June Land Use Report
| Meeting summary for PlanCheckNC Zoom Meeting (06/14/2025) | |
| Quick recap The meeting covered updates from the planning department regarding fee adjustments, Al fresco program changes, and ADA compliance requirements. The group discussed concerns about two City Council agenda items involving digital kiosks and transit shelters, with Barbara expressing opposition to both proposals. The conversation ended with discussions about state legislation impacts on local planning, community plan updates, and various urban development challenges, including housing density, transit infrastructure, and cannabis-related issues. Next steps Denzel: Follow up on ADA compliance requirements for Al Fresco dining program with LADBS and LADOT, specifically regarding curb cuts and accessibilityDenzel: Take meeting feedback and concerns to the Planning Department, particularly regarding schools near freeways and TOC applications for non-residential usesMiran: Explore possibility of converting Budget Day to a virtual/Zoom format and communicate decision to stakeholdersBarbara: Add information about Monday’s State Zone 0 Regulatory Advisory Committee meeting to the Land Use report for circulationBarbara: Monitor Council File 25-0557 regarding ghost kitchen regulations and app-based delivery service impactsCharlynne: Research and document details about the Slauson rail-to-rail project timeline and share with the groupCharlynne: Document and follow up with Metro regarding the need for shade structures along the Slauson rail-to-rail walkwayJoanne: Document and send information about tree types and shade concerns along the Slauson rail-to-rail connecting path to CD9 and MetroJames: Report illegal vendor violations of Municipal Code 42.13 to appropriate authoritiesCommunity Members: Submit comments opposing Item 33 for the June 18th City Council meeting in Council File 2011-54-S.1Community Members: Register and participate in Monday’s State Advisory Committee meeting regarding vegetation regulations in fire zonesMarquis Harris-Dawson: Agendize Council File 10-2468-S.2 regarding fire department and CFAC report on Zone 0 regulations for full council considerationCindy: Post SB79 presentation slides and meeting materials on the Plancheck websiteGlenn Bailey: Post the VANC June meeting recording to the website by end of dayDr. Tom Williams: Submit complaints for brush clearance violations in El Sereno area after July 1stLA Fire Department: Inspect and enforce brush clearance ordinances in El Sereno area, particularly along Barrett RoadCity of Los Angeles: Review and enforce existing brush clearance laws for fire prevention, especially in areas with reported complaints Summary Al Fresco Program Fee Updates The meeting covered updates from the planning department, including fee adjustments and changes to the Al fresco program. Denzel shared information about recent e-blasts and website updates, highlighting the annual fee adjustments effective July 1st and new Al fresco funding options for coastal zone areas. The group discussed ADA compliance requirements for Al fresco dining, with Tom raising questions about curb cuts on Broadway. Cindy announced plans to cover SB 79 and ED 1 topics, but the conversation ended before these could be addressed. Opposing Kiosk and Settlement Agreements Barbara raised concerns about two items on the June 18th City Council agenda: Council File 2154 S.1, which involves an interactive digital kiosk advertising program, and Council File 20153-6, a settlement agreement regarding transit shelters. She expressed opposition to the kiosk program, citing ethical concerns about Council Member Mccosker’s former lobbying for the vendor and the program’s potential negative impact on community aesthetics and the city’s budget. Barbara also highlighted the importance of the settlement agreement, which addresses privacy rights and the protection of scenic resources, and urged immediate action from neighborhood councils to oppose both items at the upcoming council meeting. SB 79 and CEQA Updates Barbara provided an update on SB 79, which was approved by the Senate with amendments allowing higher density developments near transit stops and exempting transit agency projects from CEQA review. She also discussed SB 607, which is being kept inactive but may be included in the state budget with provisions that would weaken CEQA’s effectiveness. Dr. Tom Williams raised concerns about outdated community plans in Los Angeles, particularly the Northeast LA plan which hasn’t been updated in 25 years, and suggested developing a schedule for plan updates including revised environmental impact reports. Los Angeles Transit Planning Challenges The meeting focused on issues related to public transportation and city planning in Los Angeles. Sam raised concerns about the lack of amenities for commuters, including transit shelters and maintained infrastructure, while Barbara explained the city’s involvement in a 20-year contract to create 30,000 transit shelters through advertising revenue. The discussion also covered the impact of state legislation, such as SB 79, on local planning and infrastructure, with Barbara highlighting the challenges faced by the city due to state laws overriding local jurisdiction. Lu inquired about the possibility of cities suing the state, and Barbara noted that while some smaller cities have attempted