Council Committee OKs Arts District

A plan to create an artists enclave similar to SoHo in Manhattan took a step forward Tuesday, when a Los Angeles City Council planning committee gave its blessing to a proposal for a commercial arts district in North Hollywood.

The arts district was approved by the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee at the request of Councilman John Ferraro, whose district includes parts of North Hollywood.

As envisioned, the neighborhoods within the arts district would carry special zoning regulations to make it easier for artists to move into empty North Hollywood businesses and establish live-in studios.

Ferraro aides say there has been a great public interest for years in establishing a “NoHo” arts district where artists can live and work in commercial properties, such as warehouse lofts.

Before such a district can be established, the plan must be approved by the City Council. It is expected to come before the entire council for approval within two weeks.

The proposed district would be generally bound by Cumpston Street on the north, Cahuenga Boulevard on the east, Camarillo Street on the south and Tujunga Avenue on the west.