HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 - Amending Portions of the Adopted and Certified 6th Cycle Housing Element, and Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning DistrictsQ SEW Pp�T
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z NEWPORT BEACH
c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report
September 24, 2024
Agenda Item No. 17
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Seimone Jurjis, Assistant City Manager/Community Development
Director - 949-644-3232, sjurjis@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Benjamin M. Zdeba, AICP, Planning Manager - 949-644-3253,
bzdeba@newportbeachca.gov
TITLE: Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6t" Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16
and 2024-17: Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the
Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish
Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards (PA2022-0245)
ABSTRACT:
For the City Council's consideration is a narrowly focused amendment to the adopted and
certified 6t" Cycle Housing Element. The amendment would revise portions of Section 3
(Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) and
Section 4 (Housing Plan) to change the narrative and implementing actions to remove the
requirement for a vote of the electorate pursuant to Charter Section 423.
Also for the City Council's consideration is the second reading and adoption of
two ordinances that will amend Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code to create the Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning Districts and to
establish multi -unit objective design standards.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
a) Conduct a public hearing;
b) Find that this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly,
that the action is also exempt from environmental review under CEQA pursuant to
Class 21 as set forth in Section 15321 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts actions
that involve enforcement of a law, general rule, standard, or objective, administered
or adopted by a regulatory agency, and further that all significant environmental
concerns for the City of Newport Beach Housing Element and its implementation have
been addressed in a previously certified environmental document (Housing Element
Implementation Program Environmental Impact Report [PEIR] - State Clearinghouse
Number 2023060699);
c) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-73, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Newport
Beach, California, Approving and Adopting a Narrowly Focused Amendment to the
Adopted and Certified 61" Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 Planning Period
(PA2022-0245);
17-1
Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6th Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17:
Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
September 24, 2024
Page 2
d) Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2024-16, An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending Title 20 (Planning and
Zoning) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Implement the General Plan
6t" Cycle Housing Element (PA2022-0245); and
e) Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 2024-17, An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of Newport Beach, California, Amending Title 20 (Planning and
Zoning) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code to Adopt Objective Development
Standards (PA2022- 0245).
DISCUSSION:
The Housing Element is a required element, or chapter, of the General Plan. It presents
how a city plans to accomplish the state -mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA) on sites within city limits. Local jurisdictions, like the City of Newport Beach, are
responsible for creating a regulatory environment in which the private market can build
the unit types included in the RHNA. The City is required to prepare an update to its
housing element every eight years.
After conducting wide-ranging public outreach involving extensive public participation
opportunities, including numerous meetings of the City Council -appointed Housing
Element Update Advisory Committee (HEUAC), the City Council adopted the City's 6th
Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 planning period (Housing Element) on
September 13, 2022. The Housing Element was later certified as statutorily compliant
with state law by the California Department of Housing and Community Development
(HCD) on October 5, 2022.
Since adoption and certification, the City has diligently pursued implementation in
alignment with Housing Element Policy Actions 1A through 1G, which collectively serve
to rezone sites identified in Appendix B of the Housing Element to allow for residential
development. To remain compliant, the amendments must take effect by the statutory
deadline of February 2025. Should the City not meet this deadline, the Housing Element
may be considered non -compliant with state housing law. This will enable developers of
affordable housing projects to have their residential projects approved as a "builder's
remedy" in accordance with the Housing Accountability Act allowing higher density
housing on any site. Further ramifications could include, but are not limited to, increased
exposure to public and private litigation, loss of permitting authority, financial penalties,
loss of eligibility for state and regional funding sources, court receivership, and increased
exposure to monitoring by the newly formed Housing Accountability Unit of HCD.
