Steps in upzoning a piece of land in Los Angeles

[Sharon Ho]

I am in the process of purchase a property with a piece of land big enough to do a lot split. It has over 10,000 square feet in a R1 zoning, so I am entitled to build one more unit. Plus, just one block away from my property, same size of land were upzoned to R3. Does anyone have any suggestions how to start this process, either to just to do a lot split or try to upzone?

Should I start with an architecture firm or engineering firm? And any suggestions on how to pick one?