Inglewood officials are preparing a comprehensive overhaul of the city's land-use map,marking the first major update since 1987. This new general plan aims to guide urban growth and zoning regulations through the year 2050.
A 37-year gap since the 1987 general plan
The proposed changes represent a massive shift from the era in which the city last updated its foundational guide. According to the report,the last full update occurred in 1987, a time when the Showtime Lakers were winning championships at the Forum and horses were still racing at Hollywood Park.
At that time, Edward Vincent Jr. had only been serving as the city's first Black mayor for four years. The new plan seeks to align Inglewood's zoning regulations with modern state laws and the current physical reality of the city's landscape .
Six-story density and mixed-use corridors on La Brea and Manchester
Planners are looking to transform several commercial corridors into high-density, mixed-use zones.. Along Manchester Boulevard, the city is proposing an option for developers to replace rows of small storefronts with buildings that combine commercial space and housing.
On La Brea Avenue, specifically the area south of Centinela Avenue, the draft plan envisions the possibility of six-story blocks containing both businesses and dense housing. Other targeted areas for this type of development include Century Boulevard and Arbor Vitae Street.
Planning around the permanent presence of new stadiums
The driving force behind this urban redesign is the massive influx of sports and entertainment infrastructure.. Bernard McCrumby, Inglewood's development services director, told The LA Local that the city's new stadiums and arenas are permanent fixtures that require a new approach to planning.
As McCrumby noted, "The stadiums and arenas are here, they're not going anywhere... now we can plan around those." The goal is to leverage these major anchors to shape the city's growth over the next two decades.
Will community feedback reshape the Manchester Boulevard storefronts?
While the draft land-use plan is scheduled to go before the Inglewood City Council this Tuesday, significant questions remain regarding local sentiment. Jerome Johnson, a long-time Inglewood resident, suggested that the potential for rapid development around key intersections could present a "catch-22" for the community.
The report indicates that city staff have held several community meetings over the past year, but the feedback process is far from over. Following the upcoming council meeting, the plan will enter an environmental impact review and a 45-day public review period before targeting final approval next spring.
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