CF  22-1476       AT CITY COUNCIL  03.03.2023

PUBLIC WORKS and PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT (PLUM) COMMITTEES’ REPORTS relative to reporting on recommendations to reform the Waiver of Dedication and/or Improvement (WDI) process as well as the initial requirement process.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT:  Recommendation for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Harris-Dawson for Raman – Bonin – Blumenfield – Price):

INSTRUCT the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), in consultation with the Department of City Planning (DCP), the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), DCP’s Urban Design Studio, and any other relevant departments, to report within 60 days with:

Recommendations to reform the WDI process as well as the initial requirement process to achieve the following objectives:
​​
Preserve consistent roadway widths and curb lines on each block (eliminate spot road widening).

Prioritize consistent pedestrian experience with no or minimal sidewalk meandering, context-appropriate sidewalk and parkway width, and consistent interfaces with street-facing building entrances on each block face.

Prioritize pedestrian safety and visibility by minimizing crossing distance at intersections and other crosswalks; ensuring alignment between pedestrian paths of travel, crosswalks, and curb ramps; minimizing curb radii to the greatest extent feasible (including retaining historic curb radii); and promoting curb extensions where feasible and appropriate.

Protect existing trees and parkways and create opportunities for planting new and larger shade trees.

Incorporate green infrastructure elements where feasible and appropriate.

Ensure accessibility for people with disabilities.

A checklist of public benefit findings that must be made through an administrative process prior to requiring a street dedication and/or improvement that results in a roadway widening, including:
​​​​​​​
Specific and articulable traffic safety or mobility benefits, such as closing a bike lane gap or eliminating a pinch point, at the request of LADOT.

Specific and articulable pedestrian realm or urban design benefits, at the request of DCP.

Any revisions to street design standards are needed to accomplish the above objectives and allow context-sensitive application of street standards.

Any revisions needed to Los Angeles Municipal Code 12.37 and/or other policies and regulations to accomplish this direction.

Any other recommendations to implement street design best practices in the development process.

PLUM COMMITTEE REPORT:   Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Harris-Dawson for Raman – Bonin – Blumenfield – Price):

​​​
CONCUR with the action of the Public Works Committee in adopting the recommendations contained in Motion (Harris-Dawson for Raman – Bonin – Blumenfield – Price).
​​​​​​​
INSTRUCT ​​​​the BOE, in consultation with DCP, LADOT, and relevant departments, to include in their report:
​​​​​​​

Information about the impacts the current WDI process has on affordable housing projects (e.g., projects utilizing streamlined development review pathways such as those created by SB 35, AB 2161, Mayor Bass’ Executive Directive 1, etc.).

Recommendations for removing the cost and time delays on affordable housing projects are presented by the City’s current dedication and waiver process.

Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement: Yes

For:
Los Feliz Neighborhood Council
Elysian Valley Riverside Neighborhood Council
Mid City WEST Neighborhood Council
Hollywood United Neighborhood Council
United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council

Click on the BLUE HIGHLIGHT to view official documents

• 02/28/2023 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on March 3, 2023.  Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 02/21/2023
• 02/25/2023 Community Impact Statement submitted by Rampart Village. Refer to CF  22-1476
• 02/21/2023 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved as amended. Motion 11/22/2022
• 02/21/2023 Community Impact Statement submitted by United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF  22-1476
• 02/19/2023 Community Impact Statement submitted by Hollywood United Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF  22-1476
• 02/17/2023 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on February 21, 2023.  Motion 11/22/2022
• 02/16/2023 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mid City WEST Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF  22-1476
• 01/25/2023 Public Works Committee approved item(s) .
• 01/25/2023 Public Works Committee transmitted Council File to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
• 01/22/2023 Community Impact Statement submitted by Elysian Valley Riverside Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF  22-1476
• 01/20/2023 Public Works Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on January 25, 2023.
• 12/27/2022 Community Impact Statement submitted by Los Feliz Neighborhood Council, Los Feliz Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF  22-1476
• 11/22/2022 Motion referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee; Public Works Committee.  Motion 11/22/2022