Month: September 2023

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Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance

Source:  DCP Newsletter

In September, City Planning released a draft of a proposed ordinance that would create an administrative review process for 100% affordable housing projects. The Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance, prepared in response to a City Council motion, would incorporate the streamlining provisions of Mayor Bass’s Executive Directive 1 (ED 1) into the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

The proposed ordinance’s administrative review process would significantly reduce the time, risk, and costs associated with reviewing affordable housing projects. If adopted, it would accelerate the approval and production of affordable housing across the City.

City Planning will hold an online public hearing for the Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance on Wednesday, October 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Department is accepting written comments on the proposed ordinance by email to planning.housingpolicy@lacity.org through October 30.

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Coastal Development Permit Program Ordinance Approved and Referred for Form and Legality Review

Source:  DCP Newsletter

On September 5, the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee of the City Council voted to approve the proposed Coastal Development Permit Program Ordinance. On September 19, the City Council adopted the PLUM Committee’s recommendations and referred the ordinance to the Office of the City Attorney for form and legality review. Approved by the City Planning Commission in July, the proposed ordinance would incorporate the California Coastal Commission’s amendments to the City’s processes and procedures for Coastal Development Permits into the Los Angeles Municipal Code. These amendments clarify procedural language to more closely align with the Coastal Act, among other changes previously adopted by the City Council such as increasing the public hearing notification period from 10 to 24 days, extending the public hearing notification radius from 100 to 300 feet, and lengthening the local appeal period from 10 working days to 15 calendar days.

In June, the City postponed the operative date of the Processes and Procedures Ordinance to January 22, 2024, so that it and the Coastal Development Permit Program could take effect simultaneously. The Processes and Procedures Ordinance reorganizes the administrative provisions of the Zoning Code to make the City’s zoning regulations more user-friendly.

The City Council will consider the final Coastal Development Permit Program Ordinance prepared by the Office of the City Attorney at an upcoming meeting.

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Council and Committee Referral – Tuesday, September 26, 2023

 

21-0890-S4 Feasibility of prioritizing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging rebate applications
To Energy and Environment Committee
Department of Water and Power report, dated September 22, 2023, relative to the feasibility of prioritizing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging rebate applications for multi-family dwelling units located in disadvantaged communities or buildings with greater than 20 percent affordable housing units.

 

 

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Motions – 09.19.2023

Link:  Motions 

Pg.  13  – Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) – Northeast Community Plan

Council instructs the Planning Department, in consultation with the City Attorney, to prepare and present an Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) to prohibit the issuance of building permits for new construction of single-family residences with 2,500 square feet or more inclusive of accessory structures located in the Hillside Construction Regulation Supplemental Use District in the Northeast Community Plan area unless the proposed project completes the site plan review process.

The ICO shall remain in effect until such time as the Code Amendment Ordinance to establish 2,500 square feet inclusive of accessory structures as the size threshold to require Site Plan Review in the Northeast Los Angeles Community Plan area is adopted and becomes effective.

The ICO includes an Urgency Clause, making it effective upon publication and consistent with California Government Code § 65858; the ICO shall run for 45 days, with a 10-month and 15 days extension by Council Resolution, and can be further extended for an additional 1 year, or until the adoption of the appropriate land use regulatory controls have been prepared by the Planning Department, adopted by the Council and become effective, whichever occurs first.

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Motions – September 13, 2023

Link:  Motions 

Pg. 8 City Council instruct the City Attorney and Chief Legislative Analyst, in coordination with the City Administrative Officer and the Departments of Building & Safety, Housing and Planning, report back with recommendations to make enforcement more effective to deter violations of the Loud and Unruly Gatherings Ordinance and the Home-Sharing Ordinance, including increases in fines and other penalties, as well as implementing a cost recovery system that is specific to the enforcement against party houses .

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Zoning Code / Reorganization of Administration Provisions (Processes and Procedures Ordinance) / Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Amendment

F 12-0460-S4     AT CITY COUNCIL 09.19.2023

Final Ordinance No. 187712  01/23/2023

CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION and PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to a proposed Ordinance to amend the provisions of Ordinance 187712 that regulate development applications and approvals in the City’s coastal zones, namely Section 13B.9.1. of Chapter 1A of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC).

Recommendations for Council action:

DETERMINE, based on the whole of the administrative record, that the project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15061(b)(3) and Section 15378(b)(5).

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

APPROVE the proposed Ordinance to amend the provisions of Ordinance 187712 that regulate development applications and approvals in the City’s coastal zones, namely Section 13B.9.1. of Chapter 1A of the LAMC.

