CF  09-0969-S4     AT PLUM 11.07.2023

Previously Certified Environmental Impact Report No. ENV-2022-5286-EIR (State Clearinghouse No. 2022040363), pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Sections 15162 and 15164, Addendum, Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program, report from the Los Angeles City Planning Commission (LACPC), draft Ordinance to permit the establishment of a contiguous and non-contiguous Supplemental Use District (SUD), called the Transportation Communication Network (TCN), on property owned by Metro, as revised by the LACPC to include: a) a minimum distance requirement between signs resulting in the removal of one sign ; b) removal of two signs due to proximity to a State Park ; c) a public art requirement for specific single-faced TCN structures; and d) changes in the takedown provisions, building permit requirement and the number of signs to be removed prior to the approval of Freeway Facing sign structures; and a proposed Metro TCN Ordinance that would establish a new TCN Supplemental Use District (SUD) permitting 46 TCN Structures and 80 digital display off-site signs on specific Metro-owned properties Citywide.

Applicant: City of Los Angeles

Case No. CPC-2022-5401-CA; CPC-2023-3653-ZC

Related Case No. 22-0392

Environmental No. ENV-2022-5286-EIR; State Clearinghouse No. 2022040363

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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.

To better assist Department of Building and Safety customers, this past quarter, the following enhancements to services were implemented:

• The Plan Check and Inspection System (PCIS) System has been updated to identify applications as ED1 for affordable housing.
• Updates in ePermit were completed for Solar Contractors with C46 licenses, and they can now use ePermit for Solar PV (solar photovoltaic) applications with Energy Storage Systems (ESS) logic.
• LADBS is running a pilot program with iPads in the field. Devices have been issued to Code Enforcement and Inspection Bureau staff. The new feature is for iPads to allow viewing electronic plans in the field. The devices are also used to access other LADBS systems.

• Read: New ED 1 Guidelines for Affordable Housing Streamlining  03/08/2023
• Read:  DCP Implementation Guidelines
• Read: Implementation guidelines for executive directive 1: expedition of permits and clearances for temporary shelters and affordable housing types.
• Read: Mayor Bass Seeks to Streamline Affordable Housing Through Executive Directive

  

  LOS ANGELES – As part of her agenda to move Los Angeles in a new direction by taking an unprecedented and urgent approach to the city’s homelessness crisis, Mayor Karen Bass today issued Executive Directive 1 to dramatically accelerate and lower the cost of building affordable housing and temporary housing.

  For affordable housing built under Executive Directive 1, the City must complete the approval process within 60 days. Then, when construction starts, the permit, utility and certificate of occupancy process will be completed in just 5 days for 100% affordable housing and in no more than 2 days for temporary housing. The Executive Directive comes on the heels of the mayor’s Emergency Declaration on Homelessness (her first act as mayor) and her activation of the Emergency Operations Center.

  “This is a dramatic reduction in red tape and acceleration of the construction timeline that will move people inside faster and save precious dollars that can be invested in more housing and more solutions for L.A.’s homelessness crisis,” said Mayor Bass. “By declaring a state of emergency; by activating the City’s Emergency Operations Center; and by signing this executive directive today, we are breaking City Hall away from its traditional approach that is focused on process and replacing it with a new approach focused on solutions, results and speed. This is a sea change, and that is what we need to bring a new direction to Los Angeles.”

  The signing of the Executive Directive took place on the active construction site of Lorena Plaza in Boyle Heights, which took 14 years of navigating regulatory and legal hurdles to finally break ground. Under this directive, at least 31 pending 100% affordable housing projects will be immediately expedited with the urgency representing the emergency that the city of Los Angeles is facing.

  The Executive Directive can be found below:

  EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE NO. 1

  ISSUE DATE:  DECEMBER 16, 2022

  Subject: Expedition of Permits and Clearances for Temporary Shelters and Affordable Housing Types

  INTRODUCTION

  To aid in swiftly sheltering people who are unhoused in the City of Los Angeles, and by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Los Angeles under Section 231(i) of the Los Angeles City Charter and the provisions of Section 8.29 of the Los Angeles Administrative Code, I hereby declare the following order to be necessary for the protection of life and property and I hereby order, effective immediately, that:

  1. Applications for 100% affordable housing projects, or for Shelter as defined in Section 12.03 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) (hereinafter referred to as Shelter), shall be, and hereby are deemed exempt from discretionary review processes otherwise required by either the zoning provisions of Chapter 1 of the LAMC or other Project Review including Site Plan Review as described in LAMC Section 16.05 and LAMC Section 13B.2.4, as long as such plans do not require any zoning change, variance, or General Plan amendment. All City departments are directed to process all plans for such 100 percent affordable housing projects or Shelter using the streamlined ministerial review process currently used for projects eligible under Government Code section 65913.4, State Density Bonus law.

  2. An application for the development of a 100 percent affordable housing project or Shelter may use the density permitted for that site either by the applicable zoning or the General Plan Land Use Designation, consistent with state law. In addition, a project may utilize the State Density Bonus and LAMC bonuses, incentives, waivers and concessions if such are in compliance with the applicable requirements.

  3. I further direct all applicable City Departments to process clearances and utility releases related to building permit applications, certificates of occupancy, or temporary certificates of occupancy within 5 business days for 100 percent affordable housing projects and within 2 business days for Shelters.

  4. I further direct all applicable City Departments to conduct and conclude all reviews and inspections required for 100 percent affordable housing projects or Shelters and to issue all appropriate approvals for such projects or Shelters within 60 days following the submission of the completed application. City Departments shall provide the applicant with all required changes or amendments on or before the 30th day following the submission of a completed application for such projects. To the extent practicable, all required reviews and approvals shall be conducted simultaneously, not sequentially, by all City departments so as to meet the 30 day and 60 day periods specified for such projects in this paragraph.

  5. I hereby direct the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) to coordinate with the Los Angeles City Controller to track and process all affordable housing projects and expedite payments thereon. LAHD shall track each pending pay application, initial submittal date, approval date, reasons for rejection or modification of submitted payment applications, and issuance of payment, and shall provide reports to the Mayor on all such payments at least monthly with the goal of expediting payments due for affordable housing projects.

  6. I hereby direct that all protocols set by the Los Angeles County Coordinated Entry System as they apply within the City of Los Angeles be expanded, changed, or suspended, as allowed by federal law.  Rules, guidelines and regulations will be developed to expedite the placement of unhoused neighbors into housing in the City of Los Angeles.

  7. I hereby direct all City departments to prioritize and streamline compliance with the provisions of the Building Homes and Jobs Act – Government Code section 27388.1 in order to maximize the City’s eligibility for state and federal funds to support the development of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and supportive housing. The City shall seek to comply with or otherwise meet all criteria specified under all applicable state and federal laws that provide for increased resources, funding, access or allowance for temporary or affordable housing.

  8. Effective February 28, 2023, in accordance with the end of the State of California COVID-19 emergency, I hereby rescind the Public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority issued on January 28, 2022 (January 28, 2022 Order).  Notwithstanding this action, all entitlements already approved and still valid as of this date, or approved during the effective period of the January 28, 2022 Order, shall remain valid for the extended time period(s) as if such January 28, 2022 Order were still in effect with respect to such entitlements.  Furthermore, local decision-makers, including the Director of Planning and the Chief Zoning Administrator, are authorized to continue to hold all required public hearings under the Los Angeles Municipal Code in a manner consistent with the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, and any subsequent orders or published guidance pertaining to local legislative bodies.

  9.       The City Planning and Housing Departments shall issue guidelines as necessary to implement the provisions of this Executive Directive.

Department of City Planning website,  Commissions, Boards, and Hearings

In accordance with Mayor Bass’s Revised COVID-19 City Updates Memo, Brown Act bodies will resume meeting in person as of March 1. As City Planning staff noted important growth and depth of participation once we began virtual meetings, City Planning will conduct meetings in a hybrid format that preserves the option for remote participation for public comments. Commissioners and board members will attend in person, as will applicants, appellants, and staff members.

City Planning’s Brown Act bodies comprise nine commissions (the City Planning Commission (CPC), the Cultural Heritage Commission, and seven area planning commissions), 21 Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) boards, 12 design review boards, and one plan review board. Of these bodies, only CPC will meet in the City Council chambers in Downtown and Van Nuys, which are outfitted with specialized audiovisual equipment.

