Los Angeles' proposed transit neighborhood plan for the Expo Line corridor includes minor changes, but nothing earth-shattering. Many of the line's stations remain underutilized.
It's been nearly a year since L.A.'s Expo Line extension to Santa Monica opened. Here, Steven Sharp goes through a newly-proposed set of zoning and development rules [pdf] for the area surrounding the line, specifically its newest portion.
Overall, the plan allows for intensified land use in certain places, but does relatively little to impact the low-rise neighborhoods surrounding much of the corridor. However, Sharp writes, "the proposed urban design standards call for street-facing entrances, limited use of fencing and uniform building setbacks, among other items. In short, the regulations would mandate pedestrian-oriented buildings along commercial boulevards."
In short, density fans will have some things to like in the plan, but many will feel it doesn't go far enough. "The proposed Expo TNP walks a fine line between maintaining the status quo and creating the transit-oriented communities implied by the project's name [...] The question remains how to build around transit in a region that still considers its single family neighborhoods to be sacrosanct."
FULL STORY: Breaking Down the Draft Expo Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan
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City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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