Two Los Angeles councilmen have introduced a measure seeking to delay implementation of one of former Mayor Villaraigosa's last major initiatives - the merging of the city's Planning and Building & Safety departments.
"Councilmen Curren Price Jr. and Tom LaBonge have introduced a measure scheduled to be considered at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that would further delay the consolidation plan until after next year’s budget is adopted," reports Rick Orlov. "The motion asks consultants to look at the best practices of other cities and options other than consolidation."
"While business organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and VICA support the consolidation, it has run into opposition from city employee groups, particularly the Engineer and Architects Association," notes Orlov. The plan was also supported by Mayor Eric Garcetti when he was a member of the Council.
A team of private consultants is currently studying the merger, and is expected to issue recommendations (including "what is being done in other cities") next week. Matrix Consulting Group is soliciting feedback about the new department "from as many residents and Neighborhood Council members as possible" via an online survey.
UPDATE: At yesterday's Council meeting, the Councilmen's proposal was sent to the Planning and Land Use Management Committee for review.
FULL STORY: L.A. Councilmen urge delay of planned merger of city planning, building and safety departments
Merger of L.A.'s Planning Department Looking Increasingly Likely
Long rumored plans to merge L.A.'s Department of City Planning with Building and Safety to cut costs and streamline permitting are coming into focus, as the outgoing mayor tries to push through the reforms before he leaves office.
New All-Affordable Zone Proposed for L.A.’s Skid Row
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that Skid Row’s future should learn from the mistakes of the past.
The Arts District and the 'Missed Opportunity' of Planning in L.A.
Downtown L.A.'s Arts District transformed from an industrial sector to a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood. Now, the community's attempts to protect their vision from haphazard development illuminate Los Angeles's broken planning process.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service