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Villa Park council approves first reading of housing‑element zoning ordinance amendment required by HCD
Summary
Staff reported minor zoning ordinance wording changes requested by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to clarify a 50/50 commercial/residential affordability split; council approved the ordinance's first reading 5‑0 and scheduled a second reading for Oct. 28.
The Villa Park City Council voted 5‑0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2025‑638, a zoning amendment intended to satisfy clarifying language requested by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the city’s sixth‑cycle housing element.
A staff presentation said HCD had determined the housing element was essentially compliant but asked for two minor clarifications in the zoning ordinance to expressly state a 50% split (maximum commercial/ minimum residential) on specific pages of the ordinance. Staff described the requested wording changes as non‑substantive and consistent with the council’s existing intent to facilitate housing while meeting state requirements.
“With the adoption of this ordinance and the wording change that we would have a compliance with the housing element,” staff told the council, summarizing HCD’s request and the effect of the amendment.
Staff recommended adoption of the ordinance’s first reading at the meeting; the council approved the motion, and staff said a second reading would take place at the council’s October 28 meeting and staff would submit the ordinance to HCD.
Council members discussed the multi‑year negotiation with HCD and noted the city had worked through several HCD iterations and multiple analysts. Councilman McBride said that legislative changes during the housing‑element cycle had changed requirements midstream but praised the council and staff for continuing to move toward compliance.
Staff warned of the consequences of noncompliance with HCD: possible financial penalties and the loss of local control over certain housing permits if a housing element remains uncertified. Staff said adoption of the ordinance would bring the city into compliance through 2029.
Ending: The council approved the ordinance first reading 5‑0; the second reading and final adoption are scheduled for Oct. 28, after which staff will submit the amendment to HCD.
