L.A. City Council Introduces Motion To Incentivize Larger Apartment Builds

L.A. City Council President Paul Krekorian is trying to meet the local housing crisis, in part, by pushing for larger apartment units. Krekorian has introduced a motion to create a new density bonus incentive to promote the construction of larger units with three-plus bedrooms. 

The motion calls for the Planning Department to craft a density bonus program which would:

1. Exempt the square footage of third, fourth and fifth bedrooms, as well as third and fourth restrooms, from floor area calculations of large family units;
2. Allow for an additional story of height beyond existing zoning restrictions and bonuses for developments consisting primarily of large family units; and
3. Require a 99-year covenant ensuring that the units will maintain the same unit mix and be made available to households earning no more than 120 percent of the area median income level.

“The Los Angeles General Plan prioritizes the need for a mix of housing types across the City, including rental and homeownership opportunities for singles, families, seniors, persons with disabilities, and multi-generational families,” the motion reads, in part. “Fully a third of the households in the City of Los Angeles are comprised of four or more people, yet only 14 percent of the renter-occupied housing stock encompasses three- or four-bedroom units. Newly constructed rental units tend to be much smaller, and a majority are studios or one-bedroom units. The lack of three- and four-bedroom rental units makes it difficult for larger households to find appropriate and affordable rental housing.”

The motion has been referred to the Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee for consideration.