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Buena Park adopts housing‑element zoning updates, EIR and general plan amendments to preserve HCD certification
Summary
The council unanimously adopted zoning code amendments (Title 19 divisions 1, 3, 4 and 7), updated objective design standards, a general plan amendment, and certified an Environmental Impact Report analyzing up to 10,322 dwelling units and 438,333 square feet of commercial space; the council also adopted a statement of overriding considerations for identified unmitigable air‑quality and greenhouse‑gas impacts.
The Buena Park City Council unanimously adopted a package of amendments implementing the city’s 6th‑cycle housing element, including changes to Title 19 (divisions 1, 3, 4 and 7), new objective design and development standards, a general plan amendment and certification of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Scope and purpose: Director of Community and Economic Development Matt Folkes explained the action covers Zoning Code cleanups, ministerial processes for projects that meet objective standards, new housing incentive overlay zones, and objective standards that will shorten project review timelines. The staff presentation stated the amendments set the planning framework to facilitate up to 10,322 dwelling units and about 438,333 square feet of commercial space over time; staff emphasized that the planning document does not itself authorize construction but establishes development rules and objective standards that make future projects ministerial if they meet the criteria.
EIR findings and overriding considerations: Folkes said the final EIR analyzed the maximum build‑out scenario and, because some project‑specific impacts could not be fully quantified at the programmatic stage, concluded there would be unavoidable air‑quality and greenhouse‑gas impacts under a worst‑case assumption. For those impacts the council adopted a statement of overriding considerations, concluding the public benefits of implementing housing element programs and facilitating affordable housing outweighed the identified unavoidable impacts.
Public comment and council discussion: A representative of the Navigation Center Oversight Commission and members of the public spoke in support, citing the potential to increase affordable housing, streamline processes and achieve the state’s pro‑housing designation. Council members praised staff for the work and requested outreach materials and hyperlinked online resources to help homeowners and developers navigate the updated code.
Outcome and next steps: Council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance and accompanying resolutions, certify the EIR, adopt the statement of overriding considerations and the mitigation monitoring and reporting program. Staff said the code changes become effective 30 days after adoption and promised outreach materials and clickable online guidance to help residents and developers understand the new objective standards.
