CA YIMBY Report: The Dysfunctional Metropolis

Author Emily Jacobson describes how the dynamics of the Los Angeles City Council influence land use planning and entitlement in Los Angeles, with a focus on the production of multifamily housing. This report aims to document the specific challenges that impede the entitlement of new residential developments and to offer recommendations that the City of Los Angeles could implement to improve its processes.

Her recommendations to expand eligibility for ministerial review, Los Angeles should:

• Reform or eliminate the site plan review requirement for residential projects; and

• Increase allowable density across the city by updating the general plan and community plans.

To improve discretionary review, Los Angeles should:

• Standardize the entitlement process for common land use application types and introduce and enforce deadlines for all stages of review;

• Devolve some of the Council’s decision-making authority to the CPC or Director of Planning, when allowed by state law; and

• Propose a ballot measure to eliminate Section 245e of the City Charter to revoke the Council’s ability to overrule the actions of the CPC and APCs.

A full version of the report may be read here or on the California YIMBY website.