While the meetings of the area planning commissions, design review boards, CPC, and HPOZ boards will adopt a hybrid model, please note that the Office of Zoning Administration, hearing officer, and subdivision public hearings will remain fully virtual.

CF 23-0188  AT CITY COUNCIL 03/01/2023

CONSIDERATION OF MOTION (KREKORIAN – HARRIS-DAWSON – BLUMENFIELD) relative to best practices and recommendations for the development and implementation of an independent auditors/investigators office to provide focused oversight and monitoring of land use, development, and construction services in the City of Los Angeles, including potential amendments to the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), Los Angeles Administrative Code (LAAC), and City Charter.

Recommendation for Council action:

INSTRUCT the Ethics Commission, with the assistance of the Department of City Planning, Department of Building and Safety, Bureau of Engineering, Chief Legislative Analyst, and City Attorney, to report on best practices and recommendations for the development, implementation, structure, budget, and operation of an independent auditors/ investigators office to provide focused oversight and monitoring of land use, development, and construction services in the City of Los Angeles, including potential amendments to the LAMC, LAAC, and City Charter.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

(Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform waived consideration of the above matter

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CF 20-0291        UPDATE  02/24/2023 (in Red)

Read: Tolling and Conclusion of the COVID-19 Local Emergency Order    02/24/2023

On September 28, 2022, the Governor signed Assembly Bills (AB) 2334, 1551, and 682, three bills that make various amendments and clarifications to State Density Bonus Law, Government Code (GC) Section 65915. State Density Bonus Law is implemented through the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance, primarily Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Section 12.22 A.25, as amended.

This memo describes the changes, clarifications, and additions to State Density Bonus Law, and will serve as interim guidance for staff and project applicants on the implementation of AB 2334, 1551, and 682 until the time the LAMC is updated to include these provisions, or this memo is otherwise superseded. Staff and interested parties are encouraged to refer to state law in Government Code Section 65915 for additional information, as the memo is not exhaustive. Further, this memorandum provides a summary of pertinent sections for reference purposes only and is not intended to conflict with State Law.

Prior Post

RESOLUTION relative to the Declaration of Local Emergency by the Mayor, dated March 4, 2020, wherein he declared that conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen both internationally and within the United States as a result of the introduction of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), pursuant to the provisions of the Los Angeles Administrative Code (LAAC) Section 8.27.

Recommendation for Council action:

ADOPT the accompanying RESOLUTION to:

Resolve that a local emergency exists and continues to persist within the meaning of LAAC Section 8.21, et seq., and the continuation of the Mayor’s Declaration of Local Emergency is therefore necessary, which City Council hereby ratifies and renews.

Direct, in accordance with the LAAC, Section 8.21 et seq., all appropriate City departments, agencies and personnel to continue to perform all duties and responsibilities to represent the City of Los Angeles in this matter to abate the emergency and receive, process and coordinate all inquiries and requirements necessary to obtain whatever State and Federal assistance that may become available to the citizens of Los Angeles who may be affected by the emergency.

Instruct the General Manager, Emergency Management Department, to advise the Mayor and City Council on the need for extension of this Declaration Of Local Emergency as may be required.

Instruct the City Clerk to place on the agenda at least every 30 days, from the adoption of this Resolution thereafter unless rescinded.

Instruct the City Clerk to forward copies of this Resolution to the Governor of the State of California, the Director of the California Office of Emergency Services, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

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CF 21-1189         AT CITY COUNCIL 02/24/2023

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY relative to finding in accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 361 Section 3(e)(1)(B) whether meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees because of the continuing state of emergency related the Covid-19 pandemic, as originally proclaimed by the Governor on March 4, 2020; and related actions.

Recommendations for Council action:

FIND in accordance with AB 361 Section 3(e)(3) that, while the state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as originally proclaimed by the Governor on March 4, 2020, remains active and/or state or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, the City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency and finds for City Council, including its advisory Committees, that the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person and/or state or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing.

FIND in accordance with AB 361 Section 3(e)(3) that, while the state of emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as originally proclaimed by the Governor on March 4, 2020, remains active and/or state or local officials have imposed or recommended measures to promote social distancing, the City Council has reconsidered the circumstances of the state of emergency and finds for all City Brown Act bodies that the state of emergency continues to directly impact the ability of the members to meet safely in person and/or state or local officials continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing.

INSTRUCT the Clerk to place on the agenda for a Council meeting not more than 30 calendar days after Council adopts these findings and recommendations an item entitled “Findings to Continue Teleconference Meetings Pursuant to AB 361 and Related Actions” and include these same recommendations for adoption by Council; and, instruct the Clerk to continue to do so on the agenda for a Council meeting not more than 30 calendar days after each time Council adopts these findings and recommendations until Council instructs the Clerk to cease doing so.

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CF 23-0002-S17

Read:  Resolution, January 10, 2023 

CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION (BLUMENFIELD – KREKORIAN – MCOSKER) relative to establishing the City’s position in its 2023-2024 State Legislative Program, its position on amending the Ralph M. Brown Act to allow local legal, legislative bodies, including appointed boards, commissions, advisory bodies, and Neighborhood Councils, to continue to conduct most meetings virtually in the absence of any special circumstances, subject to appropriate safeguards to ensure full and robust opportunities for public participation, including by persons who lack means of digital access.

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

RESOLVE to include in the City’s 2023 – 2024 State Legislative Program SUPPORT for legislative action that would amend the Ralph M. Brown Act to allow local legal, and legislative bodies, including appointed boards, commissions, advisory bodies, and Neighborhood Councils, to continue to conduct most meetings virtually in the absence of any special circumstances, subject to appropriate safeguards to ensure full and robust opportunities for public participation, including by persons who lack means of digital access.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

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

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Amend CF 22-0001 to change dates of Winter Recess to Wednesday 12/14/2022 through Friday 12/30/2022

Aban on political contributions from restricted developers goes into effect today.  In December 2019, the City Council adopted an ordinance that limits the ability of persons involved in certain City development projects to make City campaign contributions, and they specified that it should take effect with the 2022 regular general elections.  See Council File No. 19-0046.

The ban prohibits restricted developers from making contributions to the Mayor, the City Attorney, a City Council member, a candidate for one of those offices, or a City committee controlled by one of those individuals.  Restricted developers are the applicants, property owners, and principals associated with 17 types of significant planning entitlements, which are identified in Los Angeles Municipal Code § 49.7.37(A)(5).

The contribution ban begins the day that an application for a significant planning entitlement is submitted to the Planning Department.  It ends 12 months after the date a letter of determination is issued or, if no letter is issued, the date the decision on the application is final.

Applicants for significant planning entitlements are required to register their cases with the Ethics Commission.  Registration must be done online through the Restricted Developer Filing System (RDFS).  Planning applications are not complete and cannot move forward until registration is confirmed.

Additional information is available online and in the restricted developer flyer.  For assistance with the contribution ban or the registration requirement, please contact the Ethics Commission at ethics.rdfs@lacity.org.

Source:  Department of Building and Safety,  April 21, 2022

CF 21-1385   AT PLUM 02.15.2022

Motion (Blumenfield – Raman) relative to instructing the Department of City Planning, in consultation with the City Attorney, to report to the Council with recommendations for more effective requirements for on-site posting and mailed notices of proposed discretionary land use actions, including larger sizes, longer posting periods, renderings where and when appropriate, and use of plain language; to base those recommendations on notices and procedures already established in other jurisdictions; and, to thereby provide all interested stakeholders with fully transparent notices.

Community Impact Statement: None submitted

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

• 02/11/2022 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on February 15, 2022.  Motion  11/23/2021
• 11/23/2021 Motion referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.  Motion  11/23/2021

Source:  Department of City Planning

Dear Angelenos:

CF 09-0969-S3   FINAL ACTION 10/22/2021

Report from the City Attorney and draft Ordinance amending Sections 19.00 through 19.12 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code for a Comprehensive Fee Update to more accurately represent the cost of providing planning and land use services, a Department of City Planning report relative to a report back on various case processing fees and data for the Comprehensive Fee Update, and a determination that the Comprehensive Fee Update is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project,” pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4).

