Planning commission recommends City Council approve Live Local code changes to support affordable housing incentives

The City of Venice Planning Commission recommended City Council approval of a text amendment (petition 23-66AM) that updates local code to implement provisions of the state’s Live Local Act and to add equitable‑development standards for projects using affordable‑housing incentives.

Nicole Tremblay, senior planner for the City of Venice, presented the proposed changes at a continued public hearing explaining staff removed a provision regarding separate residential and nonresidential areas on a unified lot after consulting with a local affordable‑housing developer. She said the change was removed to avoid creating financing or equity complications for developers using the incentives. Tremblay also said language was harmonized across two sections so projects using general affordable‑housing incentives and projects relying on the Live Local Act would follow the same equitable‑development standards.

The amendment text clarifies that projects taking advantage of incentives may seek density or parking adjustments consistent with the Live Local Act and local code, and it references the statutory requirement that qualifying projects be permitted at the highest density allowed by right for a given zoning district. City legal staff explained enforcement would rely on recorded restrictive covenants and the city’s code‑enforcement or court remedies; enforcement would not immediately evict an owner but would require the property owner or manager to cure breaches or face legal remedies.

No members of the public signed up to speak on the amendment at the second hearing. After limited discussion, the commission voted 7-0 to recommend City Council approve the text amendment.

The action directs staff to forward the ordinance and record of proceedings to City Council for the legislative decision on the code changes implementing the Live Local Act and the city’s equitable development standards.