Planning Commission forwards 2024–2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report, notes RHNA increase after annexation

The Whittier City Planning Commission on March 16 voted unanimously to recommend the City Council receive and file the 2024–2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to forward it to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the State Department of Housing and Community Development.

Senior Planner Monique Garibay presented the report, which covers Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025, and noted that the Envision Whittier General Plan was adopted Oct. 12, 2021. Garibay said Whittier’s annexation of approximately 89 acres from Los Angeles County in November 2024 increased the city’s RHNA allocation by 750 units, bringing the total allocation to 4,189 units for the relevant planning cycle.

Staff reported that during calendar year 2024 Community Development approved 92 residential units, issued 91 building permits and finalized permits for 106 residential units; of the 91 units that received building permits, 86 were accessory dwelling units. Garibay also identified major developments expected to pull permits in the coming year, including Laurels at the Quad, Comstock Place (referred to in the meeting as Alara) and Uptown Walk.

Commissioners asked about the city’s progress toward meeting RHNA obligations, potential penalties for noncompliance and the city’s Housing Element status. Staff clarified that the city’s responsibility is to zone and provide opportunities for housing development rather than to build units itself, and that while failure to maintain a compliant Housing Element could expose the city to the “builder’s remedy” and affect grant eligibility, Whittier remains compliant.

Commissioner Laura Cornejo moved and Commissioner Yvonne Connolly seconded the motion to forward the report; roll-call votes were unanimous.