Los Angeles County has received an approximately $457,000 grant from Caltrans for the development of a specific plan to guide land use in the area surrounding the Blue Line's Slauson Station.

The grant, which will be supplemented by just over $59,000 in local match funds, will go toward the creation of the "Slauson Station Area Transit Oriented Communities Specific Plan."  According to a memo from the Department of Regional Planning to the County Board of Supervisors, the specific plan will encompass the land within a half-mile radius of the station.  While much of this area is located in the unincorporated Florence-Firestone Community, the planning process will also involve coordination with the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.

The County's Transit Oriented Districts, according to the memo, "promote vibrant and health communities around major transit stations."  The Department of Regional Planning intends that the specific plan will "respond to economic, social, and environmental challenges by clustering development around the Slauson rail station," to increase housing opportunities, promote active transportation, and reduce vehicle miles traveled.

The station is currently surrounded by a mix of residential and industrial land.  The area is may eventually see the introduction of a new active transportation corridor along Slauson Avenue, and potentially new light rail service via the West Santa Ana Branch.

Los Angeles County has initiated several new plans to guide development around transit stations in unincorporated areas, including Westmont-West Athens and West Carson.  A new specific plan for the Willowbrook community was adopted last year.

The County has also taken steps to incentivize mixed-use development around another Metro Rail Station on Florence Avenue through its update of the Florence-Firestone Community Plan.