Inglewood Set to Rezone Neighborhoods Near New Transit Lines

As the Crenshaw rail line reaches completion, the city of Inglewood is considering changes to its zoning regulations "which would permit the construction of new homes, offices, and retail near passenger rail stops on Metro's Crenshaw/LAX and C Lines," reports Steven Sharp in Urbanize Los Angeles. The Westchester/Veterans and Crenshaw/Imperial TOD (Transit Oriented Development) Plans "would impact land use regulations for roughly 650 acres of land at Inglewood's northwest corner adjacent to the Westchester neighborhood and at its southern border with the City of Hawthorne," adding up to 4,090 new homes, 705,000 square feet of commercial space, and 5,684 new jobs. The plans also include new cycletracks, improved pedestrian mobility, and new public parks.

Local leaders hope the construction of the new Crenshaw Line, which was originally scheduled to open in 2019, will provide new transit options for workers in the area and boost economic activity in the area. "The City has already adopted new zoning for its Downtown and Fairview Heights neighborhoods, which also sit along the transit line's route."

"Implementation of the visions detailed in the TOD plans will require multiple discretionary approvals, both by the city of Inglewood and other entities, such as the city of Hawthorne and Caltrans.  A draft environmental impact report is now being circulated for review."