What Will Los Angeles Will Do Next On Housing & Water? Look To Their Neighbors

The cities of Santa Monica, Culver CIty, West Hollywood, and Malibu are championing stormwater infrastructure, new public transit, affordable housing, and action on homelessness prevention.

2 minute read

May 9, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By rzelen @rzelen


California Aqueduct

Omar Bárcena / Flickr

The small cities that make up Los Angeles County’s Westside are well positioned to implement innovative solutions to chronic regional problem, like housing affordability and homelessness, transit access, and congestion—especially if they work together. Recently, the mayors of Santa Monica, Culver CIty, West Hollywood, and Malibu convened at a Westside Urban Forum event to discuss the priorities ahead for a changing demographics and changing economy, and the potential impacts of the Trump Administration.

In The Planning Report, the mayors respond to the recent Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles) Forecast LA surveys that project widespread optimism about the future of the region. While being quite worried about the future and stability of the country and globe, Angelenos very positive about the direction of the region and their local government. 

Most notably, as the County of Los Angeles debates a potential stormwater funding measure, Culver City recently passed a parcel tax that will result in about $2 million a year in funding. As Culver City Mayor Jim Clarke stated, the city "hopes to be able to leverage with grants and public-private projects to mitigate runoff issues and meet our MS4 permit requirements. While Culver City comprises only 4 percent of the Ballona Watershed, the mitigation measures we will have to undertake to eliminate trash, bacteria, toxics and heavy metals could cost as much as $120 million—more than our annual General Fund budget."

The mayors of coastal cities, Santa Monica and Malibu, both addressed the increasing threat of sea-level rise. As one commenter put it, the cities "need to be planning for 2050, not 1950," in terms of investing in climate-resilient infrastructure. 

Additionally, as the city of Los Angeles deals with housing affordability and increasing housing supply, cities like West Hollywood have taken on the challenge of protecting the existing rental housing supply and assisting middle-income residents stay in their units. Look for Los Angeles leaders to continue to use their neighboring cities as a bellwether for potential next pilot projects, policy decisions and long-range priorities.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017 in The Planning Report

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

"Altadena - Not For Sale" yard sign in front of burned down house after Eaton Fire in Altadena, California in January 2025.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations

Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

July 7 - Dwell

Dense multistory residential buildings in hilly San Francisco, California.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean

Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

July 7 - The San Francisco Standard

Blue self-driving Ford Transit van shuttle in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US

A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.

July 7 - Smart Cities Dive

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.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA