City Urged to Change Planning Approach

Mayor Tom Bradley on Wednesday borrowed an idea from an earlier era when city dwellers walked downstairs to the grocery store in their apartment building.

Espousing a concept finding increasing favor with urban planners, the mayor proposed changing city law to allow development of so-called “mixed-use” projects to provide housing, commercial and parking facilities under one roof.

Rather than having to drive several miles to the store, residents could walk to shopping or work in neighborhoods where apartments and shops are side by side or in the same building.

“I believe (that) if we can encourage developers to provide housing, commercial use and parking facilities under one roof, we will improve the quality of our air and further reduce traffic congestion on our city streets,” Bradley said.

Zoning Laws

Zoning and planning laws now discourage such mixed-use buildings and neighborhoods and promote the development of areas where residential and commercial buildings are separated. Grocery stores are banned, for example, in the typical Los Angeles residential subdivision.

Mixed-use neighborhoods, city officials said, could help control the growth of traffic and air pollution while providing affordable housing close to commercial centers where most people work.

The plan is one of many developed at the mayor’s direction in recent weeks that have been held up while Bradley waited for an end to a storm over his personal finances. Now, in a change of strategy, the mayor is taking his proposals public in an attempt to relieve concern that his office is paralyzed by the continuing investigations into his conduct.

Reversal in Policy

The proposal would be a reversal in policy for Los Angeles, where the motor vehicle shaped sprawling development of housing subdivisions and shopping centers. In the Los Angeles pattern, a car is needed for a trip to the market or for a commute to work.

Bradley was joined in making the announcement by City Council members Michael Woo, Marvin Braude and Hal Bernson. Council approval will be needed for some of the changes.

The council members pledged to work with the mayor and various city departments in eliminating existing restrictions to mixed-use developments and creating new rules and procedures that will smooth the way for their approval.