San Fernando council adopts housing‑element site inventory changes to remain state‑compliant

The San Fernando City Council on a unanimous vote approved a resolution amending the city’s six‑cycle (2021–2029) housing element by removing certain parcels and adding new sites to maintain compliance with state housing law.

Staff presentation: Interim Director of Community Development Ron Garcia said the proposed amendment removes eight parcels that drew community concern and adds three sites to ensure the city still meets required capacity. He told the council the added sites would yield approximately 54 moderate‑income units while the removed parcels accounted for about 53 moderate units that had raised objections from neighbors.

Public comment and concerns: Brent Bell, a local business owner, asked the council to avoid placing residential uses directly on 1st Street between Maclay and Hubbard and suggested reconfiguring a sliver of an identified parcel (referred to as Opportunity Site 30) so residential access would come from a side street. Bell commended staff for removing other 1st Street addresses from the inventory but urged additional care for parcels that abut commercial frontages.

Staff and consultant response: Consultant Monique (Emerson) and staff explained that some parcels already carry SPGN (specific plan/general neighborhood) zoning that allows residential uses behind a work‑flex frontage and that removing a site would require revisiting the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and completing findings to replace those units elsewhere in the inventory. Staff identified alternative MUO‑rezoned parcels that could be added but noted the process would require HCD engagement and subsequent planning commission and council hearings.

Council action: Councilmember Fajardo moved to adopt Resolution No. 84 20 amending the site inventory; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote with all present voting yes. The council closed the public hearing and directed staff to proceed with the finalized inventory and follow the required HCD process for any future changes.

What’s next: Staff will post the adopted amendment and proceed with required filings to remain in compliance with state housing element law. The council was explicit that removing or substituting parcels now would require formal engagement with HCD and additional hearings.