Burbank plans major development overhaul for media district

In a recent government meeting, city planners presented a comprehensive development strategy for the media district, focusing on increasing residential and non-residential density in identified opportunity sites. The proposed plan aims to add approximately 4,330 new dwelling units and 1.4 million square feet of non-residential space, significantly enhancing the area's development potential.

The strategy emphasizes a tiered approach to density, floor area ratio (FAR), and building height, with the highest concentrations located in the core of the district. The maximum proposed building height is set at 205 feet, with a gradual decrease towards the edges to maintain compatibility with adjacent lower-scale neighborhoods.

Senior planner David Kim outlined updates to the land use table, which will clarify permitted uses and adapt to changing business practices. The plan seeks to create a mixed-use environment that serves the community while ensuring that new developments respect the character of existing neighborhoods.

Key design strategies include enhancing building frontages to promote pedestrian interaction and incorporating features that mitigate the visual impact of taller structures. The proposed standards aim to foster a vibrant public realm, with an emphasis on active ground-floor designs and landscaping.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the need to revise parking standards in light of recent state laws, ensuring they are clear and conducive to new business opportunities. The city plans to refine these standards to include provisions for bicycle parking and align with broader urban planning goals.

Looking ahead, the planning team will continue to refine the draft plan based on public feedback and will return to the commission on October 28 to discuss mobility-related issues. The project team encourages community engagement and has made resources available online for public review and input.