Boostng downtown density

"We are getting rid of the archaic suburban model that demands large yards and setbacks and developing an urban model ... of wider pedestrian-friendly streets, green space and ground-floor retail and commercial developments," said Councilwoman Jan Perry, who represents the downtown area and championed the change.

The ordinance is designed to build on momentum created by developments including the Grand Avenue project and L.A. Live.

"We need to rethink what the city looks like. We need to grow smart, we need to grow green, we need to grow
in a way that addresses mixed-use development along transportation corridors and in places like downtown," Villaraigosa said.

The signing ceremony was held at Ninth and Flower streets, where developer Sonny Astani is building twin 28-story towers in a $350 million project. It will have 624 units when completed, all designed to sell at the median market rate of $450,000-$550,000, Asanti said.

While he is not taking advantage of the ordinance's incentives, Astani said he believes it will contribute to providing more affordable housing downtown.

"What downtown offers now and will offer is a menu of housing for first-time homebuyers to get into the market and more upscale housing as well," Astani said.

But while city planners back the measure as part of "smart growth," some questioned whether the city's infrastructure can handle any influx.

"It might be one of those things of `be careful what you wish for,"' said Jack Kyser, chief economist at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. "A lot of people look at downtown and say the density can be handled easily. But, along with the growth comes other concerns.

"Where are we getting the police and fire services that will be needed? Where are the schools to support a new urban population. Everyone says we need more housing and we do, but it doesn't solve all our problems."

Gerald Silver of Homeowners of Encino said the measure will help alleviate pressure to boost development along Ventura Boulevard but raises other concerns.

"This measure has some benefits to the Valley by concentrating new growth downtown," Silver said. "But, in the broader picture, I don't know if we can support an increase in the density like this.

"They can put in the housing, but where are we going to get the water and power to sustain people? I see a real lack of infrastructure to support the housing."

He also said it is unclear whether the new zoning law could be applied to areas such as along the Orange Line.

City officials said each area of the city would have to be studied to determine whether the zoning changes would apply to allow more high-rise construction.

But Villaraigosa said the measure is designed to deal with the housing crisis in the city and state.

"The projections are we will grow by the size of two Chicagos in the next 20 years," he said. "We are going to have growth. The question is how do we accommodate it? "If you look at New York and Chicago, London, Rome, Tokyo or Shanghai, they are all going vertical. We need to do that to accommodate our growth."

rick.orlov@dailynews.com