The Path To Preserving L.A.'s Industrial Lands

"A city report to be released next month recommends preserving most of Downtown's industrial land. The highly anticipated study is likely to reignite debate among local business leaders, politicians and city officials who have battled during the past year over whether to make the land available to residential and commercial development."

"The report by the Los Angeles Planning Department and the Community Redevelopment Agency largely reiterates the findings of a controversial study, the first elements of which were presented to the public in November 2006. However, it paints a more detailed picture by defining four categories of industrial-zoned land, each with its own set of development recommendations."

"In short, the report aims to detail specific areas where the departments would approve residential construction, and where they would oppose it. The study would help CRA and city Planning Department staffers determine how to proceed when they are approached by developers."

"The four categories of industrial-zoned land outlined in the report are: Employment Protection Districts, Industrial Mixed-Use Districts, Transition Districts, and Correction Areas."