When I received a notice in the mail about a LA City hearing (scheduled for July 5), I read it carefully, and wondered why residents within a 500 feet radius had to be notified, about a construction permit for a home in Reynier Village. I asked Liz Carlin for advice.
2630 Bedford St
I knew that on September 26, 2016 Governor Brown signed ordinance AB 2299 and SB 1069 about ADUs, Accessory Dwelling Units, that took effect on January 1, 2017. A ADU, also known as a “granny flat” or “backyard home”, is a permanent second unit with a full kitchen and bathroom, that can be used as a rental, on the same lot as the primary single family residence. In Los Angeles, 2,342 secondary units were permitted in 2017, up from 120 in 2016.
Read this article in the Los Angeles Times and this article in LA Curbed
Find out how to submit a site plan application for a ADU on this website of LA County Dept of Planning. Study the Interim memo at this link.
Click here for the May 22 update that will take effect later in 2018.
For information about your property, visit West LA’s DSC (Development Services Center) at 1828 Sawtelle Blvd. LA 90025. Tel: 310-231 2901
The ordinance stipulates that a ADU in rear or side yards cannot exceed 50% of the primary house square footage, to a maximum of 1200 SqFt. So our clever homeowner on Bedford St asks to have the main house, which is 875 feet, converted to a ADU, so they may build a structure twice the size behind it, 1,707 SqFt, in place of the current studio of 544 SqFt. The garage would have to also be demolished and rebuilt bigger, because 2 off-street parking spaces are still a requirement for every home, however an ADU does not require additional parking, if it’s within half a mile of public transportation.
See more photos of 2630 Bedford St at this webpage
2600 Bedford St
Around the corner on Beverlywood St, in the backyard of 2600 Bedford St, a two story structure is being built to replace the old garage. No City hearing was needed for this construction. The contractor name is Arbib Construction: 800-222 4743.
More homeowners in Reynier Village are likely studying how to follow suit, to increase the value of their property, earn rental income.
RVNA (Reynier Village Neighborhood Association), SORONC (South Robertson Neighborhood Council) Land Use Committee, and District 10 Councilman Herb Wesson, will have to monitor the situation, so the increased density won’t affect the quality of life, and the already scarce parking in our lovely “Village.”
Text and photos by Elisa Leonelli