100 Percent Deed-Restricted Affordable Housing Projects / Expedited Approval Process / Strategic Plan

CF 21-0658 AT CITY COUNCIL 12/07/2022

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT (PLUM) COMMITTEE and BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS relative to a strategic plan to streamline 100 percent deed-restricted affordable housing projects in the City, and recommended departmental resources to improve affordable housing development processes and procedures.

A. PLUM COMMITTEE REPORT

Recommendations for Council action:

1. INSTRUCT the Department of City Planning (DCP) to:

a. Create an administrative ministerial planning review process for majority deed-restricted affordable housing projects through an Affordable Housing Overlay (as described in Council file No. 19-0416), which would remove Site Plan Review thresholds for projects which meet objective standards, resulting in significantly reduced processing timelines.

b. Pursue potential outside funding sources such as Regional Early Action Program 2.0 to fund opportunities across City agencies to accelerate housing production. Council approval will be necessary for grant acceptance.

c. Continue to report to the Council on the backlog and processing times for each process related to development, as well as any resource needs or ordinance changes needed to implement the changes.

2. INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) to:

a. Further facilitate the streamlining of 100 percent affordable housing by reducing assignment time by an additional 35 percent.

b. Prioritize appeals to the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners on 100 percent affordable housing projects.

3. INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) to improve software for project intake, processing, reporting, and tracking.

4. INSTRUCT the Bureau of Engineering (BOE) to:

a. Continue to modify and/or replace existing online permit applications.

b. Enhance reporting capabilities, as a part of the BuildLA project, and continue to revise forms and reports to better provide information on BOE requirements earlier in the development process as part of the broader effort to improve processes and procedures.

5. INSTRUCT the City Administrative Officer (CAO) to prepare a report with recommendations and fiscal impact relative to the following 22 position authorities, as recommended in the August 11, 2022 DCP report, attached to the Council file:

a. Office of the CAO: Add funding for three position authorities to act as a liaison and project manager between all the City departments that provide development services for affordable housing development projects, as follows:

(1) Senior Project Coordinator

(1) Principal Project Coordinator

(1) Senior Management Analyst II

b. DCP: Add funding and three position authorities in Fiscal Year 2022-23 to expedite department hiring, as follows:

(1) Senior Management Analyst

(1) Management Analyst

(1) Senior Administrative Clerk

c. Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD): Authorize and increase staffing resources by a total of ten positions. Eight positions would be funded by Land Use fees and two positions would be funded by the General Fund to reduce determination backlogs and expedite affordable developments, as follows:

The addition of one new Senior Management Analyst position, five Management Analyst positions, and two new Management Assistant positions for the Land Use Unit, funded by Land Use fees, to reduce processing times for replacement unit determinations and covenant recording.

The addition of one new Finance Development Officer and one new Management Analyst position for the Affordable Housing Managed Pipeline, funded by the General Fund, to facilitate an expedited underwriting and pre-development process.

d. LAFD: Authorize and increase staffing resources by two positions to increase case management capacity and plan review of affordable housing projects in order to provide dedicated staff to assist developers of affordable housing projects, as follows:

Increase staffing resources by one Fire Protection Engineering Associate II.

Increase staffing resources by one Management Analyst.

e. BOE: Authorize and increase staffing resources by four positions as part of the effort to streamline permits and approvals for 100 percent affordable housing, and the broader effort to improve processes and procedures. The BOE recommends the following:

The addition of two Civil Engineering Associate positions, and one Administrative Clerk position for permit plan checking to facilitate shorter review times.

The addition of one Civil Engineering Associate position for case management services to assist in coordinating with developers.

6. INSTRUCT the DCP, LADBS, LAFD, BOE, and CAO to report on the implementation deadline per City department to effectuate the above recommendations.

B. BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

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

1. APPROVE Recommendations 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 from the PLUM Committee report dated August 16, 2022, attached to the Council file.

2. AUTHORIZE by resolution the following three positions in the Office of the CAO to act as liaison and project manager between City departments that provide development services for affordable housing development projects, subject to allocation by the Board of Civil Service Commissioners, for the period October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, and exemption in accordance with Charter Section 1001(d)(4) based on the positions being grant-funded for a term of no more than two years, which may be extended for one additional year, for a maximum exemption period of three years:

1538-0, Senior Project Coordinator

9134-0, Principal Project Coordinator

9171-2, Senior Management Analyst ll

3. AUTHORIZE by resolution two Management Analysts, Classification Code 9184-0, in the LAHD to support the Land Use Unit and reduce processing times, subject to allocation by the Board of Civil Service Commissioners, for the period October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

4. AUTHORIZE by resolution the following two positions in the LAFD to increase case management capacity and dedicated plan review of, and assistance for, affordable housing projects, subject to allocation by the Board of Civil Service Commissioners, for the period October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

5. APPROVE the appropriation of $647,540 from State Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program (HHAP) Grant Fund No. 62Y/10, Account No. 10S656, FC-7-Administrative Costs to the CAO, Fund No. 100/10, Account No. 001010, Salaries General ($312,158) and the CAO, Fund No. 100/10, Revenue Source Code No. 5361, Related Cost Reimbursement Other ($335,382) for the three positions as recommended above.

