Sent A Strong Message, Los Angeles Leaders Respond With Planning Reforms

After many months of a bruising political campaign over the local Los Angeles citizen ballot initiative regarding planning and development reforms, the voters ultimately shot down the controversial Measure S by a wide margin. However, out of the campaign came a critical conversation about the terribly flawed land-use policy regime in the City of Angels, which had led to the ballot measure. In the aftermath of the Measure S vote, members of the L.A. City Council used the momentum and interest in land use planning reforms to push for expediting community plan updates and a sustainable source of funding for updating the City's General and Community plans.

In an exclusive interview with The Planning Report, David Ryu, councilmember representing Los Angeles' 4th District, scoped out how the council is working to restore confidence to voters, build a constituency for planning, and move forward on an equitable, smart-growth vision for the city.  

In conjunction with The Planning Report's interview of L.A. City Planning Director Vince Bertoni, Councilmember Ryu elucidated on the need for holistic, integrated plans that incorporate increased investments in transportation, parks and open space.

Working with other city council members, Ryu is working on making sure all of the city's 35 community plans will be updated every six years, and that there will be significantly greater transparency between the development community and elected officials. Ryu was clear that LA needed to build more housing to support a growing and aging population, but took a balanced approach in prioritizing parks and infrastructure upgrades to support more housing stock. 

"Measure S was the impetus for action and reform—from the public to the city council, and from the business community to the Mayor’s Office. City leaders want these reforms to happen. This is our opportunity to make these positive changes, and we cannot lose the momentum we currently have. We cannot use the defeat of Measure S as a reason to rest on our laurels." - David Ryu

Ryu also spoke to the critical transportation and road infrastructure upgrades that the Los Angeles desperately needs and lobbied leaders in Sacramento to move forward on a road repair and infrastructure funding plan. Ryu and Los Angeles leaders were successful in their efforts, as Governor Jerry Brown and legislative leaders announced a landmark road repair and transportation funding framework this week.