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So, I decided to look at this from an actual factual basis versus the way most of you have been looking at this. Based on the zoning regulations, DC can actually build at a higher FAR than LA over a longer distance. Also, DC's front yard setback is zero almost everywhere and side yard setback is also zero almost everywhere which is not the case in LA. This explains why LA is built the way it is. Here are the zoning summary specifications for you guys to review.
DC Interactive Zoning Summary and Map (Click Definition)
Just a side note, DC has eliminated parking minimums in the downtown core zones and reduced them everywhere else. That puts DC in another league when it comes to urban lifestyle.
**Floor area ratio (FAR) is the ratio of a building's total floor area (gross floor area) to the size of the piece of land upon which it is built.**
LA kinda tries to follow DC's lead when it comes to "urban". I don't know what that means when discussing which city is currently more urban but because DC had a 20 year head start on rail so we're still probably 10-20 years behind when it comes to TOD and zoning. But you have to understand that the entire state of California is handicapped by a 1970's understanding of best environmental practices called CEQA. For LA that means parking minimums, setbacks, lower FAR, etc. As baby boomers become a smaller percentage and Millenials increase we'll see that change but we're not there yet. Give us another decade.
Edit to add that I'm gen x so neither boomer nor Millenial but we're a smaller generation and have to live in their worlds.
Don't worry he/her is a delusional and habitual Philly hater and troll. Nothing to see here.
Speaking of troll, why aren't you responding with your other account early90sbaby? ah you only use that account to troll DC boosters because your a habitual DC hater
LA kinda tries to follow DC's lead when it comes to "urban". I don't know what that means when discussing which city is currently more urban but because DC had a 20 year head start on rail so we're still probably 10-20 years behind when it comes to TOD and zoning. But you have to understand that the entire state of California is handicapped by a 1970's understanding of best environmental practices called CEQA. For LA that means parking minimums, setbacks, lower FAR, etc. As baby boomers become a smaller percentage and Millenials increase we'll see that change but we're not there yet. Give us another decade.
Edit to add that I'm gen x so neither boomer nor Millenial but we're a smaller generation and have to live in their worlds.
I've listened to planners, developers, environmentalists and informed citizens about various schemes and have come to recognize how everyone exploits CEQA for their own purposes, to either block or push a development (or non-development) plan. Because it's self-implemented there are "interpretations" to dispute, and that makes the years of jockeying sometimes pretty amusing.
LA kinda tries to follow DC's lead when it comes to "urban". I don't know what that means when discussing which city is currently more urban but because DC had a 20 year head start on rail so we're still probably 10-20 years behind when it comes to TOD and zoning. But you have to understand that the entire state of California is handicapped by a 1970's understanding of best environmental practices called CEQA. For LA that means parking minimums, setbacks, lower FAR, etc. As baby boomers become a smaller percentage and Millenials increase we'll see that change but we're not there yet. Give us another decade.
Edit to add that I'm gen x so neither boomer nor Millenial but we're a smaller generation and have to live in their worlds.
Yes, I'm aware. I was just trying to give people the data needed for such a debate and analysis. This really isn't subjective. A ranking of urban form for cities is actually quantifiable. It's amazing this thread has gone this far without discussing the very thing that makes any city urban which is the zoning code. It dictates the built environment and the lifestyle for every city.
The strides LA is making are incredible, but without a rewrite of the zoning code to allow a more intense urban form across the core, it will never catch DC's built environment. This is especially true as DC's urban core expands outward because of height limits. LA can't do that because their zoning doesn't allow it. DC can build up to 130 feet far from the city center with minimal parking only. DC has a goal to have a 75% share of commuters in the city commuting by means other than the automobile in 15 years from now when the city is projected to near 1 million people in 61 sq. miles.
This alone will allow a completely different lifestyle.
Last edited by MDAllstar; 07-31-2016 at 02:09 PM..
Lol? Never catch up?
LA has far more potential than DC ever will.
What do you think is going to happen when space really runs out in it's denser neighborhoods? South Park is already adding a dozen or so 40-50 story rresidential highrises, with more to come. And there's still plenty of space there.
Koreatown, Hollywood, Century City are going to addmore 30-40 story highrises.
It's really just getting started infllling, and hasnt even come close to what it's going to be.
Do you have any idea what LA' housing shortage is?
LA already has the large commercial areas/blvds all over the city. DC doesn't. It is what it is.
LA just needs to add tons of housing to it's commerical streets. Which it will/is.
Lol? Never catch up?
LA has far more potential than DC ever will.
What do you think is going to happen when space really runs out in it's denser neighborhoods?
It's really just getting started infllling, and hasnt even come close to what it's going to be.
Do you have any idea what LA' housing shortage is?
LA already has the large commercial areas/blvds all over the city. DC doesn't. It is what it is.
LA just needs to add tons of housing to it's commerical streets. Which it will/is.
So, when is the zoning code going to be changed to allow all this development you speak of? The current FAR across most of the city is way below what DC's neighborhoods can build. Are they updating the zoning code to allow buildings to take up a larger percentage of their lots with zero set back in the front and on the sides? Will they be able to rise over 6 stories? You keep talking about individual neighborhoods. That doesn't form an uninterrupted core like DC is building. LA needs to rezone their industrial/manufacturing zones southeast of downtown if they want to even get into the competition.
Before responding again, please check your own zoning code and educate yourself on the topic so you can actually participate in the discussion.
Hollywood just changed their zoning code a couple years ago. That's why's there's a far more highriises u/c and proposed than before.
They're changing the codes around the Orange Line in the SFV to allow more dense Tods.
Same for parts of south central and west LA near the expo line.
Yes, I expect them to rewrite the codes for certain areas.
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