State seeks revisions in city's low-cost housing plan
A “draft housing element” outlining how Yorba Linda plans to meet state-mandated affordable housing requirements has been returned to city officials for revisions.
The plan submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development identifies 13 specific sites—11 on the westside and two at Savi Ranch—for potential rezoning to multi-family residential at 10-, 20- and 30-units per acre.
The sites total nearly 50 acres and could be developed with 1,087 low- and moderate-income units under new zoning, according to the document approved by a unanimous City Council vote for forwarding to the state.
The specific sites, acreage and housing numbers were listed in my April 2 and May 7 columns, which I’d be happy to e-mail to readers upon request.
Interestingly, while council members indicated in April that all of the sites might not be developed to full capacity, the state’s call for revisions says the city’s strategy “assumes development will occur on these parcels at the proposed maximum densities.”
The state “recognizes Yorba Linda’s efforts…to streamline review processes for the development of multi-family projects with an affordability component,” but “revisions will be necessary to comply with state housing element law,” an official wrote the city.
Yorba Linda’s plan “must analyze residential development capacity and potential government restraints,” the official indicated, pointing to Measure B, the citizens’ initiative approved by a 299-vote margin in June 2006.
Measure B, supported by four sitting council members, requires a favorable public vote to allow residential projects greater than 10 units per acre and heights exceeding 35 feet.
“Restrictive standards…limit and constrain the development of infill, higher density housing and mixed-use development,” and cities similar to Yorba Linda “implement zoning and development standards that facilitate and encourage well-designed higher density uses to enhance and revitalize their communities,” the state report noted.
“Measure B represents a unique constraint to multi-family and high density housing,” and “the city is required to address and mitigate or remove constraints” so, according to the state, the city plan “must also include programs to address the constraint of Measure B.”
The state also wants the city to describe how the city will assist in providing housing for extremely-low-income households, suggesting the city’s plan could “revise programs to prioritize funding for the development of housing affordable to [the] households, such as single-room occupancy units, which address the needs of this income group.”
Among other requests for revisions is one regarding residential care facilities. The state sees a city definition of “family” as a constraint on housing for disabled persons, noting the operator, the operator’s family or staff shouldn’t be added in a “six or fewer” count.
The plan submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development identifies 13 specific sites—11 on the westside and two at Savi Ranch—for potential rezoning to multi-family residential at 10-, 20- and 30-units per acre.
The sites total nearly 50 acres and could be developed with 1,087 low- and moderate-income units under new zoning, according to the document approved by a unanimous City Council vote for forwarding to the state.
The specific sites, acreage and housing numbers were listed in my April 2 and May 7 columns, which I’d be happy to e-mail to readers upon request.
Interestingly, while council members indicated in April that all of the sites might not be developed to full capacity, the state’s call for revisions says the city’s strategy “assumes development will occur on these parcels at the proposed maximum densities.”
The state “recognizes Yorba Linda’s efforts…to streamline review processes for the development of multi-family projects with an affordability component,” but “revisions will be necessary to comply with state housing element law,” an official wrote the city.
Yorba Linda’s plan “must analyze residential development capacity and potential government restraints,” the official indicated, pointing to Measure B, the citizens’ initiative approved by a 299-vote margin in June 2006.
Measure B, supported by four sitting council members, requires a favorable public vote to allow residential projects greater than 10 units per acre and heights exceeding 35 feet.
“Restrictive standards…limit and constrain the development of infill, higher density housing and mixed-use development,” and cities similar to Yorba Linda “implement zoning and development standards that facilitate and encourage well-designed higher density uses to enhance and revitalize their communities,” the state report noted.
“Measure B represents a unique constraint to multi-family and high density housing,” and “the city is required to address and mitigate or remove constraints” so, according to the state, the city plan “must also include programs to address the constraint of Measure B.”
The state also wants the city to describe how the city will assist in providing housing for extremely-low-income households, suggesting the city’s plan could “revise programs to prioritize funding for the development of housing affordable to [the] households, such as single-room occupancy units, which address the needs of this income group.”
Among other requests for revisions is one regarding residential care facilities. The state sees a city definition of “family” as a constraint on housing for disabled persons, noting the operator, the operator’s family or staff shouldn’t be added in a “six or fewer” count.
posted by Jim Drummond at 12:00 PM
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