The Los Angeles City Planning Commission has moved a major rezoning effort for the eastern San Fernando Valley another step closer to reality, signing off on a package of new land-use rules for neighborhoods around three Metro G Line stations.
The Orange (G) Line Transit Neighborhood Plan, approved in a June 25 vote, would bring the city’s new zoning code to areas around Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood and the Van Nuys and Sepulveda Boulevard stations in Van Nuys, covering an area home to roughly 100,000 residents and more than 25,000 jobs. The draft changes largely focus on commercial and multi-family parcels and intentionally leave single-family neighborhoods out, although some industrial properties along Sepulveda Boulevard would be re-designated to allow housing by right.
At its June 25 meeting, the commission recommended approval of the land-use changes and the new zoning map, sending the package to the City Council’s planning committee and then to the full council for potential adoption, as reported by Urbanize LA. The outlet also notes that the plan was narrowed from earlier drafts and will not immediately rezone areas around Sherman Way and Reseda Boulevard, which are being handled through separate community plan updates.
Department of City Planning staff are recommending a G Line-specific base-bonus system that would allow greater density and taller buildings when developers deliver affordable housing or other community benefits. That framework would override the existing citywide transit incentives inside the plan boundary, according to a staff report from Los Angeles City Planning. The same staff report details the project area, environmental clearance status, and which overlays and specific plans would be rescinded or amended as part of the rezoning.
What the Plan Would Change
Existing design overlays that regulate the Van Nuys commercial corridor and the North Hollywood Arts District would be rescinded or folded into the new zoning regulations, moving design rules directly into the zoning code itself, Urbanize LA reports. While baseline development rights generally remain similar, the plan carves out exceptions for certain parcels, most notably the industrial sites on Sepulveda Boulevard that would be re-designated to permit housing by right.
Why Transit Projects Matter Here
City planners have framed the rezoning as part of a broader strategy to cluster housing and jobs near major transit investments, which include Metro’s East San Fernando Valley light-rail project and the North Hollywood to Pasadena bus-rapid-transit line. Metro has advanced the East San Fernando Valley light-rail project along Van Nuys Boulevard, and the NoHo-to-Pasadena BRT is moving into construction and outreach stages, according to Metro. The Sepulveda Transit Corridor subway is also progressing through Metro planning and could further increase development pressure near the Van Nuys corridor, as reported by LAist.
Next Steps and What to Watch
With the commission’s recommendation now on the books, the Orange (G) Line Transit Neighborhood Plan heads to the City Council’s planning committee and then to the full council for possible adoption. If approved, it will mark the first full application of the New Zoning Code in the San Fernando Valley after Downtown and Boyle Heights, according to Los Angeles City Planning. Council hearings are expected to drill into how the bonus system translates into affordable housing, the future of small businesses near station areas, and how streetscape and design standards get enforced on the ground.
Neighbors are being urged to keep an eye on draft zoning maps and upcoming hearings to see which specific parcels may be eligible for upzoning and which overlays will be rescinded or amended. City Planning staff say they will continue public outreach during the council process, giving residents multiple chances to weigh in before any final vote.
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