Westfield Topanga Mall project first in line for new bill
David Crane/Daily News Staff Photographer
By: Lori Einhorn
In order to streamline the building permit system in Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa unveiled a new process which hopes to stimulate economic development and job growth. The first major test of the program may be the $450 million expansion of Westfield Topanga Mall.
During a press conference at Farmers Insurance in Woodland Hills, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the details of the Strategic Development Plan. Under the plan, a single office with representatives of five separate permitting agencies would be dedicated to the processing permits.
“Their job is to make it easier for business to operate in our city,” Villaraigosa said. “The red tape was really difficult to navigate.”
The new Case Management Office has about 15 employees and work with the Planning, Building and Safety, Engineering, Transportation, and Water and Power departments.
Mayor Villaraigosa believes the permitting process should be put to the test as early as next year.