Fiscal Impact Statement: No Community Impact Statement: Yes
Against:
Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council
North Hollywood Northeast Neighborhood Council

SATT:  Review prior Comprehensive fee Ordinance No. 185432 03/24/20218

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

• 10/22/2021 Ordinance posted/published. Ordinance effective date: December 27, 2021.  Final Ordinance No. 187237 12/27/2021
• 10/20/2021 City Clerk transmitted Council File to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is 11/1/2021.  Amending Motion (Harris-Dawson – Price) 10/19/2021; Attachment to Report dated 10-13-21 – Revised Draft Ordinance 10/13/2021; Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 09/21/2021
• 10/19/2021 Council adopted item, as amended, forthwith.  Report from City Attorney 10/13/2021; Attachment to Report dated 10-13-21 – Revised Draft Ordinance 10/13/2021; Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 09/21/2021
• 10/15/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on October 19, 2021.   Report from City Attorney 10/13/2021; Attachment to Report dated 10-13-21 – Revised Draft Ordinance 10/13/2021; Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 09/21/2021
• 10/14/2021 City Attorney document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.  Report from City Attorney 10/13/2021; Attachment to Report dated 10-13-21 – Revised Draft Ordinance 10/13/2021
• 10/14/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee waived consideration of item .   Report from City Attorney 10/13/2021; Attachment to Report dated 10-13-21 – Revised Draft Ordinance 10/13/2021
• 10/13/2021 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:    Report from City Attorney 10/13/2021; Attachment to Report dated 10-13-21 – Revised Draft Ordinance 10/13/2021

City Attorney report R21-0310, dated October 13, 2021, relative to a revised draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to update fees for applications and appeals for planning approvals.

• 10/05/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on October 19, 2021. Attachment to Report dated 09/16/2021 – Draft Ordinance 09/16/2021; Report from Department of City Planning 08/26/2021
• 09/21/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved item(s) relative to the City Attorney report and draft Ordinance; noted and filed the Department of City Planning (DCP) report dated August 26, 2021; and, requested the City Attorney to work with the DCP to update the City’s Eldercare Facilities Ordinance to streamline the land use process.   Report from City Attorney 09/16/2021; Attachment to Report dated 09/16/2021 – Draft Ordinance 09/16/2021; Report from Department of City Planning 08/26/2021
• 09/17/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 21, 2021.   Report from City Attorney 09/16/2021; Attachment to Report dated 09/16/2021 – Draft Ordinance 09/16/2021; Report from Department of City Planning 08/26/2021.
• 09/17/2021 City Attorney document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.  Report from City Attorney 09/16/2021; Attachment to Report dated 09/16/2021 – Draft Ordinance 09/16/2021
• 09/17/2021 Document(s) submitted by City Attorney, as follows:  Report from City Attorney 09/16/2021; Attachment to Report dated 09/16/2021 – Draft Ordinance 09/16/2021

City Attorney report R21-0273, dated September 16, 2021, relative to a draft Ordinance amending the Los Angeles Municipal Code to update fees for applications and appeals for planning approvals.

• 08/27/2021 Department of City Planning document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Report from Department of City Planning 08/26/2021
• 08/26/2021 Document(s) submitted by Department of City Planning, as follows:  Report from Department of City Planning 08/26/2021

Department of City Planning report, dated August 26, 2021, relative to various case processing fees and data.

• 05/19/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 05/19/2021 Council action final.
• 05/18/2021 Council adopted item, as amended, forthwith.   Amending Motion (Harris-Dawson for Krekorian – OFarrell) 05/18/2021, Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 05/04/2021
• 05/14/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 18, 2021.  Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee 05/04/2021
• 05/04/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved item(s) as recommended by the Department of City Planning (DCP), with requests for reports by the DCP. Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020) 12/02/2020, Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
  05/02/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Park Mesa Heights. Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 4/26/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/19/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on May 4, 2021.  Report from City Administrative Officer 02/24/2021; Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020; Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020) 12/02/2020; Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
• 04/11/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by PICO Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/07/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/06/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee meeting cancelled.
• 04/06/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Empowerment Congress North Area NDC.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/04/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/04/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council.   Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/02/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westwood Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 04/01/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 6, 2021.  Report from City Administrative Officer 02/24/2021; Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020; Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020) 12/02/2020; Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
• 03/31/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council.   Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/28/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/25/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mid City WEST Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/24/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Wilmington Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/22/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on March 6, 2021.   Report from City Administrative Officer 02/24/2021, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020) 12/02/2020, Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
• 03/13/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Wilshire Center Koreatown NC. Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/12/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Del Rey Neighborhood Council. Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/10/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Mar Vista Community Council.   Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 03/02/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee continued item to/for April 6, 2021 .
• 02/26/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on March 2, 2021.
• 02/24/2021 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee; Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Report from City Administrative Officer 02/24/2021
• 02/24/2021 Document(s) submitted by City Administrative Officer, as follows:  Report from City Administrative Officer 02/24/2021

City Administrative Officer report 0220-04851-0019, dated February 24, 2021, relative to the Department of City Planning’s comprehensive fee update.

• 02/18/2021 Community Impact Statement submitted by Hollywood United Neighborhood Council.  Refer to CF 09-0969-S3
• 02/16/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee continued item to/for March 2, 2021 .   Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020) 12/02/2020, Report from Department of City Planning 12/03/2020.
• 02/11/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on February 16, 2021.  Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020) 12/02/2020,  Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
• 02/04/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee continued item to/for February 16, 2021 .
• 01/21/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on February 4, 2021.   Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020), 12/02/2020, Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
• 12/02/2020 Department of City Planning document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.   Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020), 12/02/2020, Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020
• 12/02/2020 Document(s) submitted by Department of City Planning, as follows:  Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – NBS Fee Study (2016) 12/02/2020, Attachment to Report dated 12/02/2020 – Updated Fee Analysis and Schedule (November 2020), 12/02/2020, Report from Department of City Planning 12/02/2020

Department of City Planning report, dated December 2, 2020, relative to a comprehensive fee update.

You may have found by surprise; a referral form must be obtained before you can file an application.  Historically, there was once a process entitled Community Planner Comments.  This allowed community planning planners to identify and comment on what the staff should consider in preparing reports to commissions or Letters of Determination by Zoning Administrators.

 This process was behind the curtain and not required by an applicant. It was terminated by Robert Sutton, who you may remember as the Principal of the Zoning/Consistency Program, then later promoted to Deputy Director.

The prior process has been replaced by Referral Form. These forms are prepared by the Applicant and reviewed and signed by the Department of City Planning staff before applying for a case or building permit. Any modifications to the form’s content(s) after its authorization by the Department of City Planning staff are prohibited. The Department of City Planning reserves the right to require an updated form for the project if more than 180 days have transpired since the approval date or as necessary to reflect project modifications, policy changes, and/or amendments to the LAMC, local laws, and State laws.

Access DCP Forms:  DCP List of Forms   For assistance regarding planner assignment, please consult DCP Staff.  An Assignment List can be found on the DCP website at http://planning.lacity.org.

• City Planning Application Filing Instructions  CP-7810
• City Planning Application CP-7771.1
• Request for Hearing Waiver CP-7843
• Primary Checklist for Filing CP-7782.1

AB 168 Notice of Intent for SB35 Process  (Also, refer to Department Memo December 6, 2021)

This Notice of Intent (NOI) Form serves to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 168 (2020) as it relates to Tribal Scoping Consultations for projects seeking review through the Senate Bill (SB) 35 (2017) Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process. AB 168 creates a process for tribal consultation for housing development projects seeking review under the SB 35 Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process.

Additional information can be found in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research AB 168 Technical Advisory dated November 2020. This AB 168 NOI for SB 35 projects shall be completed by the Applicant and accompanied by the required documentation listed on page 5 (Section E).

The AB 168 Notice of Intent shall be submitted to the Los Angeles City Planning (LACP), Housing Services Unit (HSU) after the Affordable Housing (CP-4043), Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) (CP-4050), or Qualified Permanent Supportive Housing (QPSH) (CP-4053) Referral Form have been initiated by HSU Staff.

