La Verne council adopts urgency ordinance setting minimum densities in Old Town

La Verne's City Council voted 5-0 on Nov. 18 to adopt an urgency ordinance that sets minimum residential densities for parts of the Old Town La Verne Specific Plan.

Principal Planner Candace Bocock told the council the ordinance would establish a minimum density of 38 dwelling units per acre for 18 identified sites in the mixed-use 1 and mixed-use 2 districts to align development with the city's 2013 plan and the 2017 EIFD financing strategy. "To support this housing and financial goal of the specific plan ... it's recommended to establish a minimum density of 38 units per acre for these 18 specific sites," Bocock said.

Bocock said the measure is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act because it is not a project that would cause direct physical changes to the environment; she also said the city plans noticed public hearings for formal adoption in the coming months, likely around February.

During public comment, Kathy Kalousek, a La Verne resident and realtor, asked whether the ordinance would be permanently binding and expressed concern that 38 units per acre is high. "I was thinking maybe minimum 25," Kalousek said, asking whether future study sessions could change the figure. City Attorney Kim and staff responded that "no zoning ordinance is ever set in stone" and that any future changes would proceed through public hearings and the planning commission.

The clerk recorded that Item 6 was moved for approval by Cassel Vigita, seconded by Crosby, and approved 5-0. The council acted on staff's recommendation to adopt the urgency ordinance and to determine that it is exempt from CEQA and the city's environmental guidelines.

Next steps: staff said the city will hold noticed hearings with the planning commission and council later in the formal-adoption process to consider details and public input.