Linkage fee ordinance moves forward with 4-1 vote

Los Angeles City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM) approved a draft of the linkage fee ordinance on Tuesday, Curbed reported. The ordinance will now head to the Housing Committee and then to City Council for final approval.

The highly-debated linkage fee would require commercial and residential developers to pay a fee of up to $15 per square foot of new development. New construction in “high market” areas, such as Venice or Hollywood, would bear the highest fees. Developers with projects in “low market” or “medium market” areas would pay under $10 per square foot.

The funds raised from the ordinance would be used for affordable housing.

Council member Mitch Englander provided the singular dissenting vote on the basis that nonprofits should be exempt from the fee. [Curbed] – Natalie Hoberman