Around the Corner

🚨 Big week at LA’s PLUM Committee; three motions worth watching:

• Motion to respond to Executive Directive 10 and establish a pilot program for use of AI tools for pre-screening permit applications, enabling corrections prior to formal submittal and for initial screening by LADBS

• Motion for recommendations regarding the feasibility and cost-benefit analysis of citywide elimination of off-street parking requirements for new development and changes of use

• Motion to prepare and present an ordinance to implement AB 1033, which authorizes local agencies to allow ADUs to be sold separately from the primary residence as condominiums

The Week Ahead

Aug 26 | LA Planning & Land Use Mgmt Committee

• Motion instructing the LADBS in consultation with the City Attorney, to prepare a report to improve the existing inspection and permitting process for restaurant equipment and related scope of works. Read.

• Motion to a draft definition of “Ghost kitchens” and criteria to assess the impacts of Ghost Kitchens and inform potential land use controls that can mitigate nuisances on neighboring land uses. Read.

• Motion instructing City Planning, in consultation with the City Attorney, to prepare an amendment to the Zoning Code regarding the controlling land use regulations for Recreational Vehicle Parks to clarify and maintain consistency between provisions of the Zoning Code, Fire Code and State of California Building Code. Read.

• Motion relative to instructing LADBS and City Planning, with support from relevant departments as needed, in creating a single, comprehensive review process for projects. Read.

• Motion instructing the LADBS, in consultation with City Planning, Bureau of Engineering, and the Los Angeles Fire Department, and with requested input from California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)-listed firms that are part of the Standard Plan Program, to report on current departmental reviews, approvals, and permitting procedures for HCD-approved single family and Accessory Dwelling Unit plans. Read.

• Motion instructing City Planning, with the assistance of the City Attorney, to prepare and present an ordinance to implement AB 1033, which authorizes local agencies to adopt a local ordinance to allow Accessory Dwelling Units to be sold separately or conveyed from the primary residence as condominiums. Read.

• Motion directing the City Planning to report within 60 days on providing a clear ministerial entitlement process for eligible mixed income and 100% affordable housing and mixed use projects that are currently subject to discretionary review processes provided the projects provide the requisite percentage of affordable housing to qualify for (1) enhanced development rights under the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP) and (2) an exemption to the Project Review Ordinance. Read.

• Motion instructing the LADBS, to report within 30 days regarding the recommendations included in its response to Executive Directive 10, and to establish a pilot program for use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for pre-screening of permit applications by applicants to enable corrections prior to formal submittal, and for initial screening of applications by LADBS; and related matters. Read.

• Motion instructing City Planning, in consultation with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, to report with recommendations regarding the feasibility and cost-benefit analysis of citywide elimination of off-street parking requirements for new development and changes of use. Read.

• CPC-2018-6402-CPU: Wilmington-Harbor City Community Plan Update

• CPC-2018-6404-CPU: Harbor Gateway Community Plan Update

• 1522-1538 North Cassil Pl, ZA-2023-4977-CUB-1A: Review of appeal filed by Citizens for a Better Los Angeles regarding the determination in approving a CE as the environmental clearance for a CU permit to allow the sale and dispensing of a full-line of alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption in conjunction with a private residents' club within a new mixed-use development

• 700 South Flower Street Project (446 Dwelling Units; 53-Story Residential Tower with The BLOC Development):

  • CPC-2024-8052-DA: Report from the LACPC relative to a proposed ordinance authorizing the execution of a Development Agreement, pursuant to Government Code Sections 65864-65869.5, by and between the City of Los Angeles and NREA-TRC 700, LLC

  • CPC-2021-9958-TDR-SPR-HCA: Approve LACPC decision relative to a Transfer of Floor Area Rights of up to 470,674 sf of floor area from the City of Los Angeles Convention Center to the Project Site, and request that within six months of the receipt of the Public Benefits Payment by the Public Benefit Trust Fund,  to convene the Public Benefit Trust Committee. The project site is currently developed with The BLOC, a mixed-use development comprised of a 26-story hotel and a 33-story office building on the northern portion of the site. The Project proposes the development of a residential tower with up to 466 units, enclosure of the existing rooftop parking level, and the addition of two above-ground parking levels above the existing nine-story podium building, all existing uses would remain, excluding 24,342 sf of theater and retail uses which would be demolished to accommodate the new residential tower.

