City leaders from the Mayor on down recognize that infill development is necessary to create a more livable Los Angeles. So why does the public sector allow so many obstacles to stand in the way of small-scale development?
The constraints of existing infrastructure and regulation mean that the bulk of L.A.’s future growth will not come from large-scale redevelopment projects, but rather, from “more targeted development of a smaller scope and scale,” says Casey Lynch.
However, a number of factors conspire to limit the opportunities for such projects to proceed. “The most challenging demands stem from the opacity of the entitlements process, the cost of doing business, and the response times of city agencies,” argues Lynch, co-founder of Los Angeles development firm LocalConstruct. Smaller developers lack the resources to shoulder these burdens, rendering their projects costly, inefficient, and at times, infeasible.
“[I]n light of the potential for small scale development to reshape LA for the better, the public sector must work harder to alleviate the bureaucracy and costs that stifle so many promising projects,” says Lynch, who addresses some of the ways to remove these obstacles.
With two of the improvements he suggests - CEQA reform and the consolidation of City Planning and LADBS - building momentum, the prognosis for small developers may be improving already.
Thanks to Melody Wu
FULL STORY: PROTEST> PEE-WEE'S PLEA

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie