Long-range development goals such as optimizing land use and
increasing cargo terminal efficiency are essential for guiding the Port of Los
Angeles’ future development and expansion, according to a newly-released draft
version of the port’s latest Master Plan.
The document, which was publicly unveiled Feb. 22, serves as
a long-range plan to establish policies and guidelines for future development
within the port’s coastal zone boundary. It combines the original 1980 Port
Master Plan and its subsequent amendments into an updated, more concise
document.
Among the things it does is reflect recent land use planning
and projects, replace outdated language and provide an easy to understand,
specific land use plan.
Five general planning goals are established in the plan,
with the port saying the generality is necessary to maintain flexibility and to
allow the port to respond to immediate and short-term requirements dictated by
trends.
In addition to optimizing land use and increasing terminal
efficiency, the plan’s other general goals are to accommodate diverse cargoes,
increase public awareness on the waterfront and protect historic resources.
Along with the five goals, the draft plan also maps out
factors affecting demand for port development, planning areas, development
guidelines, coastal development policies and risk management.
The document has been opened for a public review period and
can be seen online at http://portoflosangeles.org/planning/pmp/PMP_Draft_2-20-13.pdf.
The port is expected to hold a public hearing on the plan at
8:30 am Thurs., April 4 at Banning’s Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water Street
in Wilmington. After the public comment period, a final version of the plan is
expected to be considered for approval by the Harbor Commission and California
Coastal Commission later this year.
Questions regarding the plan can be directed to the port’s
Planning and Economic Development Division at (310) 732-3850.