A proposed Wildlife District Ordinance has been approved by a Los Angeles City Council committee. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish regulations that strike a balance between wildlife habitat and private property development.
During the Planning and Land Use Management Committee meeting, Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky emphasized the importance of moving forward with this ordinance. She stated, “The wildlife is already here. It’s our responsibility to care for it, allow it space to flourish, and recognize the positive intangible benefits.”
Councilwoman Yaroslavsky also highlighted the opportunity presented by this ordinance to create sensible land use and zoning regulations that address hillside issues and climate resiliency goals on a more systemic level.
After a thorough discussion including public comments, the PLUM Committee voted 4-0 to approve the proposed wildlife district. The ordinance will now proceed to the full City Council for further consideration.
If passed, the ordinance will initially be implemented in a pilot area encompassing the western Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Mountains, which includes Griffith Park. Over time, the city will explore expanding the ordinance to include Protection Areas for Wildlife within the city.
The ordinance includes regulations for lot coverage, floor area, grading, height limitations, fences, trash enclosures, windows, and lighting.
Potential housing projects within the wildlife district will undergo evaluation using two methods: administrative review and Site Plan Review. The Site Plan Review process is critical for tailoring projects to avoid negative impacts on wildlife and critical habitat areas.
According to the Planning Department, the focus of the wildlife ordinance is primarily on single-family zones in the pilot area due to the presence of significant public open space lands. The city aims to preserve the attractive character of these hillsides through appropriate intervention.
While there is support for protecting wildlife, some homeowners affected by the ordinance expressed concerns about the provisions limiting square footage. A representative of Neighbors for Hillside Safety, Daniel Freedman, argued against the ordinance, stating that it primarily regulates development rather than wildlife.
Freedman also criticized the ordinance’s approach to rezoning 8% of the city without sufficient public notice. He argued that the impacted neighborhoods and residents deserve more transparency and involvement in the decision-making process.
The Planning Department has engaged in extensive public outreach over the past decade, including workshops, public hearings, e-blasts, and mailed notices. The development of this ordinance began in 2014 with a motion from Councilman Paul Koretz, with the goal of maintaining wildlife connectivity in the city.
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