In a significant move to address the affordable housing crisis, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission has approved a draft ordinance that aims to streamline the development of affordable housing. This article explores the key details of the Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance and its potential impact on the city's housing landscape.
Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance Approved
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has approved a draft ordinance to streamline affordable housing developments.
The Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance has been approved by the Los Angeles City Planning Commission with a 5-1 vote. This ordinance aims to provide permanent streamlining for eligible affordable housing developments in the city.
By codifying many elements of the Mayor's Executive Directive 1, the ordinance builds upon the success of over 8,000 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing applications since its announcement in late 2022. It mandates that city departments complete the pre-construction review process for all 100 percent affordable housing developments within 60 days and provides streamlining provisions for under-construction projects.
Revisions to the Draft Ordinance
The draft ordinance has undergone revisions to address concerns and limitations.
The initial draft ordinance faced criticism for potentially blocking several affordable housing projects. However, after revisions, the ordinance now allows a maximum of five incentives and one waiver, instead of the initial limit of two off-menu density bonus incentives or waivers.
The revised ordinance also introduces new limits on the type of waivers and incentives that can be requested. Additionally, single-family zones are now excluded from utilizing the entitlement pathway provided by the ordinance.
Despite these changes, some voices have argued in favor of including single-family zones, expressing concerns about the potential replacement of existing rent-controlled apartment buildings.
Next Steps for the Ordinance
The Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance will now move to the City Council Planning Committee for consideration.
Following the approval by the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, the Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance will proceed to the City Council Planning Committee for further evaluation and consideration.
This step is part of the process to make the ordinance a permanent solution for streamlining affordable housing development in Los Angeles.
The ordinance's progress aligns with Mayor Karen Bass's recent Executive Order 7, which aims to accelerate approvals for all housing projects, including those with market-rate units. The city is committed to addressing the housing crisis and exploring ways to remove barriers to housing development.
Conditional Use Permit Requirement for Hotels
The City Planning Commission also approved an ordinance requiring a Conditional Use Permit for hotel projects.
In addition to the Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance, the City Planning Commission approved an ordinance that establishes a Conditional Use Permit requirement for all hotel projects in Los Angeles.
This new requirement aims to regulate hotel development and includes a replacement housing provision for any residential units lost due to hotel projects. Furthermore, it introduces a voluntary housing program that allows unhoused individuals to be placed in participating hotels.
The ordinance was created as part of an agreement with the hospitality labor union Unite Here Local 11, which withdrew a measure from the March ballot that would have mandated hotels to provide vacant rooms for homeless individuals.