Part of Measure JJJ, the incentives went into effect last month
A new apartment complex planned for Florence may be the first project to take advantage of new incentives meant to spur development of affordable housing in transit-rich areas.
Plans filed with the city Tuesday call for the demolition of an existing auto shop to make way for a building with 51 units of housing. With the exception of a manager’s unit, each of the apartments would be reserved for extremely low-income tenants (those making under 30 percent of LA’s median income, by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards).
In return for the affordable units, the project’s developer has applied for incentives that would allow it to rise an additional 11 feet and include less open space and a shorter setback than normally required.
These allowances are available through new transit-oriented development guidelines created through Measure JJJ, which Los Angeles voters approved in November. Aimed at forcing developers of large projects to include affordable units and hire local labor, the measure also included new incentives for development near bus stops and train stations.
The Department of City Planning released guidelines for taking advantage of the program last month and Urbanize LA notes that this may be the very first project to utilize the new incentives.
The complex would rise about 1.5 miles from the Blue Line, but it’s also within walking distance of stops for multiple Metro bus lines and a DASH route.