Delay Action On The Hollywood Blvd./Franklin Ave. Design Guidelines

On behalf of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the more than 800 members it represents, I am writing to urge you to delay action on the Hollywood Blvd./Franklin Ave. Design Guidelines (H/FDG) and the Sunset Blvd. Design Guidelines (SDG). The proposed guidelines could cause unknown and unintended ramifications for our members and the Hollywood business community if adopted.

The Hollywood Chamber has been a fierce advocate for the adoption of the Hollywood Community Plan Update (HCPU), which would modernize planning policies and zoning regulations. The H/FDG and SDG cite an intention to complement and or implement the HCPU. However, the language in the H/FDG (E.1; p.11) clearly states that in any case where the guidelines are more restrictive than land use or zoning regulations, the H/FDG shall take precedence. As the HCPU has not been finalized nor adopted, the potential for inconsistencies is likely and could result in a community plan with a patchwork of regulations in conflict with the guidelines. This would disincentivize further development and create confusion for developers that attempt to navigate the City’s regulatory framework.

The Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Affordable Housing Incentive Program has played a significant role in Hollywood’s redevelopment, spurring $1.2 billion in investments. The Metro Red Line has enabled major developments in Hollywood to take advantage of this incentive program since its implementation. Unfortunately, language in the H/FDG (E.2; p.11) and SDG (2.A; p.8) threatens to undermine the investments that have been made and compromise the vision of transit-oriented communities and the benefits they provide to Angelenos. Essentially the TOC Guidelines adopted by the City, which grant density and floor area increases for qualifying projects, may exceed the density limits in the Hollywood Redevelopment Plan area. This will create uncertainty for potential TOC applicants and stymie the creation of much-needed housing.

Ultimately, the Hollywood Blvd./Franklin Ave. Design Guidelines and the Sunset Blvd. Design Guidelines would result in inconsistent land use regulations as the City endeavors to update the Hollywood Community Plan. The documents should follow the Hollywood Community Plan in order of adoption, rather than precede it, to avoid codifying inconsistencies within the regulatory framework for investment in the Hollywood Community. Therefore, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce urges you to delay action on the H/FDG and SDG.