Affordable Housing Referral Form  CP-4043

This form (CP-4043) is required if the request includes an affordable housing incentive under the Density Bonus Program, Measure JJJ, the Greater Downtown Housing Incentive Program. It must be completed by the Applicant and signed by the Housing Services Unit (HSU) Staff. For assistance, please contact dcpphp@lacity.org.

The form is reviewed by the Los Angeles City Planning’s (LACP) Development Services Center (DSC) for Affordable Housing case filing purposes (in addition to the required Department of City Planning Application and any other necessary documentation); and to the City of Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), or other City agency for project status and entitlement need purposes. All Applicants are required to provide a complete set of architectural plans at the time that this form is submitted for review. Any application submitted that is missing any required materials will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until all materials are submitted.

This form shall be completed by the Applicant and reviewed and signed by LACP DSC Housing Services Unit (HSU) Staff prior to filing an application for an entitlement, administrative review, or building permit. Any modifications to the content(s) of this form after its authorization by HSU Staff is prohibited. LACP reserves the right to require an updated Referral Form for the project if more than 180 days have transpired since the referral date, or as necessary, to reflect project modifications, policy changes, bus route changes, bus schedule changes, and/or amendments to the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), local laws, and State laws.

AB 2556 Determination Letter  (AFFORDABLE UNIT DETERMINATION CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §§65915, 65915.5, AB 2222, as amended by AB 2556)

In order to receive a building permit for a density bonus project that involves the demolition or conversion of rental units and/or construction on vacant land where rental units were demolished/converted within five years, an owner must first comply with the housing replacement provisions of California Government Code §§65915, 65915.5 as amended by AB 2222 and 2556, which were signed into law by Governor Brown on September 27, 2014, and August 19, 2016, respectively. California Government Code §§65915, 65915.5 requires owners of density bonus projects resulting in a loss of existing and in some cases, prior existing housing units, to replace these units on a one-for-one-basis, extends the affordability period of all density bonus projects from 30 years to 55 years from the date of Certificate of Occupancy, and expands the use of equity sharing in for-sale units to low, very low and moderate-income households.

The first step in meeting the new obligations is to complete an application for an Affordable Unit Determination with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). Once completed, a Land Use Analyst will conduct a determination as to potential affordable units. Information about the existing property for the five years prior to the date of the owner’s permit request is required in order to make a determination. Affordability is primarily measured by: the income level of the tenants. The existing property’s affordability status must be fully supported by reliable documentary evidence such as employer pay stubs. In the absence of income documentation: (1) For density bonus projects, the Land Use staff will make a determination that rental units were last occupied by 49% very low-income and 18% low-income households pursuant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) database. (2) For transit-oriented communities (TOC) projects, the determination breakdown will be 30% extremely low income, 19% very low income, and 18% low income. All replacement calculations resulting in fractional units shall be rounded up to the next whole number. The bedroom size of the existing units and the proportionality of the bedroom sizes of the new units will be considered to determine the bedroom types of the replacement units.

This information, along with information provided by any existing tenants, will be used to determine whether affordable units currently exist and need to be replaced. Tenant information can take four to six weeks to receive and process. For Discretionary projects, an Affordable Unit Determination will be given to the Planning Department concerning the conditions which must be met prior to granting a building permit on the project. For By-right projects, a determination letter will be given to the owner prior to completing the land use covenant.

Bureau of Engineering (BOE) Planning Case Referral Form (PCRF)  BOE Website:  PCRF Form

Purpose: This document will establish the preliminary right-of-way requirements for projects for which a Master Land Use Application is required other than for a subdivision.

The Planning Case Referral Form (PCRF) is required if the Master Land Use Application is for a project which includes one of the following:

• • New Construction or Addition to the Floor Area for commercial and/or industrial purposes in any zone.
  • New construction, alteration, and increasing dwelling units for multi-family buildings in any zone.
  • Zone Changes

The PCRF is not required for projects involving a subdivision or Single-Family dwelling in the Hillside Area. (Refer to L.A.M.C. 12.21 A 17 e and a Hillside Referral Form)

A City Engnner’s Land Use Report supersedes and is required to establish final conditions for which a PCRF has been prepared and which requires the establishment of conditions for the approval of a Master Land Use Application.  This form must be obtained from BOE if the project proposes a Zone Change or a Subdivision Map.

A PCRF expires after 2 years.

Case Consultation Referral  CP-3598 

This form (CP-3598) is required if your project request includes one or more of the entitlement requests listed on the Case Consultation Referral Form.

• Zone Change/Height District Change
• Amendment to Council Instructions T Instructions, Q Conditions, D Limitations
• Zone Variance
• Conditional Use Permits for Automotive Related Uses, for Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay (NSO) District, or requiring City Planning Commission approval, excluding Density Bonus > 35% pursuant to LAMC Section 12.24 U.26
• Eldercare Facility
• Public Benefit Alternative Compliance
• Condominium Conversions

The Form must be signed by the Project Planning Staff assigned to the Geographic Planning area or Major Projects if Major Projects will be processing the case.  This form is not required for cases filed with the Expedited Processing Section (EPS).

Case Consultation Referral.  CP-3598) 

This form (CP-3598)  is required for any project which involves the construction of five (5) or more residential units, the construction of a new main building, or the filing of a Vesting Tentative Tract Map. Exceptions include those utilizing the Qualified Permanent Supportive Housing (QPSH) Ordinance and applicable streamlining measures (SB 35 or SB 2162).

Department of Building and Safety / City Planning Joint Referral Form Slope Analysis and Maximum Residential Floor Area Verification Form Single-Family Zone Hillside Ordinance No. 181,624 and 184,802

This form is used by the Department of Building and Safety and City Planning to determine a permitted maximum Residential Floor Area for a project (new construction or addition to existing construction) in the R1, R1H, RS, RA, and RE zones located within the Hillside Area as defined in Section 12.03 of the Code.

Expedite Fee Agreement

This form is required if the Expedited Processing Section (EPS) has accepted the application for processing and must be signed and dated within 180 days of the date the application is filed. The Form requires a notarized signature by the Property Owner/Applicant. This form is not available online but can be obtained from EPS Staff. Refer to the LACP website for more information on how to initiate this process at https://planning.lacity.org/development-services/expedited-processing.

General Plan Amendment – Initiation Request Form  CP-7750.1 

This form (CP-7750.1) is required if the request includes a General Plan Amendment and includes authorization from the Director of Planning. Refer to the General Plan Amendment – Special Requirements Form (CP-7723.1) for more information on how to initiate this process

Geographic Project Planning Referral  CP-7812 

Any case filing application submitted to Los Angeles City Planning (LACP) for a project which is subject to one or more of the below-listed Overlays shall include a completed and signed Geographic Project Planning Referral Form (Referral Form).  The form is (CP-7812) and must be signed by the planner assigned to the respective Specific Plan/Overlay.

Applicable Overlays

• • Specific Plan
  • Community Design Overlay (CDO)
  • Neighborhood Oriented District (NOD)
  • Community Plan Implementation Ordinance (CPIO)
  • Design Review Board (DRB)
  • Pedestrian-Oriented District (POD)
  • Sign District(SN)

HCIDLA Proof of Filing  HCID Replacement Unit Determination,  DCP  CP-3609

• See  PROPERTY OWNER DECLARATION TO NO NET LOSS OF HOUSING UNITS PURSUANT TO THE HOUSING CRISIS ACT OF 2019

As part of AB2556, effective January 1, 2015, the Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA) must evaluate properties on which there is a proposed Density Bonus case and determine whether replacement units are required. Include proof of filing with HCIDLA via Housing Application Forms that are stamped by said department.   The form is Affordable Unit Determination, Checklist AB2556.

As part of Senate Bill (SB) 8, the Housing Crisis Act of 2019,  effective January 1, 2022, amended California Government Code Section 66300 et seq. to prohibit the approval of any proposed housing development project (“Project”) on a site (“Property”) that will require demolition of existing dwelling units or occupied or vacant “Protected Units” unless the Project replaces those units as specified below. The replacement requirements below apply to the following projects. SB 8 Application

• Discretionary Housing Development Projects that receive final approval on or after January 1, 2022,
• Ministerial On-menu Density Bonus, SB 35, and AB 2162 Housing Development Projects that submit an application to Los Angeles City Planning (LACP) on or after January 1, 2022, and to
• Ministerial Housing Development Projects that submit a complete set of plans to the Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS) for Plan Check and permit on or after January 1, 2022.

