Erik Yesayan | LA Land Use
@erikyesayan.bsky.social
Principal at Pattern Planning & Development Inc. We deliver land use consulting and permit expediting services in SoCal, specializing in LA and Coastal.
www.pattern.la
www.pattern.la
I had the privilege last week to present to Professor Siqi Zheng's class at the MIT Center for Real Estate on rebuilding after the LA fires. My presentation covered the costs and challenges of rebuilding, as well as opportunities to rebuild more resilient neighborhoods.
March 18, 2025 at 5:02 AM
I had the privilege last week to present to Professor Siqi Zheng's class at the MIT Center for Real Estate on rebuilding after the LA fires. My presentation covered the costs and challenges of rebuilding, as well as opportunities to rebuild more resilient neighborhoods.
Many beachfront and other fire rebuilds will face the challenge of maintaining their previous height while complying with current flood elevation requirements, which mandate a certain amount of clearance beneath new structures.
February 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Many beachfront and other fire rebuilds will face the challenge of maintaining their previous height while complying with current flood elevation requirements, which mandate a certain amount of clearance beneath new structures.
Unlike Malibu, much of Palisades is exempt from coastal review or outside the coastal zone.
If a property is in the "categorical exclusion" zones of Palisades, then you can build beyond the 110% of the existing house and still be exempt from coastal review.
1/3
If a property is in the "categorical exclusion" zones of Palisades, then you can build beyond the 110% of the existing house and still be exempt from coastal review.
1/3
January 26, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Unlike Malibu, much of Palisades is exempt from coastal review or outside the coastal zone.
If a property is in the "categorical exclusion" zones of Palisades, then you can build beyond the 110% of the existing house and still be exempt from coastal review.
1/3
If a property is in the "categorical exclusion" zones of Palisades, then you can build beyond the 110% of the existing house and still be exempt from coastal review.
1/3
Many of the fire rebuilds in the coastal area that want to rebuild bigger will just end up getting a Coastal Development Permit (CDP). 🧵
January 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Many of the fire rebuilds in the coastal area that want to rebuild bigger will just end up getting a Coastal Development Permit (CDP). 🧵
One of the big limiting changes that will come to SB 684 as a result of SB 1123 in July is that you will no longer be able to split a lot between existing units.
You need to act ASAP to avoid this before July. See below.
You need to act ASAP to avoid this before July. See below.
January 16, 2025 at 5:59 AM
One of the big limiting changes that will come to SB 684 as a result of SB 1123 in July is that you will no longer be able to split a lot between existing units.
You need to act ASAP to avoid this before July. See below.
You need to act ASAP to avoid this before July. See below.
Mudslides will be the next big thing we need to prepare for immediately after fires are contained.
February is considered the wettest month of the year in LA, so need to act fast.
With vegetation gone and drains clogged with debris, the impact can be massive.
February is considered the wettest month of the year in LA, so need to act fast.
With vegetation gone and drains clogged with debris, the impact can be massive.
January 15, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Mudslides will be the next big thing we need to prepare for immediately after fires are contained.
February is considered the wettest month of the year in LA, so need to act fast.
With vegetation gone and drains clogged with debris, the impact can be massive.
February is considered the wettest month of the year in LA, so need to act fast.
With vegetation gone and drains clogged with debris, the impact can be massive.
I’ve done a bunch of fire rebuilds in and around Malibu. The truth is they take a long time to complete remediation, site prep, studies, design, and then building.
This is even with city or county having specific teams assigned to expedite applications.
This is even with city or county having specific teams assigned to expedite applications.
January 15, 2025 at 1:10 AM
I’ve done a bunch of fire rebuilds in and around Malibu. The truth is they take a long time to complete remediation, site prep, studies, design, and then building.
This is even with city or county having specific teams assigned to expedite applications.
This is even with city or county having specific teams assigned to expedite applications.
Palm trees are a very LA thing, but they need to be banned in and around fire zones.
Highly flammable trees that have a torch like effect, which release a ton of embers all around.
Highly flammable trees that have a torch like effect, which release a ton of embers all around.
January 13, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Palm trees are a very LA thing, but they need to be banned in and around fire zones.
Highly flammable trees that have a torch like effect, which release a ton of embers all around.
Highly flammable trees that have a torch like effect, which release a ton of embers all around.
