Two plans that will determine how Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles develop over the next two decades were unanimously approved by the L.A. City Council on Wednesday, May 3, marking milestones that were years in the making.
These “community plans” lay out the types of housing or businesses that can be built or operated in an area and are part of a broader vision for citywide population growth, as officials attempt to strike a balance between meeting L.A.’s projected housing needs, including affordable housing, and a desire to ensure economically vibrant neighborhoods.
The Hollywood Community Plan — which had not been updated in 35 years — will allow as many as 35,000 new housing units to be built over the next 20 years and encourage density along transportation corridors. The plan will allow for about 58,000 more residents and bring about 29,000 new jobs to the area, with a focus on media and entertainment industries.
The downtown plan, known as DTLA 2040, is intended to allow up to 100,000 new housing units to support an additional 175,000 residents and create 100,000 new job opportunities through 2040. While it represents just 1% of the city’s land area, downtown L.A. is projected to house 20% of the city’s population growth. It’s also the city’s first community plan to require affordable units be included in all new housing developments.
Councilmember Kevin de León, who had advocated for so-called “inclusionary housing” to ensure that a mix of household incomes are planned for downtown, including low-income residents, praised the plan for addressing affordable housing while protecting the garment industry.
“This plan represents the most ambitious community plan in the history of our city – one that ensures the housing affordability and equity that Los Angeles desperately needs, building a downtown that is for all Angelenos, not just some,” de León said. “This is the first community plan in the city with inclusionary housing,…
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