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Residents warn of state planning takeover as council reviews RHNA materials and Measure A funding options
Summary
Public comment urged the council to resist state takeover tied to the RHNA sixth cycle and to consider endorsing a local-control initiative; staff briefed the council on Measure A homeless funding (approx. $35,000/year to La Habra Heights routed through the Gateway Cities COG unless the city secures a direct agreement) and on filing the 2024 Housing Element annual report with HCD.
A public commenter and community members raised concerns about the state’s regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) sixth cycle and the risk that insufficient local action could lead to state intervention in local planning.
Public comment: Glenn Sheepard urged the council to review the city’s March 2025 RHNA submittal carefully and to consider endorsing a draft local-control initiative (materials provided to council). Sheepard referenced pending state legislation (he cited SB79) and argued that a ballot initiative restoring local control would be one way to push back against perceived state encroachment on local planning.
Staff briefing: Separately, staff discussed County Measure A (a local solutions fund for homelessness). Under the county’s current distribution plan, La Habra Heights will receive roughly $35,000 per year; for cities without direct county agreements, funds flow to the regional Council of Governments (Gateway Cities COG for this jurisdiction) for regional allocation. Staff said they are exploring options to route funds to local services or to partner with Whittier to buy shelter slots.
Housing element filing: City staff presented the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (tables A–J) and recommended acceptance and submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The council approved the filing motion and directed staff to submit the report to HCD.
Quotation: In public comment, Glenn Sheepard said the state is seeking to "take over the planning process" and urged the council to consider a local initiative to "restore local control." Council agreed to agendaize the topic for further discussion.
What’s next: Council asked staff to place the local-control initiative request on a future agenda so council can consider whether to endorse it and monitor Measure A distribution as county allocations evolve.
