Month: May 2023

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Mayor Bass Signs City Budget – 2023

Source: Vahid Khorsand, Board of Public Works 

Mayor Bass’ first City budget includes an unprecedented $1.3 billion investment to confront the homelessness crisis, including $250 million for Inside Safe – the new citywide program to bring Angelenos inside and end street encampments. The budget also includes funding for bold methods to make Los Angeles’ neighborhoods safer, strengthen the City’s infrastructure, continue combating climate change and improve our city services.

HOMELESSNESS

  • Nearly $1.3 billion for homelessness and housing, an unprecedented investment
  • $250 million for Inside Safe:
    • $110 million for motel rooms/temporary housing
    • $62 million for services (case management, moving people to permanent housing, food, support services)
    • $47 million for buying hotels and motels
    • $31 million for permanent housing – includes transition and set up of permanent housing, 12 months of rental assistance
  • Office of Housing & Homelessness Solutions – Budget Includes 13 outreach teams within the Mayor’s Administration
  • Street Medicine Teams – $4 million to fund four medical teams serving 5,600 people. Half of this funding is provided by a Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Grant

SAFETY

  • LAPD
    • Nets to 9,504 LAPD Officers
    • Budget funds hiring 780 new officers and activation of 200 recently retired officers
    • $1 million for focused public safety recruitment
  • LAFD
    • $21 million in funding provided for five Drill Tower classes of 60 recruits, for a net increase of 100 above the projected attrition level
    • Emergency Appointment Paramedic Program
  • Mayor’s Office of Community Safety
    • Supports Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) Program
    • DART (Domestic Abuse Response Teams): increases funding of approximately $2.7 million (to $3.7 million), which nearly doubles the number of DART advocates at LAPD divisions with the highest call volumes.

 COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS TO ADDRESS POVERTY AND INCOME INEQUALITY

  • Continued refurbishment of childcare centers so they can reopen
  • Increased funding for senior meals

INFRASTRUCTURE & SUSTAINABILITY

  • Increases the tree watering plan for more than 7,000 trees
  • Allots million for bus shelters in underserved communities
  • In addition to the required $36 million for sidewalk repair, this budget adds nearly $30 million for additional repairs and doubles funding for access ramps

 ANIMAL SERVICES

  • Adds funding for additional Animal Care Technicians and positions to coordinate volunteer services

RESPONSIBILITY/RESERVES

  • Nearly $200 million for Budget Stabilization Fund
  • Over $560 million for the Reserve Fund
  • $30 million Reserve for Mid-Year adjustments
  • Overall Cumulative Reserves slightly above 10%

The approved budget can be read here.

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Council and Committee Referrals – Wednesday, May 24, 2023

 

23-1200-S70 Mr. Jaime Del Rio to the North Valley Area Planning Commission
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Mayor report, dated May 23, 2023, relative to the reappointment of Mr. Jaime Del Rio to the North Valley Area Planning Commission, for the term ending June 30, 2028

 

23-1200-S5 Elizabeth Zamora to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Mayor report, dated May 23, 2023, relative to the reappointment of Elizabeth Zamora to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, for the term ending June 30, 2028.

 

23-0563 Re-establish eldercare facilities that have been abandoned or discontinued for a year
To Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee
Motion (Raman – Yaroslavsky) relative to requesting the City Attorney prepare and present an ordinance to repeal Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 14.3.1 (L), which imposes a series of requirements to re-establish eldercare facilities that have been abandoned or discontinued for a year.
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Priority Housing – Transit Schedules

Dear Stakeholder,
Please see the linked Updated Transit Service Determinations After the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic memorandum from the Department of City Planning, dated May 22, 2023. Effective immediately, City Planning will no longer recognize transit schedules that were in place as of March 17, 2020 and will instead use currently published transit schedules. Please email your questions to the Affordable Housing Services Section at planning.priorityhousing@lacity.org.
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City Planning Releases New Proposed Incentives to Repurpose Vacant Commercial Spaces for Housing

 

