PC MINS 198906010 0 oP
M I N U T E S
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING q
HOUSING ELEMENT STUDY SESSION
June 1, 1989
I. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairperson
Wike at Fred Hesse Community Park, 29301 Hawthorne Boulevard,
Rancho Palos Verdes.
II. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Connolly, Von Hagen, Wike, McNulty, Ortolano
ABSENT:
Also present were Environmental Services Director Robert
Benard, Planning Administrator Curtis Williams, and Ralph
Castaneda, housing consultant.
III. OVERVIEW OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT
Planning Administrator Williams briefly discussed the
background of the update of the City's Housing Element. Article
10.6 of the California Government Code requires that an update be
submitted to the State by July 1, 1989, for all cities within the
six -county, Southern California Association of Governments region.
The City Council authorized the hiring of Castaneda and Associates
on April 18, 1989, to prepare the Housing Element revision.
Ralph Castaneda of Castaneda and Associates provided a
chronology of housing element law and outlined four basic
components of a revised Housing Element: 1) Housing Needs
Assessment, 2) Inventory of Resources, 3) Statement of Goals,
Objectives and Policies, and 4) a Five -Year Housing Plan. He
anticipates submittal of a draft report by July 1, 1989, followed
by a 90 -day review by the State Housing and Community Development
Department. Revision and subsequent adoption by City Council would
follow.
Commissioner Ortolano asked what impending action might occur
against the City if the State disagreed with the proposed program.
Mr. Benard indicated that while the State could take action
against the City relative to issuance of building permits, that
the most likely risk to the City was potential private litigation
based on claims of an inadequate Housing Element.
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Junw 23, 1989 6 0
IV. SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY FORUM
Mr. Castaneda indicated that interviews had been conducted
with Council members, Planning Commissioners, and other community
leaders, that a housing questionnaire had been distributed to all
homeowners associations, and a Community Forum was held on May 18,
1989. Key points that seemed to arise from these outreach efforts
included: 1) the need to tie new housing needs to new employment
in the City; 2) cooperative efforts with neighboring cities in the
South Bay area; and 3) the need to look at existing units, such as
apartments and maid's quarters, to satisfy existing housing needs.
V. PRESENTATION OF HOUSING INFORMATION
Mr. Castaneda discussed data regarding population and housing
trends in Rancho Palos Verdes and existing and projected housing
needs as determined by SCAG. There was extensive discussion about
SCAG's numbers, and they were considered unrealistic, not taking
into account the unique topography and geology of the Peninsula,
or the high land costs.
Commissioner Ortolano questioned the role of the Commission,
since the numbers are already set. Commissioner Von Hagen
commented that the few remaining sites available plus the density
limitations in the General Plan precluded new affordable housing.
Commissioner McNulty stated that there wouldn't be a need for new
housing if the new jobs were elsewhere or if local existing labor
was used.
Mr. Benard explained that the City has the opportunity to
challenge SCAG's assumptions at the State level and present a
reasonable approach to HCD. He also indicated that the SCAG
number had already been revised downward as a result of City
response to SCAG's original numbers in 1988.
Chairperson Wike suggested that the consultant evaluate the
median income in Rancho Palos Verdes relative to Los Angeles
County. Mr. Castaneda replied that data have been collected and
that the local median income is about 2 112 - 3 times that in the
County.
VI. HOUSING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
Mr. Castaneda reviewed a number of potential policies and
programs the City might consider, and stated the need for setting
specific quantified objectives to be achieved. Commissioner
McNulty suggested that all objectives related to future housing
need be expressed in "contingent" terms, contingent on new
employment, or the need for specialized housing, such as for
seniors.
A few commissioners stated concerns regarding suggested
increased density to achieve affordable housing, with the result
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Junw 23, 1989 6
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of less open space and a loss of identity for the City.
Commissioner McNulty stated that housing would be
an increasingly critical issue, since there were projections of
millions of additional people in the region within the next few
years, and some of them would locate in the South Bay.
Chairperson Wike asked for additional information relative to
the Eastview area and to strengthen code enforcement as it relates
to graffiti.
VII. PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Chairperson Wike asked if anyone in the audience wished to
speak.
Ms. Lois LaRue, 3136 Barkentine Road, asked about long term
residents on fixed incomes fulfilling the affordable housing need
and discussed the potential to use Section 8 housing assistance in
an attractive way.
Mr. Ken Zuckerman, #2 El Portal, Palos Verdes Estates,
opposed the imposition of low income housing requirements on
property owners, and suggested increased densities and financial
incentives to encourage developers to build such housing. He also
suggested new employers be responsible for housing employees, and
accounting for domestic service quarters as low-income housing.
VIII. COMMISSION DISCUSSION
Commissioner Connolly suggested that future development
include its own housing for employees and that future vacant
school sites be considered in the Housing Element. He stated that
the City should make an effort to "do something" reasonable.
Commissioner McNulty expressed concern that the City not act
out of fear of retribution by the State, but rather that it
proceed to determine the City's best interests according to the
law as the Commission interprets it.
Commissioner Ortolano requested that the consultant provide
the Commission with a clear indication of assumptions that pertain
to the housing projections. She and other commissioners stated
that there is a philosophical difference between the State's and
SCAG's approach versus the City's goals. Commissioner Von Hagen
expressed concern that the lack of available land indicates the
SCAG numbers are unrealistic.
Chairperson Wike requested that housing near the City's
employment base along Western Avenue be evaluated, particularly
near the Terraces, and also near the Long Point proposed project.
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Junw 23, 1989 6
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Chairperson Wike also requested that the Commission receive copies
of the State housing law. Commissioner Connolly requested that
the City's next quarterly newsletter discuss the Housing Element.
Mr. Williams noted that the City Council would have a Study
Session on the Housing Element on June 19th.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
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