Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning

Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
mjhbower · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
Formation	1928
Headquarters	Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles
Jurisdiction	Los Angeles County, California
Employees	200–300
Chief1 name	Director
Chief1 position	Director
Parent agency	Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning serves as the countywide planning agency for Los Angeles County and implements zoning, land use, and environmental review across an extensive jurisdiction that includes the cities of Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, and unincorporated communities such as Altadena, Montecito Heights, and Rowland Heights. The department interacts with federal entities like the United States Environmental Protection Agency, state institutions such as the California Governor, and regional bodies including the Southern California Association of Governments and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

History

The agency traces roots to early 20th‑century land use efforts alongside milestones including the adoption of the California Land Conservation Act of 1965 and the expansion of planning capacity during postwar growth tied to projects like the Pacific Electric Railway decline and the rise of Interstate 5. Its evolution paralleled regional developments embodied by the Los Angeles Aqueduct, the Port of Los Angeles, and the growth of industries anchored in Hollywood, Culver City, and the San Fernando Valley. Major historical interactions included coordination with the United States Army Corps of Engineers on flood control after events similar to the Los Angeles Flood of 1938 and adaptation after environmental statutes such as the California Environmental Quality Act were enacted. The department’s historical record intersects with land use controversies near Griffith Park, the expansion of LAX, and regional planning debates tied to the 1978 Proposition 13 property tax changes and later housing policy shifts prompted by 2008 United States housing bubble aftermath.

Organization and Leadership

Leadership comprises an appointed Director who reports to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, working with commissions such as the Regional Planning Commission and advisory bodies similar to the Planning and Land Use Management committees in adjacent jurisdictions. Organizational divisions mirror functions found in agencies like the California Department of Housing and Community Development and include policy, environmental review, zoning administration, and geographic information systems units. The department liaises with elected figures including members from Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors districts represented by officials historically comparable to Gloria Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky, and collaborates with city managers in municipalities like Santa Monica and Long Beach.

Functions and Responsibilities

Core responsibilities align with land use planning work performed by entities such as the San Francisco Planning Department and include preparation of general plans, updates to the countywide zoning ordinance, review of discretionary permits for developments near landmarks like Dodger Stadium, and administration of growth management measures in coordination with agencies like the California Coastal Commission where coastal jurisdiction applies. The department enforces land use policies affecting corridors including Pacific Coast Highway and rail-adjacent areas served by the Metrolink network. It also processes permit applications for multifamily housing projects comparable in scale to developments in Downtown Los Angeles and transit‑oriented initiatives near Union Station.

Planning Programs and Initiatives

Programs include long‑range planning and community plan updates resembling efforts in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, implementation of specific plans similar to the Hollywood Community Plan, and targeted initiatives addressing housing, transit, and resilience akin to Plan Bay Area and Sustainable Communities Strategy approaches. Initiatives have involved coordination with transportation projects such as the Metro Purple Line Extension and regional climate planning like work undertaken under AB 32 frameworks. The department participates in grant programs and partnerships with entities such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, California Strategic Growth Council, and philanthropic organizations engaged with urban redevelopment in places comparable to Skid Row.

Zoning and Land Use Regulation

Zoning responsibilities encompass administration of the county zoning code patterned after codes in jurisdictions like Orange County and San Diego County. The department maps land use designations for agricultural zones near Antelope Valley, industrial corridors by the Port of Long Beach, and residential neighborhoods adjacent to cultural institutions such as the Getty Center and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It issues variances, conditional use permits, and tract map reviews similar to processes in Riverside County, addressing compatibility with infrastructure projects including Sepulveda Transit Corridor proposals and utilities overseen by providers like the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Environmental Review and Policy

Environmental review duties enforce compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and coordinate analyses similar to Environmental Impact Statements used by the National Environmental Policy Act process when federal action is involved. The department evaluates projects for impacts on habitat areas like those protected under the Endangered Species Act near the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and coordinates with agencies such as the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It develops policies addressing air quality in partnership with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and climate adaptation strategies that align with statewide directives from the California Natural Resources Agency.

Public Engagement and Interagency Coordination

Public outreach uses public hearings before commissions akin to those in San Francisco Board of Supervisors procedures and online noticing comparable to platforms used by the City of Los Angeles. The department collaborates with municipal governments including Santa Clarita and Lancaster, regional agencies such as Southern California Association of Governments, transportation authorities like the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and federal partners including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for floodplain management. Engagement also involves community organizations, neighborhood councils, and stakeholders from academic institutions such as University of California, Los Angeles and University of Southern California for technical studies, workshops, and plan development efforts.

Category:Government of Los Angeles County, California Category:Regional planning organizations in the United States