‘Artists-in-Residence’ Districts Boosted

City planning officials took two actions Thursday that could eventually lead to the creation of more “artists-in-residence” districts in Los Angeles, and made North Hollywood a priority.

Voting unanimously, the city Planning Commission ordered administrators to draft a motion to loosen the restrictions on artists who wish to live and work in commercial properties, such as warehouse lofts.

The commission also ordered city zoning officials to start the process of establishing a commercial arts and crafts district in the North Hollywood redevelopment area, an area nicknamed NoHo after the popular SoHo artist enclave in Manhattan.

“This could lead to artists-in-residence zones all over the city, in appropriate areas where it makes sense,” said Planning Commissioner Bob Scott. “This is something we as a Planning Commission can do to somehow get out of the way and let the free market have a run at natural redevelopment and bring culture to the Valley. It’s another tool in the planners’ toolbox.”

As envisioned by the commission on Thursday, an amendment to current zoning rules would be passed that would loosen the requirements for conditional use permits in artists-in-residence districts. The amendment would also speed up the process of applying for a permit, which now takes up to 75 days. In the past, many artists have found the procedure prohibitively expensive, Scott said.

Although city officials could not be specific on the amendments, Scott said they might reduce restrictions on parking and manufacturing.

“It would in particular accommodate a lot of the existing commercial property, such as that in the North Hollywood district,” Scott said.

The artists-in-residence district in North Hollywood would be targeted in an area now set for rejuvenation under the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency.

Robert Janovici, chief zoning administrator, said the staff’s report on the amendments and the North Hollywood artists-in-residence district might not be ready for 60 days.