City Council Approves the General Plan 2045 and Zoning Code Updates, Listens to Update on Homeless Emergency, Honors Culver Hotel & Local Restaurant

General Plan 2045, Zoning Code Updates Approved

Five years in the making, the City Council approved the General Plan 2045 and Zoning Code Updates The General Plan establishes the City’s long-term vision to guide how the city will  develop for the next 20 years. The General Plan update kicked off in 2019 and was developed through a robust community outreach process including over 50 public meetings, 14 community pop-up informational events, 18 General Plan Advisory meetings, 20 Technical Advisory Community Meetings, 13 Planning Commission and City Council meetings, and a mailing to over 38,000 residents and business owners.

The General Plan and Housing Element is implemented through the Zoning Code, which provides standards for building development. The Zoning Code Update aims to streamline the development approval process, as well establish mixed-use zones throughout the city, in order to increase housing production and opportunities for job creation. The streamlined approval process establishes the following thresholds:

• Administrative (Director) approval of residential projects up to 25 dwelling units, as well as commercial projects smaller than 15,000 square feet, and all density bonus projects.
• The Planning Commission will review residential projects that are greater than 25 dwelling units and commercial projects greater than 15,000 square feet.
• Two community meetings are now required for both housing and commercial projects.

Other changes include reducing the floor area ratio (FAR) in the R-1 Single Family Zone from 0.60 to 0.45. Height increases are also proposed in some of the mixed-use zones, with a requirement to step down in height next to R-1 Single Family and R-2 Duplex zoning districts. Heavy industrial areas would become “non-conforming,” meaning heavy industrial uses would be limited to current configurations and sizes, prohibiting expansion.

The Zoning Code Update also includes best practices, such as adding missing uses like electric vehicle charging stations, community gardens, as well as simplifying regulations in the open space zone and establishing floor area ratios to regulate commercial projects.

The General Plan 2045 anticipates growth in Culver City over the next 20 years. Forecasts predicts an additional 21,600 residents, 12,700 new housing units, and 16,260 new jobs. Currently the City has 2,981 new housing units in the development review pipeline, including 541 affordable units.

The projected growth of the General Plan was analyzed in a Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). Most environmental impacts were determined to be less than significant, with four significant unavoidable impacts to transportation, air quality, noise, and historic resources.  A mitigation and monitoring program has been established to lessen those impacts over the next two decades. A fiscal impact analysis was conducted to forecast the projected growth in revenue and expenditures resulting from the implementation of the General Plan. While the analysis projected a $11.9M City budget deficit in 2045, there are opportunities identified to in the General Plan’s Economic Development Element for increasing municipal revenues to help offset that projected deficit.

Future development regulations for the Fox Hills neighborhood were discussed. The Mixed Use High and Mixed Use Medium zoning designations were presented as both consistent with the City’s adopted Housing Element, and as an appropriate designation for larger parcels found both in Fox Hills and across the City.  Future improvement projects were identified, including the Fox Hills Specific Plan and Safer Fox Hills, with the goal of improving mobility, access, and livability within the area. The City will also be starting a Specific Plan process for the Hayden Tract neighborhood, which will become a mixed-use area with residential uses now permitted.

The City Council voted on several portions of the General Plan and Zoning Code updates including:

• Approved requiring a minimum of two community outreach meetings for both residential and commercial projects. Vice Mayor Dan O’Brien, and Council Members Goran Eriksson, Albert Vera Jr. and Freddy Puza voted in favor. Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin abstained.
• Approved Amendment 5 as proposed by the Planning Commission to change zoning along the south side of Culver Boulevard between Elenda and Sepulveda Boulevard from mixed-use neighborhood to multi-family low residential-only. Vice Mayor O’Brien, and Council Members Eriksson, Vera Jr. voted in favor. Council Member Puza voted against. Mayor McMorrin abstained.
• Approved Amendment 3 to add auto sales in mixed-use medium and mixed-use industrial zones with a conditional use permit as proposed by the Planning Commission. Vice Mayor O’Brien, and Council Members Eriksson, Vera Jr. and Puza voted in favor. Mayor McMorrin abstained.
• Adopted a resolution approving the General Plan 2045 with suggested changes. Vice Mayor O’Brien, and Council Members Eriksson, Vera Jr. and Puza voted in favor. Mayor McMorrin abstained.
• Introduced an ordinance amending the Culver City Zoning Code Update. Vice Mayor O’Brien, and Council Members Eriksson, Vera Jr. and Puza voted in favor. Mayor McMorrin abstained.

The deadline to make the required updates is October 15, 2024, to remain in compliance with state law. The City will establish a reporting dashboard to track progress on key General Plan workplan items.

Staff Provides Homelessness Emergency Update

The City Council received another update from Tevis Barnes, Housing and Human Services Director, on Culver City’s homelessness emergency. At Monday’s City Council meeting, the City of Culver City unveiled a new online Homeless Services Performance Dashboard available to the community that tracks the City's efforts in providing services to the City’s the unhoused population. The Homeless Services Performance Dashboard on the City's website details approximately 70 measures of key service performance for City programs and services that provide resources to the most vulnerable in our community. It is an effective method to communicate our progress to provide support to our unhoused neighbors as they begin a new chapter of life, in addition to providing transparency on our efforts to the Culver City community.

