City Council

(24) 23-1023 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE REPORT relative to the report by the American Institute of Architects - Los Angeles entitled Livable Streets, Safety and Affordability, and the letter regarding Needed Best-Practices to Optimize Safety, Environmental Performance, Contractibility, Efficiency and Access To Affordable Housing, and related matters. Recommendations for Council action, as initiated by Motion (Krekorian - Raman - Park): REQUEST the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to report to the Council within 60 days with a plan to: Expedite the timeframe for LADWP services and approvals for all multifamily housing that include income-restricted units without impacting the timelines for 100 percent affordable projects. Increase up-front commitment in the design approval process, ensuring preliminary plans are approved by supervisors expeditiously. Establish a process to allow for pre-submittal courtesy meetings with applicants, providing guidance on their proposed projects, helping the applicants make more informed decisions. Establish a process to allow architects to discuss projects with pole spotters or overhead designers early in the planning phase prior to full encroachment submittal. Allow all applications to be submitted online and tracked in real time. Establish clear performance schedules with accountable timelines for each stage of a project. Establish clear project flow diagrams with clearer notes and processes, and put project flow diagrams online and make them easily accessible to the public. Improve coordination across offices and staff within the LADWP, particularly when forecasting power needs when several projects are being constructed simultaneously on the same circuit capacity. Establish a concierge-type service for all new multifamily housing projects to ensure they receive clear and consistent communication and guidance from the Department. REQUEST the LADWP to evaluate the report prepared by the American Institute of Architects - Los Angeles dated August 17, 2022, entitled Livable Streets, Safety and Affordability, and the letter sent to the LADWP and the Board of Water and Power Commissioners regarding Needed Best-Practices to Optimize Safety, Environmental Performance, Constructability, Efficiency and Access To Affordable Housing. REQUEST the LADWP to review other electrical utilities’ best practices and report back with recommendations for code and/or policy changes necessary to expedite construction, promote economic activity and increase the housing stock. REQUEST the LADWP to report on the staffing resources and technology needed to make these improvements. REQUEST the LADWP to report with the following: An outline of electrical and water infrastructure needs it anticipates will be necessary to meet the 2021-2029 Housing Element's new housing goals, and how those needs impact LA100 power infrastructure needs and opportunities. Assessment of potential funding mechanisms that could be used for up-front infrastructure investments, including state and federal grants, City discretionary funds, and other sources. Fiscal Impact Statement: Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the Chief Legislative Analyst has completed a financial analysis of this report.