Greetings All:

The City Council will be voting on a major funding component of the Department’s efforts to comprehensively revise the City’s Zoning Code.  If you can find the time to attend, we would appreciate your participation.  The meeting is currently scheduled for this Friday (11/2) at 10 AM:

JOHN FERRARO COUNCIL CHAMBER
ROOM 340, CITY HALL
200 NORTH SPRING STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
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You can find the agenda here (Item No. 1 – Council File No. 12-0600-S160):
http://ens.lacity.org/clk/councilagendas/clkcouncilagendas379487_11022012.pdf

The Council will be acting on an ordinance that temporarily increases the existing General Plan Maintenance Surcharge from 3% to 5% for a period of five years with a sunset clause.  This surcharge applies to any permit, plan check, license, or planning application fee.  This action would secure the funding necessary to initiate the project as outlined in our five-year work program and budget plan.  For details, please see the links at the end of this email.

Funding for this project will be coming from three different sources, all of which are General Fund neutral (meaning that no additional tax dollars will be going towards this initiative): 1) the General Fund to fund the existing Department of City Planning staff; 2) the General Plan Maintenance Surcharge to fund the additional City staff needed; and 3) the Construction Services Trust Fund (CSTF) to fund the consultants needed to accomplish these tasks.

The City Council approved funding from the CSTF for the first year of the five-year work program on June 19, 2012.  Funding from the CSTF will be granted on an annual basis as part of the Department’s annual budgetary process.

BACKGROUND

The last time the City of Los Angeles did a comprehensive revision was when the current Zoning Code was first adopted in 1946.  It has since grown from an 84-page pamphlet to a 600+ page book does not reflect our 21st Century needs or vision.

The proposal will result in a new Zoning Code that:
Establishes clear & predictable language
More effectively implements the Goals & Objectives of the General Plan and Community Plans
Offers a wider variety of zoning options that protect and/or enhance our communities
Reflects the diversity of Los Angeles and allows each neighborhood to maintain a distinct sense of place
Accommodates the City’s current and future needs
Improves the built environment, economic vitality, & quality of life
Is an economic development tool that will help shore up the City’s tax base
The work program includes an enhanced public participation strategy that will include many opportunities for public involvement and feedback.  Our Department is committed to an open and transparent process that ensures that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to participate and contribute to the new land use and development standards.

The project will not: 1) override any existing Specific Plans or Overlays; or 2) result in the wholesale “up-zoning” of the City.  Although changes will eventually be pursued in order to implement the new Zoning Code, the proposed work program does not include any amendments to the current Zoning designations.  Any future changes will include notifications and public hearings.

OTHER INFORMATION

Below is a link to the Council File for the proposal.  It includes copies of the Department’s funding request which outlines the proposed work program and budget plan, as well as other reports and comments submitted to date.

Council File No. 12-0460
http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrecord&cfnumber=12-0460

Help us spread the word by forwarding this information to anyone you feel might be interested.

If you received this email via forwarded message from someone other than myself, and you want to obtain updates directly from the Department, please email erick.lopez@lacity.org and ask to be added to the interest list.  Please type “Add Me To Zoning Code Notification List” in the subject line.

If you are on  Facebook , please visit our Los Angeles City Planning – Code Studies page at http://www.facebook.com/LACityCodeStudies.  Click on the “like” button and you will receive updates in your news feed regarding this project and other proposed Zoning Ordinances as they become available.

As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact myself or David Olivo at david.olivo@lacity.org; email is preferred.

—

Erick Lopez
City of Los Angeles | Department of City Planning
Code Studies | Office of Zoning Administration
erick.lopez@lacity.org | 213.978.1323

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