Governor’s new order to suspend Coastal/CEQA review for fire rebuilds is nothing that isn’t already established in law. In-kind fire rebuilds have always been exempt.
January 13, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Governor’s new order to suspend Coastal/CEQA review for fire rebuilds is nothing that isn’t already established in law. In-kind fire rebuilds have always been exempt.
Most of our fires appear to be started by arsonists who take advantage of high wind conditions.
The sad truth is that this has always been the case, and we need to start doing more to combat it.
In the early 90s my childhood neighborhood in Glendale was burned down because of an arsonist.
The sad truth is that this has always been the case, and we need to start doing more to combat it.
In the early 90s my childhood neighborhood in Glendale was burned down because of an arsonist.
January 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Most of our fires appear to be started by arsonists who take advantage of high wind conditions.
The sad truth is that this has always been the case, and we need to start doing more to combat it.
In the early 90s my childhood neighborhood in Glendale was burned down because of an arsonist.
The sad truth is that this has always been the case, and we need to start doing more to combat it.
In the early 90s my childhood neighborhood in Glendale was burned down because of an arsonist.
One of the cheapest ways to fire proof your house is to remove all vegetation and storage within 5 feet of your exterior walls.
Here’s a good graphic from basc.pnnl.gov/resource-gui...
Here’s a good graphic from basc.pnnl.gov/resource-gui...
January 10, 2025 at 3:52 AM
One of the cheapest ways to fire proof your house is to remove all vegetation and storage within 5 feet of your exterior walls.
Here’s a good graphic from basc.pnnl.gov/resource-gui...
Here’s a good graphic from basc.pnnl.gov/resource-gui...
Reposted by Erik Yesayan | LA Land Use
My friend @erikyesayan.bsky.social sent me these photos of HMX-1 VH-92s (!) and V-22s over Griffith Park this afternoon- POTUS will be in town Monday to announce the creation of a national monument south of Joshua Tree National Park.
January 4, 2025 at 12:56 AM
My friend @erikyesayan.bsky.social sent me these photos of HMX-1 VH-92s (!) and V-22s over Griffith Park this afternoon- POTUS will be in town Monday to announce the creation of a national monument south of Joshua Tree National Park.
When pulling permit records, it’s important to also obtain all violation records for the property, often referred to as 'range files' by LADBS.
These records can offer valuable insights into the property, including details that help clarify the legality of units.
These records can offer valuable insights into the property, including details that help clarify the legality of units.
November 27, 2024 at 11:11 PM
When pulling permit records, it’s important to also obtain all violation records for the property, often referred to as 'range files' by LADBS.
These records can offer valuable insights into the property, including details that help clarify the legality of units.
These records can offer valuable insights into the property, including details that help clarify the legality of units.
Need cliff notes on the latest CA housing bills that will go effect in 2025? We got you covered!
Click the link for the run down.
t.co/iIaqSGqDj3
Click the link for the run down.
t.co/iIaqSGqDj3
https://pattern.la/2025-california-housing-laws-key-changes-explained/
t.co
November 24, 2024 at 4:22 AM
Need cliff notes on the latest CA housing bills that will go effect in 2025? We got you covered!
Click the link for the run down.
t.co/iIaqSGqDj3
Click the link for the run down.
t.co/iIaqSGqDj3
Reposted by Erik Yesayan | LA Land Use
One of the underrated impacts of AB 2097, which eliminated parking mins near existing and planned transit across CA, was that a bunch of cities just expanded that area well beyond the half mile buffer or just did it citywide bc may as well just do the damn thing if half your city is already done.
“#MountainView City Council voted last week to eliminate minimum parking requirements in certain residential areas...in an effort to encourage long-term residential growth.”
It's happening thanks to statewide parking reform & minimum fair share housing laws.☺️
www.losaltosonline.com/news/mtn-vie...
It's happening thanks to statewide parking reform & minimum fair share housing laws.☺️
www.losaltosonline.com/news/mtn-vie...
Mtn. View council eliminates some parking limits for more housing
Mountain View City Council voted last week to eliminate minimum parking requirements in certain residential areas of Mountain View in an effort to encourage long-term residential growth.
www.losaltosonline.com
November 20, 2024 at 1:32 AM
One of the underrated impacts of AB 2097, which eliminated parking mins near existing and planned transit across CA, was that a bunch of cities just expanded that area well beyond the half mile buffer or just did it citywide bc may as well just do the damn thing if half your city is already done.
