Brief

The Bureau of Street Lighting proposed establishing a lighting district along Colfax Avenue and Ventura Boulevard to improve street lighting in the area. The Council adopted the ordinance on May 12, 2026 by a vote of 14-0-1, and the Mayor was presented with the measure on May 13. The ordinance became effective on May 28, 2026.

Full summary

The Bureau of Street Lighting initiated this file to create a new street lighting maintenance assessment district covering a short stretch of Colfax Avenue (from Ventura Boulevard north 271 feet) and Ventura Boulevard (from Colfax Avenue southeast 849 feet) in Studio City, Council District 2. The district is tied to a proposed private development project and covers 9 streetlights serving 4 parcels, all owned by MG at Studio City LLC. Annual assessments totaling $7,374.20 will be charged to those parcels to cover electricity, maintenance, and incidental costs, with no city general-fund contribution. All four parcels are assessed under Benefit Zone 3, which applies to modern lighting systems on arterial streets at a rate of $226.55 per equivalent dwelling unit. The individual assessments range from $1,359.30 to $2,367.45 depending on parcel size and land use — one commercial parcel and three multi-family residential parcels. Assessments are weighted by equivalent dwelling units, which account for land use type and lot size, and may be adjusted annually by the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index without a new property owner vote. Because the district is new, the process required a Proposition 218 ballot proceeding: the Bureau of Street Lighting mailed notices and weighted ballots to the four affected property owners, and the City Clerk counted and certified the results. Under Proposition 218, if weighted yes votes equal or exceed weighted no votes, the Council may confirm the assessments; if no votes prevail, the lighting system must be removed or not built. The balloting apparently supported the assessments, as the Council adopted the final ordinance on May 12, 2026 by a 14-0-1 vote. The ordinance took effect May 28, 2026. Future annual assessments may increase by CPI without further notice or ballot, and the district's administration may be consolidated with other lighting districts.

Activity (6)

• 2026-05-18 Ordinance posted/published. Ordinance effective date: May 28, 2026.
• 2026-05-13 City Clerk transmitted file to Mayor. Last day for Mayor to act is May 26, 2026.
• 2026-05-12 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-05-08 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 12, 2026.
• 2026-03-13 Bureau of Street Lighting document(s) referred to Council.
• 2026-03-12 Document submitted by Bureau of Street Lighting, dated February 18, 2026.

Documents (5)

• 2026-05-28 Final Ordinance of Intention No. 188932 · other
• 2026-05-18 Declaration of Posting · other
• 2026-05-12 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-02-18 Attachment to Report dated 2-18-16 - Draft Ordinance of Intention · attachment
• 2026-02-18 Report from Bureau of Street Lighting · report