Downtown Development Strategy
Downtown Los Angeles Community Plan Update
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Thank you to all who joined to participate in the City Planning Commission (CPC) meeting on June 17, 2021. In case you missed it, an audio recording is now available along with City Planning’s staff presentation and Staff Report, as well as comment letters from the public and elected officials.
What happened at City Planning Commission?
At the June 17, 2021 CPC meeting, City Planning presented a high-level overview of the Downtown Community Plan and new Zoning Code. This was followed by technical questions from Commissioners on the information presented. After that, Commissioners heard public comment. Lastly, before adjourning, Commissioners discussed topics for further discussion and specific requests for additional information from Planning staff.
No formal action was taken by CPC at this time. CPC voted to reconvene a second meeting to continue the proceedings due to the day’s time constraints.
What happens next?
A second CPC meeting is scheduled for August 26, 2021, where CPC will continue its deliberation over the Downtown Community Plan and new Zoning Code.
After a recommendation by CPC, staff will prepare a Final Environmental Impact Report, and the Downtown Community Plan and new Zoning Code will be brought before the Planning & Land Use Management (PLUM) committee of City Council, followed by full City Council, for adoption.
For details on the draft plan and to view the proposed zoning click the “Draft Plan" tab above.
To sign up for future updates or contact staff with questions click the "Contact" tab above.
Los Angeles City Planning is partnering with the Downtown community to update the Central City and Central City North Community Plans. The Downtown Community Plan will describe a collective vision for Downtown’s future and include policies, plans, and implementation programs that frame the City’s long-term priorities. Downtown will have the first Community Plan in the City to apply new zoning tools developed as part of the comprehensive update to the City of Los Angeles’s Zoning Code.
The update of the Downtown Community Plan takes cues from the City’s General Plan, particularly from its Framework Element, which describes the City’s long-term growth strategy. The Framework Element lays out goals, objectives, and policies for the range of land uses throughout the City, including Downtown, and guides the development of Community Plans. The Framework Element describes Downtown as “the principal government and business center of the region, with a worldwide market,” “the highest-density center of the City,” and a “hub of regional transportation.”
The Plan will build on Downtown’s concentration of transit options. With support from Metro’s Transit Oriented Development Grant Program, the City is promoting Downtown’s role as the convergence point of regional transit lines that connect multiple cities across Los Angeles County.
What is a Community Plan? Why do we need to update it?
Click the button below to watch a short video about Community Plans.
Purpose
The ambition of the Downtown Community Plan is to create and implement a vision of the future for Downtown Los Angeles. Downtown is the birthplace of Los Angeles and the primary center of urban activity in the region. It remains the City's commercial, entertainment, cultural, and civic heart. Now enjoying a renaissance, Downtown is home to a diverse range of industries and a patchwork of distinct neighborhoods that sit at the center of an expanding regional transportation network. According to regional projections, by the year 2040, Downtown will be adding approximately:
+ 125,000 people
+ 70,000 housing units
+ 55,000 jobs
The Plan will strive to support and sustain the ongoing revitalization of Downtown, while thoughtfully accommodating this projected future growth.
A strong core is important to the health of the City.
The Plan will promote a dynamic, healthy and sustainable Downtown core that is tightly connected to its surroundings and supports the City of Los Angeles and the region.
The following core principles represent the long-term priorities for the Downtown Community Plan:
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Accommodate anticipated growth through 2040 in an inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and healthy manner, while supporting and sustaining Downtown's ongoing revitalization
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Reinforce Downtown's jobs orientation
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Grow and support the residential base
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Strengthen neighborhood character
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Promote a transit-, bicycle-, and pedestrian-friendly environment
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Create linkages between districts
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Create a world-class streets and public realm
Los Angeles City Planning is pleased to share:
Draft Plan and Zoning Documents
- CPC Staff Recommendation Report and Exhibits.
- Proposed Draft Downtown Community Plan Text (Updated June 2021) - Includes goals, policies, and programs for the Downtown Community. This document outlines the plan vision and memorializes community feedback.
- Draft Downtown Community Plan Land Use Designation Map (Updated June 2021) - Designates where general uses and building scales are allowed (i.e residential, commercial) and establishes what specific zones can be allowed in different neighborhoods.
