In an attempt to reduce the time and cost associated with developing new housing in the City, Councilmembers voted to direct the City to return with an ordinance that allows all housing projects proposed in all non-residential zones to be processed through an Administrative Approval process.
This will be regardless of the size of the parcel upon which the housing project is located, considers “housing projects” as defined by California’s Housing Accountability Act and excludes the Bergamot Area Plan.
The item came at the request of Councilmembers Jesse Zwick, Natalya Zernitskaya and Mayor Pro Tem Caroline Torosis and the City Manager and City Attorney are asked to return with an ordinance by April 30, 2025.
“According to our municipal code, housing projects that are eligible for Administrative Approval are still required to hold a public meeting prior to submitting an application, and they also have to go through the Architectural Review Board,” Zernitskaya said, adding, “So even with this proposed amendment under the Municipal Code, there would still be opportunities for public input.”
However, the written comments received regarding this item showed both support and disapproval, with one from the Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition claiming, “You aren’t asking for any data relating to our development activity before instructing staff” and that there was “no evidence that process needs to be faster or that this process slows or would be faster with proposed change” and that there is “no information about how many parcels are impacted by size.”
“It's my understanding that we're going to be hearing updates to the approval process in Q1 or Q2 2025, to make our laws consistent with the new versions of state law that were updated in the last legislative session,” said Councilmember Ellis Raskin, adding, “And I'm wondering if we can re-examine all of this at that time and figure out how to potentially address opportunities for community input, not just through streamlining DRBs (Dispute Resolution Board), but also through community workshops.”
Councilmember Dan Hall enquired as to whether this would affect Measure LC in any way and consequently, future zoning for the airport or for a park, to which City Attorney Doug Sloan responded, “No, this has nothing to do with what can be built, this is just the process to get it done. It does not affect what can be done at the airport.”
“I just wanted to reiterate that I have zero intention of having this affect the airport whatsoever,” Torosis said, adding, “I think that it's really important to note that there is required public participation before any application can be submitted, period. So, I just want to make sure that people know that.”
The motion was made by Zernitskaya and seconded by Zwick and passed unanimously 6-0 since Councilmember Barry Snell was absent for his very first City Council meeting.
Mayor Lana Negrete, who handled her first meeting in the center seat with elegance and efficiency remarked, “I would just say that if we knew, it was going to be a direct result of more affordable units, it would be a no brainer, but unfortunately, we can't assume that … But again, I'm happy to have this come back. And echoing Councilmember Raskin’s point that the state is already coming down with these requirements and so by the time this comes back, this might be a requirement by the state of California, anyways.”
