Midtown Specific Plan (SP-1) Zoning Regulations

The Midtown Specific Plan, designated as SP-1, is a regulatory framework established by the City of Long Beach to govern land use and development standards within the Midtown area. Established on May 1, 2016, SP-1 superseded the former Planned Development district for Long Beach Boulevard (PD-29) [§ 21.37.210; § 21.37.120].

Purpose and Regulatory Authority

Specific plans like SP-1 are designed to provide tailored development standards and design guidelines adopted by the City Council. These regulations are intended to address the unique needs of the Midtown corridor. In instances where the SP-1 text is silent on a specific development standard (such as landscaping or parking configuration), the Zoning Administrator is authorized to determine the applicable standard based on the overall intent of the Specific Plan [§ 21.37.230].

Micro-Unit Pilot Program

Midtown (SP-1) is one of two areas in the City (alongside Downtown PD-30) designated for a "pilot program" for Micro-Unit projects. This program aims to address the affordable housing crisis by encouraging innovative housing production near public transit [§ 21.45.600.A].

Land Use and Applicability

• Permitted Locations: Micro-units are allowed in SP-1 wherever residential uses are permitted [§ 21.45.600.C].
• Superseding Standards: The specific development standards for micro-units supersede the standard SP-1 regulations [§ 21.45.600.D].
• Prohibitions: Converting existing dwelling units into micro-units is prohibited [§ 21.45.600.J].
• Sunset Clause: The micro-unit provisions will automatically expire once 500 micro-units have been entitled citywide, unless extended by the City Council [§ 21.45.600.M].

Micro-Unit Development Standards

• Unit Size: Units must meet the minimum square footage and amenity requirements of the current City Building Code [§ 21.45.600.E].
• Open Space: Projects must provide a minimum of 10% of the total lot area as common usable open space. This must include at least two amenity types, such as communal lounges on every floor, communal kitchens, or rooftop outdoor space (minimum 150 sq. ft.) [§ 21.45.600.F].
• Bicycle Parking: Required at a rate of one space for every five micro-units [§ 21.45.600.G].

Enhanced Density Bonus (EDB) and Incentives

Projects within the SP-1 area are eligible for the City’s Enhanced Density Bonus program. For inclusionary housing projects in Midtown, the number of available concessions and incentives is tied to the total percentage of the density bonus [§ 21.68.060].

Height Concessions

In SP-1, projects qualifying for high-density bonuses may receive specific height concessions:

• 70% Bonus: Eligible for a 1-story height concession.
• 90% Bonus: Eligible for a 2-story height concession.
• 100% Bonus: Eligible for a 3-story height concession [§ 21.68.060, Table 21.68-5].

Step-back Requirement: Any height increase on a lot sharing a property line (or across an alley) with an R1 or R2 zoned property must step back the height increase at least 10 feet from the exterior face of the ground floor for any portion over 12 feet high [§ 21.68.060].

Parking and Transportation Demand Management (TDM)

While standard SP-1 parking regulations generally apply, micro-unit projects are eligible for vehicular parking reductions if they implement TDM strategies. These strategies are subject to the discretion of the Site Plan Review Committee and may include:

• Carpool or vanpool programs.
• Garage lifts (stacked parking).
• Unbundled parking (renting/selling spaces separately from units).
• Off-site parking within 1,000 feet.
• Transit passes for residents.
• Bicycle or pedestrian system improvements [§ 21.45.600.G].

A TDM program may reduce required parking significantly, but it cannot reduce the parking requirement to zero [§ 21.45.600.G].