FAQ

The City of Inglewood seeks to revitalize its transit station areas into vibrant places that serve the needs of Inglewood residents and stakeholders. The TOD plans seek to encourage the use of public transit by creating more destinations within walking distance of the stations and enhancing access to them. The results of the TOD Plans will be an amended General Plan, Zoning Code and Design Guidelines, as well as possible plans for changes in infrastructure or public land.

Transit-oriented development is development that is located within easy walking distance of a major transit stop, generally with a mix of residential, employment, retail and complementing public uses designed for pedestrians without excluding the automobile. Transit oriented development can be new construction or redevelopment of one or more buildings wherein the design and orientation facilitate transit use, and the density is appropriate to the setting. The location, design, configuration and mix of uses in a transit oriented development provide an alternative to current suburban development trends by emphasizing a pedestrian-oriented environment and reinforcing the use of public transportation. Transit oriented development significantly reduces auto dependency, helps revitalize areas and offers a new model for managing growth.

A transit district, such as Downtown Inglewood, is a compact, mixed-use community centered around the transit station that, by design, invites residents and workers, and shoppers to drive their cars less and ride mass transit more. A transit district extends roughly a quarter mile from a transit station, a distance that can be covered in about five minutes by foot. The centerpiece of a transit district is the transit station itself and the civic and public spaces that surround it. The transit station is what connects village residents and workers to the rest of the region, providing convenient and ready access to downtown areas, major activity centers and popular destinations.

Source: Transit Villages in the 21st Century, Michael Bernick and Robert Cervero

The TOD Planning process began with the effort to revitalize Downtown Inglewood into a new, vibrant and inclusive community. The consultant team has continued to use the “New Downtown Inglewood” social media accounts created during this time throughout the TOD Planning process.

For Westchester/Veterans and Crenshaw/Imperial, no. Public input received at the workshops, outreach events and hearings, as well as on social media will be used to consider the types and extent of land use changes that will be proposed.

The New Downtown & Fairview Heights TOD Plan and Design Guidelines have already been adopted by the City of Inglewood. Some actions recommended in the plan may still require more detailed planning and discretionary actions. However, zoning regulations, development standards and design guidelines have already been changed.

Property values could be affected by changes in zoning in a variety of ways subject to the real estate market. Depending on its size and location, a particular underutilized property could become more valuable under a new zoning designation that provides for more development options or greater densities. However, in the end, the effect that a zoning change may have on property value is speculative and hence, cannot be predicted.

The TOD Plans are developed with the needs of existing users of the areas in mind. For this reason, it is important to participate in the community outreach process during the development of the plans. In the vast majority of cases, the TOD Plans continue to allow the types of uses that exist currently.

Even if your type of business has been ruled “Not Permitted” under the TOD Plans, you may continue to operate. The TOD Plans do not directly displace any businesses or housing units. The plans do affect the opportunities and constraints that property owners have to develop their properties, however, so individual consideration is recommended.

This project is funded by the Metro TOD Planning Grant Program. No City of Inglewood General Fund monies are being used. The TOD Planning Grant Program is designed to spur the adoption of local land use regulations that are supportive of Transit Oriented Development in Los Angeles County. Goals for the program include the following:

• Increase access to transit by assisting local governments to accelerate the adoption of TOD regulatory frameworks;
• Improve utilization of public transit by reducing the number of modes of transportation necessary to access regional and local transit;
• Further the reduction of greenhouse gases through encouraging in-fill development along transit corridors and transit use; and
• Support and implement sustainable development principles.

The City has selected The Arroyo Group, a planning and urban design firm located in Pasadena, California, to prepare the transit oriented development plans. For over thirty-five years, The Arroyo Group has created award winning land use and design plans in the western United States that have been, and are continuing to be, successfully implemented. The Arroyo Group team includes a variety of disciplines necessary for this complex project, including planning, urban design, architecture, economics, transportation planning, civil engineering, public engagement support, environmental assessment, and implementation.

Check this website regularly to learn about the latest news regarding the The New Downtown Inglewood and upcoming community workshops. Follow us on all social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. If you cannot find the information you need on this website or have additional questions, you may use the Contact Us form or contact the Planning Division via Email.