Eric Richardson [Flickr]

Looking south on Broadway from 7th street.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The City Planning Commission yesterday approved the Broadway Theater and Entertainment District Design Guide, a planning document intended to guide renovations and new construction along the Broadway corridor. A companion to the Streetscape Plan, the design overlay deals with issues like signage, building mass and facade treatments.

The document was created by the Planning Department, with input from a wide range of stakeholders participating in the Bringing Back Broadway movement led by Councilman Jose Huizar's office.

At yesterday's meeting, commissioners praised the concept of a revitalized Broadway, but questioned how it addressed merchants already operating on the street. Those who had worked on the document explained that the design overlay was only one piece of a larger effort that includes business assistance programs and incentives.

The Design Guide next must go to the city council's Planning and Land Use Management committee before going on to Council itself for approval.