Neighborhood ICO News

An Interim Control Ordinance, which would help prevent tear-downs and regulate the size and scale of replacement homes in Brookside and Sycamore Square (along with PicFair Village, Wilshire Vista and Sherman Oaks), has taken a step closer to implementation.

A few days ago, the  city released a draft of its “Initial Study” (similar to an Environmental Impact Report) for the proposed ICO. The Study finds that the ordinance would have either no or “less than significant” environmental impacts in the affected neighborhoods.  This is one of several city department reviews and approvals necessary before the final approval and implementation of the ordinance.

A public comment period on the Initial Study is open until later this month, and then the measure will move on to other approvals.  Comments on the Study may be submitted to Julia Duncan, planning deputy for City Council District 4, at [email protected].

In general, the ICO would place certain restrictions on the issuance of building permits, to make sure the projects in question “maintain the massing, size, height and setbacks compatible with existing single-family units” in the neighborhood.  It would help fill the regulation gap while the city considers more permanent solutions via revisions to its Baseline Mansionization Ordinance.

Under the ICO, both Brookside and Sycamore Square (along with PicFair Village and Wilshire Vista) would be covered by specific rules first developed for the Beverly Grove neighborhood, which are a bit more restrictive than similar terms originally developed for Studio City. (The Studio City provisions would govern permitting in Sherman Oaks under the new ICO.)

Meanwhile, the City is also currently holding a series of public meetings for neighborhoods – including La Brea-Hancock and Larchmont Heights – that already have ICOs in place.  These meetings cover “the menu of new zoning options” now being offered by the city to provide more long term protections for single family neighborhoods after the current ICOs expire next year.  The La Brea-Hancock neighborhood meeting was held last weekend; the Larchmont Heights meeting will be held this Saturday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. at the Will and Ariel Durant Branch Library, 7140 W. Sunset Blvd., 90046.  The meetings are public and open to everyone.