Los Angeles Considers Development Process Overhaul

"Somebody from the Planning Department or the Department of Building Safety should be knowledgeable enough to check the project’s tree plan. If we can boil down those 12 stops to two stops, at the Planning Department and the Department of Building and Safety, we will have a city that I believe will not only pro-business, but also pro-neighborhoods..."

"But I say to the departments, “Wouldn’t you like to have an additional staff member back working on the core issues in your department?” If it’s the Fire Department, shouldn’t you be working on fire safety, fire prevention, or firefighting and emergency services? If it were Street Trees, wouldn’t you love to have an extra body out there planting or trimming trees? We have a good case to take to departments: this will actually give you the resources back for your core job, and let Planning and Building and Safety do their core job."

Eric Garcetti goes on to discuss the critical role smart growth and affordable housing can play in revitalizing neighborhoods.