LOS ANGELES— City Planning is launching the Citywide Adaptive Reuse program, the first of the Citywide Housing Incentive Program’s six core strategies for addressing the City’s housing crisis and meeting the bold Housing Element Rezoning obligations. Adaptive Reuse is an innovative strategy that facilitates the conversion of existing underutilized or historically significant buildings into housing.
“Los Angeles needs more housing that Angelenos can afford. Adaptive reuse development can help bring much needed housing online throughout the City. I look forward to working with the City Planning Commission, City Council and communities across Los Angeles to receive input on this important policy,” said Mayor Karen Bass.
Adaptive Reuse has been in effect in Downtown Los Angeles since 1999 and is touted as one of the reasons behind Downtown’s resurgence in recent decades. In Downtown alone, Adaptive Reuse created more than 12,000 housing units during its first 15 years in effect. Building on this success, the expanded program will now make Adaptive Reuse conversions available citywide with fewer regulatory burdens, opening new doors for housing Angelenos.
“The Adaptive Reuse Ordinance seeks resourceful solutions to create more housing opportunities,” said Director of Planning Vince Bertoni. “Reuse of buildings is a sustainable practice that conserves many of the resources used to build them, reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with ground-up construction. By mixing commercial and residential uses and bringing residents and visitors close to jobs and services, conversions can also play a part in improving air quality and reducing the numbers of vehicle trips and vehicle miles traveled.”
Drafted with post-pandemic economic recovery in mind, the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance incentivizes the conversion of existing commercial buildings to housing, providing a faster review process for older buildings, allowing for flexible unit sizes, and allowing buildings to retain their building shell while the interior may be converted to housing. The ordinance aims to reduce vacant space, extend the life of buildings, lower carbon emissions, and revitalize historic structures, all while creating new housing opportunities.
City staff will host three upcoming webinars June 6 through 8, which will provide an opportunity to learn more about the details of the program. Each webinar will cover the same material, and will include program background, information on the proposed revisions to the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, and further opportunities to provide feedback.
Click here to view the draft Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, and here to view the Citywide Adaptive Reuse Fact Sheet. To learn more about the Citywide Adaptive Reuse Ordinance and the Citywide Housing Incentive program, sign up for updates here.
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Adaptive Reuse Update

Dear Stakeholder,
Last month, LA City Planning introduced the newest Housing Element Rezoning Program work effort, the Citywide Housing Incentive Program, with three public webinars. The webinars introduced the Citywide Housing Incentive Program’s six core strategies including expanding the Adaptive Reuse program, updating the Affordable Housing Incentive Programs, incentivizing housing on Opportunity Corridors, creating affordable housing opportunities through the Affordable Housing Overlay, facilitating Missing Middle housing, and enhancing process streamlining. To learn more about these strategies and provide your feedback visit the Concept Explorer and Survey and the Housing Element Rezoning Program website.
We are excited to announce the release of the initial draft of the expanded Adaptive Reuse program strategy. The expanded program will update the City’s existing Adaptive Reuse Ordinance to build upon the success of the City’s 1999 program, which led to the creation of more than 12,000 housing units in Downtown LA and sparked economic regeneration, all while preserving and reinvigorating the City’s architectural legacy.
Los Angeles is now facing a different set of challenges, including a housing shortage and post-pandemic economic recovery, which has led Los Angeles City Planning to propose a reimagining of the City’s adaptive reuse policies. The ordinance incentivizes the conversion of existing commercial buildings to housing, providing a faster review process for buildings over 15 years old, allowing for flexible unit sizes, and providing relief from certain development standards that apply to newly constructed buildings. This ordinance aims to reduce vacant space, extend the life of buildings, lower carbon emissions, and revitalize historic structures.
To learn more about the strategy we hope you will attend one of three upcoming interactive webinars, which will include program background, information on the proposed revisions to the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance and opportunities to provide feedback. Please click the date and time below to register. Note that the content of all three webinars is the same.
Click here to view the draft Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, and here to view the Citywide Adaptive Reuse Fact Sheet. To learn more about the Citywide Adaptive Reuse Ordinance and the Citywide Housing Incentive program, sign up for updates here or email housingelement@lacity.org to provide feedback.
About the Citywide Housing Incentive Program
Following the 2022 certification of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, City Planning staff has been working to develop and implement the ambitious programs identified in the Plan to House LA. The Plan identified that there is a significant housing need in Los Angeles, reflected by high rents, overcrowded conditions, and increasing housing instability. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program aims to address Los Angeles’ significant housing needs, for the City to provide greater housing access and meet its state housing obligations. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program will be implemented through one or more zoning code amendments developed simultaneously over a two year period (2023-2025). To learn more about the program click here.
Upon request, Los Angeles City Planning can facilitate having sign language interpreters and translation between English and other languages available to the public. All requests must be made at least three working days or 72 hours in advance of the event or meeting date. To request accommodations or translation services, or for other questions, please email housingelement@lacity.org.
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SB 4 (Wiener) / Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act / Expedited Development

CF 23-0002-S30

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHIEF LEGISLATIVE ANALYST and RESOLUTION (YAROSLAVSKY – RAMAN) relative to establishing the City’s position regarding SB (Senate Bill) 4 (Wiener), which expresses the intent to enact legislation to address streamlining the creation of affordable low and moderate-income housing on faith-based lands.

