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Council adopts zoning-code updates and objective design standards to implement housing element
Summary
After staff and consultant presentations and public testimony, the City Council adopted a package of zoning-code and Specific Plan 5 updates plus objective design standards intended to implement the adopted housing element and comply with recent state housing laws; one councilmember voted no over parking standards.
The San Fernando City Council voted to adopt a multi-part land-use package that updates the zoning code, the Specific Plan 5 (SP5) framework, objective design standards and a zoning map amendment to align the city with recent state housing laws and the adopted housing element.
Consultants from Rincon and JZMK explained the changes: converting mixed-use overlays into clearly defined commercial mixed-use zones (to address a state court ruling that overlays are not equivalent to zones), adding objective design standards to streamline projects that meet state affordability and design criteria, updating parking standards (including new ratios for gyms and small restaurants) and adding EV-charging and childcare-in-multifamily provisions required by recent legislation. Consultants said no additional density beyond state law and the housing element is authorized by these changes; the measures are to ensure compliance with state mandates and to preserve local design expectations.
Council deliberation emphasized parking: the vice mayor opposed smaller compact parking dimensions and voted against adoption, saying the changes would reduce driver comfort. Council ultimately approved the package on roll call (Lopez, Salorio, Mendoza and Mayor Fajardo yes; Vice Mayor Garcia no).
Why it matters: staff and consultants warned that failure to adopt state-required elements such as objective design standards could prompt Housing and Community Development decertification of the city's housing element and trigger the state's builder's remedy, which can allow qualifying projects to proceed with state-determined densities that limit local controls. The package is grant-funded through SCAG and aims to keep San Fernando eligible for state funds tied to housing consistency.
What council asked for: clarifications on SB 79 implementation and timing of SCAG methodology (consultant said SCAG's draft methodology is expected to be released this week and adopted regionally in July), and direction on whether the city should prepare an alternative plan if SB 79 identifies nearby transit stations subject to new requirements.
Ending: Staff will return with any follow-up required to implement SCAG's methodology if it applies to local stations and will track HCD and SCAG actions related to SB 79.
