Venice : Stricter Height Limits OKd

The Los Angeles City Council voted 12 to 0 this week to adopt a temporary ordinance that will impose stricter height limits and increase parking requirements for new multifamily residential construction in parts of Venice and Mar Vista.

The interim ordinance, which takes effect in mid-July, will reduce the maximum allowable height of such buildings from 66 feet to 45 feet. Buildings within 50 feet of a single-family home will be limited to 33 feet.

The number of parking spaces will be increased to 2.25 spaces for every unit in an apartment building, and 2.5 spaces per unit in condominium complexes.

Jim Bickhart, legislative deputy to Councilwoman Ruth Galanter, who represents Venice, said that because a flexible formula is now used to determine the number of parking spaces required for apartment buildings, there is no specific number to which to compare the increase. However, he said the new formula represents an increase.

The affected area is bordered by Lincoln Boulvard on the west, Rose Avenue on the north, Beethoven Street on the east and Venice Boulevard on the south.

Bickhart said the interim ordinance was adopted in response to complaints from some residents that multifamily complexes were being built too large and that not enough parking was being provided.

The interim ordinance will be in effect for one year, during which time city staff will study the area to determine if the ordinance should be made permanent.