How do we make LCI a reality?

Why is this important? Single stair design allows for a continuous streetwall of small retail, essential to walkability. It also means buildings can have leafy courtyards, apartments can be airy and bright, and 10-20% more efficient than comparable designs.

How? The City Council can permit single staircase style of courtyard building through a process called an AAMR with higher safety standards. Many locations across the country (and the world) have long allowed this type of construction, and recently Culver City and Santa Monica legalized them, and the Los Angeles City Council has introduced the possibility (CF: 25-0247). There is a worldwide movement to bring back single stair buildings to create highly-sought after walkable streets and to address climate. Learn more about ‘single staircase reform’ here.

Removing ‘setback’ requirements allows property owners to have ‘zero lot line’ courtyard style buildings that fill their parcels, improving the pedestrian experience and maximizing possible square footage. See examples of zero lot line vs. setback buildings here.

*Setback refers to the minimum distance to which a building must be set back from a street, road, neighboring building or natural feature.

Local officials must agree to upgrade all systems on the street at the same time instead of proceeding in a parcel-by-parcel timeline. This produces economies of scale and ensures time and cost efficiency, producing a 15-minute city neighborhood in record time.

Local officials need to review and approve the LCI standard plans – all of which are architecturally-beautiful, zero carbon, zero-lot line courtyard-style, single-staircase, 3-5 story buildings that support the residential-over-retail model.

The city Mayor needs to issue an Executive Directive to form an Innovation Advisory Board that brings together two members from each of the 10 city agencies involved in housing construction. The Advisory is then tasked with eliminating excess costs, red tape and delays. By expediting the process and guaranteeing <90 day approvals, the housing typology for an LCI becomes more affordable.

Local officials need to reduce or waive fees currently burdening property owners and builders. In return from this cost reduction, buildings can be required to include affordable starter homes, family-size units, zero carbon structures, and high quality building materials, fixtures, and appliances.

Unlike many other states, the State of California does not allow builders to ‘pre-sell’ units, which places a greater upfront financial burden and increased risk on all stakeholders, which inevitably carries forward and increases the ultimate sale price. By allowing pre-sales, state officials enable future homeowners to secure apartments at a lower price, earlier in the process.

State-level officials need to adjust condo liability in order to match it to single-family home standards, essentially reducing it from 10 years to 3. Current excessive liability terms have driven up insurance costs and incentivized builders to create luxury buildings with high profit margins instead of affordable apartments. Read more about the devastating impact of current condo liability insurance here.

State officials need to give cities the ability to set their own speed limits and enforce with speed cameras to make walking realistic and biking safe.