In a recent press release, L.A. Director of Planning Michael LoGrande announced that he is reorganizing their reduced staff to "focus on and master critical functions."
Accompanying the press release (and downloadable here) is a report titled Blueprint 2010-11, which details "eight strategic changes that will enable us to do more with less."
One of the strategies is a "One Project, One Planner" policy:
"Each project, whether it involves one or several different types of cases, (e.g. Zoning Administrator cases, Subdivision cases) will have a single Project Planner throughout its review and determination. This Project Planner will be able to field all planning-related questions about that particular project. Questions about the environmental review of a project can also be directed to the same point of contact, as Project Planners will also conduct or coordinate the environmental analysis for the projects they are reviewing. This shift towards a "one project, one planner" approach will enable the Department to provide more accessible, consistent, and personalized service to the public."
Other strategies include consolidating the long-range planning and historic preservation activities in exclusive departments.
LoGrande's appointment has not been without controversy - you can read previous articles on Planetizen about LoGrande here and here."
FULL STORY: Blueprint 2010-11
Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.
HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Connecticut Assembly to Reconsider TOD Bill
The ‘Work, Live, Ride’ bill would prioritize funding for designated transit-oriented zones to encourage denser development near transit.
New Jersey Affordable Housing Law Turns 50
The Mount Laurel Doctrine tasks each city and town with creating enough affordable housing to meet their needs, but half a century after its passage, the law still faces opposition in some parts of the state.
NYC Outdoor Dining Won’t Include Booze — For Now
Hundreds of restaurants will be unable to serve alcohol in their outdoor dining areas this summer due to a delay in permitting.
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.
Florida Atlantic University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
City of Piedmont, CA
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland