West Hollywood’s Planning and Development Services Department has received two prestigious local awards from the American Planning Association, California Chapter, Los Angeles Section (APA Los Angeles).
Each year, APA Los Angeles celebrates the region’s most outstanding planning work. Its annual awards recognize the exceptional efforts being carried out by urban planners, advocates, elected officials and others to make great communities happen. Award submissions are voted upon by a panel of experienced judges to call out the projects, plans, or people that demonstrate the power of great planning. Awards were conferred at the APA Los Angeles 2018 Awards Gala, which took place in June at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
The first award is an Award of Excellence for Neighborhood Planning for the City of West Hollywood’s Eastside Community Priorities Plan. This award recognizes a neighborhood plan, program, design, or related effort that demonstrates innovative planning principles and measures that create sustainable neighborhoods of lasting value.
The Eastside Community Priorities Plan was a three-year collaborative effort by the City of West Hollywood, stakeholders in the Eastside Working Group and community members. The effort focused on portions of West Hollywood between Hayworth Avenue and La Brea Avenue. The plan, which was adopted by the West Hollywood City Council in October 2017, establishes priorities to improve the physical, social and economic character of the area. The jury awarded the Eastside Community Priorities Plan for its innovative engagement strategy, implementation tracking metrics and actionable policies aimed at improving the quality of life for residents on the Eastside. More information about the plan can be found online.
The second award is the Planning Landmark Award for the city’s 1988 General Plan. This award recognizes a planning project, initiative, or endeavor that is at least 25 years old and is historically significant, having initiated a new direction in planning or had an impact on California planning, cities, or regions over a broad range of time.
The city’s original General Plan was adopted in 1988, four years after West Hollywood was incorporated. That document has led decision making for nearly 25 years as the region experienced unprecedented growth and environmental, physical, economic, social and demographic changes. The jury unanimously awarded the city’s inaugural General Plan the Planning Landmark Award for its progressive goals and policies that guided development patterns, protecting historic character and charm while fostering unique art, design, hospitality, entertainment, and business oriented communities. The plan contributed significantly to the planning profession, and continues to influence the practice of comprehensive planning for cities throughout the country. In 2011, the West Hollywood City Council adopted its award-winning General Plan 2035, which provides a roadmap for the city to continue building on its success. It is intended to provide guidance for the next 25 years, with long-term strategies that address the unique characteristics and needs of West Hollywood. The General Plan 2035 also won a Los Angeles APA Comprehensive Plan Award in 2011. More information about it can be found online.
The Los Angeles section of the American Planning Association is one of eight local sections of the APA California Chapter, and consists of more than 1,300 members in the Los Angeles County region.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Planning and Development Services Department for its extraordinary work on the Eastside Community Priorities Plan,” said West Hollywood Mayor John Duran. “Together with the Planning Landmark Award, APA-LA’s recognition demonstrates that the City of West Hollywood has been at the vanguard of urban planning since its incorporation, and our city will continue to lead the way as we look ahead toward the future.”
