The City Council had two public hearings on the agenda at the March 17, 2025 meeting related to planning. In the first public hearing, the Council approved a Zoning Code Amendment (ZCA) for Objective Design Standards (ODS) that apply to Residential and Mixed Use projects citywide.
The proposed Objective Design Standards implement the goals and measures of the Housing Element, General Plan, and applicable State laws, and are intended to streamline housing development approvals by providing clear direction and expedited processing.
As proposed, the ODS would supersede any existing neighborhood design guidelines. The proposed Objective Design Standards will apply to all new construction projects, as well as additions consisting of more than 50% demolition of the existing and/or more than 50% additional floor area (but at least 1,500 additional square feet).
In the second public hearing, the Council adopted an updated Density and Other Bonus Incentives (DOBI) ordinance, replacing the current one in its entirety. This improvement will help the City meet its affordable housing goals.
The new Density Bonus code section, generally modeled after the Density Bonus program recently adopted by the City of Los Angeles, incentivizes the production of affordable housing by introducing enhanced local bonuses, and bonuses for community benefits like larger units, open space, and childcare facilities.
City of Culver City
