The Los Angeles Department of City Planning proposes to develop, in collaboration with the community, a Specific Plan in the Chinatown/Cornfields and Arroyo Seco “Opportunity Areas” referenced in the recently completed Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan (LARRMP).

 The Plan area has been the focus of recent public infrastructure projects and studies which has increased development interest in the area. As a result, developers are requesting “project by project” zoning changes to the area. There is concern that this piecemeal development process will result in a haphazard and fractured neighborhood that ignores the needs and concerns of the community.  The Plan therefore will develop a roadmap for the area that defines a mix of uses, zoning parameters, and urban design features consistent with the communities’ vision.

The Plan includes approximately 400 acres located between the Chinatown and Lincoln Heights/ Cypress Park Metro rail stations. The Plan area is bordered on the north by the Pasadena (110) Freeway, the Arroyo Seco, and Elysian Park and is bi-sected by the Los Angeles River. Directly south of the Plan area is Union Station, historic Olvera Street and the downtown Civic Center. Chinatown is immediately adjacent to the south-westernmost area.

We are currently in the community workshop phase of developing the plan.  A community meeting has been scheduled for late February 2008 (see info above), with another one to follow in the Spring.  These are building on info compiled at community meetings in September and December.  A preliminary draft of the Plan should be completed by Spring 2008. It will take many months after that to complete the environmental review, comment period, and public hearing processes. Ideally, the Plan could be approved by the end of 2008.