Los Angeles
City Council
Agenda Item 11
(11) 22-1476 PUBLIC WORKS and PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT (PLUM) COMMITTEES’ REPORTS relative to reporting on recommendations to reform the Waiver of Dedication and/or Improvement (WDI) process as well as the initial requirement process. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: Recommendation for Council action, pursuant to Motion (Harris-Dawson for Raman – Bonin - Blumenfield - Price): INSTRUCT the Bureau of Engineering (BOE), in consultation with the Department of City Planning (DCP), the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), DCP's Urban Design Studio, and any other relevant departments, to report within 60 days with: Recommendations to reform the WDI process as well as the initial requirement process to achieve the following objectives: Preserve consistent roadway widths and curb lines on each block (eliminate spot road widenings). Prioritize consistent pedestrian experience with no or minimal sidewalk meandering, context-appropriate sidewalk and parkway width, and consistent interfaces with street-facing building entrances on each block face. Prioritize pedestrian safety and visibility by minimizing crossing distance at intersections and other crosswalks; ensuring alignment between pedestrian paths of travel, crosswalks, and curb ramps; minimizing curb radii to the greatest extent feasible (including retaining historic curb radii); and promoting curb extensions where feasible and appropriate. Protect existing trees and parkways and create opportunities for planting new and larger shade trees. Incorporate green infrastructure elements where feasible and appropriate. Ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. A checklist of public benefit findings that must be made through an administrative process prior to requiring a street dedication and/or improvement that results in a roadway widening, including: Specific and articulable traffic safety or mobility benefits, such as closing a bike lane gap or eliminating a pinch point, at the request of LADOT. Specific and articulable pedestrian realm or urban design benefits, at the request of DCP. Any revisions to street design standards needed to accomplish the above objectives and allow context-sensitive application of street standards. Any revisions needed to Los Angeles Municipal Code 12.37 and/or other policies and regulations to accomplish this direction. Any other recommendations to implement street design best practices in the development process. PLUM COMMITTEE REPORT: Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Harris-Dawson for Raman - Bonin - Blumenfield - Price): CONCUR with the action of the Public Works Committee in adopting the recommendations contained in Motion (Harris-Dawson for Raman - Bonin - Blumenfield - Price). INSTRUCT the BOE, in consultation with DCP, LADOT, and relevant departments, to include in their report: Information about the impacts the current WDI process has on affordable housing projects (e.g., projects utilizing streamlined development review pathways such as those created by SB 35, AB 2161, Mayor Bass’ Executive Directive 1, etc.). Recommendations for removing the cost and time delays on affordable housing projects presented by the City’s current dedication and waiver process.