The data found on the Culver City website is extensive, highlighting calls for service, individuals housed at interim and permanent housing, wraparound services including case management and mental health services touchpoints, costs associated with each program and more. To view specific program data, please click on any of the links and visit the specific page below:

• Project Homekey Interim Housing
• Project Homekey Permanent Housing
• Wellness Village Safe Sleep Program
• Mobile Crisis Team
• Motel Master Leasing & Nutrition Program
• Homeless Outreach Efforts
• Encampment Resolution

Updated data will be published quarterly, along with an email update to community members who are interested in tracking the City’s progress. The City of Culver City remains dedicated to leading with care, helping our unhoused neighbors live a better life.

Awards & Recognitions

City Council honored several outgoing members of Culver City Commissioners, Boards, and Committees for their service to the community. Eight of the 15 were in attendance on Monday evening.

• Demetria Richardson has admirably served the residents of the City of Culver City since June of 2020 during her four-year term as a highly committed member of the Culver City Landlord Tenant Mediation Board. During her tenure Demetria Richardson contributed to meaningful discussions within the Landlord Tenant Mediation Board.
• George Montgomery has admirably served the residents and business community of Culver City as a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee since 2017, serving as Chair in 2022-2023. During his tenure on the Committee, George Montgomery advocated for important mobility issues, particularly as related to safety, to decrease the incidence of pedestrian and bicyclist injury and improve the quality of life in Culver City.
• Michelle Weiner has admirably served the residents of Culver City as a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee since its formation in 2016, serving multiple terms as Chair and Vice Chair, and also served as an advisor for earlier City bicycle planning initiatives. During her tenure, Michelle Weiner provided Culver City staff with valuable input regarding City mobility initiatives and infrastructure projects, including the Exposition to Downtown Connector project, the La Ballona Safe Routes to School program, and most notably creation of the Local Road Safety Plan and the City’s first Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.
• William Rickards has, since 2016, proudly served as a highly committed member and past Chair of the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission, as a member of the Culver City Interfaith Alliance, and as an occasional base player alongside the ukulele group, the Culver City Strummers. During his time as a PRCS Commissioner, Rickards facilitated and participated in community conversations, such as “Race, Religion, & Culture: Living in Harmony within our Community,” and “The Power of Community—What we can do to stop Bullying;” and community activities, such as the Bahai Community’s Unity in Diversity Picnics.
• Lisette Palley was appointed to the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) in 2008 and has proudly served the City of Culver City as a highly committed advocate for individuals with disabilities. Palley continues to promote and strive for advocacy for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and encourages us all to take the time to learn about the needs and experiences of Culver City residents living with disabilities.
• Nancy Barba has shown her dedication to service as a Planning Commissioner, playing a central role in the City’s planning process by advising City Council on planning and development issues, assuring the City is seeking to achieve the goals established by the General Plan, and providing a conduit for residents and other community stakeholders to engage in planning issues, project proposals, and provide their views. Barba has served four memorable years on the Planning Commission from July 2020 to June 2024.
• Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin has been a dynamic, enthusiastic, and highly productive Cultural Affairs Commissioner since 2016. Her seat on the Performing Arts Grants subcommittee has helped provide over $1 million in support of performing arts grants to arts organizations which has greatly enhanced the cultural life of Culver City, especially providing crucial support to arts organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Janet Cameron Hoult was appointed to the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) in 2014 and has proudly served the City of Culver City as a highly committed advocate for individuals with disabilities. Dr. Hoult contributed to the discussion and review process for several important DAC projects including the Culver City community survey, Disability Awareness Month commendations and proclamations, the annual Disability Awareness Month Carnival and more.

City Council also awarded a Certificate of Recognition Motoichi "Micky" Horino of Sushi Mashiko for outstanding commitment and dedication to providing high quality service to the City of Culver City. For 34 years, visitors to Sushi Mashiko have been able to enjoy meals prepared by traditionally trained Head Chef, Motoichi “Micky” Horino, and with the help of his wife Keiko, and three daughters, have fed multiple generations of families, while keeping prices accessible for all to enjoy.

City Council also celebrated the 100^th anniversary of The Culver Hotel with a commendation. On September 4, 1924, Harry Culver opened the doors to the Culver Hotel, originally called the Hunt Hotel, and thousands flocked to see the Culver “skyscraper.” The Culver Hotel also welcomed legendary stars such as Mickey Rooney, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Buster Keaton, Dorothy Dandridge, Douglas Fairbanks, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, and the second floor acted as Harry Culver’s business offices. In 1997, it was registered as a National Landmark and then, in 2007, Maya Mallick and her family purchased the property and completely renovated it to its current state, meshing past and present décor into 46 beautifully appointed rooms, dining, and event spaces. The Culver Hotel is an iconic centerpiece of Culver City and a much-loved location for celebrations, including the “Party of the Century” in celebration of the City of Culver City’s 100th birthday. The City Council celebrates the hotel’s important role in making Culver City a vibrant destination and wishes the hotel, its owners, and staff many more years of success as an historical gem in the Heart of Screenland!

