AIA|LA ADVOCACY REPORT
March 19, 2024
From the desk of Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director of Government & Public Affairs
Summary of the AIA|LA & LADWP March 13th Quarterly
The meeting focused on streamlining development services, protecting the tree canopy, and the resources it will take to support the LADWP’s need to upgrade its grid infrastructure and personnel capacity to accommodate housing growth in Los Angeles (400,000+ units of 100% electrical) over the next ten years.
Throughout the meeting, Michael Lehrer, FAIA emphasized the concept of measuring the success of our ongoing engagement and partnership with LADWP as a model best practice for how other City Departments can benefit by the creation of a “viable, compelling process with AIA|LA as a thought-leader, with AIA|LA as turn-to resource, and with AIA|LA as a convener to help break-down to silos of each of the departments.” That is, we’re talking to each of the departments one on one – but are the departments talking with each other frequently enough in the same language that we are? And if not, how can AIA|LA expand this common ground to optimize the delivery of more effective and streamlined development services?
We see these ongoing quarterly meetings with LADWP as fundamentally important to this effort.
Key points:
- Collaboration: Both sides acknowledged the value of collaboration and improved communication between AIA|LA and LADWP.
- Consensus was reached on the need to set up and beta-test small-scale case collaborations. By keeping the focus, narrow, and establishing a relatively easy/early line of communication between AIA/Architects and DWP on specific issues —what works, what doesn’t work, what is understood, and what is not understood, but hopefully become much clearer and much faster—it becomes a model for making quick and early progress and for fleshing progressive ideas.
- IF YOU HAVE AN SPECIFIC ISSUE/ CHALLENGE that you’d like to beta-test as a collaborative case study, please let us know ASAP!
- Tree Protection: AIA|LA advocated for a more discretionary process to save mature trees during development projects that would otherwise be cut down due to “perceived” conflicts with LADWP grid infrastructure & equipment.
- Project Flow: Improving the online application process, establishing clear project timelines, and offering pre-consultation meetings were discussed to expedite project approvals.
- Grid Expansion: Discussions highlighted the need for significant grid upgrades to accommodate much-needed housing.
- Resources: LADWP acknowledged the need for additional resources to handle the increased workload.
Action Items:
- AIA|LA:
- Investigate delays in market-rate project approvals due to the focus on affordable housing.
- Collaborate with relevant city departments to better understand tree removal protocols.
- LADWP:
- Develop a plan for grid expansion to support the anticipated housing growth.
- Explore additional funding sources like federal grants.
Additional Notes:
- We discussed Council President Krekorian’s motion to expand “Project Powerhouse” beyond 100% affordable housing.
- Challenges with switchgear supply chain delays and limited LADWP land availability were also addressed.
- Resources like the LADWP Power Capacity GIS Map were shared = https://ladwp-power.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=290be9aa52694ef39bf3088940079f62
Overall, the meeting highlighted the need for increased collaboration and resource allocation to achieve the ambitious development goals while protecting the environment.
As we prepare for deeper engagement with development services, please share any additional insight and/or ideas you may have to help AIA|LA partner more effectively with LADWP.
Also, please help us prioritize our next steps. If you can share your 3 or 4 top issues/ concerns/ recommendations with me at will@aialosangeles.org, we’ll organize your input into a strategic agenda (and action plan!) for our next quarterly meeting with LADWP, which will be on June 5 (12pm).
Save the Date for the next three Quarterly Meetings with LADWP:
Wednesday, June 5 (12pm – 1pm)
Wednesday, September 11 (12pm – 1pm)
Wednesday, December 4 (12pm – 1pm)
LACP Design Review Sessions
In 2024, we will coordinate thirty-six virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout the City.
Upcoming sessions include:
Tuesday, March 19 (10am – 12pm)
Tuesday, April 2 (10am – 12pm)
Tuesday, April 9 (10am – 12pm)
Tuesday, April 16 (10am – 12pm)
Join us here w/ RSVP to gain zoom access.
Reach out and get more involved!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org