A public hearing was held by the City Council on July 23, 2024, to consider the
implementing amendments of the Housing Element. At the conclusion of the hearing, the
City Council adopted the following resolutions to take the related actions:
17-2
Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6th Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17:
Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
September 24, 2024
Page 3
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Clearance: Resolution No. 2024-
50 Certifying Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse SCH Number
2023060699), Including a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and
Adopting Findings, and a Statement of Overriding Considerations Related to the
Housing Element Implementation Program Involving Amendments to the General
Plan, Coastal Land Use Plan, and Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) and Title 21
(Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code;
• Land Use Element Amendment: Resolution No. 2024-51, Amending the General
Plan Land Use Element to Implement the General Plan Housing Element
Implementation Program;
• Local Coastal Program Amendment: Resolution No. 2024-52, Authorizing the
Submittal of a Local Coastal Program Amendment to the California Coastal
Commission to Amend the City of Newport Beach Coastal Land Use Plan and Title
21 (Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code Related to the Implementation of the Housing Element;
• ALUC Override: Resolution No. 2024-53, Finding the Housing Element
Implementation Amendments Consistent with the Purposes of the State
Aeronautics Act and Overriding the Orange County Airport Land Use
Commission's Determination of Inconsistency with the 2008 John Wayne Airport
Environs Land Use Plan; and
• Initiation of Housing Element Amendment: Resolution No. 2024-58, Initiating a
Narrowly Focused Amendment to the Adopted and Certified 6th Cycle Housing
Element to Remove the Reference to Charter Section 423 Voter Approval.
It is important to highlight that, with all the above -mentioned actions, the City Council
considered evidence presented at the hearing and determined that a vote of the
electorate pursuant to Charter Section 423 is precluded because state law mandates the
City adopt and implement the Housing Element. Specifically, Charter Section 423 is
described as a possible constraint in Section 3 (Housing Constraints, Resources, and
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing), and further discussed as an implementation action
in Section 4 (Housing Plan) of the 6th Cycle Housing Element. Moreover, the 6th Cycle
Housing Element must take effect by February 2025 to avoid significant penalties and
loss of local control dictated by state law including, but not limited to, allowing housing
development projects to bypass the City's zoning requirements altogether; loss of
permitting authorities on other projects; loss of eligibility for state and regional funding
sources; financial penalties, including monthly fines of up to $600,000; increased
exposure to monitoring by the newly formed Housing Accountability Unit of HCD; court
receivership; and increased exposure to public and private litigation.
17-3
Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6t" Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17:
Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
September 24, 2024
Page 4
Narrowly Focused Amendment
In accordance with the City Council's action and direction through the adoption of
Resolution No. 2024-058, City staff prepared a narrowly focused amendment to the
Housing Element. The proposed amendment involves targeted revisions to Section 3
(Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) and
Section 4 (Housing Plan) of the Housing Element. Both sets of revisions serve to modify
the narrative and implementing actions related to removing the requirement for a vote of
the electorate pursuant to Charter Section 423. The balance of the Housing Element,
including the sites analysis and all Policy Actions would remain unchanged.
A redline -strikeout version of Section 3 is included in this report as Attachment D.
A redline -strikeout version of Section 4 is included as Attachment E.
As required by state law, on July 26, 2024, City staff published online and circulated the
draft to previously interested parties for a seven-day public review period. Direct
recipients included The Kennedy Commission, People for Housing Orange County, Still
Protecting Our Newport (SPON), The Public Law Center, and YIMBY Law.
At the conclusion of the seven-day public review period on August 2, 2024, City staff
transmitted the draft amendment to the HCD for a formal review along with one piece of
written correspondence received from Newport Beach resident Jim Mosher, included as
Attachment F. No other correspondence was received in response to the published and
circulated amendment.
On August 20, 2024, the City received a letter from HCD confirming the amendment
maintains the City's compliant status and, with its adoption, the Housing Element will
remain certified as statutorily compliant. This letter is incorporated into the draft resolution
as Exhibit "A" and attached separately as Attachment G.