REQUEST the City Attorney to prepare and present an Ordinance to incorporate the California Coastal Commission’s amendments to the City’s Coastal Development Permit processes and procedures in Section 13B.9.1 of Chapter 1A of the LAMC to be operative in alignment with the rest of Ordinance 187712.

Applicant: City of Los Angeles

Case No. CPC-2016-3182-CA-AMDT1

Environmental No. ENV-2023-4505-CE

Fiscal Impact Statement: The LACPC reports that there is no General Fund impact as administrative costs are recovered through fees.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

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Nareg Gourdikian / South Valley Area Planning Commission / Commission Appointment

CF 23-1200-S136     AT CITY COUNCIL 09.15.2023

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the appointment of Nareg Gourdikian to the South Valley Area Planning Commission (SVAPC).

Recommendation for Council action:

RESOLVE that the Mayor’s appointment of Nareg Gourdikian to the SVAPC for the term ending June 30, 2028, is APPROVED and CONFIRMED. Appointee currently resides in Council District Four. Nareg Gourdikian will fill the vacancy created by the departure of Anna Mendjian. (Current composition: M = 1; F = 4)

Financial Disclosure Statement: Filed

Background Check: Pending

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

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Motions – September 12, 2023

Link:  Motions

Pg. 8:  Council hereby activates a new streamlined permitting land use regulatory process, the Restaurant Beverage Program-Sensitive Use Zone, wherein the sale of alcohol shall be limited to beer and wine during the one-year provisional period, that shall be in force and full effect in the geographical boundaries attached in Exhibit A.

Based on the findings outlined in Exhibit B relative to the geographic boundaries found in Exhibit A maps, the Restaurant Beverage Program-Sensitive Use Zone is in conformity with public necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.

 

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Ms. Helen Leung to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission

CF  19-1200-S16    CITY COUNCIL 09.13.2023

PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the reappointment of Helen Leung to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (LACPC).

Recommendation for Council action:

RESOLVE that the Mayor’s reappointment of Helen Leung to the LACPC for the term ending June 30, 2028, is APPROVED and CONFIRMED.  Appointee currently resides in Council District 13. Helen Leung’s current term expired on June 30, 2023. (Current composition: M = 2; F = 7)

Financial Disclosure Statement: Filed

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

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Council and Committee Referrals – Wednesday, September 06, 2023

 

23-0600-S13
CD 13		 Disincentivize car-centric uses for the Hollywood Community Plan
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Motion (Soto-Martinez – Harris-Dawson) relative to initiating any necessary General Plan Amendments, and zoning and code amendments, to increase housing, prevent displacement, and disincentivize car-centric uses for the Hollywood Community Plan.

 

21-1230-S4 Remove zoning and density restrictions that would limit the amount of housing produced in Public Facilities Zones and any City owned parcels
To Planning and Land Use Management Committee
Motion (Soto-Martinez – Harris-Dawson – Hutt) relative to directing the Department of City Planning, with assistance from the City Attorney, to prepare and present an ordinance, which would amend Section 12.04.09 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, to remove zoning and density restrictions that would limit the amount of housing produced in Public Facilities Zones and any City owned parcels

 

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SB 423 (Wiener) / Coastal Zone Exemption / Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones / Multifamily Housing Development / Ministerial Approval Process

CF 23-0002-S71     UPDATE

RULES, ELECTIONS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT and RESOLUTION relative to establishing the City’s position regarding Senate Bill (SB) 423 (Wiener), to maintain the Coastal Zone exemption and provide an unconditional exemption for the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Recommendation for Council action, pursuant to Resolution (Park – Yaroslavsky – Lee), SUBJECT TO THE CONCURRENCE OF THE MAYOR:

RESOLVE to include in the City’s 2023-24 State Legislative Program SUPPORT IF AMENDED for SB 423 (Wiener), to maintain the Coastal Zone exemption and provide an unconditional exemption for the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

Fiscal Impact Statement: None submitted by the Chief Legislative Analyst. The City Administrative Officer has not completed a financial analysis of this report.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

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Proposed Transportation Communication Network (TCN) Supplemental Use District (SUD)

CPC-2022-5401-CA; CPC-2023-3653-ZC     City Planning Commission  09.14.2023 

Council District: All CEQA: ENV-2022-5286-EIR Last Day to Act: 11-20-23 Plan Area: Citywide

