a diversity of land uses.

On August 6, 2014, OPR released a “Preliminary Discussion Draft of Updates to the CEQA Guidelines Implementing Senate Bill 743 (Steinberg, 2013)” (“Discussion Draft”). The Discussion Draft recommends that the primary consideration in determining a project’s transportation impacts should be the amount and distance of automobile travel associated with the project, namely, the vehicle miles traveled (VMT). It also recommends considering the effects of the project on transit and non -motorized travel as well as the safety of all travelers. It states that LOS no longer constitutes the basis for finding a significant environmental impact. The Discussion Draft is open for public comment until October 10, 2014, and it will then undergo a certification and adoption process prior to implementation. OPR indicates that the amended Guidelines will be effective by January 2016.

It is critical that the City begin now to develop the necessary metrics and thresholds of significance for updated City guidelines. The impending changes also present an opportunity to take a fresh look at how the City measures, reviews and monitors the performance of recommended project mitigations.”

The City Council instructed the Departments of City Planning and Transportation to begin specific tasks in anticipation of the State’s adoption of the amended CEQA Guidelines implementing SB 743, which will require changes in the way project impacts to the transportation network performance are determined.