6. AUTHORIZE the CAO, LAHD General Manager, LAFD Fire Chief, or designees, to prepare Controller instructions or any necessary technical adjustments, subject to the approval of the CAO, and request the Controller to implement the instructions.

7. DIRECT the LADBS to expand Inspection Case Management services to 100% affordable housing projects regardless of project valuation.

8. INSTRUCT the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), with assistance from the DCP and LADBS, to report back within 30 days with recommendations to streamline approval and permitting processes for 100% deed-restricted affordable housing projects, specifically considering ways to partner with City departments to ensure developers are aware of LADWP requirements early on in the development process, expediting availability-of-service analysis and load plan approvals, programs to offset the cost of unanticipated infrastructure upgrades, and any other proposals that will shorten the development process for affordable housing in the City of Los Angeles.

9. AUTHORIZE by resolution one Senior Management Analyst Classification Code 9171-1, five Management Analysts Classification Code 9184-0, and two Management Assistants 1539-0 in LAHD to support the Land Use Unite and reduce processing times, subject to allocation by the Board of Civil Service Commissioners, for the period October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

10. AUTHORIZE by resolution one City Planner Classification Code 7944-0 and one Senior Administrative Clerk in DCP to support Priority Housing Processing and reduce processing times, subject to allocation by the Board of Civil Service Commissioners, for the period October 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Fiscal Impact Statement: The CAO reports that there is no anticipated impact to the General Fund from the recommendations in the CAO report. Funding for the CAO-recommended positions is to be provided through HHAP grants, the Municipal Housing Finance Fund No. 815, and fee-related reimbursement to the General Fund. The cost for the seven positions recommended in this report is $1,107,168 for nine months and consists of $597,069 in Direct Costs and $510,099 in Indirect Costs. In addition to the HHAP grant funds, departments will absorb salary costs within existing budgeted funds. Any additional funding required may be requested and addressed in a future Financial Status Report.

Financial Policies Statement: The CAO reports that the recommendations in this report comply with the City’s Financial Policies.

Community Impact Statement: Yes

For: North Westwood Neighborhood Council

For if Amended: Westside Neighborhood Council

(Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee waived consideration of the above matter)

Click on the BLUE HIGHLIGHT to view official documents and reports.

12/02/2022 City Clerk scheduled item for committee meeting on December 7, 2022. Report from Budget and Finance Committee 11/14/2022, Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 08/16/2022
11/14/2022 Budget and Finance Committee approved as amended . Report from Department of City Planning 10/27/2022, Report from City Administrative Officer 09/28/2022,
11/10/2022 Budget and Finance Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on November 14, 2022. Report from Department of City Planning 10/27/2022, Report from City Administrative Officer 09/28/2022, Report from Department of City Planning 08/11/2022, Report from Department of City Planning 04/27/2022
11/09/2022 Planning and Land Use Management Committee waived consideration of item of the 9/28/22 City Administrative Officer Report and 10/27/22 Department of City Planning Report.
11/07/2022 Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee waived consideration of item
10/31/2022 Department of City Planning document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee; Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Report from City Administrative Officer 09/28/2022
10/27/2022 Document(s) submitted by Department of City Planning, as follows: Report from City Administrative Officer 09/28/2022

Department of City Planning report, dated October 27, 2022, relative to a review process chart demonstrating the overall potential timeline reductions for staff reviews and appeals for 100 percent affordable housing projects.

09/30/2022 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee; Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Report from City Administrative Officer 09/28/2022
09/28/2022 Document(s) submitted by City Administrative Officer, as follows: Report from City Administrative Officer 09/28/2022

City Administrative Officer report 0220-06001-0000, dated September 28, 2022, relative to the fiscal impact of 22 position authorities recommended in the Department of City Planning August 11, 2022 report, to improve affordable housing development processes and procedures.

Department of City Planning report, dated August 11, 2022 relative to a strategic plan to streamline 100 percent deed-restricted affordable housing projects and to improve processes and procedures for the development process.

05/13/2022 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
04/28/2022 Department of City Planning document(s) referred to Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee; Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Report from Department of City Planning 04/27/2022
04/27/2022 Document(s) submitted by Department of City Planning, as follows:

Department of City Planning report, dated April 27, 2022, relative to a strategic plan to streamline 100 percent of deed-restricted affordable housing projects and to improve processes and procedures for the development process.

02/15/2022 Community Impact Statement submitted by North Westwood Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
10/05/2021 Council adopted item, as amended, forthwith. Amending Motion (Ridley-Thomas – Raman) 10/05/2021, Amending Motion (de Leon – Raman) 10/05/2021, Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 09/21/2021
10/01/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on October 5, 2021. Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 09/21/2021
09/28/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mission Hills. Refer to CF 21-0658
09/23/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mar Vista Community Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
09/21/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by East Hollywood Neighborhood Council (EHNC). Refer to CF 21-0658
09/21/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved as amended , to include the Bureau of Engineering and Los Angeles Fire Department in the instruction for a report to the Council.
09/20/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Wilshire Center-Koreatown. Refer to CF 21-0658
09/17/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 21, 2021. Motion 06/15/2021
09/13/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Hollywood United Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
08/31/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
08/21/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council,Los Feliz Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
08/19/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by NoHo Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
07/19/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mid City WEST Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 21-0658
07/12/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Hermon. Refer to CF 21-0658
06/15/2021 Motion referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Motion 06/15/2021

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