South L.A. Center for planning, building and housing needs opens

A center described as a "one-stop shop" for planning, building and housing needs opened Tuesday in South Los Angeles.

The Department of City Planning opened its Development Services Center on the first floor of the Mark Ridley-Thomas Constituent Service Center, located at 8475 Vermont Ave. Planning staff celebrated the opening alongside personnel from the departments of building and safety and housing.

Planning officials say it will be the first stop for project planning services for residents and business owners across Los Angeles City Council Districts 8, 9, 10 and 15, which include neighborhoods in South LA.

Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.

The city operates three other centers, located in downtown, Van Nuys and West LA. The new center came about due to the many years of advocacy by The Black Planners of Los Angeles, officials noted.

"Access to city resources and counters in South LA is an important step towards equity in the city," said City Councilman Marqueece Harris- Dawson, who represents the 8th Council District.

Council members Curren Price and Heather Hutt, who represent the 9th and 10th Council Districts, also celebrated the opening of the center.

"We hope that the community will benefit from having closer access to planners who will work in and get to know South LA as we continue to grow our housing and jobs in the area," Hutt said in a statement.

The center will include teams from each of the three departments -- planning, building and safety, and housing.

Applicants can schedule an appointment to receive technical guidance on planning services, and small business owners and residents can also learn about existing and proposed land use regulations.

Planning staff will be available for in-person meetings Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for certain services while also conducting outreach in the nearby neighborhoods. Virtual appointments will be available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Building and safety personnel will be available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while virtual counters will be open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and closed between noon and 1 p.m. On Wednesdays, online services will be available starting at 9 a.m.

Housing staff will be available Monday through Friday. The Housing Department recommends interested individuals make appointments to learn about the city's rent control laws, code compliance, fee payments and billing, and other regulations.

The Department of City Planning is expected to participate in upcoming South LA community events to inform residents and business owners about the Development Services Center.

"A legacy of inequities including racialized policies -- from redlining and zoning to urban renewal have contributed to the disenfranchisement of South Los Angeles," Director of Planning Vince Bertoni said in a statement. "This collaborative DSC allows city planning to bring staff and other vital services closer to the community and surrounding areas."

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok