When residents and business owners in the coastal neighborhood of Venice in Los Angeles want to develop, they require approvals from the state's Coastal Commission and the city. A proposed coastal program could remove the state from the equation.
The California Coastal Commission (CCC), empowered by the California Coastal Act of 1976, has permitting power over all forms of development, and even parking, along the Pacific coast in California. Many communities along the coast, however, have opted out of CCC jurisdiction by producing a local coastal program, which, when certified by the CCC, removes the state authority from the approval process.
Although it came close to passing a local coastal program over a decade ago, Venice has not approved such a program, and as a result developers and residents are subject to two notoriously byzantine approval processes.
As reported by Martha Groves, the neighborhood’s new City Council representative, Mike Bonin, has set the program as a priority, and is seeking funding to move ahead in developing the program. More than that, the CCC would love to get Venice off its hands: “It's a long time coming…The city should take that responsibility on. The commission should not be in the permitting business,” says said Jack Ainsworth, Coastal Commission senior deputy director.
Read the full story: Venice looks to take more control over its development
80-unit affordable building is the first to open under LA's fast-track development program
The project was fast-tracked under an executive order issued by Mayor Karen Bass in late 2022.
Los Angeles Issues First Occupancy Permit in Pacific Palisades Since Wildfires
Permits in the Palisades are being issued at nearly three times the typical rate as before the wildfires.
Sacramento Voters to Decide on Using Lawsuits to Reclaim Sidewalks
Measure O may be one of the first ballot measures of its kind to empower residents to take legal action against a city for illegal encampments on city property. The Sacramento City Council voted 7-2 on August 9 to place the ordinance before voters.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Philadelphia to invest $2 billion into upgrading city airports as PHL places last in customer satisfaction
Modernizations to Philadelphia's airports will include baggage system upgrades and a new automated parking garage guidance system.
The LA housing policies making developers turn away from the city
Despite LA’s housing shortage, developers say the city’s "mansion-tax" and pandemic-era policies make it an unappealing place to build housing.
New density bill would require 7 California cities to establish regional transit hubs
The bill would also require major cities in California to permit high-rise residential buildings.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello