Proposed New Zoning Around the Los Angeles Expo Line

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."