Council File 25-0987 - LA Council Tracker

Timeline

October 29, 2025

Related documents

Report from Planning and Land Use Management Committee_10-14-25

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What is Being Proposed?

The Los Angeles City Council is being asked to approve an amendment to the City's General Plan Safety Element that incorporates the most current Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. This is a procedural update that formally integrates the city's latest hazard mitigation strategies into the official General Plan, which guides long-term city planning and policy decisions.

Why This Matters?

Hazard mitigation plans address the city's vulnerability to various natural disasters and emergencies—such as earthquakes, floods, and fires—and outline strategies to reduce risks and protect residents and infrastructure. By updating the Safety Element, the city ensures its General Plan reflects current hazard assessments and the most effective mitigation strategies available.

Key Details

Case Number: CPC-2025-2903-GPA Committee Vote: All five PLUM Committee members voted unanimously in favor (October 14, 2025) Environmental Review: The project qualifies for a categorical exemption under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines Fiscal Impact: No General Fund impact; administrative costs are covered through existing fees Deadline: City Council must act by November 5, 2025

Who This Affects

This update affects all Los Angeles residents and businesses by ensuring the city maintains current emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation strategies in its official planning documents. It demonstrates the city's commitment to updating safety protocols based on the latest risk assessments and mitigation best practices.

Attachment to Report Dated 07-23-25 - Findings

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What is Being Proposed?

The City is amending the Safety Element of the General Plan to incorporate an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). This is an administrative update that applies citywide and focuses on three main goals: Disaster Prevention, Emergency Response, and Disaster Recovery.

Why?

The amendment addresses the growing threats of natural disasters and climate change to Los Angeles residents and infrastructure. By updating the Safety Element, the City aims to better protect communities by preventing disasters through smart land use decisions, ensuring rapid emergency response, and enabling equitable recovery after disasters occur. The update emphasizes climate resilience, greenhouse gas reduction, and protecting vulnerable communities from disproportionate disaster impacts.

Key Details

The amendment includes policies for using zoning and infrastructure to mitigate hazards in high-risk areas (such as flood plains and fire zones), establishing stormwater management systems, promoting sustainable energy and water systems, and ensuring coordinated emergency response through mutual aid agreements. It incorporates strategies for on-site detention of stormwater, floodproofing, habitat creation, and equitable post-disaster housing recovery that allows residents to return to their homes.

Impact

This update affects all Los Angeles residents by establishing citywide standards for disaster prevention and recovery. It particularly benefits vulnerable communities and low-income families by prioritizing equitable climate resilience, anti-displacement protections, and accessible emergency resources. The amendment aligns the Safety Element with other General Plan elements covering housing, transportation, health, and open space to create a comprehensive, coordinated approach to urban safety and sustainability.

Attachment to Report Dated 07-23-25 - Resolution

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What is Being Proposed?

The Los Angeles City Council is approving an updated Safety Element for the City's General Plan, which incorporates the 2024 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). This amendment replaces the previous Safety Element adopted in 2021 and includes comprehensive policies for protecting the community from various hazards and disasters.

Why?

California law requires cities to maintain a Safety Element addressing seismic hazards, flooding, wildfire, and other natural disasters. The City Council previously adopted the updated 2024 LHMP and directed the Department of City Planning to amend the Safety Element accordingly. The update ensures the city complies with both state requirements and federal disaster mitigation standards (FEMA guidelines), while incorporating recommendations from state agencies like CAL FIRE and the Department of Conservation.

Key Details

The City Planning Commission held a public hearing on June 26, 2025 Public notice was published in the Daily Journal (June 2, 2025) and Daily News (June 16, 2025) The amendment incorporates hazard identification, risk analysis, and both short and long-term mitigation strategies involving planning, policy changes, programs, and projects The resolution includes a reversion clause: if the amendment is blocked by court order, the 2021 Safety Element automatically returns to effect until the issue is resolved

Impact

This affects all Los Angeles residents and property owners by establishing the city's disaster prevention, response, and recovery policies. The updated plan addresses emerging hazards and modernizes community protections across seismic, flood, fire, and other natural disaster risks.

10 additional document(s)

Communication from Department of City Planning dated 9-03-25 - Supplemental Transmittal

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Attachment to Communication dated 9-03-25 - Staff Report

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Mayoral Transmittal for the Los Angeles City Planning Commission Report dated 7-23-25