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Text and maps of the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan can be found at the LA City website
by following
this link.
KEY PROVISIONS OF THE COLORADO BOULEVARD SPECIFIC PLAN
INTRODUCTION
The Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan was enacted by the City Council of Los Angeles in 1992 and was the result of five years of effort on the part of volunteer citizens representing residents, business owners, and commercial property owners in Eagle Rock. It was developed for good reason and is the law of the Eagle Rock community.
The Specific Plan envisions the gradual transition away from auto-related and strip-mall development to a more pedestrian-friendly business district by preventing an increase of such uses. In addition, the Plan also asks certain uses to mitigate their appearance by implementing upgrades to their properties over a specific period of time to lessen the impact of these uses, the aim being to balance ownership with visible improvement. The hope is to encourage less economically productive land uses to eventually convert to more economically productive uses. The primary goals and intent of the Plan are to 1) increase diversity in Eagle Rock's business base, 2) place a premium on aesthetics in our business district, 3) make our business district more pedestrian-friendly, and 4) attract the businesses Eagle Rock needs. These are very desirable goals.
Land uses requiring a special permit by the City are the following:
… Automobile services station and related retail use
The Plan adopted specific standards that govern the following:
… multi-family housing developments
In certain ways, the Plan does need updating for current needs. Still, its essential convictions, the regulation of certain land uses such as fast-food restaurants, auto-repair and auto-retail shops, and mini-malls, all with which Eagle Rock is already oversaturated, must remain intact. We must impress upon the Council member and the City of Los Angeles that TERA and the Eagle Rock community fully support the central ideology of the Plan, which is to attract high-quality, more economically productive businesses, create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere, and beautify our business district, all of which will mean better quality of life for all of Eagle Rock.
The Specific Plan has worked in various ways. For example, McDonald's was encouraged to move to the corner of La Loma and Figueroa instead of building a store at the heart of our business district at the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards, near where there are already many such establishments. Blockbuster Video was discouraged from erecting a pole sign in front of its store. The commercial building at the southeast corner of Highland View and Colorado built its stores fronting the street instead of erecting the building behind a parking lot like a mini-mall. The Argus Court historic apartment complex was beautifully restored. A tattoo and body-piercing parlor was quickly vacated, as was a dance hall on the boulevard that was the location for large and disruptive late-night parties. There are many examples that show the Plan works.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS
Uses
… In Subarea I, the following uses in the C4 Zone require a Conditional Use Permit by a Zoning Administrator:
Automobile services station and related retail use
… In Subareas I and III, multi-family use is permitted in mixed-use projects not exceeding the density of the R3 Zone.
… No multi-family use is permitted in Subarea II unless it enhances a Cultural Resource.
Building Envelope
Subareas I and III requirements:
… Height shall not exceed 55 feet, and is further reduced to 15 feet within 15 feet of the rear lot line.
… All lots shall have 5-foot front and 10-foot rear yards.
Subarea II requirements:
… Height shall not exceed 30 feet in height, with exceptions, and is further reduced to 15 feet within 20 feet of rear lot line.
… Lots with a depth of 150 feet or more require 5-foot front and 10-foot rear yards.
… Lots with a depth of less than 150 feet require 5-foot front and rear yards.
Parking and Street Access
… Buildings that are 50 percent or more office space require 1 parking space per 50 square feet of floor area.
… Restaurants less than 1,000 square feet require 1 parking space per 200 square feet of floor area.
… No parking shall be allowed between the front lot line and buildings facing Colorado or Eagle Rock Boulevards.
… The Department of Transportation shall approve street access for property abutting Colorado Boulevard.
Buffering and Street Walls
… A 6-foot buffering wall is required for all projects abutting residential.
… Auto servicing and storage shall be screened with 6-foot high landscaped screening.
… Surface parking adjacent to a street shall be screened with a 4-foot high solid, decorative masonry wall.
… Roof-mounted equipment shall be screened from view.
… Ground-level development requires a street wall for 75 percent of the street frontage and located 5 feet from the front lot line.
… The first story street wall shall be transparent windows, doors, or openings for: (1) 60 percent in Subarea II adjacent to Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards, or (2) 30 percent adjacent to other streets.
… Blank walls are limited to a 15-foot length, except for a vehicle entry door.
Landscaping
… 5 percent of the total lot area shall be landscaped. The front yard shall be landscaped and maintained.
… 7 percent of surface parking and 2 percent of parking structures shall be landscaped.
… Mixed-use projects shall have 100 square feet of Open Space per dwelling unit (landscaped where feasible).
… 24-inch box trees shall be planted at 25-foot intervals along the street frontage.
Sign Standards
… Exterior signs shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of Planning pursuant to Section 19.
… Prohibitions:
Off-site signs (see exceptions)
Permitted Floor-area Ratio (FAR) and Project Permits
… Base Permitted FAR is 1:1. Unused Permitted FAR may be transferred.
… Maximum Permitted FAR in Subareas I and III, including transfer of floor area or density incentives, shall not exceed 2.5:1.
… Maximum Permitted FAR in Subarea II, including additional Permitted Floor Area for density incentives, shall not exceed 1.5:1.
… The City Planning Commission may grant additional Permitted Floor Area, pursuant to Section 15.
… Density incentives include provision of:
Neighborhood amenities
… Transfer of Unused Permitted Floor Area must conform with:
Transfer from Donor Site in Subarea II only permitted to Subareas I and III.
… Calculating Floor Area:
Area of an unoccupied tower not calculated.
… Covenants
Prior to issuance of building permits, projects utilizing provisions for Additional Permitted Floor Area shall record a covenant and agreement binding future owners.
… Project Permit
Planning Commission must grant project permit approving Additional Permitted Floor Area prior to issuing building permit, but only after making necessary findings.
Preservation of Cultural Resources
… Cultural Resources shall be retained and enhanced.
… Unused Permitted Floor Area on a Cultural Resource site in Subarea II may be transferred to any Receiver Site located in Subareas I and III. Such transfers shall require a covenant and agreement binding future owners.
Utilities and Lighting
… All new utility lines shall be installed underground.
… The Director of Planning must approve an exterior lighting plan prior to issuing a building permit. Floodlighting and low-pressure sodium lighting are prohibited.
Design Review
… The Director of Planning shall approve the design of buildings in Subarea II and of signs in Subareas I, II, and III.
… Authority and Duties of Design Review Board:
The Design Review Board shall make recommendations to the Director of Planning.
… Recessed windows and doors
(Page updated 1 July,
2002)
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