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

ADOPT the accompanying RESOLUTION to include in the City’s 2023-24 State Legislative Program SUPPORT for SB 4 (Wiener) which expresses the intent to enact legislation to address streamlining the creation of affordable low and moderate income housing on faith-based lands.

Community Impact Statement: Yes

Against:
Tarzana Neighborhood Council

Against unless Amended:
Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council

(Rules, Elections, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee waived consideration of the above matter)

Continue reading →

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Council and Committee Referral s – May 18, 2023

 

23-0600-S13 Hollywood Community Plan Update
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Budget Recommendation, dated May 18, 2023, relative to instructing the Department of City Planning, upon the adoption of the proposed Hollywood Community Plan Update, to prepare re-zoning ordinances for the Hollywood Regional Center Area and the Vermont/Western Station Neighborhood Area Plan.

 

22-0268 Streamline the permitting of new affordable housing units.
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Los Angeles City Planning Commission report, dated May 17, 2023, relative to a proposed ordinance amending Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 16.05, to streamline the permitting of new affordable housing units.
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Site Plan Review Ordinance

CPC-2023-1083-CA     UPDATE  City Planning Commission Letter of Determination May 17, 2023 

Council District: All
CEQA: ENV-2020-6762-EIR; ENV-2020-6762-EIR-ADD1

CPC HEARING NOTICE AND STAFF RECOMMENDATION

PUBLIC HEARING – Completed March 14, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED
PROJECT SITE: Citywide

PROPOSED AMENDMENT:

The proposed amendment to the Site Plan Review Ordinance would amend Section 16.05 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) in order to streamline the permitting of new affordable housing units. The  proposed amendment to the Site Plan Review Ordinance would exempt deed restricted affordable units  from the 50-unit Site Plan Review threshold calculations.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

1. Recommend that the City Council find, the Project was assessed in the Housing Element
Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) No. ENV-2020-6762-EIR, State Clearinghouse (SCH) No.
2021010130 certified on November 29, 2021 and the Addendum (ENV-2020-6762-EIR-ADD1)
approved June 14, 2022;
2. Approve and Recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed Ordinance;
3. Adopt the staff report as the Commission’s report on the subject;
4. Recommend that the City Council instruct that the proposed Ordinance be incorporated into the New
Zoning Code, subject to changes to conform to the format and style of the New Zoning Code; and
5. Adopt the Findings.

Applicant: City of Los Angeles
Staff: Jeanalee Obergfell, City Planning Associate
jeanalee.obergfell@lacity.org
(213) 978-0092

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Motions – May 16, 2023

Link:  Motions 

Pg. 2 Cahuenga Boulevard/Broadlawn Drive/Oakshire Drive access ramps

Approval of the Mayor, establish a new capital project entitled “Cahuenga Boulevard/Broadlawn Drive/Oakshire Drive access ramps” and appropriate/transfer $764,000 from Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Fund No. 523, Available Cash Balance, to Capital Improvement Expenditure Program Fund No. 100-54, new account “Cahuenga Boulevard/Broadlawn Drive/Oakshire Drive access ramps” for the design and construction of the infrastructure improvements at these locations.

That the City Administrative Officer be authorized to make any technical corrections or clarifications to the above fund transfer instructions in order to effectuate the intent of this Motion, including any corrections and changes to fund or account numbers.

Pg. 8 Coastal Commission Certification

In order for the City’s coastal development permit program to be operative at the same time as the rest of the City’s amended process and procedures, the City should extend the operative date for the entire Ordinance to allow for the CCC certification process and to ensure that new provisions are uniformly applied citywide.

The Council requests the City Attorney, with the assistance of the Planning Department, to prepare and present an Ordinance to extend the operative date of July 22, 2023, for Ordinance No. 187712 (Processes and Procedures Ordinance) by an additional 180 days to January 22, 2024, and to include an urgency clause, if possible, to avoid any lapse in regulation.

