West Hollywood is asking residents to weigh in on proposed zoning updates aimed at increasing affordable housing — a plan that has sparked a debate between some homeowners and housing advocates.
Single-family neighborhoods within a half-mile of transit stops would be subject to the new zoning rules. Almost all of West Hollywood’s housing stock is located within those limits of a transit corridor or proposed subway station. The fear of many residential neighborhood advocates is that over time these neighborhoods (like West Hollywood West) would be swallowed into the push for multi-family housing.
The Zoning Improvement Program for Housing (ZIP) seeks to modernize the city’s zoning rules, reduce barriers to new housing, and support the implementation of West Hollywood’s Housing Element, a state-required plan to meet local housing needs.
SB79, which is named the Abundant & Affordable Homes Near Transit Act is now a mandatory state law that overrides all local regulations, even for cities that had previously obtained a state certified and on-time housing element. West Hollywood’s failure to pass an on-time housing element did not make a difference to the end result. WeHoOnline wrote about it here more than a year ago.
The bill as written would “upzone” neighborhooods surrounding train, light rail, and subway stations in many of the most populated metro neighborhoods. Developers of multi-family housing will be able to build up to 75 feet tall overriding local zoning maps, elected officials, or density-averse neighbors.
Homeowners Concerned About Neighborhood Character
For many residents in single-family (R1) zones, the proposals raise concerns. Changes could allow higher-density or new types of housing in traditionally low-density neighborhoods. Some homeowners worry this might affect property values, traffic, and the overall feel of the WeHo community. Despite its small size, West Hollywood ranks among the most densely populated cities in the country. According to 2020 Census data, the city holds the 20th spot nationwide for population density, with roughly 15,962 residents per square mile—surpassing many much larger and better-known urban centers. This high density underscores the ongoing tension between the city’s push for affordable housing and the concerns of homeowners wary of further zoning changes.
Affordable Housing Advocates Push for Growth
City officials and housing advocates say updating zoning is essential to address West Hollywood’s housing pressures. The region faces rising costs, overcrowding, and limited housing options — challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable residents. ZIP aims to balance new development with neighborhood design, equity, and access to transit and amenities, including areas near the proposed Metro K-Line extension.
How to Participate
Residents can share feedback at two community meetings in October:
- In-person: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6 p.m., Plummer Park Community Center, Rooms 5 & 6
- Online: Thursday, Oct. 16, 1:30 p.m., via Zoom (register here)
After these sessions, staff will refine recommendations before they go to the Planning Commission and City Council for review and final approval.
Learn more and provide input at engage.weho.org/zip.
[…] even harder if not impossible for first time home buyers. West Hollywood’s 1.9 square miles leaves no margin for sloppy choices. The subcommittee is advisory only, City Hall makes the final call at the Planning Commission, and […]
Then there is always the challenge of geography. West Hollywood West is a neighborhood of small single family residences on relatively small lots; these are NOT the sprawling 3,000 sft. plus homes you see in the Valley, Orange County or the San Gabriel Valley. Unfortunately WHW abuts Cedar Sinai. Developers are viewing West Hollywood West, not as an opportunity to create affordable housing, but to create luxury housing that would cater to affluent doctors and medical staff who work at Cedars. While these folks would be excellent additions to our community, developers would use this opportunity to over intensive the… Read more »
The formula used for density should consider not just the amount of land but the amount of residences per mile in the equation. Weho should be exempt for the next 100 years. Less urban areas should build up, especially on underutilized acreage, of which West Hollywood has none.
The sub-headline suggests that opponents of the ZIP plan are against affordable housing – absolutely untrue and not part of any of the literature that I’ve seen. The issue is overdensification in areas unable to support it.
The city is cloaking this ZIP effort in a thin veil of “affordable” housing when it’s really about helping developers build in and destroy residential single family home neighborhoods. Period. Everyone knows that more units does not equal more affordability – look at NYC. Build up in commercial corridors – simple. Duh.
Yup. It’s not cool what the city is trying to do. They call it the zoning improvement plan. It’s not an improvement to allow people that live in one neighborhood to vote on whether or not to destroy someone else’s.
But apparently a Planning Commissioner accused opponents of the ZIP plan of being “privileged” homeowners mindless oppose affordable housing.
There are close to 700 rentals available in West Hollywood on any given day. If that matters.
What they want is “Soviet Housing”. Make everyone miserable…….so the unproductive can feel better about their sad lives.
There’s plenty of opportunity to build as high as they want along major commercial corridors such as Santa Monica Blvd. They don’t need to destroy single-family neighborhoods to meet their goal.
It absolutely will affect property values, traffic, and the feel of WeHo.
As you point out, our population is extremely dense.
The city should sue the state to be exempt.
Do we have a choice? The state seems to have made a choice already. Continues to ruin neighborhoods. Crazy we are one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S., and they want more…
It’s not about affordable housing – theres plenty of underutilized zoning allowing for dense construction.
It’s about extracting value for developers – an end run around building code that maximizes profit at the expense of destroying the character of the neighborhood.
Developers aren’t altruistic or are they stupid. They will concentrate their efforts in wealthy and desirable neighborhoods and they won’t build ‘affordable housing’ – they will maximize profit which means market rate/luxury, in the hottest zip-codes.
This bill is a looting of existing homeowners (and by extension, the tax base propping up municipalities) to profit Weiner’s developer pals
WeHo has only permitted 1% of their goal of Moderate Income Houisng. ZIP gives developers free rein to build up to 7 story buildings in R1 single-family home neighborhoods WITH NO GUARANTEE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NO ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES AND NO ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS. This overdensification will put the narrow, windy streets of certain West Hollywood areas in danger of becoming the next Pacific Palisades fire catastrophe. Right now, emergency vehicles can barely make it in these streets. Imagine if large buildings are built. THIS IS JUST A PLOY OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO PAY BACK DEVELOPERS WHO FUNDED THEIR CAMPAIGNS.… Read more »
They want WH to be a slum with rainbow sidewalks. The state of CA has the same goal.
People with means are leaving. The writing is on all wall.