Planning and Community Development Department

2014-2021 Housing Element

City Council February 03, 2014

Planning and Community Development Department

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Recommendation

• Adopt a Negative Declaration because there is no evidence that the Housing Element would have a significant impact on the environment

• Adopt the resolution to approve Final Draft Housing Element for 2014-2021

• Consideration of a Housing Element Implementation Process

• Planning Commission recommended approval

Planning and Community Development Department

Background

• On October 9th, the Planning Commission recommended to the Council that the Element be approved and forwarded for review by the State HCD

>Recommendation included that the Council explore creating a structure to monitor the implementation of the Housing Element

• On November 4th, the Council reviewed the draft housing element, approved it, authorized that it be forwarded to HCD  

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Planning and Community Development Department

>The Council requested that staff return with a strategy for implementation

• In November, the Draft Housing Element forwarded to HCD

• Early December received comments on the Draft

• Proposed changes made to Draft Housing Element to address HCD comments

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Background

Planning and Community Development Department

Background

• On December 20th, HCD informed the City that the revised Element will comply with State law

• HCD will certify the Element with proposed changes, as it meets all State requirements including requirement for the City to revise the Zoning Code for emergency shelters

• Element has sufficient sites to meet the Housing Needs Assessment allocation; will meet State deadlines for adoption 5

Planning and Community Development Department

State Requirements

• Meets other State requirements

> Series of goals, policies, and scheduled programs to further develop, improve, and preserve housing

> The identification and analysis of existing and projected housing needs

> Program evaluation that analyzes the current housing programs and documents the comments received from the public

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Planning and Community Development Department

Major Programs

• Element reflects the comments of community and commissions and goes beyond just State requirements:

> Addition of the preservation of affordable housing as a key part of the housing program

> Emphasis on strategic growth in specific plans and TOD areas, using mixed use as a key housing strategy

> Review of tenant protection ordinance, inclusionary housing program, parking requirements

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Planning and Community Development Department

Major Programs

>Consider a small-lot ordinance

>Review of the Housing Element programs in four years

>Establishment of educational workshops to inform the community of housing issues and strategies

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Planning and Community Development Department

Modifications

• The Element has been refined since presented to the Council in November

• Minor revisions have been made in response to issues raised by HCD as well as corrections and clarifications

• Changes do not involve the addition or removal of policies approved by the Council

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Planning and Community Development Department

Modifications

>Language added to clarify that when other elements are updated, the Housing Element will be reviewed for consistency

>Specific time frames were added to several programs to establish target dates for completing objectives

>Additional information was added in several areas including environmental constraints to housing construction and the number of substandard housing units needing repair or replacement

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Planning and Community Development Department

Implementation Process

• Considerable discussion and questions regarding the implementation of the Housing Element

• A range of alternatives discussed

• Alternatives reflects public and Planning Commission ideas

• Planning Commission recommended the implementation plan

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Planning and Community Development Department

Alternatives

• Staff has identified the following alternatives:

1. A new City Housing Commission

2. A new standing Housing Committee of the City Council

3. Utilize Ed Tech for this purpose

4. Utilize the Planning Commission for this purpose

5. A new standing subcommittee of the Planning Commission

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Planning and Community Development Department

Alternatives

6. A new committee that consists of members of the Planning Commission and several appointed community members

7. A non-City sponsored committee comprised of members of the Greater Pasadena Affordable Housing Group, stakeholders and Commissioners consisting of approximately 20 persons

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Planning and Community Development Department

Implementation Process

• If Council is to consider an implementation body, staff would analyze each alternative

• If Council wants an implementation body the following process is recommended

>Ed Tech review of outreach program and proposed range of alternatives

>Public meeting to receive comments

>Planning Commission review and recommendation on the implementation14

Planning and Community Development Department

Implementation Process

>Ed Tech review and recommend on the implementation

>Council makes final decision

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Planning and Community Development Department

2014-2021 Housing Element

City Council February 03, 2014