Around the Corner

Gov. Newsom and LA Mayor Bass have issued Executive Orders to help rebuild LA.

• Mayor Bass signed Executive Order 1, which:

  • Allows rebuilding within 110% of the original size and height and with streamlined processing

  • Establishes a Debris Removal Task Force

  • Confirms exemptions from CEQA and Coastal Commission

  • Drops discretionary reviews for haul routes

  • Directs LADBS to issue temp CofOs for 1,400 housing units in the pipeline

  • Permits homeowners to use modular homes, tiny homes, or RVs on their properties for up to three years during the rebuilding process

  • And more…we will keep you updated. The city is committed to reporting findings and making recommendations every 30 to 60 days.

• In addition to last week’s bill, Gov. Newsom has issued Executive Orders to protect victims from predatory land speculators and price gouging. Read more.

The Week Ahead

Jan 21 | LA Planning and Land Use Mgmt Committee

• 917 N Everett St, CPC-2023-5528-DB-SPR-MCUP-HCA-1A: New mixed-use residential and commercial development with 327 residential units (41 VLI) and 9,462 sf of ground-floor commercial space for a total floor area of 321,300 sf, resulting in a FAR of 3:1 across two buildings.

• 316 W 103rd St, ZA-2024-1546-RV: Decision on an appeal filed by LA Hi Lite Property, Inc. on the decision from ZA to require discontinuance of transient motel use for the Hi-Lite Motel due to safety and community concerns.

• 2511 W Sunset Blvd, DIR-2023-2028-TOC-SPR-HCA-1A: Demolition of an existing grocery store, recycling center, and surface parking lot for the construction of a five-story, mixed-use building that will include 3,603 sf of commercial floor area and 121 residential dwelling units (13 ELI). The proposed project will contain 89,719 sf of floor area, resulting in a FAR of 3.32:1. Previous appeal from SAFER was denied.

Jan 22 | East LA Planning Commission

• 5027 East Almaden Dr, ZA-2023-1169-ZAA-1A: Decision on partial appeal of approval and denial of remodel and addition to an existing 1,068 sf SFD. The Project includes a 1,202-sf second-story addition, a 191-sf first-story addition, demolition of a 360-sf detached garage, and construction of a new 218-sf attached garage.

Jan 23 | LA Citywide Planning Commission

• 5340 Alla Rd, CPC-2024-4459-CU3: The Project proposes relocating the Westside Neighborhood School's Developmental Kindergarten (DK) through 8th grade levels. The private school will occupy approximately 97,165 sf of the office building, and a separate office tenant will occupy the remaining 34,777 sf.

• 8945 Helms Pl, CPC-2024-3020-DB-VHCA: Construction of a five-story, 61-feet-seven-inch-tall residential apartment building with 78 dwelling units (including 11 VLI and one ELI unit). The Project will be approximately 48,432 sf in floor area, with a FAR of 3.52:1. The Project will provide 17 parking spaces at an at-grade level. The site is currently improved with three one-story single-family dwellings, which will be demolished.

• 1459 Hi Point St, DIR-2023-4996-TOC-HCA-1A: Decision on appeal of a new five-story, 19-unit residential building with two ELI units. The Project will contain one one-bedroom unit, 11 two-bedroom units, and eight three-bedroom units. The Project will rise to a maximum height of 57 feet and comprise a floor area of 20,420 sf with a FAR of 1.5:1.

• 4575 Hollywood Blvd, DIR-2023-2838-TOC-SPP-SPR-HCA-1A: Decision on partial appeal of demolition of an existing commercial building and surface parking lot and the construction of a seven-story, 174,021 sf, 181-unit mixed-use building within Subarea C (Community Center) of the Vermont/Western Station Neighborhood Area Plan (SNAP) Specific Plan. Appeal from SAFER.

• Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan Project Area, CPC-2008-3470-SP-GPA-ZC-SUD-BL: A five-year status report on development in the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan area from December 25, 2018 to December 25, 2023.

• 1531 Sawtelle Blvd, CPC-2023-5657-DB-VHCA: Construction of a five-story, nine-unit multi-family residential development (1 VLI) with zero automobile parking spaces and 1,575 sf of common open space.

Jan 23 | South Valley Area Planning Commission

• 4954 North Encino Ave, ZA-2020-179-CU-1A: Decision on appeal of application for a Conditional Use Permit to authorize the use and maintenance of an existing House of Worship (synagogue) with a total of 3,774 square feet (3,610 existing square feet plus a 164 square foot addition), on a 17,306 square foot lot in the RA-1 Zone.

• 12229 W Gault St, ZA-2022-7780-CUW-1A: Appeal of approval of a new, unmanned 50-foot wireless telecommunications facility monopole (disguised as an eucalyptus tree).

• 3375 Blair Dr, ZA-2023-3802-ZAD-1A: Decision on partial appeal of approval of a new two-story, 28-foot tall, 1,543 sf single-family dwelling with an attached garage.

Week in Review 

Highlighted Case Applications

Los Angeles

• 10953 Whipple St, ADM-2025-313-DB-VHCA-RED1: Demolition of existing buildings and construction of a 5-story apartment building for 91 units of 100% affordable housing

• 1201 S Figueroa St, ADM-2025-332-OVR: The alteration of existing architectural features to permit the development of a new South Vehicular Ramp at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

• 701 S Hampton Dr, ADM-2025-141-RDP: Conversion of existing single-story parking structure into a new untreated enclosed and open storage & attic

• 3910 W 27Th St, ADM-2025-233-DB-VHCA-RED1: New construction of 73- unit 4 story apartment building, 100% affordable housing

• 448 W Avenue 46, ZA-2025-250-CU1-SPPC-HCA: Remodel of an existing duplex: new 1060 sf 3rd fl addition with 1-car garage, 500 sf addition at the 2nd fl, and conversion of existing 710 sf 1st fl to an ADU

Santa Monica

• 1212 7Th St, 25ENT-0013: Administrative approval application for adaptive reuse project involving an existing multi-purpose building, which will provide five new residential units

• 1030 Lincoln Blvd, 25ARB-0017: Proposal to install an upgraded lift from the basement level of the upper school building of Saint Monica Preparatory School per ADA requirements and for minor landscaping changes surrounding the proposed lift. The work is proposed in conjunction with a repair of water damage to the basement level

Highlighted Completions

Did you know we now have a completed date filter for LA in ATC? You can also check a project's status using the new status filter. For example, many of the cases below have been approved but have a status of “In appeal period.”

Los Angeles

• 5550 Fulcher Ave, DIR-2024-4623-TOC-HCA: Approved with conditions new 56-unit apartment building (6 ELI units) in North Hollywood

• 1361 Kelton Ave, VTT-84622-CN-HCA: Approved with conditions a VTT Map for 15 residential condominiums in a development previously approved via DIR-2017-2639-DRB-SPP-SPPA located in the Westwood Community DRB SP zoned [Q]R4-1L

• 10841 Wrightwood Ln, ZA-2023-6826-ZAA-DRB-SPP-MSP-HCA: New single-family dwelling (on existing foundation slab) in Studio City/Hollywood Hills

• 1243 N Beachwood Dr, ENV-2020-1265-EAF: Demolition of 4 units and a proposed VTT to subdivide one lot into six small lots with 12 parking spaces

• 1243 N Beachwood Dr, ENV-2020-1265-EAF: Terminated construction of a new 6-story 50-unit multi-family TOC apartment building with five units set aside for ELI and 38 parking stalls

• 316 San Pascual Ave, VTT-84073-SL-HCA: Terminated application to demolish SFD and construct four new small lot subdivision homes with one ADU on lot-4