- Draft Zoning Map (Updated June 2021)
- Interactive - searchable by address and provides property specific zoning regulations that can be downloaded
- Printable - pdf maps showing proposed zoning string by subarea
- Draft Downtown Community Plan Implementation Overlay (CPIO) (Updated June 2021) - Includes standards for developments that provide community benefits (i.e. affordable housing, open space, community facilities), development standards for Bunker Hill and Civic Center, and design best practices.
- Circulation Map.
- Draft Environmental Impact Report.
- Proposed Draft of the new Zoning Code - Includes zoning districts, rules of measurement, and definitions.
The new Zoning Code is intended to be effective only within the Downtown Community Plan Area at this time. The new Zoning Code will be applied to other areas as each Community Plan is updated and will be augmented with new zoning tools to support the goals of subsequent Community Plan updates. Click here to learn more about other Community Plan updates.
Providing Comments
Additional comments from the public for consideration by the City Planning Commission must be submitted by email to cpc@lacity.org now and leading up to the second CPC meeting date on August 26, 2021. Details on protocols for submissions within the two weeks leading up to this date will be included on the agenda for this meeting once it is published. Deadlines for public comment electronic submissions are:
- August 16, 2021 by 4:00 PM for Initial Submissions; not limited as to number of pages.
- August 24, 2021 by 8:30 AM for Secondary Submissions; shall not exceed ten (10) pages including exhibits.
- August 26, 2021 by 8:30 AM for Day of Hearing Submissions; limited to 2 pages plus accompanying photographs.
In advance of the next CPC meeting, City Planning staff will not be making additional changes or modifications to the family of materials currently under consideration by the City Planning Commission. Public comments should be directed to cpc@lacity.org during this time.
Other Informational and Summary Materials
- Downtown Community Plan Equity Handout
- Summary of Plan policy and zoning updates made since December 2020
- Updated Community Benefits Program Summary - explanation of the new Community Benefits Program
- Downtown Community Plan Overview Interactive Story Map - overview of Plan policy vision and tools
- Community Plan FAQ document
- Hoja Informativa para el Plan Comunitario del Centro de Los Angeles (Español)
- New Zoning Code FAQ document
- Hoja Informativa para el Nuevo Código de Zonificación (Español)
- Economic Analysis
A crucial component of the Downtown Community Plan update has been to acknowledge historic inequities in the planning process, and their ongoing impact on communities of color, and facilitate meaningful dialogue with the Downtown community. This work is the culmination of years of integrating your input on issues that touch the lives of everyone in the Downtown L.A. community, from housing affordability and access to economic opportunity, to mobility choice and public space. All of you have put in countless hours to provide feedback to City Planning on this Plan.
City Planning will strive to provide time and flexibility for everyone to engage with us at this stage of the project. Please see the timeline below that shows where we are at in the project process as a whole, and the many opportunities for input and participation now through 2021. To see materials from previous outreach events visit the resources page.
Recognizing the impact of COVID-19 and to ensure broad participation, the engagement strategy will focus on the following considerations and associated tools:
- Extended timelines
- Expand Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) comment period from 45 days to 75 days
- Expanded Comment period on Public Hearing Plan drafts
- Educational Opportunities
- Planning 101 webinar: This webinar will introduce the basics of community planning in Los Angeles
- Downtown Community Plan and code webinars: These webinars cover a technical and in-depth description of the proposed Downtown Community Plan
- Material accessibility
- Key materials will be available in Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese
- Simultaneous translation for Spanish during Webinars; other languages if available, as requested
- All webinars will include phone access to provide engagement opportunities for those without internet or computer access
Timeline & Outreach Activities
- June 2021 - Refined Plan III “CPC Draft” & City Planning Commission2 (CPC) meeting - Incorporates edits from Downtown Stakeholders provided at the Public Hearing (2021)
- Fall 2020 - Plan “Recap” Webinar (introduces the basics of planning in los angeles and the concepts of the Downtown Community Plan; allows learning opportunities for those who are just joining the planning update process)
- Fall 2020 - “Office hours” opportunities for one on one meetings with planning staff to ask questions and provide feedback. These events do not include presentations or plan overview materials
- Fall 2020 - Small group engagement (available on request)
- Refined Plan II “Public Hearing Draft” (Fall 2020) - Incorporates edits from Downtown Stakeholders
- Fall 2020 - release of the Public Hearing Draft of the new Zoning Code, which will be City Planning’s proposed draft of the New Zoning Code on which we will receive most substantive public comments
- Public Hearing1 (Winter 2020)
- September 2020 - Held Virtual Office Hours Community outreach event
- Plan was launched in 2014. Between 2014 and 2020 the Downtown Planning team has held and participated in hundreds of community events to garner feedback on the draft plan. Conversations were held with property owners and representatives throughout the Plan area.