• SB 8 Replacement unit determination housing crisis act of 2019, as amended by SB 8 (2021)

The Housing Crisis Act of 2019, as amended by SB 8 (California Government Code Section 66300 et seq.), prohibits the approval of any proposed housing development project (“Project”) on a site (“Property”) that will require demolition of existing dwelling units or occupied or vacant “Protected Units” unless the Project replaces those units as specified below. The replacement requirements below apply to the following projects:

• • Discretionary Housing Development Projects that receive final approval from Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)on or after January 1, 2022,
  • Ministerial On-Menu Density Bonus, SB 35 and AB 2162 Housing Development Projects that submit an application LACP on or after January 1, 2022, and
  • Ministerial Housing Development Projects that submit a complete set of plans to the Los Angeles Department of Building & Safety (LADBS) for Plan Check and permit on or after January 1, 2022.

Replacement of Existing Dwelling Units The Project shall provide at least as many residential dwelling units as the greatest number of residential dwelling units that existed on the Property within the past 5 years.

• SB 8 No Net Loss Declaration (DCP)  CP-4609 

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 66300, a Housing Development Project, must include at least as many residential dwelling units as the greatest number of residential dwelling units that existed on the project site within the last five years (i.e., “no net loss”). Projects subject to the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (HCA) that result in a net loss of housing are prohibited.

Before a City Planning application can be accepted or a building permit issued, the owner of each pro involved must provide a signature to verify the No Net Loss Declaration is being filed with their knowledge All new Housing Development Projects meeting the following criteria may qualify to use this declaration:

(1) a residential unit that does not involve the removal of more than one unit;
(2) new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), Junior ADUs (JADU), or Movable Tiny Homes (MTH) that do not involve the removal of any number of units;
(3) a new SB 9 Two Unit Development pursuant to Government Code Section 65852.21 that does not involve the alteration or removal of any number of units; or
(4) a new SB 9 Urban Lot Split, pursuant to Government Code Section 66411.7, that does not involve the alteration or removal of any units and is not on a site that has removed any units within the past five years.

If the Housing Development Project results in fewer legal units than existed in the past five years, then the project must provide additional units so as not to result in a net loss (e.g., a duplex must be replaced by at least two units), and an SB 8 Replacement Unit Determination (RUD) letter must be obtained from the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD).

Where residential dwelling units were withdrawn from rent or lease in accordance with Government Code Chapter 12.75 (commencing with Section 7060) of Division 7 of Title 1 (the “Ellis Act”) within the past 10 years, a Housing Development Project must obtain an SB 8 RUD letter from LAHD. The project must also be in compliance with Government Code Sections 66300(d)(2)(C) and 66300(d)(2) (D)(i), which require the developer to allow existing occupants to occupy their units until six months before the start of construction activities and to provide relocation benefits to lower income occupants of those affordable residential rental units.

In lieu of signing this declaration, an SB 8 RUD letter may be obtained from LAHD.

Note No. 1 Housing Development Projects within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), as determined by the State Fire Marshal, are not subject to HCA housing replacement review. For additional housing replacement information on specific sites, go to the -Housing’ tab on www.zimas.lacity.org

SB 9 Urban Lot Split (DCP, Website)

Provides a streamlined process for subdividing an existing single-family zoned lot into two new parcels, also known as an Urban Lot Split and Two Unit Developments for creating Two Unit Developments on single-family zoned lots

Both of the above-streamlined processes are subject to specific eligibility criteria. The best way to assess whether a parcel is eligible for SB 9 is by using the City Planning’s Zone Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS) tool.  Click the “Planning and Zoning” menu in ZIMAS on the left side of the screen, and scroll down to the “SB 9 Eligibility” line. Click the adjacent link to display the Eligibility Criteria Checklist, indicating whether the site is eligible for SB 9.

NOTE: Two Unit Developments are processed by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) through a building permit application, while Urban Lot Split applications are processed by City Planning.

For planning-related inquiries, you may email planning.SB9@lacity.org.

Key Information

• • Remember the following things if you plan to use SB 9 in Los Angeles. Email planning-related questions to planning.SB9@lacity.org.
  • City Planning processes all SB 9 Urban Lot Split filings. Please scroll down for links to application forms and application instructions.
    LADBS processes all Two Unit Developments. Contact LADBS about filing a building permit application and for answers to questions about approving a Two Unit Development. (Scroll down for contact information.)
    SB 9 projects cannot demolish “protected units,” such as units of covenanted affordable housing, units subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), or any unit occupied by a tenant in the last three years. Any property developed with a single-family residence built prior to October 1, 1978 and an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), or two or more dwelling units, is considered subject to the RSO. Contact the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) with questions about whether a property is subject to the RSO.
  • If an existing unit has been occupied by a tenant within the last three years, SB 9 projects cannot demolish more than 25% of the exterior walls of the unit.
    Lot splits are subject to a minimum three-year owner occupancy requirement by an affidavit, meaning one of the units shall be the primary residence for the owner for at least three years after approval for the lot split.
    A parcel can only be divided once through the SB 9 Urban Lot Split process.
  • The same person (or someone acting on their behalf) cannot split a lot on adjacent lots (i.e., a person who owns two adjacent parcels cannot perform lot splits on both).
    Short-term and vacation rentals are prohibited, as units may only be rented for 30 days or longer. However, City-registered Home-Sharing as an accessory use to a primary residence is permitted.
    If a property contains protected trees, consult with Public Works’ Urban Forestry Division early. Scroll down for contact information.
    An applicant can request an Urban Lot Split in combination with a Two Unit Development on each newly created lot.
    For SB 9 Urban Lot Splits, ADUs count towards the two unit maximum per lot.
  • For SB 9 Two Unit Developments not concurrently using an SB 9 Urban Lot Split, ADUs do not count towards a two unit maximum. A property that chooses a Two Unit Development without an Urban Lot Split may develop as many ADUs as permitted by the 2020 ADU Memo. Scroll down for a link to the memo

Hillside Referral Form   Read BOE Instructions

A Hillside Referral Form is used to determine if a property is subject to the Hillside Ordinance, LAMC 12.21.A.17 – One-Family Dwellings, Accessory Buildings and Additions – Hillside Regulations. In general, the only time this process takes place is when a Customer has also applied for a Building Permit with LADBS. If an Applicant is subdividing the property only (only a Map) and there is also a building permit in connection with the Map, the Applicant may still be responsible for constructing necessary improvements and therefore subject to the Hillside Referral form process. However, if an Applicant is only subdividing the property (only a Map), they are not subject to the Hillside Referral Form process.

This form must be obtained from the Bureau of Engineering if the project site is located in a “Hillside Area”, as identified under the “Planning and Zoning” tab in ZIMAS.

Hillside Slope Analysis and Maximum Residential Floor Area Verification Form  Verification Form

This form is used by the Department of Building and Safety and City Planning to determine a permitted maximum Residential Floor Area for a project (new construction or addition to existing construction) in the R1, R1H, RS, RA, and RE zones located within the Hillside Area as defined in Section 12.03 of the Code.

Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ)  CP-3523) 

The following Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Sections establish a review for Historic Preservation Overlay Zones. LAMC Section 12.20.3 K.4 – Certificate of Appropriateness (COA), LAMC Section 12.20.3 K.5 – Certificate of Appropriateness for Demolition (COA DEM), LAMC Section 12.20.3 L – Certificate of Compatibility (CCMP), and LAMC Section 12.20.3 L.5 – Certificate of Compatibility for Demolition (CCMP DEM).

This form is required if the zoning identifies the site as being in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) (i.e., R1-1-HPOZ), and must be signed by the planner assigned to the HPOZ.

Housing Crisis Act of 2019 –

• SB 330 (CP-4064) HOUSING CRISIS ACT of 2019 – SB 330 
  PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FILING INSTRUCTIONS
• SB 330  CP-4062)  Department of City Planning SB330 Preliminary Application

This form is required if SB 330 vesting rights are sought for a Housing Development Project. The Applicant shall submit an SB 330 Preliminary Application through the Department’s OAS at http://planning.lacity.org/oas for review by the PARP Unit. Once deemed complete, PARP Staff shall provide a signed SB 330 Preliminary Application Form to be included with the case filing. The SB330 Preliminary Application is only valid when it is deemed complete before filing the project’s DCP Application Form.

