Adaptive reuse helped usher in new housing to Downtown Los Angeles and now city officials are looking to go far and wide with an ordinance expansion.
Mayor Karen Bass has announced support for the new parameters being shopped, which would loosen criteria to turn otherwise vacant or older buildings into housing.
“Los Angeles needs more housing that Angelenos can afford” Bass said in a news release. “Adaptive reuse development can help bring much needed housing online throughout the City. I look forward to working with the City Planning Commission, City Council and communities across Los Angeles to receive input on this important policy.”
The adaptive reuse ordinance currently only allows buildings completed before July 1, 1974 in a handful of Central L.A. neighborhoods to be converted through the program. The expanded proposal would change eligibility requirements to include all buildings citywide which are at least 15 years old; buildings between 5-15 years old with the approval of a conditional use permit by the Zoning Administrator; any parking garage that is at least five years old.
The expansion is now under consideration by Planning officials.
Urbanize reports that the standing adaptive reuse ordinance has enabled the construction of more than 12,000 homes in DTLA.