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With housing element certified, Villa Park council approves preapproved ADU plan program
Summary
After state HCD certified Villa Park’s housing element, council approved a required preapproved detached ADU plan program to help meet implementation and 30‑day review obligations; staff said plans still require site‑specific review.
Villa Park’s City Council approved a preapproved detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) plan program on Monday as part of steps to implement the newly certified housing element.
City staff said the housing element certification by the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) relieves the city of exposure to builder’s‑remedy risk and restores eligibility for some grant streams including SB2 funds. "It relieves the city from liability, and the builder's remedy," the city manager said.
Under state law, localities with certified housing elements must provide tools and processes that facilitate ADU development. Staff described the preapproved plan program as a portal of architect‑submitted, pre‑reviewed ADU plans that homeowners can select, which will then be converted to a site‑specific plan for final review. Staff emphasized the program does not eliminate site‑specific review and that the statutory 30‑day review timeframes for certain ADU permits still apply.
Council approved the program 5–0. Staff said using preapproved plans can reduce time and cost for homeowners and help the city meet implementation milestones tied to RHNA and HCD reporting.
City staff also noted they will track implementation tasks, may use external plan‑check contractors to meet 30‑day requirements, and will pursue available SB2 or other grant funding to support housing objectives.
The council did not change policy direction in the meeting; the vote authorized the program structure described in the staff report.
