(New Sec. 13.08 Added by Ord. No. 172,032, Eff. 6/29/98.)
A. Purpose. This section sets forth procedures and standards for the establishment of Community Design Overlay Districts throughout the City. The purpose of the Community Design Overlay district is to:
1. Assure that development within communities is in accordance with community design policies adopted in the Community Plans, and with the Community Design Guidelines and Standards;
2. Promote the distinctive character, stability and visual quality of existing neighborhoods and communities by ensuring that development visually provides a sense of place in terms of design within the Community Design Overlay District by considering the unique architectural character and environmental setting of the district;
3. Assist in improving the visual attractiveness of multi-family housing available to meet the needs of all social and economic groups within the community;
4. Protect areas of natural scenic beauty, cultural or environmental interest;
5. Prevent the development of structures or uses which are not of acceptable exterior design or appearance; and
6. Protect the integrity of previously attained entitlements.
7. Provide for on-going community involvement in project design and evolution of guidelines.
B. Establishment of District. The City Council may establish new districts, or change boundaries of districts, by following the procedures set forth in Sec. 13B.1.4. (Zone Change) of Chapter 1A
of this Code. A district may encompass all or portions of the area of a community plan, as recommended by the policies of that plan. Precise boundaries are required at the time of application or initiation of an individual Community Design Overlay District. A Community Design Overlay District shall not encompass an area designated as an Historic Preservation Overlay Zone pursuant to Sec. 13B.8.2. (Historic Preservation Overlay Zone Designation) of Chapter 1A
of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)
C. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases are defined as follows:
1. Design Overlay Plans. A document or documents which pictorially describe, by professionally accepted architectural graphic techniques, the location, appearance, configuration and dimensions of any proposed buildings, structures and site improvements including but not limited to landscaping, walls and fences, roof equipment, pole signs, monument signs, and parking areas.
2. Project. The erection, construction, addition to, or exterior structural alteration of any building or structure, including, but not limited to, pole signs and/or monument signs located in a Community Design Overlay District. A Project does not include construction that consists solely of (1) interior remodeling, interior rehabilitation or repair work; (2) alterations of, including structural repairs, or additions to any existing building or structure in which the aggregate value of the work, in any one 24- month period, is less than 50 percent of the building or structure’s replacement value before the alterations or additions, as determined by the Department of Building and Safety, unless the alterations or additions are to any building facade facing a public street; or (3) a residential building on a parcel or lot which is developed entirely as a residential use and consists of four or fewer dwelling units, unless expressly provided for in a Community Design Overlay District established pursuant to this section.
3. Citizen Advisory Committee. A committee appointed by the Councilmember(s) pursuant to Subsection D.2. of this section in whose District a Community Design Overlay District is established, who shall assist the Planning Department in the development of Design Guidelines and Standards.
D. Approval of Guidelines and Standards. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.) In establishing any individual Community Design Overlay District, the Director of Planning shall prepare, and the City Planning Commission shall approve by resolution pursuant to Sec. 13B.1.5. (Policy Action) of Chapter 1A
of this Code, Community Design Guidelines and Standards applicable to design overlay areas. These Guidelines and Standards shall be adopted or amended according to the following procedures and criteria:
1. Initiation. Preparation or amendment of the Guidelines and Standards may be initiated by the Director of Planning, the City Planning Commission or City Council.
2. Preparation and Content. Upon initiation, the Director shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, proposed Guidelines and Standards based on the design policies contained in the Community Plan. At the option of the Council District, the Director shall utilize Advisory Boards in the development of design standards for individual communities and neighborhoods. The Guidelines and Standards shall be organized into those which are anticipated to be superseded by future citywide standards, and those that are necessary to protect the unique architectural and environmental features of the Community Design Overlay District.
The Guidelines and Standards are in addition to those set forth in the planning and zoning provisions of Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Chapter 1, as amended, and any other relevant ordinances and do not convey any rights not otherwise granted under the provisions and procedures contained in that chapter and other relevant ordinances, except as specifically provided herein.
Furthermore, nothing in the Guidelines and Standards shall interfere with any previously granted entitlements, nor shall they restrict any right authorized in the underlying zone or height district.
At the option of the Councilmember(s), a Citizen Advisory Committee shall be appointed to assist in development of Guidelines and Standards. The Citizen Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Councilmember in whose district the Community Design Overlay District is established, and the committee shall consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of seven voting members, each serving a term of office of four years, the terms being staggered so that at least one term becomes vacated on each successive year. The chairperson and vice chairperson shall be elected annually by a majority of the committee. The suggested composition of membership is as follows: two architects and two professionals from the following or related fields: planning, urban design and landscape architecture, or construction. The remaining member or members need not be design professionals. All members shall reside, operate a business, or be employed within the community plan area(s) in which the Community Design Overlay District is located.
E. Director Determination. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.) Within a Community Design Overlay District, no building permit shall be issued for any project, and no person shall perform any construction work on a Project, unless a Director Determination has been submitted and approved pursuant to Sec. 13B.2.5. (Director Determination) of Chapter 1A
of this Code. No building permit shall be issued for any project, and no person shall do any construction work on a project except in conformance with the approved Director Determination.
EXCEPTION: No Director Determination approval shall be required for any project until the Guidelines and Standards have been approved.
1. Supplemental Findings. In addition to the findings set forth in Sec. 13B.2.5. (Director Determination) of Chapter 1A
of this Code, the Director of Planning, or the Area Planning Commission on appeal, shall approve a Director Determination as requested or in modified form if, based on the application and the evidence submitted, if the Director or Area Commission determines that it satisfies all of the following requirements:
(a) The project substantially complies with the adopted Community Design Overlay Guidelines and Standards.
(b) The structures, site plan and landscaping are harmonious in scale and design with existing development and any cultural, scenic or environmental resources adjacent to the site and in the vicinity.
2. Notice of Director Determination. In addition to the procedures set forth in Sec. 13B.2.5. (Director Determination) of Chapter 1A
of this Code, within five working days following the decision, a Notice of the Director’s Determination, and copies of the approved plans, shall be mailed to the applicant, the Councilmember in whose district the Project is located, the Citizen Advisory Committee, and any persons or organizations commenting on the application or requesting a Notice.
The Director of Planning shall also notify the Department of Building and Safety of the final approval action of the Director Determination.