Brea staff outline 'Brea 2050' general plan update and proposed Brea Core specific plan; council gives direction to proceed

City Planner Joanne Huang and consultant Amanda Troopiano presented the Brea 2050 focused general plan update and a proposed Brea Core specific plan, asking the City Council for direction to move the project into detailed policy drafting and technical studies.

Huang summarized the project history and outreach: the update was initiated in February 2024 with a professional services agreement with a planning consultant, community mailers to every address, pop‑up outreach events, a citywide survey, a targeted Bridal Core stakeholder survey, and a 16‑member steering committee that has met six times. Troopiano described how land‑use categories work (residential densities measured in dwelling units per acre; nonresidential uses measured by floor‑area ratio) and the rationale for consolidating many existing land‑use categories to simplify the map.

Staff proposed two key categories of change: about 45 parcels are proposed for a true change in land‑use type (representing less than 1% of parcels and acreage in the planning area), primarily located along major corridors; many other parcels receive nomenclature or color consolidation but no change in intended use. The team also proposed designating the Brea Core as its own specific‑plan area that would carry more detailed zoning and implementation guidance. Troopiano described two new mixed‑use categories as examples ("Mixed Use 18" at up to 18 units per acre and "Mixed Use 50" at up to 50 units per acre) and emphasized that the general plan provides policy direction while individual projects will still require project‑level entitlements through the Planning Department, Planning Commission and City Council.

Council members asked about notification to property owners; staff said property owners typically receive written notice later in the process when the environmental review and specific analyses are available and that staff has already conducted targeted stakeholder interviews with many property owners along Imperial Corridor. Councilmembers also raised a specific parcel in Carbon Canyon known as La Vida Hot Springs. Councilmember Vargas noted the site's historical use and potential for future commercial recreation such as a day spa; staff noted the site sits in a high fire severity area, requires conditional use permits for outdoor recreation uses, and recommended a land‑use designation of "hillside residential" consistent with surrounding parcels, though the council retains final authority.

Staff outlined next steps: incorporate tonight's feedback, prepare policy documents supporting the general plan and the core specific plan, initiate an Environmental Impact Report and associated technical studies (transportation, noise, air quality, greenhouse gas analysis), circulate materials for public review, and return to the Planning Commission and City Council for subsequent actions. The council voted 5‑0 to accept the item and direct staff to continue with the next phases of work.

The presentation materials and maps will be part of the public record and staff said they will return with draft policy documents and environmental analyses for further public comment and council consideration.