PUBLIC HEARING – Completed on July 12, 2023

PROJECT SITE: The Proposed Transportation Communication Network (TCN) Supplemental Use District (SUD) is dispersed Citywide on 49 parcels owned by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The parcels can be contiguous and non-contiguous and are predominately adjacent to freeways and major roads within the City including, but not limited to, the 2, 5, 10, 90, 110, 101, 118, 170 and 405 freeways. The TCN SUD includes individual parcels in the communities of Atwater Village, Boyle Heights, Downtown, Echo Park, Encino, Glassell Park, Granada Hills, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Palms, Sherman Oaks, South LA, Sun Valley, Sylmar, Van Nuys, West LA, and Westchester.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT: A code amendment amending Sections 12.32 and 13.00 and establishing Section 13.11.1 of Chapter 1, and a parallel edit to establish a new Section in Article 8 of Chapter 1A, of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) to create a new “Transportation Communication Network,” or “TCN,” Supplemental Use District (SUD), and a Zone Change to apply the TCN District and its regulations and permissions to specific properties owned by Metro within the City. The TCN SUD will permit Metro to install sign structures, including digital display signs, on up to 49 properties owned by Metro. The ordinance proposes specific operational standards, location restrictions, and maintenance requirements for the structures and digital displays. The TCN SUD incorporates a required program for the removal of existing static off-site signs both on Metro owned property and private property resulting in a net reduction in off-site signage within the City. The TCN SUD ordinance details these regulations and requirements, and identifies the Metro owned properties subject to the provisions of the ordinance.

REQUESTED ACTIONS:

1. Find, based on the independent judgment of the decision maker, after consideration of the whole of the administrative record, the Project was assessed in the previously certified Environmental Impact Report No. ENV-2022-5286-EIR (State Clearinghouse No. 2022040363), certified by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors on January 26, 2023; and pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Sections 15162 and 15164 and the Addendum, dated August 2023, that no major revisions to the EIR are required and no subsequent EIR or negative declaration is required for approval of the Project;
2. Approve and Recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed Ordinance with staff’s proposed modifications listed in the Staff Recommendation Report incorporated into the Ordinance;
3. Approve and Recommend that the City Council adopt the Zone Change (Exhibit E) to permit the establishment of a non-contiguous Supplemental Use District, called the Transportation Communication Network, on property owned by Metro with staff’s proposed modifications listed in the Staff Recommendation Report incorporated into the Ordinance;
4. Adopt the Staff Recommendation Report as the Commission’s Report on the subject; and
5. Adopt the Findings.

Applicant: City of Los Angeles

Staff: Andrew Pennington, City Planner andrew.pennington@lacity.org (213) 978-1395

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Metro’s Transportation Communication Network

Dear Stakeholder,
The proposed Metro Transportation Communication Network (TCN) ordinance will be considered by the City Planning Commission (CPC) on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
The CPC meeting follows the Public Hearing held on July 12, 2023. The Staff Recommendation Report to the CPC is now available to the public. The Report includes a revised draft Metro TCN Ordinance along with exhibits that include further details and renderings related to the proposed TCN sign structures and digital displays.
At the direction of the Los Angeles City Council, Los Angeles City Planning has prepared two ordinances to amend the Zoning Code to allow the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to implement a TCN (CF 22-0392).
Metro is proposing to erect digital display signs on up to 49 Metro-owned parcels throughout the city that are adjacent to certain freeways and major streets as part of its TCN program. The proposed ordinances, known collectively as the Metro TCN ordinance, will create a new Supplemental Use District (SUD) and include a Zone Change to apply the TCN SUD and its regulations to specific parcels owned by Metro.
The CPC meeting is an opportunity for stakeholders and the general public to share feedback with the CPC on the proposed Metro TCN Ordinance. The CPC may take an action at the meeting to make a recommendation to the City Council on the proposed ordinance. No final decision will be made at this meeting, and subsequent consideration by the City Council must occur before adoption of the ordinance. We invite you to attend the CPC hearing and participate in the public process.
Los Angeles City Planning prepared and released a draft ordinance on June 14, 2023, followed by a staff-level public hearing held on July 12, 2023 to receive public comment on the draft ordinance. On August 31, 2023, Los Angeles City Planning released a revised draft ordinance, along with the staff recommendation report, to address concerns raised during the public comment period.
The Staff Recommendation Report, revised draft ordinance, maps, and more information can be found on the project website.
The agenda for the CPC meeting will be available here and includes instructions for submitting public comments directly to the CPC. Comments should be sent directly to the CPC at cpc@lacity.org. Please include Planning Case Numbers CPC-2022-5401-CA and CPC-2023-3653-ZC and Environmental Case Number ENV-2022-5286-EIR with your comment.
If you have questions or would like to be added to the interested parties list, please contact Terri Osborne at terri.osborne@lacity.org.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Metro TCN Ordinance.