The West Hollywood Planning Commission reviewed a proposed zone text amendment (ZTA) to regulate shared housing buildings and units during a public hearing on April 4, 2025, following a contentious earlier session. The amendment aims to define and permit co-living arrangements—multifamily housing with shared kitchens, dining areas, and living spaces—as part of the city’s push for diverse, affordable housing options. No vote was recorded by the session’s end, but commissioners engaged in a lively discussion about balancing flexibility with livability standards.
Tahirah Farris, a Community Development Department planner, presented the ZTA, noting its roots in a 2021 City Council directive and the Housing Element’s goal to expand creative housing types. Shared housing, she explained, offers affordability through communal spaces and all-inclusive pricing, often including furnished units and services like cleaning or social events. The proposal defines a shared housing building as one with at least 75% shared housing units—private rooms with bathrooms and kitchenettes linked to common areas—aligned with state density bonus law.
The ZTA sets specific standards: units must access shared spaces without external entrances, common areas require 100 square feet of living space and 30 square feet of dining space per unit, and kitchens need appliances like 18 cubic feet of refrigerator space per four units. Additional requirements include private storage, utility closets, and on-site management for buildings with 16 or more units, per state law. Farris highlighted limited public outreach, with comments from 2023 favoring more housing but raising parking concerns.
Commissioners probed the details. Lynn Hoopingarner sought clarity on kitchenette sinks versus bathroom sinks, ensuring each unit’s functionality. Stacey E. Jones raised pet policy concerns, questioning how existing city rules apply in close-knit settings, while Andrew Solomon asked about state law’s permanence, suggesting adaptability if regulations shift. Rogerio Carvalhiero tied the standards to a prior project at Fountain and Fairfax, wondering if minimums reflected past lessons or risked inflating costs.
Deliberation revealed a split in philosophy. Solomon, citing San Jose’s less restrictive co-living ordinance, argued against over-regulating interiors like counter space, favoring developer flexibility since residents opt into such arrangements. “I hate interior regulations,” he said, proposing a middle ground. Carvalhiero countered that minimums ensure practicality—four burners for five units, for instance—while Hoopingarner praised staff’s balance, recalling past projects lacking basics like closets. David S. Gregoire questioned whether shared housing suits short-term or long-term residents, noting the city’s one-year lease minimum might misalign with its experimental nature.
No public comments were offered, a stark contrast to the earlier hearing’s turnout. Commissioners leaned toward approval, with Jones calling it a “good starting point” and Matos defending minimums as non-burdensome. Hoopengarner suggested moving forward, trusting future adjustments if issues arise. The discussion paused without a formal motion, leaving the ZTA’s fate pending further action.
The hearing reflected West Hollywood’s ongoing effort to innovate housing amid affordability pressures, balancing resident quality of life with developer feasibility. Staff recommends City Council adoption, deeming it exempt from CEQA, but the commission’s nuanced debate hints at potential refinements before final approval.
Greetings – this model is pretty much the same as student housing