- October 2016 - release of the draft plan concepts with weeklong public open studio event
- February 2017 - Environmental Impact Report (EIR) scoping meeting
- 2017-2019 - outreach at community events, neighborhood council meetings, meetings of community based organizations and refinement of the plan
- July 2019 - release of the draft plan
- October 2019 - release of the draft zoning map and Downtown zones
- November 2019 - outreach at public open house events
- January/February 2020 - outreach at office hours events
- February 2020 - July 2020 - Preparation of the Draft EIR
- August 2020 - release of Draft EIR and Preliminary Draft of the new Zoning Code, refined draft plan (policy document, zoning map, and General Plan Land Use map, CPIO)
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The Public Hearing is a formal opportunity for stakeholders to provide comments on the plan to a public hearing officer. These comments are documented and summarized in a report submitted to the City Planning Commission.
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City Planning Commission is a regularly scheduled meeting where commissioners make decisions or recommendations on Department of City Planning recommendations. These decisions and recommendations are informed by the public comments provided at the commission meeting.
- City Planning Commission meeting continued to August 26th, 2021, details forthcoming.
- Refined Plan IV “Planning & Land Use Committee Draft” & Planning and Land Use Committee Meeting (PLUM) Incorporates edits from CPC informed by public comment at CPC hearing (2021)
- Refined Plan V “City Council Draft” & Full City Council Incorporates edits from PLUM informed by public comment at PLUM hearing (2021)
- Plan Adoption by City Council (2021)
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The Planning and Land Use Committee meeting is a regularly scheduled meeting where a selected group of City Council members make recommendations. These decisions are informed by the public comments provided at the committee meeting.
Draft Documents
Here you can view draft documents and outreach materials as they become available.
June 17, 2021 City Planning Commission Meeting
Click here to listen to the audio recording
Click here to view the staff presentation and Staff Report,
Click here to view comment letters from the public and elected officials.
Downtown Community Plan Overview Handout
Click here to view the Downtown Community Plan Overview Handout
DTLA 2040 Public Hearing December 8, 2020
Click here to listen to the Public Hearing
Click here to view documents submitted for Public Comment
Click here to view videos submitted for Public Comment
Downtown Fall 2020 Webinar Presentation
Click here to view the Downtown Community Plan and New Zoning Code Overview Video
Click here to view the Downtown Community Plan and New Zoning Code Presentation (PDF Slides)
Draft Concepts from the 2019 Open Studio
EIR Scoping Meeting
The documents below were shared at the Environmental Impact Report Scoping Meeting for the updates to the Downtown Community Plans & Amendments to the LAMC.
Downtown Community Plans EIR Scoping Meeting Presentation
Environmental Impact Report - Overview
Draft Downtown General Plan Designations
Draft Concepts from the Open Studio
The documents below reflect draft policy concepts that will continue to be refined throughout the Plan development process. To learn more about the Open Studio & Design Charrette visit our News & Events page.
Introduction & Background Information
Growth Strategies
Jobs
Mobility
Community Character
Housing
Streets & Open Space
Additional Policy Documents & Outreach Materials
Draft Plan Concepts for the Skid Row Area - June 2019
The Draft Plan Concepts for the Skid Row Area pamphlet provides a summary of the draft zoning regulations for the Skid Row area.
The Draft Plan Concepts for the Skid Row Area pamphlet provides a summary of the draft zoning regulations for the Skid Row area.
Shaping the Skyline - A Dialogue with AIA
- March 2018
The Shaping the Skyline - A Dialogue with AIA document provides an overview of existing conditions and draft policy direction for urban form, especially as it relates to Downtown's skyline.
- March 2018
The Shaping the Skyline - A Dialogue with AIA document provides an overview of existing conditions and draft policy direction for urban form, especially as it relates to Downtown's skyline.