 

 

 

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Development Service Centers

Dear Stakeholder,
On Wed., May 17, City Planning’s Development Services Centers (DSCs) will be closed until 1 p.m. Normal in-person services will resume at 1 p.m. that day. Please schedule accordingly.
Many planning services are continuously available online through the Department’s Online Application Portal. Schedule appointments for in-person services during normal operating hours through BuildLA.
This temporary closure will only affect City Planning’s DSC on May 17.
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Council and Committee Referrals – Friday, May 12, 2023

 

23-0504
CD 4		 Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Fund
To Council
Motion (Raman – Hutt) relative to establishing a new capital project, Ventura Boulevard/Ventura Canyon Avenue Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, and appropriating/transferring funds from the Ventura/Cahuenga Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Fund for the design and construction of pedestrian hybrid beacons at Ventura Boulevard and Ventura Canyon Avenue.

 

20-1203 Expansion and retention of board and care facilities throughout the City
To Housing and Homelessness Committee
Los Angeles Housing Department revised report, dated May 12, 2023, relative to the expansion and retention of board and care facilities throughout the City.

 

20-1074-S4 Clarify and streamline Zoning Code regulations regarding outdoor dining on private property.
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
City Planning Commission report, dated May 11, 2023, relative to amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to clarify and streamline Zoning Code regulations regarding outdoor dining on private property.
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Subscriber Special Content: Community plan updates move forward for Boyle Heights, DTLA, Hollywood

Link to Article

After a two-year lull, the City of Los Angeles is again beginning to process updates to the land use and zoning rules that shape development in three of its central neighborhoods: Boyle Heights, Downtown, and Hollywood. Last week, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission approved the Boyle Heights Community Plan update, which has been in the works for a decade. Across the L.A. River, the update to the Central City and Central City North community plans also cleared an important milestone, with approval by the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

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Downtown Plan

Dear Stakeholders,

The Los Angeles City Council (City Council) at its meeting on May 3, 2023, voted unanimously to approve the Downtown Community Plan and the New Zoning Code with an amendment. The City Council also recommended a number of follow up items including studies and reports that were requested in the motions from Council Districts 1-Hernandez, 9-Price, and 14-de Leon. The amendment and the requested reports are summarized here.

Since 2014, the Downtown Plan has evolved significantly in response to public feedback, ranging from thoughtful comments from individuals, to comprehensive analysis provided by organized stakeholder associations. Our team is grateful for this hard work and collaboration to ​​create and implement a vision for the future of Downtown Los Angeles.

Next Steps

Following City Council approval of the Plan and new Zoning Code, the implementing ordinances will 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 Form and Legality process is complete, the Plan and new Zoning Code will be brought into effect by the City Council. City Planning will also prepare reports on topics that were requested by the City Council, and will present those reports to the PLUM committee in the coming months.

We sincerely thank you for your thoughtful feedback in shaping this Plan and for your sustained engagement throughout the entire update process to reach this important milestone!

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Council and Committee Referrals Tuesday, May 09, 2023

 

21-1083-S1 Draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to regulate commercial cannabis activity.
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
City Attorney report R23-0166, dated May 9, 2023, relative to a draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to regulate commercial cannabis activity.

 

22-0231
CD 15		 Trucking-related uses on all industrial land in the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan Area
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Resolution (McOsker – Harris-Dawson) relative to extending the provisions of Ordinance No. 187552 for an additional period of one year, which imposes temporary interim regulations prohibiting the issuance of all permits and certificates of occupancy associated with the establishment or the expansion of all trucking-related uses on all industrial land in the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan Area, except for the area east of Alameda Street and the Wilmington Industrial Park area.

 

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Motions – May 9, 2023

Link:  Motions 

Pg. 5  Trucking-related uses on all industrial land in the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan Area

Resolution, the Council hereby extends the provisions of Ordinance No. 187552 imposing temporary interim regulations prohibiting the issuance of all permits and certificates of occupancy associated with the establishment or the expansion of all trucking-related uses on all industrial land in the Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan Area, except for the area east of Alameda Street and the Wilmington Industrial Park area located south of G Street and east of Broad Avenue; for an additional extension period of one year, inasmuch as the appropriate City agencies and officials are exercising due diligence and actively working towards the adoption of the appropriate permanent land use regulatory controls.