Development Updates
Hearings for LA River Improvement Overlay (LA-RIO)
One of the city of Los Angeles' proposed ordinances is the Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay (LA-RIO) District. The city has had workshops and is in a comment period for the latest draft. There will be two public hearings. To view the latest draft online go to http://cityplanning.lacity.org Click Plans & Ordinances, then Proposed ordinances, and then select the specific document that you wish to view.
Subsequent to the hearings the LA-RIO will be acted upon by the City Planning Commission and then forwarded to the City Council for adoption. Copies are also available at some public libraries. This ordinance is designed to enable the city to better coordinate land use development near the Los Angeles River. It impacts rebuilding of existing structures as well as new ones within the designated borders and has many other green guidelines for neighborhoods within the boundaries.
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Update on Universal Developments
NBC Universal is working on two developments that will greatly impact our area. The first is a commercial development in Studio City on the MTA site on Lankershim across from Universal City. The second is a residential development along the back side of the Universal property off of Barham. These two developments combined would create more than one million square feet of office and studio space, a high-rise hotel/condo, a 9-story studio block,and back lot expansion at Universal Studios.
The SCRA has these concerns with the proposed development:
1. Traffic congestion at the already crowded 101 Freeway junctions with Barham and Lankershim. Estimated increase of 15,000 automobile trips on a typical day.
2. Campo De Cahuenga historic site preservation
3. Visual blight imposed by towering high rise commercial building
The Studio City has four groups involved in mitigating the short- and long-term effects of these two proposed mega developments: the Studio City Residents Association, the Island Community (west of Lankershim/south of LA River/north of MTA Universal station), the Studio City Neigbhorhood Council, and the Studio City Chamber of Commerce.
Communities United For Smart Growth, a 501(c)3 coalition of eleven neighborhood and property owner gropus that geographically encircle the MTA Metro Station site and Universal Studios, has been formed to address the communities needs. Communities United for Smart Growth (CUFSG) is dedicated to helping create a project that encourages economic vitality and maintains and enhances the quality of life in the region. The Studio City Residents Association has five members on the board of this organization that is fighting for the rights of the residents.
CUFSG represent an area with well over 100,000 constituents and more then 1 million visitors. The organization was formed in response to learning that NBC Universal sought to substantially develop their property in and around the Cahuenga Pass, Lankershim Blvd. and Barham Blvd, and a proposed development of the MTA site on Lankershim Boulevard at the historical Campo de Cahuenga. CUFSG has been meeting with the developer since the inception of the plan. The developer has presented one plan after another without satisfactorily addressing the concerns raised by the community. Each revised plan seems to increase the size and scope of the developments. The board of directors for Communities United For Smart Growth are made up of members of the following:
Residents Associations:
1. Studio City Residents Association
2. Studio City Island Community
3. Hollywood Dell Civic Association
4. Hollywood Knolls Community Cub
5. Toluca Lake Homeowner’s Association
Business Organizations:
1. Cahuenga Pass Business Owners Assoc
2. Cahuenga Pass Property Owners Assoc
3. Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce
4. Lakeside Golf Club
Historical Sites:
1. Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association
Representatives from the surrounding Neighborhood Councils of Hollywood Hills West, Hollywood United, Greater Toluca Lake, and Studio City serve in an advisory capacity and are not voting members of the board of dirctors for CUFSG.
The LA City Planning Contact for the NBC/U projects is Jon Foreman (jonforeman@lacity.org).
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Construction has started on the new Fire Station #78 on Whitsett at Valleyheart and is currently on-schedule. Stay tuned for updates.
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Are You Affected By Developments In Your Area? Get Information!
Any interested resident stakeholder can review current applications for development and request hearing notices. As a resident you may review application files and attend public hearings for all developments within the City of Los Angeles. You may make an appointment to review the files and send your comments to the Planning Department before the public hearings. You also have the right to receive hearing notices to allow you to attent the hearings that may affect you.
