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A series of commercial properties just outside of Marina del Rey could give way for a large mixed-use development. Last week, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles to construct a residential-retail complex at 13450 W. Maxella Avenue. The approximately 6.8-acre site, located east of Lincoln Boulevard, is currently developed with shopping center and an associated parking lot. Its is unclear which, if any, existing buildings would be affected.

The Arts District could see another large housing complex. Last week, plans were filed with the City of Los Angeles to construct a seven-story development at 330 S. Alameda Street, a 1.3-acre property which is currently developed with an office building and a surface parking lot. The proposed building would feature 186 live-work lofts, approximately 22,000 square feet of retail space and a 402-car garage. The property sits near the dividing line between the Arts District and Little Tokyo, both of which are seeing an influx of new multifamily residential developments.

With a brusing battle over high-density developments on the horizon, the Los Angeles City Council is looking to take steps toward amending its convoluted and often controversial planning process. This past May, the Department of City planning (LADCP) and the Offices of the Chief Legislative Analyst, City Administrative Officer and City Attorney submitted a report to the Los Angeles City Council which offers potential solutions for four issues that have come under harsh criticism: System for Updating Community Plans Although an ambitious program to update the city’s 35 community plans was launched 2006, efforts have been hamstrung by limited resources and the global recession.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to approve Hudson Pacific Properties’ (HPP) planned office tower on Sunset Boulevard. The proposed development, slated for a parking lot catacorner to Sunset Bronson Studios (SBS), would consist of a 15-story building which would feature 274,000 square feet of commercial office space over 26,000 square feet of ground-level shops and restaurants. Earlier plans had called for a slightly taller 18-story structure with additional levels of above-grade parking.

A poorly maintained property in Culver City could see new life as a mixed-use complex. According to a document from the city’s Planning Devision, a new residential-retail development is proposed at northeast corner of Washington Place and Sawtelle Boulevard. Plans from applicant Farzin Maly call for demolishing the property’s existing buildings and replacing them with a five-story structure featuring 14 residential units and nearly 4,900 square feet of ground-floor retail space.

A mixed-use development is now rising near the North Hollywood terminus of Metro’s Red and Orange Lines. Located at the northwest corner of Chandler Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue, the Micropolitan Chandler will consist of a seven-story structure featuring 82 apartments and approximatley 1,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The building, designed by Killefer Flammang Architects, will also offer a podium-level swimming pool and a rooftop amenity deck. The mixed-use complex is being developed by Micropolitan, a subsidiary of the engineering firm PSOMAS.

In Culver City, a small commercial building has given way for a new mixed-use development. The project, located at 12712-12718 Washington Boulevard, will consist of a five-story building featuring five residential units above approximately 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail space and an underground parking garage. City records list the project’s applicant as Sikand Engineering, and its architect as Pete Volbeda. The property is a short distance east of a vacant lot which is slated for a larger 37-unit development.

Plans have been filed with the City of Los Angeles for a new mixed-use development in Historic South Central. Although exact details are currently unclear, the project would consist of a multi-story building features residential units above ground-floor retail space, is slated for an approximately two-acre site at 2528 S. Grand Avenue. A case filing from the Department of City Planning indicates that the development would include more than 50 dwelling units, a portion of which would be set aside as affordable housing.

Architecture firm Johnson Fain has announced the opening of Blossom Plaza, a mixed-use development adjacent to the Metro Gold Line’s Chinatown Station. Located at 900 N. Broadway, the project consists of two five-story structures featuring 237 apartments, of which 20% are reserved as affordable housing. A paseo lined by approximately 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space cuts between the buildings, connecting to a large plaza adjacent to the elevated light rail station.

Plans to redevelop the surface parking lots surrounding the Parsons Corporation’s Pasadena headquarters have taken another step forward. Earlier this month, the city’s design commission approved the 100 West Walnut development, which would create a series of five-and-six-story buildings along Fair Oaks Avenue and Walnut Street. The project, which is being developed by Lincoln Property Company and AMLI Residential, will feature approximately 210,000 square feet of office space, 17,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and as many as 475 residential units.