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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC AG 2013-04-03 #1 (Workshop) ;v Z; PLANNING COMMISSION/ ITEM NUMBER s as AD HOC COMMITTEE ``gUFORN. _ STAFF REPORT TO: Planning Commission FROM: Director of Community Development MEETING DATE: April 3, 2013 SUBJECT: 2013-2021 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE RECOMMENDATION: That the Commission receive public comments and receive and file the draft. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: No environmental analysis is required at this preliminary stage of the 2013 -2021 Housing Element. Prior to the subsequent review and adoption of the final Housing Element, staff will prepare appropriate CEQA analysis for consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council. BACKGROUND: State law requires each local government in California to adopt a comprehensive, long- term General Plan to guide the physical development of the community. The Housing Element is one of the seven mandated elements of the General Plan. The Housing Element is unique among the elements of the General Plan in that jurisdictions are required to submit draft elements to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review prior to adoption, and HCD is required to issue findings regarding whether, in its opinion, the element complies with the requirements of state law. 2013-2021 Draft Housing Element April 3, 2013 Page 2 of 4 On April 9, 2012 the City Council adopted the current Seal Beach Housing Element covering the 2008-2014 planning period, and on June 1, 2012 HCD issued a letter finding the element in full compliance with state law. All jurisdictions within the six-county Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) region' are required to prepare an update to the Housing Element for the 2013- 2021 planning period. The due date for adoption of the new element is October 15, 2013. As mandated by state law, the Housing Element consists of the following major components: • Analysis of the City's demographic and housing characteristics and trends; • Evaluation of land, financial, and administrative resources available to address the City's housing needs and goals; • Review of potential constraints, both governmental and non-governmental, to meeting the City's housing needs; • A Housing Action Plan for the 2013-2021 planning period, including housing goals, policies, and programs; and • A review of the City's accomplishments and progress in implementing the 2008 Housing Element. The 2008 Housing Element included several programs that called for amendments to City General Plan and zoning regulations in order to accommodate the City's share of regional housing needs and to comply with state laws regarding housing for persons with special needs. All of those amendments are currently in the review and adoption process. 2013-2021 HOUSING ELEMENT SYNOPSIS: Since the City's current Housing Element has been found to be in full compliance with state law, the 2013-2021 update is expected to be a fine-tuning process without major changes to City policies. No changes to land use or zoning designations are anticipated if the programs described in the 2008 element are completed in a timely manner. The following discussion summarizes the proposed changes contained in the draft 2013- 2021 Housing Element. Chapter I: Introduction This chapter provides an overview of the element and reflects current data sources and a summary of the public participation process. Chapter II: Housing Needs Assessment This chapter has been extensively revised to reflect current demographic data, trends and special housing needs. Most of the demographic information is based on the 2010 Census or the American Community Survey. This chapter also includes the new The SCAG region includes Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. 2013-2021 Draft Housing Element April 3, 2013 Page 3 of 4 Regional Housing Needs Assessment, which describes housing growth needs for the new planning period. Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Housing Element law requires a quantification of each jurisdiction's share of the regional housing need as established in the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA). The RHNA is prepared by SCAG in consultation with member jurisdictions and sub-regional councils of governments such as the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG). The RHNA is based on forecasted population growth during the new planning period, and the number of additional housing units needed to accommodate additional household growth at all income levels. Each locality's RHNA is distributed among the following five income categories: Income Categories and Affordable Housing Costs Orange County Income Affordable Affordable 2012 County Median Income=$85,300 Limits Rent Price(est.) Extremely Low(<30%) $28,900 $723 Very Low(31-50%) $48,150 $1,204 Low(51-80%) $77,050 $1,926 $300,000 Moderate(81-120%) $102,350 $2,559 $400,000 Above moderate(120%+) >$102,350 >$2,559 >$400,000 Assumptions: -Based on a family of 4 -30%of gross income for rent or Principal/Interest/Taxes/Insurance -10%down payment,4.5%interest,1.25%taxes&insurance,$200 HOA dues Source:Cal.HCD,2012,J.H.Douglas&Associates The RHNA allocation for Seal Beach in the new planning period is 2 units: 1 very-low- and 1 low-income unit. This allocation is consistent with the regional growth forecast and reflects the City's limited supply of vacant developable land. It is important to note that the RNHA establishes a planning goal, and cities are not required to build or issue permits for the number of housing units prescribed by the RHNA process. Rather cities are required to demonstrate there are adequate sites with appropriate zoning that could accommodate the amount of new housing in the RHNA, if property owners and developers choose to pursue such development opportunities. Under state law, properties with zoning that allows residential development at a density of at least 20 units/acre are considered suitable for low-income housing. It is anticipated that the zoning amendment for the Accurate Storage property required as part of the 2008 Housing Element implementation program will also satisfy the RHNA requirement for the new planning period, therefore no additional zoning amendments are necessary. Chapter III: Resources and Opportunities This chapter describes the City's land resources that are available to accommodate the new RHNA, as well as financial and administrative resources, and opportunities to 2013-2021 Draft Housing Element April 3, 2013 Page 4 of 4 foster energy conservation. The most noteworthy change to this chapter is the state's dissolution of redevelopment agencies in 2012. Chapter IV: Constraints This chapter analyzes the City's plans and regulations that guide housing development. The most noteworthy changes in this chapter reflect the completion of several state- mandated Code amendments related to housing for persons with special needs that were included in the implementation programs of the 2008 Housing Element. Chapter V: Housing Action Plan This chapter presents the City's goals, policies and programs for the 2013-2021 period. The most noteworthy changes in this chapter reflect the completion of the state- mandated Code amendments related to housing for persons with special needs, and the elimination of some housing programs that were previously funded by the redevelopment agency. Appendix A: Evaluation of the 2008 Housing Element This appendix contains a review of the goals, policies and programs from the previous element and identifies the City's accomplishments as well as changes that are appropriate for the new planning period based on changed circumstances. Appendix B: Residential Land Inventory This appendix includes a parcel-specific listing of sites where housing development could occur, and compares the inventory to the City's RHNA allocation. The City has very little land available for new housing, and the Accurate Storage site is the only property that can accommodate high-density housing to satisfy the lower-income RHNA allocation. Appendix C: Public Participation Summary This appendix describes opportunities for public involvement in the 2013 Housing Element update. NEXT STEPS: Following Planning Commission review, staff will make appropriate revisions to the draft Housing Element and request that the item be agendized for a future City Council meeting. After Council review, the draft element must be submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review. Staff will then prepare any responses required to address HCD comments, and submit a proposed final Housing Element to the Planning Commission and City Council for review and adoption. No zone changes or Code amendments are anticipated as part of this Housing Element update. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Commission solicit public comments and receive and file the d raft.