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Council asks staff to seek HCD guidance and study alternate parcels before finalizing housing‑element implementation amendments
Summary
The council discussed proposed general plan and zoning amendments to implement the adopted housing element (increasing allowed densities/height in several zones) and asked staff to consult the California Department of Housing and Community Development and examine alternative parcels before adopting final code changes.
The City Council reviewed a package of general plan and zoning amendments intended to implement the recently adopted housing element, including higher allowed residential densities and increased height and floor‑area ratios in several zones.
Acting planning manager presented proposed changes: increasing density in the High-Density Residential designation from 22 to 33 units per acre; increasing allowed residential floor‑area ratios and maximum heights in the Old Town Commercial (OTC), Mixed‑Use (MU) and R‑3 zones (proposed increases included raising OTC/MU heights to 50 feet and R‑3 height from 30 to 40 feet). Staff said the amendments are phase 1 of implementation and that an addendum to the general plan EIR concluded the amendments would not create new or more severe environmental impacts.
Council members raised concerns about taller buildings adjacent to existing neighborhoods and asked whether other underused parcels had been considered before increasing height limits. Several council members asked staff to consult with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to determine whether alternate sites or other strategies would meet the cityRHNA obligations without adopting the higher height and FAR changes. Staff said the city could pursue the parallel course — bring forward the amendments while simultaneously asking HCD whether a lower height limit together with additional site identifications would satisfy the housing element commitments — and that staff would act quickly given statutory timelines.
Council did not adopt final map or ordinance language at the meeting but asked staff to return with an analysis of the Ocean Avenue parcels mentioned in discussion and with HCD guidance on potential alternatives to the proposed maximum heights.
Ending: Staff will pursue HCD consultation, study the referenced parcels for suitability and return with refined options and recommended ordinance language before final adoption of the amendments.
