AXIS’ recommendations to the Los Angeles City Planning Commission for improving the draft Citywide Adaptive Reuse Ordinance (ARO)
September 19, 2024
At AXIS Architecture + Design, we’re committed to engaging with our communities and our industries to advance the increased availability of accessible and affordable housing. As one facet of that effort, AXIS sees the adaptive reuse and conversion of existing building stock into housing and new mixed-use communities as a viable option for expeditiously increasing the availability of affordable and workforce housing.
As such, AXIS is proud to activate the adaptive reuse experts on our team to help local and state legislators maximize the potential of their planning efforts. Late last week, we submitted our recommendations to the City of Los Angeles for improving the draft Citywide Adaptive Reuse Ordinance (ARO). This ordinance is key in addressing the city’s housing crisis and revitalizing underused buildings.
Key Highlights of Our Recommendations:
- Expand Rooftop Additions: Allow both residential units and amenities to maximize housing production.
- Affordable Housing Incentives: Clarify and extend affordable housing incentives, offering developers more flexibility.
- Unified Adaptive Reuse Projects: Increase development opportunities by expanding the radius for project sites and removing restrictive design requirements.
- Seismically Vulnerable Buildings: Streamline approval processes for adaptive reuse in M-zones to expedite retrofits and conversions.
- Include Office-to-Hotel Conversions: Encourage office-to-hotel conversions to better utilize underperforming properties and increase housing options.
Our goal is to help Los Angeles meet its housing needs while preserving its architectural heritage. We believe these changes will help unlock the full potential of adaptive reuse projects across the city.
Download the full letter here: AXIS Architecture and Design – City of LA Citywide Adaptive Reuse Ordinance Recommendations – CPC-2023-5986-CA