Tomorrow's the big day for the Hollywood Community Plan, the huge planning document that will guide how the neighborhood is built up over the next few decades. Things are sure to get crazy at the City Council hearing on the matter tomorrow and the LA Times checks out the controversy, which more or less boils down to a Hills vs. flats standoff. Here are the major issues sure to be brought up tomorrow:
Population
-- According to the LAT, "The plan predicts a sharp increase in population that will trigger the need for 13,000 additional residential dwelling units over the next 18 years." But the actual population numbers are hard to predict because of census idiosyncrasies--the Southern California Association of Governments puts the current number at 184,829; the LA planning departments puts it at 193,234.
-- Opponents say the neighborhood's population is actually declining and that the plan's population estimates are outdated. One lawyer says Hollywood will probably have about 190,000 residents in 2030.
Density
-- The plan will allow some taller and denser building around transit nodes (like Sunset and Vine).
-- One proponent says "Density is the wrong lens to look at this with. Change your glasses and look at it as open space. This plan allows elegant density in the right areas." Another says taller buildings mean more public space at ground level.
-- The head of the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance says that "Hollywood has the great capacity to be a livable, urban city. We envision a place you could live, conceivably, without a car."
-- Opponents say taller buildings "will block homeowners' view of the Los Angeles basin and interfere with tourists' view of the Hollywood sign."
Traffic and Infrastructure
-- The head of the Hollywoodland Homeowners Associations complains that Hollywood has enough traffic already with Hollywood & Highland and its movie premieres and awards shows. She's also worried about the strain on police, fire, street, and water infrastructure.
-- Councilmember Eric Garcetti's deputy chief of staff counters that the HCP actually makes the neighborhood better prepared to deal with any influx: "This plan doesn't drive growth, it's about being prepared if growth comes."
The area's councilmembers, Garcetti and Tom LaBonge, say they'll vote for the plan (and the way it goes in the City Council, that means they'll probably get a lot of support from the other members). Meanwhile, the head of the Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association has already threatened a lawsuit if the plan passes.
· Hollywood population density at issue in development fight [LAT]
· Hollywood Debates Its New Planning Standards at City Hall [Curbed LA]
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