(Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)
A. Purpose Statement. The purpose of this article is to provide development standards for Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Care Housing, Assisted Living Care Housing, Senior Independent Housing and Skilled Nursing Care Housing, create a single process for approvals and facilitate the processing of applications of Eldercare Facilities. These facilities provide much needed services and housing for the growing senior population of the City of Los Angeles.
B. Eldercare Facility Unified Permit. The Zoning Administrator, as the initial decision maker, may, upon application, permit an Eldercare Facility to be located on a lot or lots in the A1 through R3 Zones, or in the RAS3, R4, RAS4, R5, and all C Zones, when an Eldercare Facility does not meet the use, area, or height provisions of the respective zone contained in this chapter, or the requirements of any specific plan, supplemental use district, “T” classification, “Q” condition, “D” limitation, or Citywide regulation adopted or imposed by City action. In order to approve the project, the Zoning Administrator shall ensure that it is in conformance with the provisions of this section.
In addition, if the proposed Eldercare Facility is located within the boundaries of an adopted specific plan, notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 13B.4.2. (Project Compliance) of Chapter 1A of this Code, the Zoning Administrator shall have the initial decision making authority to decide whether the proposed Eldercare Facility is in conformance with the applicable regulations of the specific plan. In making this determination, the Zoning Administrator shall make each of the findings set forth in Sec. 13B.4.2. (Project Compliance) of Chapter 1A of this Code, following the provisions set forth in this section. Further, if the proposed Eldercare Facility is subject to site plan review, notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 13.2.4. (Project Review) of Chapter 1A of this Code, the Zoning Administrator shall have the initial decision making authority relating to site plan approval. In making this determination, the Zoning Administrator shall make each of the findings set forth in Sec. 13B.2.4. (Project Review) of Chapter 1A of this Code, following the provisions set forth in this Section.
C. Procedures. An application for an Eldercare Facility Unified Permit shall follow the procedures set forth in Sec. 13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit) of Chapter 1A
of this Code.
D. Supplemental Findings for Approval. In addition to the findings set forth in Sec. 13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit) of Chapter 1A
of this Code, the Zoning Administrator shall not grant the approval unless the Zoning Administrator also finds that the strict application of the land use regulations on the subject property would result in practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships inconsistent with the general purpose and intent of the zoning regulations. The Zoning Administrator must also find:
1. that the project’s location, size, height, operations and other significant features shall be compatible with and shall not adversely affect or further degrade adjacent properties, the surrounding neighborhood, or the public health, welfare, and safety;
2. that the project shall provide services to the elderly such as housing, medical services, social services, or long term care to meet citywide demand;
3. that the project shall not create an adverse impact on street access or circulation in the surrounding neighborhood;
4. that the project provides for an arrangement of uses, buildings, structures, open spaces and other improvements that are compatible with the scale and character of the adjacent properties and surrounding neighborhood; and
5. that the project is in substantial conformance with the purposes, intent and provisions of the General Plan, applicable community plan, and with any applicable specific plan.
E. Revocation. The revocation procedure that applies to conditional uses and other similar quasi-judicial approvals in Sec. 13B.6.1. (Evaluation of Non-Compliance) of Chapter 1A
of this Code shall also apply to revocations of Eldercare Facilities that were granted pursuant to the procedures in this section.