Additional Council Decisions 

Additional items approved by the City Council include:

• Approved cash disbursements from August 3^rd to August 16^th, 2024.
• Approved minutes of the City Council Meeting held on July 12^th, 2024.
• Adopted a resolution approving the revised salary schedule for Culver City Management Group (CCMG) employees effective retroactive to July 1, 2024 and adopted a resolution approving the salary schedule for City Manager effective retroactive to July 29, 2024.
• Approved receipt of a progress report on the status of Wellness Village Safe Sleep programming and approved amendments to the existing general service agreements associated with the infrastructure for the Wellness Village Safe Sleep Site. The amendments include Diamond Environmental for daily fresh potable water delivery and daily servicing of restrooms and showers for Wellness Village extending the term of the agreement through June 30, 2026, in an additional amount not to exceed $173,798 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with an increase of Consumer Price Index (CPI) or no more than 5% in subsequent contract years. The other amendment is for Sunbelt Rentals for the monthly cost of fuel and monthly rental of fuel-powered generators to electrify Wellness Village for the term of the agreement through June 30, 2026, in an amount not-to-exceed $384,984 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with an increase of CPI or no more than 5% in subsequent contract years.
• Approved receipt of progress report on the status of Motel Master Leasing and Nutrition Program. The Program offers the City’s unhoused neighbors individual rooms with private bathrooms including housekeeping and linen service, 24/7 security and supportive services as well as 3 daily meals 7 days a week. City Council also approved the continuation of certain components of the Program. It approved several items including:
  • An amendment to the existing occupancy agreement with Culver City Hospitality, dba (Rodeway Inn) for an additional amount not-to-exceed $1,040,250.
  • An amendment to the existing general services agreement with Everytable for an amount not-to-exceed $496,912.
  • A general services agreement with Good Guard Security Service for an amount not-to-exceed $556,309.
• Approved a professional services agreement with Cashel Corporation dba Integrated Media Systems (IMS) in the amount of $400,590 to upgrade the City Council Chambers Audio Visual (AV) equipment. It also authorized the City Manager to approve amendments to the agreement to support enhanced design specifications and a preventative maintenance support agreement within an aggregate amount not-to-exceed $525,000. In updating the AV components, the project goal is to enhance the public meeting experience and reduce operational system failures.
• Approved an application for Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in an amount not to exceed $400,000. The goal is to receive funding to address gaps in the Senate Bill (SB) 1383 organic recycling roll-out primarily for multi-family buildings. Many multi-family buildings throughout the City were built when there was only one waste stream (trash), do not have space for three stream containers, and are not easily serviceable by EPO sanitation staff. As such, each of these buildings will need to be assessed individually to determine how to create space for these containers. The cooperative agreement partnership allows a third-party servicer such as LA Compost to manage organic bins and provide compost in a way that City staff is not operationally able to do so. The grant application proposes that community organics bins be installed in areas convenient to the locations lacking organics service to encourage maximum participation.
• Approved an amendment to the existing agreement with Jobel Rentino, extending the term an additional 12 months through September 30, 2025, increasing the hourly rate, and increasing the contract amount by an additional $100,000, to support staff in formulating procurement documents, assisting with policy, standard operating procedures, reporting, preparing project files for auditing, and other related work.
• Authorized a Task Order to RTI Consulting Inc. in the amount of $119,825 for construction management of the (a) Modified MOVE Culver City- Downtown Corridor Pilot Project Western Segment, PS017, and (b) Washington Boulevard- Ince to Higuera Pavement Rehabilitation, PS005, Projects pursuant to the terms of the City’s on-call Professional Services Agreement with RTI Consulting Inc. It also authorized the Public Works Director to approve change orders to the contract in an amount not-to-exceed $29,957 to cover contingency costs (25%).
• Approved certification and submission of the Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Culver City Housing Authority (CCHA) is required to perform its own self-evaluation under SEMAP on an annual basis. In order to accurately complete this certification, thirty-two randomly selected Section 8 HCV Program participant case files were evaluated. The CCHA self-certification score is 145 points out of 145 points or 100%.

Additional information about each of the topics heard at the City Council meeting can be found in the staff reports and backup attachments for the items, which are posted along with the agenda to the City’s website. The video of the City Council meeting will be made available on the City’s website for viewing.

The City Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9^th.

About Culver City

Culver City is a five-square-mile, urban community of 40,779 residents surrounded mostly by the City of Los Angeles but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. It is centrally located on the Westside near Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles International Airport.  Culver City is particularly known for its well-run public school system, "small town" charm, growing high-tech and creative economies, and a dynamic downtown that is regionally known as a destination for restaurants, live theater, and art galleries. 

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The City Council celebrated the 100th anniversary of The Culver Hotel with a commendation.