Low Impact Development (LID) Referral Form  LA Sanitation Website 

This form must be obtained from the Bureau of Sanitation for all projects which add, create, or replace 500 square feet of impervious area. Please be advised that the project design may require alterations in order to incorporate stormwater mitigation measures and satisfy LID requirements per the City’s LID Ordinance.

Mello Form  MELLO ACT DETERMINATION OF AFFORDABLE UNITS DEMOLITION AND/OR CONVERSION

In order to receive approval for a demolition or conversion permit, the project owner must comply with California Government Code Sections 65590 and 65590.1, commonly known as the 1982 Mello Act. The Mello Act is a statewide law that seeks to preserve housing for persons and families with low and moderate incomes in California’s Coastal Zone.

The City of Los Angeles examines all Coastal Zone development involving residential units that are not categorically exempt. The current condition of the housing has no bearing on an affordability determination unless the property is legally declared a public nuisance. A public nuisance is one type of exemption; the second is a small new housing development (9 or fewer Residential Units, and only provides an exemption for inclusionary units, not replacement units); the third is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling being demolished/converted into a single-family dwelling for occupancy by the same owner. Exemptions can only be granted by the Department of City Planning (DCP). All other projects must be evaluated by the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD).

The first step in meeting Mello Act obligations is to consult with the DCP to verify if the project is exempt. If the DCP determines that a Mello Act Determination of Affordable Units (Mello Determination) is needed, the owner will be given a Mello Act Advisory Notice and Screening Checklist for Coastal Zone Projects form with a DCP Case Number assigned. Applicants referred to LAHD are presumed to have been vetted by the DCP and are not exempt. The Applicant must complete LAHD’s Application for a Mello Determination (Mello Application). LAHD will then conduct its review of potential affordable units. Affordability is measured by both: (1) rental history for the previous three years, and (2) the income level of any current residents. The property’s affordability status must be documented by one of LAHD’s Mello Act Analysts. Unless the unit has been unoccupied for more than 365 consecutive days prior to the Applicant’s filing with the DCP, the Mello Act Analyst will require information about the property for the three (3) years prior to the date of the application with DCP for discretionary cases, or the date of the Building Permit Application for non-discretionary cases. A unit shall not be considered affordable if it has been unoccupied for more than 365 consecutive days prior to the application’s filing. The owner has the burden of proving a long-term vacancy.

Preliminary Zoning Assessment Referral  CP-4064 

This form (CP-4064) is required if the proposed project creates at least two residential units or proposes a residential subdivision. Section I shall be completed by the Applicant. Section II shall be completed by the Preliminary Application and Review Program (PARP) Unit. If Section II determines that the project is a Housing Development Project, Section III shall be completed along with stamped and signed project plans by LADBS Staff at the conclusion of a zoning-only Plan Check.

This form is to serve as an inter-agency referral for City Planning applications associated with a Housing Development Project. As a part of a City Planning application, this completed form shall be accompanied by architectural plans stamped and signed by DBS Plan Check staff following the completion of a zoning Plan Check. A review of the referral form by City staff is intended to identify and determine compliance with City zoning and land use requirements necessary to achieve the proposed project and to ascertain if any zoning issues or necessary approvals are associated with the project and site that need to be resolved through a discretionary City Planning action.

Qualified Permanent Supportive Housing  CP-4043 

Form CP-4043 is to serve as a referral to the Department of City Planning Development Services Center for Affordable Housing case filing purposes for Qualified Permanent Supportive Housing Projects pursuant to LAMC Sec. 14.00 A.13 (in addition to the required Department of City Planning Application and any other necessary documentation) and as a referral to HCIDLA, CRA, Building, and Safety, or other City agency for project status and entitlement need purposes. This form shall be completed by the Applicant and reviewed and signed by Department of City Planning staff prior to filing an application for a case or building permit. Any modifications to this form’s content(s) after its authorization by the Department of City Planning staff are prohibited. The Department of City Planning reserves the right to require an updated form for the project if more than 180 days have transpired since the approval date or as necessary to reflect project modifications, policy changes, and/or amendments to the LAMC, local laws, and State laws.  Also see CP-4059 and CP-4058 

Redevelopment Project Area – Administrative Review and Referral Form   CP-3541 through CP-3577

This form (CP-3541 through CP-3577) is required if the project is located within a Redevelopment Project Area (RPA), as identified under the “Planning and Zoning” tab in ZIMAS. It identifies the appropriate review process for projects within an RPA and must be signed by a planner from the RPA Unit. For assistance regarding planner assignments, consult DSC Staff.  An Assignment List can be found on the DCP website at http://planning.lacity.org.

SB 330 Replacement Unit Determination Letter

This letter must be obtained from HCIDLA for all discretionary Housing Development Projects subject to SB 330 to determine whether replacement units are required, their affordability levels, and applicable occupant protections.

Transit-Oriented Communities  CP-4050 

This form (CP-4050) is required if the request includes an affordable housing incentive under the Transit Oriented Communities Program. It must be completed by the Applicant and signed by the HSU Staff. For assistance, please contact dcpphp@lacity.org.

 This form is to serve as a referral to the Department of City Planning Development Services Center for Affordable Housing case filing purposes (in addition to the required Department of City Planning Application and any other necessary documentation) and as a referral to HCIDLA, CRA, Building and Safety, or other City agency for project status and entitlement need purposes. This form shall be completed by the Applicant and reviewed and signed by Department of City Planning staff prior to filing an application for a case or building permit. Any modifications to this form’s content(s) after its authorization by the Department of City Planning staff is prohibited. The Department of City Planning reserves the right to require an updated form for the project if more than 180 days have transpired since the approval date or as necessary to reflect project modifications, policy changes, and/or amendments to the LAMC, local laws, and State laws.

Transit Verification Form CP-4065  

This form (CP-4065)  is to serve as a referral to all City agencies for the purposes of determining the proximity of a project site to transit service. This form shall be completed by the Applicant and reviewed and signed by Los Angeles City Planning (LACP) Staff prior to filing an application for administrative review or a building permit.

Transportation Study Assessment – Department of Transportation Referral Form CP-2151.1

This form (CP-2151.1) is required if the proposed project requires an Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) and exceeds Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) traffic thresholds. The Applicant shall fill out this form and submit it with the case filing to obtain a case number. The form shall then be submitted to LADOT for review and approval. See the Transportation Assessment Form for more information regarding the traffic thresholds.

Unpermitted Dwelling Unit Inter-Agency Referral Form  CP-7835 

This form (CP-7835) is required for applications legalizing pre-existing unpermitted dwelling units pursuant to LAMC Section 14.00 A.10, Public Benefits Project, and shall be signed by HSU Staff and LADBS prior to case filing. For assistance, please contact dcpphp@lacity.org.

Zoning Assessment – Preliminary  CP-4064

This form is to serve as an inter-agency referral for City Planning applications associated with a project creating two or more residential units. As a part of a City Planning application, a completed Preliminary Zoning Assessment (PZA) form, accompanied by architectural plans, shall be submitted to Plan Check staff at the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). LADBS Plan Check staff will sign the PZA form and the architectural plans once the informational Zoning Plan Check verifications are completed. Following the completion of the PZA process, a City Planning application may be filed along with all other applicable filing requirements.

Review of the referral form by City staff is intended to determine compliance with City zoning and land use requirements necessary to achieve the proposed project and to identify any zoning issues or necessary approvals that would need to be resolved through a City Planning application. The informational Zoning Plan Check done through the PZA process does not constitute a zoning approval and does not require compliance with development standards to be completed. To check if a project type qualifies for and requires the PZA form, see the “Housing Development Project Applicability Matrix” available on the City Planning Forms webpage.

