Two weeks after allowing a 200-unit affordable housing project proposed in a single-family residential neighborhood to continue on a fast-tracked approval process, a Los Angeles City Council committee denied a request by the same developer to construct a second multi-story affordable housing complex in another neighborhood using that same process.
The different outcomes illustrate that the debate continues over whether applications for large-scale affordable housing projects submitted to the city before Mayor Karen Bass specified that such projects can’t be built in single-family neighborhoods using the streamlined process should have “vesting rights” to remain on the fast track.
During its Tuesday, Oct. 3, meeting, the Planning and Land Use Management Committee rejected a request by the firm Uncommon Developers to use the streamlined approval process allowed under Bass’ Executive Directive 1. That directive, commonly referred to as ED1, is intended to quicken the time it takes to build 100% affordable housing projects and shelters, in response to L.A.’s housing and homelessness crisis.
But some say ED1 was never intended to apply to projects in single-family residential neighborhoods or more restrictive zones. They’re accusing developers of taking advantage of a loophole – which has since been closed – to submit project proposals in such neighborhoods and say it’s not OK for these developers to skip steps required under the regular approval process, such as holding public hearings so that community members can provide input.
On the other hand, affordable housing advocates argue these applications were submitted before the mayor revised her directive in June to specify project eligibility. One group said they’re prepared to sue the city if officials do not allow these projects to retain ED1 status.
In recent weeks, the city’s planning department notified certain developers that their projects no longer qualified for ED1 status after the…
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