Zoning Code Evaluation Report
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A New Zoning Code for a 21st Century Los Angeles To create livable communities, encourage sustainable development and foster economic vitality, we need a modern and user-friendly zoning code – we need to re:code LA. Zoning Code Evaluation Report Zoning-Code-Evaluation-Report.pdf Page 1 Printed 09/11/2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft March 07, 2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 Zoning-Code-Evaluation-Report.pdf Page 2 Printed 09/11/2014 2 | RE:Code LA Zoning Evaluation Report Draft March 07, 2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 Project Background 1 4. Transportation Choice 36 Basis of Analysis 2 4.1. Rethink Zoning Around Transit Stations 38 Community Outreach 3 4.2. Prepare a Comprehensive Set of Street and Block Standards 40 Code Drafting Steps 4 4.3. Rightsize the Code’s Approach to Parking 42 The Result 6 Next Steps 7 5. Jobs and Innovation 44 Report Organization 7 5.1. Create Industrial Sanctuaries to Meet Future Employment Needs 46 5.2. Prepare New Industrial Zones to Implement Community Plans 47 1. Distinct Neighborhoods 8 5.3. Rezone Industrial Land Only Where Necessary 48 1.1. Combine the Existing Residential Requirements into a New System 10 5.4. Enhance the Jobs Housing Balance 49 1.2. Continue to Protect Historic Resources and Established Neighborhoods 12 1.3. Address Impacts within Single-Family Residential Neighborhoods 13 6. A Strong Core 50 1.4. Enhance Multi-Family Design Standards 14 6.1. Make Downtown a More Complete Neighborhood 52 1.5. Improve the Transition Between Corridors and Neighborhoods 15 6.2. Revise the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance 53 1.6. Retain the Rural Lifestyle 16 6.3 Rethink the Transfer of Floor Area (TFAR) 54 6.4. Fix the Greater Downtown Housing Incentive Ordinance 55 2. Housing Affordability and Diversity 18 2.1. Continue to Provide Incentives for Affordable Housing 20 7. A Healthy City 56 2.2. Provide a More Prescriptive Set of Housing Options 21 7.1. Implement the Plan for a Healthy Los Angeles 58 2.3. Improve Regulations for Second Units 22 7.2. Implement the LA River Master Plan 59 2.4. Enhance the Design of Small Lot Subdivisions 23 7.3. CEQA Streamlining and Improvements 60 2.5. Remove Barriers to Micro-housing 24 7.4. Remove Barriers to Green Solutions 61 2.6. Improve Options for Shared Housing Communities 25 8. Code Delivery 62 3. Centers and Corridors 26 8.1. Develop Clear and Transparent Review Procedures 64 3.1. Improve Base Zoning Options for Commercial Corridors 28 8.2. Develop New Zones to Implement Current and Future Plans 66 3.2. Require Enhanced Walkability and Form Standards 29 8.3. Modernize the Look, Feel and Organization of the Code 67 3.3. Expand and improve the Approach to Commercial Corners 30 8.4. Provide a User-Friendly and Accessible Code 68 3.4. Provide Enhanced Standards for Landscaping 31 8.5. Ensure Continued Maintenance and Upkeep of the Code 69 3.5. Integrate Sign Types and Design Standards within the New Zoning 32 3.6. Consider Improved Options for Design Review 34 9. Summary of Recommendations 70 Zoning-Code-Evaluation-Report.pdf Page 3 Printed 09/11/2014 Draft March 07, 2014 RE:Code LA Zoning Evaluation Report | 3 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 CONSULTANT TEAM The City has engaged an extensive team of planning and zoning consultants to work on this project. The team includes a mix of national and local consultants, led by Code Studio from Austin, Texas. The full consultant team includes the following firms: National Los Angeles/Metro Area Code Studio (Austin, TX) Torti Gallas and Partners (Los Angeles, CA) HR&A Advisors (Los Angeles, CA) Code Lead/Project Management Urban Design/Planning Economics White & Smith (Kansas City, MO) Urban Insight (Los Angeles, CA) The Robert Group (Los Angeles, CA) Legal/Drafting Support Web Design/Web-Based Code Public Outreach Support Winter & Company (Boulder, CO) Impact Sciences (Camarillo, CA) VPE Public Relations (South Pasadena, CA) Historic Preservation/Urban Design CEQA Public Outreach Support Peter Park (Denver, CO) John Kaliski Architects (Los Angeles, CA) The Doyle Logan Company (Los Angeles, CA) Process/Administration Analysis Architecture Project Identity Lamphier Gregory (Oakland, CA) Patricia Smith (Los Angeles, CA) Design Gnomes (Los Angeles, CA) Drafting Support/CEQA Landscape Architecture Graphic Design/Editing Zoning-Code-Evaluation-Report.pdf Page 4 Printed 09/11/2014 4 | RE:Code LA Zoning Evaluation Report Draft March 07, 2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 PROJECT BACKGROUND re:code LA, a comprehensive revision of LA’s outdated zoning code, is one of most ambitious projects of its kind ever attempted. When the current zoning code for the City was have become the norm, rather