UPDATED INSTRUCTIONS   As of  03/2023  (Please refer to City Planning Department Website)

• Plot Plans (CP-7752), at  Plot Plan Instructions.pdf (lacity.org)
• Elevations (CP-7817), at  Elevation Instructions.pdf (lacity.org)
• Landscape Plans (CP-6730), at  Landscape Plan Instructions.pdf (lacity.org)
• Certificate of Completion of Landscape Installation (CP-7813), Certificate of Completion of Landscape Installation.pdf (lacity.org)

CF 21-0954    AT PLUM   10/05/2021

Motion (Harris-Dawson – Krekorian) relative to the reappropriation of Department of City Planning (DCP) funds related to active contracts with ongoing work that supports critical DCP programs including updates to the General Plan and Community Plans, and a transfer of funds within the special funding sources to Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 accounts to allow the DCP to replace encumbrances swept at the end of FY 2020-21; and, related Controller instructions. (Also referred to Budget and Finance Committee)

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

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

• 10/01/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on October 5, 2021.  Motion 08/25/2021
• 09/09/2021 Corrected Referral per Council President to include Planning and Land Use Management Committee.  Motion 08/25/2021
• 08/25/2021 Motion document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee. Motion 08/25/2021

CF 21-0600-S38      AT PLUM 10/05/2021

Budget Recommendation relative to instructing the Department of City Planning (DCP) to report to the Planning and Land Use Management Committee on a cost-benefit analysis of telecommuting options within the DCP and the feasibility of continuing telecommuting options following the COVID-19 pandemic, including potential impacts to existing in-person services that can be offered online through the DCP’s website, and the cost associated with that transition. (Pursuant to adoption of the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget on May 20, 2021)

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

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

• 10/01/2021 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on October 5, 2021.  Budget Recommendation 05/20/2021
• 05/20/2021 Council document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Budget Recommendation 05/20/2021

Read Newsletter

Dear Angelenos:

This month, the City Planning Commission recommended a new proposed Community Plan for Downtown to the City Council. This plan has been a long time coming: it is the first downtown update since the early 2000s, and represents a whole new direction for the urban core. The Commission’s vote advances the Downtown Community Plan and its housing- and job-creating policies one step closer to adoption.

Between now and 2040, Downtown is projected to accommodate 175,000 new residents and add 100,000 jobs. In other words, 20% of the City’s projected growth will take place in just 1% of its land area. Our Downtown Community Plan proposes to meet the community’s needs by nearly doubling the area where housing is permitted in LA’s urban core and expanding the range of housing types allowed. It would also establish a Community Benefits Program to incentivize the construction of affordable housing Downtown, plus built-in open space and community facilities like childcare centers, schools, and libraries for all Angelenos.

This plan is the result of extensive engagement with Downtown’s residents and businesses. We worked closely with Downtown stakeholders, conducting outreach in five languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese) and collecting input from more than 40 community organizations. It reflects the priorities of those who live and work in the heart of one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic cities.

Together, we are Planning4LA.

Sincerely,
Vince Bertoni,
Director of Planning

My Office retained Beacon Economics, an independent research and consulting firm, to provide an objective analysis of the City of Los Angeles’ economy over the past ten years and to assess how the City could best position itself to improve its economic outlook in future years. The study, released on August 24, 2020, highlights growing and declining industries and where they are positioned in various communities throughout the City. In addition, Beacon Economics provided recommendations, based on best practices, relative to how the City may foster growth of emerging industries, and thereby grow our local economy.As the City of Los Angeles works on spurring post-pandemic recovery, this report should be considered as a tool to effectuate short- and long-term economic growth.

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

• 07/16/2021 Controller document(s) referred to Budget and Finance Committee.  Report from Controller 07/15/2021
• 07/15/2021 Document(s) submitted by Controller, as follows:  Report from Controller 07/15/2021

Controller report, dated July 15, 2021, relative to an economic development and land use analysis by Beacon Economics.

CF 20-0922    AT CITY COUNCIL 05/19/2021    Adopted Item Forthwith Ayes: Blumenfield, Bonin, Buscaino, Cedillo, deLeón, Harris-Dawson, Lee, Martinez,O’Farrell, Price, Raman, Ridley-Thomas,Rodriguez(13); Nays:(0); Absent: Koretz, Krekorian(2)

HOUSING COMMITTEE REPORT relative to authority to amend Section 161.352 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) for a fee adjustment to the Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) Fee.

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

NOTE and FILE the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA) transmittal dated July 2, 2020, the City Administrative Officer (CAO) report dated September 14, 2020, and the HCIDLA Supplemental Transmittal dated February 16, 2021 relative to a request to amend Section 161.352 of the LAMC to adjust the SCEP Fee.

AUTHORIZE the increase of the SCEP Fee to an amount of up to $67.94 per unit annually, effective January 1, 2022, and a mid-calendar year fee adjustment of $24.62 per unit in 2021 with corresponding revenues to be reflected in the 2021-22 Budget.

AUTHORIZE the monthly pass through of 1/12th of 50 percent of the SCEP Fee to tenants effective January 2022.

REQUEST the City Attorney to prepare and present Ordinance to:

Amend Section 161.352 of the LAMC to adjust the SCEP Fee to an amount of up to $67.94 effective January 1, 2022 and a mid-calendar year fee adjustment of $24.62 per unit in 2021.

Amend Section 151.05.1 of the LAMC to allow a monthly pass through of 1/12th of 50 percent of the SCEP Fee to tenants instead of a monthly pass through of 100 percent of the Fee.

INSTRUCT the HCIDLA to work with the Rent Adjustment Commission to adopt and amend rules and regulations relative to the pass through of 50 percent of the SCEP fee to tenants.

AUTHORIZE the transfer of $7,500,000 from the Systematic Code Enforcement Trust Fund No. 41M/43, Cash/Restricted Account No. 1014 entitled Emergency Reserve Account to the Systematic Code Enforcement Trust Fund No. 41M unrestricted Cash Account No. 1010.

AUTHORIZE the General Manager, HCIDLA, or designee, to prepare Controller instructions and make any necessary technical adjustments consistent with the Mayor and Council action on this matter, subject to the approval of the CAO; and, REQUEST the Controller to implement the instructions.

INSTRUCT the HCIDLA in consultation with community stakeholders to conduct an evaluation of the SCEP and identify strategies to restructure the program to achieve cost savings and effective delivery of services.

INSTRUCT the HCIDLA in consultation with the CAO to identify federal resources which may offset program costs.

Fiscal Impact Statement: The CAO reports that there is no net impact to the General Fund if Council approves a proposed SCEP Fee of $67.94 effective January 2022, one-time, mid-calendar year fee of $24.62 in 2021, and transfer of $7.5 million in restricted cash within the Systematic Code Enforcement Trust Fund. The proposed fee is intended to recover the full costs of the SCEP including all operating direct and indirect costs. Deferral of a fee increase would result in HCIDLA having insufficient funds to reimburse the General Fund $3.4 million in 2020-21 and $15.8 million in 2021-22 for related costs associated with SCEP staff. The unfunded related costs may be considered by Council and Mayor to be potentially funded with a General Fund allocation that will increase each year the fee is not adjusted or the HCIDLA does not significantly reduce services.

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

Community Impact Statement: None submitted.

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

• 05/19/2021 Council adopted item forthwith.  Report from Housing Committee 05/07/2021
  05/14/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 19, 2021.  Report from City Administrative Officer 04/14/2021, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 02/16/2021, Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 07/24/2020.
• 04/14/2021 Housing Committee approved as amended .  Report from City Administrative Officer 04/14/2021, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 02/16/2021, Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 07/24/2020.
• 04/14/2021 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Housing Committee.  Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020
• 04/14/2021 Document(s) submitted by City Administrative Officer, as follows: Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020

City Administrative Officer supplemental report 0220-00540-1531, dated April 14, 2021, relative to the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department request for authority to amend the Los Angeles Municipal Code to adjust the fee for the Systematic Code Enforcement Program.

• 04/09/2021 Housing Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 14, 2021.  Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 02/16/2021,  Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 07/24/2020
• 02/18/2021 Housing and Community Investment Department document(s) referred to Housing Committee.  Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 02/16/2021
• 02/18/2021 Document(s) submitted by Housing and Community Investment Department, as follows: Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 02/16/2021

Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department supplemental report, dated February 16, 2021, relative to the request for authority to amend the Los Angeles Municipal Code for a fee adjustment to the Systematic Code Enforcement Program Fee.