legal action, Los Angeles has not been involved in such litigation. Community Plans and Fire Regulations Joanne discussed the status of community plans, noting that only downtown LA and Hollywood have been accepted, while others like the San Fernando Valley East have been put on hold. She raised concerns about state regulations regarding vegetation removal in fire severity zones, highlighting a US Forest Service report that contradicts these requirements. Joanne emphasized the importance of calling into the State Advisory Committee meeting on Monday to counter insurance companies’ influence, and provided talking points for the call-in. She also mentioned issues with accessing the meeting on her computer due to Zoom account requirements. Ed.1 Project Community Concerns Cindy informed the group about an unexpected Ed.1 project in their area and discussed plans for an informational meeting on Tuesday. Joanne shared her experience with a similar project in her area, which has sparked concern among residents due to its impact on a historic cultural monument and the surrounding community. The group discussed the challenges of fighting these projects and the need for more information and support. Cindy agreed to share slides from a recent presentation by Maria and Jeff, which detailed the issues with these high-density developments, and mentioned that the presentation would be available on the VANC website and the Plancheck website. Transit-Oriented Development Density Concerns The group discussed concerns about housing density and transit-oriented development, with Cindy highlighting issues around setbacks and parking, while Barbara noted differences between San Francisco and Los Angeles’s transit systems. Heath shared insights from a presentation about SB 79, emphasizing that removing parking requirements could lead to increased rents rather than affordable housing. Mike raised concerns about the calculation of density per acre, suggesting that non-buildable land like freeways and streets should be excluded from measurements, and questioned the reliance on bus routes for planning rather than fixed rail systems. Los Angeles Urban Density Debate The meeting focused on urban development and transit issues in Los Angeles. Participants discussed concerns about high-density housing developments, particularly those exceeding local zoning rules and potentially threatening existing communities. Dr. Tom Williams emphasized the need for Los Angeles to become a denser, more economically viable city, comparing it to New York and Chicago. The group also touched on the importance of community involvement in planning projects and the need for better transit infrastructure. Cannabis and Urban Development Updates Cindy discussed updates on cannabis-related issues and shared information about recent activities involving law enforcement and the Department of Water and Power. Charlynne highlighted upcoming events, including the Cyclavia event in South Central on June 20th and the Slauson rail-to-rail connecting project, which she noted lacks shade shelters. Charlynne planned to gather more information on the project and push for improvements, potentially through Metro. Dr. Tom Williams shared insights on cannabis urbanization, comparing it to India’s widespread availability, and suggested that cannabis use in Los Angeles is becoming normalized. Street Issues and Budget Day The meeting covered several topics, including street improvements, illegal vendors, and the upcoming Budget Day event. James raised concerns about illegal encampments and street vendors not adhering to regulations, while Cindy discussed potential solutions and shared information about a new Santa Monica promenade policy. Miran provided updates on Budget Day preparations, noting potential protests and the city’s remote work protocol, and suggested exploring a virtual alternative. The group also touched on issues like graffiti and alcohol advertising near transit shelters. City Planning and Sign Enforcement Barbara discussed the issue of illegal temporary wall signs in the city, urging residents to report suspected illegal signs to the Department of Building and Safety. She also provided updates on various city planning matters, including SB 79, CEQA gutting Bill SB 607, and the restoration of planning department positions. Barbara highlighted a new motion introduced by Council Member Hugo Martinez to address ghost kitchens, which have been causing loitering and traffic issues in neighborhoods. She also mentioned a pilot program in CD 13 to use license plate reading technology to issue citations to vehicles parked in bicycle lanes. Fire Regulations and School Concerns Joanne discussed a council file (10-2468-S2) that would require the fire department and CFAC to report to City Council about State Advisory Board Zone 0 regulations, which the fire department supports. She also raised concerns about a proposed school building project near the 170 freeway that would have inadequate parking and violate transit-oriented community guidelines, noting that teachers and parents oppose the move. The conversation ended with a detailed discussion about brush clearance regulations and enforcement issues, where Tom Williams shared his experience with unenforced brush clearance laws and potential legal implications for the city. | |
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