Reposted by Erik Yesayan | LA Land Use
Everyone talks about the effect L.A.'s deceptively-named "Mansion Tax"Measure ULA is having on multifamily development.
But how about its effect on jobs?
I analyzed Assessors data on commercial/industrial property sales from 2022-2024.
Bottom line? ULA has thrown a MASSIVE wrench in deals. 1/
But how about its effect on jobs?
I analyzed Assessors data on commercial/industrial property sales from 2022-2024.
Bottom line? ULA has thrown a MASSIVE wrench in deals. 1/
November 16, 2024 at 2:45 AM
Everyone talks about the effect L.A.'s deceptively-named "Mansion Tax"Measure ULA is having on multifamily development.
But how about its effect on jobs?
I analyzed Assessors data on commercial/industrial property sales from 2022-2024.
Bottom line? ULA has thrown a MASSIVE wrench in deals. 1/
But how about its effect on jobs?
I analyzed Assessors data on commercial/industrial property sales from 2022-2024.
Bottom line? ULA has thrown a MASSIVE wrench in deals. 1/
What will be one of the biggest deterrents to building more than 5 homes under SB 684 in LA? Linkage fees!
Linkage fee cost for a 5 unit project (1,750 sqft/unit) in a medium market area is only $2,188.
If you add just 1 more unit, the fee jumps to $131k !!! Much more in higher market areas.
Linkage fee cost for a 5 unit project (1,750 sqft/unit) in a medium market area is only $2,188.
If you add just 1 more unit, the fee jumps to $131k !!! Much more in higher market areas.
November 15, 2024 at 8:25 PM
What will be one of the biggest deterrents to building more than 5 homes under SB 684 in LA? Linkage fees!
Linkage fee cost for a 5 unit project (1,750 sqft/unit) in a medium market area is only $2,188.
If you add just 1 more unit, the fee jumps to $131k !!! Much more in higher market areas.
Linkage fee cost for a 5 unit project (1,750 sqft/unit) in a medium market area is only $2,188.
If you add just 1 more unit, the fee jumps to $131k !!! Much more in higher market areas.
Reposted by Erik Yesayan | LA Land Use
I’ve decided to give this Starter Pack thing a try. I changed the name to Real Estate, Development and Architecture, and it didn’t update, but that’s what it is. Enjoy! go.bsky.app/NegEyZQ
November 15, 2024 at 3:50 PM
I’ve decided to give this Starter Pack thing a try. I changed the name to Real Estate, Development and Architecture, and it didn’t update, but that’s what it is. Enjoy! go.bsky.app/NegEyZQ
🚨 RE Fraud Alert! 🚨
Just had a client call and say that their vacant property in LA was put up for sale without their permission.
Someone pretending to be the owner listed the property using an agent. The listing agent and fake owner accepted an offer.
Just had a client call and say that their vacant property in LA was put up for sale without their permission.
Someone pretending to be the owner listed the property using an agent. The listing agent and fake owner accepted an offer.
November 13, 2024 at 10:01 PM
🚨 RE Fraud Alert! 🚨
Just had a client call and say that their vacant property in LA was put up for sale without their permission.
Someone pretending to be the owner listed the property using an agent. The listing agent and fake owner accepted an offer.
Just had a client call and say that their vacant property in LA was put up for sale without their permission.
Someone pretending to be the owner listed the property using an agent. The listing agent and fake owner accepted an offer.
I feel like we’re all in exile on this app.
November 12, 2024 at 10:39 PM
I feel like we’re all in exile on this app.
One of the great things about SB 684 (new subdivision law) is the ability to waive parking requirements if you're within half a mile of a car share.
Since you can register your car on Turo to qualify, parking can effectively be exempted anywhere you can build a SB 684 project.
Since you can register your car on Turo to qualify, parking can effectively be exempted anywhere you can build a SB 684 project.
November 12, 2024 at 5:13 PM
One of the great things about SB 684 (new subdivision law) is the ability to waive parking requirements if you're within half a mile of a car share.
Since you can register your car on Turo to qualify, parking can effectively be exempted anywhere you can build a SB 684 project.
Since you can register your car on Turo to qualify, parking can effectively be exempted anywhere you can build a SB 684 project.