• 09/23/2020 Housing Committee continued item to/for a date to be determined in the future.  Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 07/24/2020
• 09/18/2020 Housing Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on September 23, 2020.  Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020, Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 07/24/2020
• 09/14/2020 City Administrative Officer document(s) referred to Housing Committee.  Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020
• 09/14/2020 Document(s) submitted by City Administrative Officer, as follows:  Report from City Administrative Officer 09/14/2020

City Administrative Officer report: 0220-00540-1481, dated September 14, 2020, relative to the request for authority to amend sections of the Los Angeles Municipal Code for a fee adjustment to the Systematic Code Enforcement Program fee.

• 07/27/2020 Mayor document(s) referred to Housing Committee.
• 07/24/2020 Document(s) submitted by Mayor, as follows:  Report from Housing and Community Investment Department 07/24/2020

Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department report, dated July 2, 2020, relative to a request for authority to amend Section 161.352 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to adjust the Systematic Code Enforcement Program Fee.

CF 21-0473     AT CITY COUNCIL 05/11/2021  Ayes: Blumenfield, Bonin,Buscaino, Cedillo, de León, Harris-Dawson,Koretz, Krekorian,Lee, Martinez,O’Farrell,Price , Raman,Ridley-Thomas,Rodriguez(15);Nays:(0); Absent:(0)

COMMUNICATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING (DCP) relative to the exemption of one one Principal City Planner (Class Code 7946) and one Environmental Specialist II (Class Code 7310-2) positions for the DCP from the civil service process pursuant to Charter Section 1001(d)(4).

Recommendation for Council action:

APPROVE the exemption of the following positions for the DCP from the civil service process pursuant to Charter Section 1001(d)(4) to support the Regional Early Action Program (REAP) Subregional Partnership Program Grant work program through Fiscal Year 2022-23:

One Principal City Planner (Class Code 7946)
One Environmental Specialist II (Class Code 7310-2)

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.

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

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

• 05/06/2021 City Clerk scheduled item for committee meeting on May 11, 2021.  Report from Department of City Planning 04/26/2021
• 05/06/2021 Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee waived consideration of item .  Report from Department of City Planning 04/26/2021
• 04/27/2021 Department of City Planning document(s) referred to Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare Committee.  Report from Department of City Planning 04/26/2021
• 04/27/2021 Document(s) submitted by Department of City Planning, as follows:  Report from Department of City Planning 04/26/2021

Department of City Planning report, dated April 26, 2021, relative to the request of one exempt position of Principal City Planner (Class Code 7946), and one exempt position of Environmental Specialist II (Class Code 7310-2), pursuant to Charter Section 1001(d)(4).

Source:  Department of City Planning

On March 23, City Planning published its Annual Report for 2020. The report highlights the significant milestones many planning initiatives reached last year and the Department’s expansion of online services to streamline the review of project submittals.

Facing a public health crisis unparalleled in the City Planning’s 100-year history, the Department took swift action to protect the health and safety of all Angelenos. Despite the year’s challenges, City Planning advanced new housing opportunities across Los Angeles’s neighborhoods through cutting-edge policies that have produced more affordable units.

Technology played a pivotal role in achieving greater efficiencies with limited resources. From standardizing noticing procedures to making outreach more inclusive, City Planning has augmented its information-sharing capabilities, using new media to keep Angelenos informed.

Annual Report 2020

Source:  City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning

City Planning is in the process of finalizing an update to its hearing notice templates. The Department’s new public hearing notice will have a dynamic look to create an engaging, flexible design that present information in an approachable format that is easier for the public to read and understand.

In addition to the reorganization of information, some notable features of the updated template include:

The general removal of the mailing envelope to facilitate quicker access to the hearing notice information.
An integrated map of the subject site that clearly identifies where the project is located.
An integrated visual image of the proposed project. This image can range from a project’s proposed floor plan to its elevations, or submitted rendering.

New Filing Requirement:

To ensure the success of the new template, City Planning is updating its case filing instructions to require the submission of an electronic map of the subject site at the time of filing. The specific requirements ask that applicants provide a high-resolution electronic file of a map of the subject site in JPEG format. The high resolution image should measure 3.75”x 8” at 300 dpi (dots per inch).

• The proposed project site shall be outlined and located at the center of the map.
• The map must be zoomed in to show at least two labeled, adjacent streets.
• Unlike the required Radius Map, this map shall only outline the project site and not any additional properties that are owned by the owner. For example, if the project is a tenant space in a shopping center, only the tenant space should be outlined and not the entire shopping center.
• The map may identify surrounding parcels and uses.
• The project’s Radius Map may be used as a baseline map; however, it must meet all of the specifications as described above and shall not include the radius lines.
• Do not use a satellite image as a map of the site, as these images can often be outdated.

Effective Date:
The new filing requirement applies to new project applications that have paid their BTC mailing fees on or after February 8, 2021.

Source: CHRIS J. PARKER,CEO

The City Planning Department recently proposed new fees for its services that would collectively increase fees department-wide by more than 33 percent.

The proposed fee schedule “provides the City with an opportunity to more accurately reflect the cost of planning services,” the department announced in its most recent monthly newsletter. If adopted by the City Council, the proposed fee schedule will reduce the amount of money that goes from the city’s General Fund to the Planning Department’s operating budget down to $6.1 million annually from $14 million. Fees will cover 84 percent of the department’s budget vs. 64 percent currently.

In its report to the City Council, the department said that if the new fees were applied to current case numbers at the department, the department would have received $7.9 million more ($31.3 million theoretically vs. $23.4 million in actual fees received). That’s a 33.7% increase department-wide. Obviously, some fees will increase less than 33%; some will increase more.

The department’s report to the City Council is here:

https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2009/09-0969-S3_rpt_PLAN_12-02-2020.pdf

And here is the proposed fee schedule:

https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2009/09-0969-S3_misc_1_12-02-2020.pdf

The proposal is currently scheduled to be heard by the council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee on Feb. 16.

BTC Increases Fees, Requires Custom Map for Notifications

BTC, the official mailing contractor for the city’s public hearings, has increased the fees and requirements for notifications, effective today.

Costs at BTC have increased more than 25% on most of its services. For example, mailings have increased from $1.73 to $2.18 per address, a 26% increase.

BTC is also now requiring that applicants also submit a JPEG map of the subject property that highlights the property lines and shows at least two labeled, adjacent streets.

Contributor: Chris Parker, CEO Pacific Crest Consultants

It turns out, 2020 may end up being one of the busiest years in the Los Angeles construction industry.

The Los Angeles Department of City Planning reported last week that the department filed and completed more applications in the month of December than during any single month in the last three years. Overall, 7,654 applications were filed in 2020, a 2.5 percent increase over 2019 which had been one of the busiest years in recent memory.

The Department of Building & Safety hasn’t reported any year-end numbers yet, but it is obvious based upon activity at the city’s Construction Services Centers that LADBS and the other construction-related departments also had very active years.

Unfortunately, the increased activity from the private sector comes at the same time that city departments are being asked to slash their budgets to balance the $675 million hole in the city’s pandemic-ravaged budget.

Widespread layoffs and furloughs were on the table until most of the city’s unions agreed last month to a plan that will defer scheduled raises for 6 months or more. More than 1,300 city employees recently accepted early retirement buyouts, reducing the number of employees working in the construction-related departments and taking decades worth of experience with them. For example, the Office of Zoning Administration lost one-third of its Associate Zoning Administrators to early retirement, going from nine AZAs down to six. This is already having an impact on the number of ZA hearings that the department can schedule for discretionary requests such as CUPs, Adjustments, and Variances.

Complicating matters further are the safety protocols put in place to protect city employees and the civilians who are expediting projects during the pandemic. The public counters are closed for face-to-face meetings. “Over the Counter” permits are now a multi-day process. Plan-check submittals include the quarantining of plans and reports for at least 24 hours. Pre-pandemic, expediters could obtain clearances from multiple departments in an afternoon spent at one of the Construction Services offices. Now, each department requires a separate submittal that must be quarantined before it is assigned. One afternoon has become a week or more.

At PCC, we are proud of the work we did for our clients in 2020, despite these obstacles. PCC obtained more permits and more discretionary requests in 2020 than any year before. We look forward to continuing to help our clients and professional partners navigate through this ever-changing maze to get results as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Thank you Mr. Parker for your submittal.  SATT invites others to submit articles and/or leave comments.