West Hollywood’s Planning Commission reviewed the 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports on May 15, highlighting slow progress toward housing goals while noting broader planning achievements. Senior Planner Tahirah Farris presented the reports, detailing the city’s efforts to implement the General Plan 2035—adopted in 2011 and periodically updated to reflect evolving state laws and community needs—and meet its Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) target of 3,933 units by 2029. The discussion sparked commissioner concerns about zoned capacity, vacancy rates, and innovative housing strategies.
The General Plan Annual Progress Report showed 91% of its 172 programs with action taken, categorized as ongoing (31%), pending (6%), underway (12%), or completed (43%). Key 2024 milestones included advocacy for the Metro K Line Extension, speed limit reductions to support Vision Zero safety goals, and zone text amendments to streamline development. The report also highlighted the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), adopted in 2021, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2035 while prioritizing equity. Farris noted the General Plan’s last major update in 2011, with recent amendments like the 2024 Safety and Noise Element ensuring alignment with community priorities.
The Housing Element report revealed only 484 units permitted since 2021 toward the RHNA goal, with 169 in 2024 (60% affordable at very low, low, or moderate-income levels). Just 25% of total units permitted are affordable, far below the 62% affordable target (2,437 units). Commissioner Erick J. Matos clarified that RHNA tracks issued permits, not completed units (364 in 2024), noting, “There’s a lag time between permitting and occupancy.” Farris highlighted initiatives to bridge this gap, shaped by extensive community engagement during the 2021–2029 Housing Element cycle. These include the Zoning Improvement for Housing Program (ZIP), launched in September 2024, to remove zoning barriers, an inclusionary housing study to align with state density bonus laws, and a mixed-use policy study encouraging micro-unit development to boost affordable housing. The city also secured a $750,000 grant for the Holloway transitional housing project, with another $750,000 under review for the Affordable Housing Trust, following a 2024 Pro-Housing designation from the state.
Commissioners engaged deeply with housing challenges. Andrew Solomon questioned the city’s zoned capacity, noting historical downzoning over the past 40 years: “It would be important to know what’s the maximum we could do if there were no barriers.” He proposed a local voucher program with master leasing agreements to meet RHNA goals without burdening developers, asking if such a model would count toward affordable targets. Farris confirmed ZIP is assessing capacity barriers and noted that reused RHNA sites in future cycles may require by-right zoning for low-income units, potentially complicating the next cycle if progress remains slow.
Lynn M. Hoopingarner highlighted an 11% vacancy rate—potentially 1,500–3,000 units—arguing, “We’ve got a huge inventory that’s not available to people who want housing.” She suggested utilizing vacant units, possibly through voucher programs, despite issues like Airbnb usage. Matos cautioned against unverified figures, noting, “Tight housing markets are considered around 5–6% vacancy,” but acknowledged the need for further study to balance mobility and availability. The discussion underscored the challenge of meeting RHNA goals while addressing existing housing stock, with potential impacts on the 2029–2037 cycle if sites remain underutilized.
The commission received and filed the reports, with upcoming meetings on June 5 (Standard Hotel CUP amendment) and July 17 (multiple ZTAs, chair/vice chair election).
They’re going to destroy what makes West Hollywood such a desirable place to live. They think our 1.9sq miles can save the world. Get over yourself. We’ve already done more than most cities.
Zillow shows over 700 units available for rent in Weho on any given day. Of those, 239 rent for between $1,200 and $2,600 a month……….on any given day.
There are 18,881 apartment units in WeHo. If there are 700 or so units for rent, that represents a 3.7% vacancy rate. A healthy vacant rate of 6-7% is generally a good target. The article highlights one comment that WeHo has an 11% vacancy rate, which is pure fiction. There needs to be vacant units to allow for turnover and to keep supply and demand in balance.
If they want to build so much more housing…let them built high-rises all along Santa Monica Blvd. They don’t have to destroy historic neighborhoods to achieve their goals.