Planning
The Los Angeles River Improvement Overlay (LA-RIO) District
Lead: Department of City Planning, Los Angeles River Unit
The LA-RIO will help implement revitalization of the Los Angeles River by focusing on the establishment of a distinct, sustainable environment in the neighborhoods surrounding the River.
The LA-RIO is a proposed special use district that will provide development guidelines for both private property and public rights-of-way. The LA-RIO District will require new projects to achieve points in three design categories: Watershed, Urban Design, and Mobility. The LA-RIO also provides standards and guidelines for complete green streets that enhance the watershed and improve mobility options near the river. The LA-RIO will enable the City to better coordinate land use development all along the 32-mile corridor of the Los Angeles River that flows within the City’s boundaries.
These links contain more information from the Department of City Planning:
LA-RIO – Guidelines, Standards, and Requirements
Section 1 Establishment & Purpose
Section 2 General Requirements
Section 3 Definitions & Resources
Section 5 Property Improvement Guidelines
LA-RIO – Mitigated Negative Declaration (CEQA)
The Cornfields/Arroyo Specific Plan (CASP)
The Cornfields/Arroyo Seco Specific Plan or CASP is being developed by the Department of City Planning in collaboration with local communities surrounding the River in and near downtown Los Angeles. The purpose of the CASP is to provide a roadmap for the area that defines a mix of uses, zoning parameters, and urban design features consistent with the communities’ vision. The CASP will be one of the very first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design neighborhood development (LEED-ND) projects.
The CASP planning process was initiated in mid-2007 to provide a continuous opportunity for all community stakeholders; residents, business and property owners, employees, environmentalists, and government entities alike, to engage in an open and frank public discussion about the future of the area.
The CASP area includes approximately 400 acres located between the Chinatown and Lincoln Heights/Cypress Park Metro rail stations. The area is bordered on the north by the Pasadena (110) Freeway, the Arroyo Seco, and Elysian Park and is bisected by the Los Angeles River. Directly south of the area is Union Station, historic Olvera Street and the downtown Civic Center. Chinatown is immediately adjacent to the southwestern portion of the area.
For more information about the Department of City Planning’s efforts on River Revitalization, please contact the River Unit staff:
Claire Bowin (213) 473-9987 |
or |
Deborah Kahen (213) 978-1395 |