Historic Cultural Neighborhood Council (HCNC) Land Use Committee Meeting - February 2018
The Downtown Community Plan Strategies for HCNC document provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan policy direction and strategies for the neighborhoods represented by the HCNC.
The Downtown Community Plan Strategies for HCNC document provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan policy direction and strategies for the neighborhoods represented by the HCNC.
Festival for All Skid Row Artists - October 2017
Thoughtful Growth for Skid Row document and Draft Concepts Map provide an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan goals and strategies for the Skid Row community. The consolidated notes provide a summary of the comments received from community members about future goals for Skid Row.
Thoughtful Growth for Skid Row document and Draft Concepts Map provide an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan goals and strategies for the Skid Row community. The consolidated notes provide a summary of the comments received from community members about future goals for Skid Row.
Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood CouncilMeeting - February 2018
The Downtown Community Plan Strategies for DLANC document provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan policy direction and strategies for the neighborhoods represented by the DLANC.
The Downtown Community Plan Strategies for DLANC document provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan policy direction and strategies for the neighborhoods represented by the DLANC.
Little Tokyo Community Outreach - November 2017
The Draft Concepts Map provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan goals and strategies for the Little Tokyo community.
The Draft Concepts Map provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan goals and strategies for the Little Tokyo community.
Chinatown Community Outreach - October 2017
The Draft Concepts Map provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan goals and strategies for the Chinatown Community. The consolidated notes provide a summary of the comments received from community members about future goals for Chinatown.
The Draft Concepts Map provides an overview of draft Downtown Community Plan goals and strategies for the Chinatown Community. The consolidated notes provide a summary of the comments received from community members about future goals for Chinatown.
Central City Association: Committee Meeting - June 2017
Theconsolidated notes provide a summary of the comments regarding draft Downtown Community Plan objectives, draft policy direction, and strategies.
Neighborhood Vision Workshop: Fashion District - June 2017
The power point presentation provides an overview of the Downtown Community Plan objectives, draft policy direction, and strategies for the Fashion District. The consolidated notes provide a summary of the comments from the group discussions.
Neighborhood Vision Workshop: Skid Row Community - June 2017
The power point presentation provides an overview of the Downtown Community Plan objectives, and draft policy direction and strategies for the Skid Row community. The consolidated notes provide a summary of the comments from the breakout group discussions.
This document provides highlights from the full Regional Connector Existing Conditions Report July 2016
Regional Connector Existing Conditions Report (Full Document)
This document was prepared as a part of the Metro-Funded Transit Neighborhood Planning Grant
July 2016
This document was prepared as a part of the Metro-Funded Transit Neighborhood Planning Grant
July 2016
General Development Standards Presentation to the re:code LA Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC)
December 9, 2015
December 9, 2015
Downtown Progress Report Presentation to the re:code LA Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC)
September 30, 2015
September 30, 2015
Downtown Policy Presentation to the re:code LA Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC)
September 30, 2015
September 30, 2015
Community Vision Documents
LA River Master Plan
Park 101
Innovate DTLA
DLANC Vision Downtown
Sustainable Little Tokyo
Central City East Planning Study
Arts District Uncommon Ground
Broadway Streetscape Master Plan
Los Angeles Downtown Development Strategy
Figueroa Corridor: Connecting Communities
Figueroa Corridor Streetscape project
South Park BID Technical Assistance Panel Report
Downtown Strategic Plan Los Angeles
Green Alleys in South Park Visioning Report
Cleantech Corridor Los Angeles, California
South Park Development Studies, Sites, and Rehab Opportunities
South Park Development Strategies & Design Guidelines
Our Skid Row
Planning Staff Contact Info
Contact the Downtown Community Planning Team for general questions regarding the Plan update, or individual team members with specific questions.
| General Inquiries Downtownplan@lacity.org |
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| Craig Weber Principal City Planner & Division Head |
Valerie Watson Senior City Planner & Section Head |
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| craig.weber@lacity.org | valerie.watson@lacity.org | |
| (213) 978-1311 | (213) 978-1294 | |
| Brittany Arceneaux Project Manager, Community Plan Update |
Veena Snehansh veena.snehansh@lacity.org |
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| brittany.arceneaux@lacity.org | (213) 978-1317 | |
| (213) 978-1911 | ||
| Jordan Hallman | ||
| Jordan.hallman@lacity.org | ||
| (213) 978-1204 |
