So you want to build an ADU in California? Here’s what you need to know "Los Angeles and many other cities offer preapproved ADU designs on their websites, but few people use them — according to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, only about 20 applications have been submitted with one of the city’s standardized plans." (LA Times)
Federal Transit Administration makes way for West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor Project federal funding "Funding from FTA is a key step toward making the project potentially eligible for federal funding. The 14.8-mile Slauson/A Line to Pioneer route was also approved as the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for the project’s initial segment between Artesia and Downtown Los Angeles." (The Source)
Here’s How LA’s Suburban-Style Zoning Contributes To Racial Disparities "A new study finds that 78% of residential land in the greater Los Angeles area is zoned exclusively for single-family houses, and that this style of zoning produces communities that are whiter, wealthier and that provide better life outcomes for children." (LAist)
UC Berkeley must withhold thousands of acceptance letters after state Supreme Court ruling A big CEQA story out of the Bay Area (SF Chronicle)
Amazon shuttering its physical bookstores and 4-star shops "The Seattle-based company said Wednesday that the move, which affects 66 stores in the U.S. and two in the United Kingdom, will enable it to concentrate its efforts on Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, its convenience concept called Amazon Go and its upcoming Amazon Style stores. Amazon Style, which will sell fashion and accessories, is set to open in a Southern California mall later this year." (LA Times)
Newsom proposes to force some homeless people into treatment "The proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, would require all counties to set up a mental health branch in civil court and provide comprehensive and community-based treatment to those suffering from debilitating psychosis." (Long Beach Post)
Councilmember Krekorian Cancels Burbank Boulevard Widening "L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian recently announced that a plan to widen Burbank Boulevard will shift instead to widening sidewalks and adding other pedestrian safety features." (Streetsblog LA)
Why we turned the L.A. River into a freeway (for water) "Some of our history can be told through our earthquakes, and some can be told through the river’s floods. No one knows where the city’s original 1781 pueblo stood because the river floods swirled it away, and probably the next pueblo the settlers built, and even the one after that." (LA Times)
Cheval Blanc Asks for Time Extension After Planning Commission Feedback "However, since the Feb. 24 meeting, the Courier has exclusively learned that the Cheval Blanc team has asked the city to suspend review of the project until it can conduct studies on how to best meet the requests made by the Commissioners." (Beverly Hills Courier)