than the exception. velopment standards citywide is sorely needed, written in 1946, Harry Truman was president, As a result, development under the zoning code is and graphically illustrating those rules helps World War II had just ended, and the population now a challenging process, and routinely confuses the world know what we’re looking for. of the City was just under 2 million (roughly half developers and planners, as well as the general » Let’s streamline the review processes to what it is today). The zoning code at that time was public. achieve the outcomes we want with less has- a manageable document of 84 pages, and was In response, the City of Los Angeles is undertaking sle. We need to ensure that small projects take appropriate for the relative simplicity of the City it a 5-year, $5 million project to completely rewrite a modest amount of effort, and big projects was responsible for regulating. the zoning code. There are numerous goals for that match our plans can be reviewed and Over the next 57 years, LA’s population more than project, including improved clarity, procedural built before the market for their product has doubled. During this period, entire neighborhoods streamlining, alignment with the City’s plans, changed. have completely transformed both demographi- attracting investment and improving the quality of » Let’s upgrade our neighborhood protection. cally and physically, the hubs of commerce and life for all Angelenos. Fixing the transition between zones of differing activity have shifted multiple times, and residents LA needs a new code approach. It has been over intensity, managing impacts created by specific of Los Angeles of 1946 would scarcely recognize 50 years since the last comprehensive review and uses, avoiding incompatible uses, protecting the current city. update of the regulations-far too long! our elegant historic resources, and ensuring a In an attempt to manage this rapidly changing This time: quality lifestyle in many different flavors, from place, the City has tacked on layers of new plans, rural to urban. » Let’s zone like we mean it, in a transparent overlays, and property-specific development way. No more using industrial zones to build » Let’s make LA a model of how web-based limitations to keep up with market trends and shopping centers, no more special zone zoning gets done right. There is a substantial community needs. As a result, LA’s zoning code change conditions on top of overlays on top need to make zoning more accessible, and grew from 84 pages in 1946 to over 600 pages of outdated base zones. digital approaches across the country fall short now. Today, over 60% of the City’s land is covered of furnishing a user-friendly document to all » Let’s broadcast our intention to get quality by special overlays and site-specific designations. possible devices. This project can be revolu- development for everyone. Improving the de- These amendments to a particular parcel of land tionary in its ability to serve up the code in a smart, functional, easy to use way. Zoning-Code-Evaluation-Report.pdf Page 5 Printed 09/11/2014 Draft March 07, 2014 RE:Code LA Zoning Evaluation Report | 1 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 PUBLIC REVIEW Draft - Released March 07, 2014 BASIS OF ANALYSIS dialogue, a more complete picture of what is DOCUMENTS REVIEWED happening and what LA wants to see happen has In preparing this report, a variety of regulatory been pieced together. General Plan Framework Element, Housing and planning policy documents and regulations Element, Health Atlas, Plan for a Healthy Los This analysis requires the consultant team to read were reviewed. While these documents provide a Angeles (goals draft) foundation for understanding LA’s planning and the existing provisions very literally. In other words, regulatory framework, it was the time spent touring the review focuses on what the zoning code actu- Community Plans (30+) LA and meeting with staff, stakeholders and the ally says and not on how it has been interpreted or general public that provided the details of the administered over time. While this approach can Specific Plans (15+) problems and opportunities facing the City. result in occasional misinterpretations of intent or Coastal Zone Plan, Venice Local Coastal Plan established local traditions, such miscues provide An organized tour of the City was conducted (draft) valuable insight into provisions in need of clarifi- that included key members of City staff. The tour cation. covered San Pedro, South LA, West LA, Central Development Reform Strategic Plan LA and the Valley. The tour allowed the out-of- Finally, it is important to note that inconsistencies Planning and Zoning Code town consultants to get a feel for the sheer size or weaknesses in the current zoning code are in no way intended to reflect poorly on the drafters or of the City.