The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to have the Planning Department extend the expiration dates of conditional use permits and to seek other methods to help small businesses continue to operate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As the COVID-19 crisis continues to leave many of our small businesses vulnerable to closure, now is the time to cut the red tape and do everything we can to help empower our local restaurants so they can thrive,” said Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who authored the motion. “Local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and during this emergency, I don’t want to see Planning permits get in the way of these stores that are providing essential services.”
The permits would be extended 12 months after the city’s Safer at Home orders are lifted.
Blumenfield’s motion would also suspend any requirement that a property owner or business provide additional parking if they’ve changed the use of the property for 12 months after the order is lifted, and it would suspend any condition requiring a property owner or business to provide off-site or valet parking for six months after the order is lifted.