Better Zoning Codes for Better Quality of Life

As Los Angeles continues the five-year process of re-writing its zoning code for clarity, one Zoning Advisory Committee member considers who should really care.

1 minute read

April 6, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By Molly M. Strauss @mmstrauss


Joel Miller, Vice President and Principal at Psomas, explains the purview of re:code LA in an exclusive interview with The Planning Report. He distinguishes between zoning and planning, questioning the degree to which the public should be interested in an initiative that will not re-zone property. However, he does point out one area of re:code LA of import to the public: looking at development standards, which have the potential to impact quality of life if setbacks and parking requirements change in a given neighborhood.

Finally, Miller delves into the political challenges facing the process and his concerns about its completion:

"The thinking in City Hall is to start with Downtown because it tends to look more favorably on development and code amendments... The idea is to roll it out in Downtown first, and then see how that goes. If we can’t get a new zoning code done Downtown, then I don’t know how we can hope to be successful elsewhere... The rest of the city tends to be more circumspect and wary of what’s going on whenever City Hall wants to make changes. I really hope that I’m wrong, but I fear it’s going to be a difficult slog and a real challenge."

This is Part II in a TPR series on the Los Angeles zoning code. See the publication's January/February issue for the first installment.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in The Planning Report

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

7 hours ago - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.