Aug 26 | Central LA Planning Commission

• 1451 South Hi Point St, TT-84566-CC-1A: Appeal of a Tentative Tract Map proposing the condominium conversion of an existing eight-unit residential apartment structure to an eight-unit residential condominium structure on an existing 8,838.6 sf lot. The Project does not propose demolition, additions or new construction

Aug 26 | Pasadena Design Commission

• 2771 E Foothill Blvd, DHP2024-00015: Demolition of two buildings and construction of a new three- to four-story, 32,128 sf, mixed-use project consisting of 5,170 sf of ground floor commercial space and 20 residential dwelling units with at-grade and subterranean parking. Report.

• 555 N Mentor Ave, DHP2024-00154: Construction of a three-story, 42-unit multi-family residential building with one level of subterranean parking and removal of 18 protected trees on a vacant property. Report.

Week in Review

Highlighted Applications

Apologies for the continued delay in map updates on the platform. We're aware of the issue and it will be resolved soon. Thank you for your patience.

City of LA 

• 2309 Johnston St, ADM-2025-4734-ADUH: Pursuant to AB 2299 and SB 1069 in the Lincoln Heights HPOZ Preservation Plan for the addition of doors, fenestration, and floor area to accessory residential structures

• 112 N Mariposa Ave, DIR-2025-4742-TOC-VHCA: Tier 3 TOC for a demo of a SFD for a proposed 5 story residential apartment building that consists of 24 units

• 2913 S Gaffey St, AA-2025-4726-VPM-HCA: Small Lot Subdivision with Four (4) Single Family Residences

• 457 Museum Dr, DIR-2025-4732-SPPC: Remodel and 1,355 sf addition to an existing 572 sf SFD resulting in a 2,357 sf 3-story SFD in the Mt Washington-Glassell Park SP zoned R1-1-HCR

• 2700 Colorado Blvd, CPC-2025-4722-CU3-SPPC-DRB: Macys & Home Depot. net reduction ~23,000 sf and (5) illuminated wall signs, (3)non-illuminated wall signs, & refacing of (1) tenant illuminated panel on an existing elevated sign

• 17065 Livorno Dr, ADM-2025-4686-CATEX: Pursuant to Brentwood-Pacific Palisades Order E-79-8, approval of a Categorical Exclusion for a new two story single family dwelling due to the Pacific Palisades Fire

Santa Monica

• 2025 Wilshire Blvd, 25ENT-0160: Off-site affordable housing pilot program for an 8-story mixed use building with 135 market rate units and 15 affordable units with a total of 150 residential units

• 2906 Santa Monica Blvd, 25ENT-0164: Off-Site Affordable Housing An Off-Site Affordable Housing Pilot Program for a 4-story mixed-use building with 88 residential units and 12,984 sf of commercial space

• 1527 Lincoln Blvd, 25ENT-0158: Off-site affordable housing pilot program for an 8-story mixed use building with 189 market rate units and 21 affordable units with a total of 210 residential units

• 380 Santa Monica Pier, 25ENT-0162: Temporary Use Permit for a rotating series of branded and experiential sponsorship visuals throughout designated zones at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

Highlighted Completions

City of LA

• 2250 W Pico Blvd, CPC-2018-3544-GPA-VZC-HD-CU-SPR: Approved demolition of an existing commercial building and the construction of a new 125 guest room hotel

• 5543 Lankershim Blvd, ZA-2024-8130-CUB-TOC-WDI-PR-HCA: Terminated new 7-story mixed use building of commercial with alcohol sales and a 16-unit apartment building

• 10150 Venice Blvd, DIR-2018-3536-TOC: Terminated new construction, use, and maintenance of an 80 residential units setting aside 10% (8) ELI units within a 6-story building, on-site 99 residential parking spaces and 1250 sf of retail space

• 9777 Shadow Island Dr, DIR-2025-1591-SPPC: Major interior remodel; front addition of 225 sf; conversion of single car garage to habitable space (240 sf); extension of carport to create 2nd covered space (87 sf)