Litigation
On August 8, 2024, SPON filed a lawsuit against the City, alleging that this amendment
violated Charter Section 423 by amending the General Plan without voter approval. It was
followed by a second lawsuit on August 23, 2024, alleging that the City of Newport Beach
violated CEQA by approving amendments to the General Plan, Local Coastal Program,
and Zoning Code without adequately analyzing the environmental impacts of the
proposed density bonus units.
Both filings are included as Attachment H for reference.
17-4
Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6t" Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17:
Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
September 24, 2024
Page 5
Planning Commission Review and Recommendation
On September 5, 2024, the Planning Commission considered and recommended the City
Council approve the amendment to the Housing Element by a vote of 5 ayes and 1 no.
Planning Commission Resolution No. PC2024-019 and the draft minutes from the
September 5, 2024, meeting are included as Attachment I. The Planning Commission
staff report is available as Attachment J.
Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17
Also, at the conclusion of the public hearing on July 23, 2024, the City Council introduced
the following two ordinances, initiating the related actions and passing to second reading
at a date to be determined in alignment with the narrowly focused amendment to the
Housing Element:
• Zoning Code Amendment for Overlay Rezoning: Ordinance No. 2024-
6 Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code to Implement the General Plan 6th Cycle Housing Element; and
• Zoning Code Amendment for Objective Design Standards: Ordinance
No. 2024-17, Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) of the Newport Beach
Municipal Code to Create Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards.
Now that the narrowly focused amendment to the Housing Element is ready for City
Council consideration and adoption, both ordinances are also ready for second reading
and adoption. Should the ordinances be adopted, they will become effective 30 days after
their adoption.
Next Steps
If the City Council adopts the resolution to approve the narrowly focused amendment to
the Housing Element, City staff will transmit the adopted amended version to HCD for a
final certification review. Once Ordinance No. 2024-16 becomes effective, the City will
fulfill its rezoning obligation in compliance with the statutory deadline, a necessary action
to maintain certification of a compliant Housing Element throughout the 2021-2029
planning period.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The potential fiscal impacts associated with this matter were previously analyzed as part
of the July 23, 2024, materials for the City Council's consideration in conjunction with the
amendment to the General Plan Land Use Element. A summary of the analysis prepared
by Keyser Marston Associates (KMA) is provided below for reference.
17-5
Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6th Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17:
Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
September 24, 2024
Page 6
As there are no specific projects proposed and the dwelling unit capacity added through
implementation does not contemplate any replacement of existing uses, KMA's
evaluation is highly conservative and theoretical. In summary, KMA found the following:
• Rents, sales prices and assessed values in the City are all very high, benefiting
General Fund revenues;
• Total buildout of all the potential residential would have a net negative impact on
the City's General Fund; however, this may be mitigated if projects continue to be
developed at higher price points;
• The replacement of land uses that generate minimal public revenues can offset
the negative impact of the residential. For example, the recently approved 1400
Bristol Street project demonstrates that office development can have a net
negative impact on the General Fund and higher rents/values can significantly
reduce the residential impact to the General Fund; and
• Cities will often adopt a development fee program, negotiate development
agreements, and pursue other methods to mitigate the fiscal impact of residential
development. KMA understands the City is currently preparing a development fee
program, which could potentially offset some of the projected impacts.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find that action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth in the Public Resources Code Section 21000
et seq., Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CEQA
Guidelines), and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation Procedures for the California
Environmental Quality Act) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a
direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and
15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines
because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or
indirectly.
Staff further recommends the City Council also find this action is exempt from environmental
review under CEQA pursuant to Class 21, as set forth in Section 15321 of the CEQA
Guidelines which exempts actions that involve enforcement of a law, general rule, standard,
or objective, administered or adopted by a regulatory agency.
Lastly, staff recommends the City Council also find the implementation of the Housing
Element was evaluated in the Housing Element Implementation Program Amendments
Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (SCH No. 2023060699), which was
prepared in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as set forth
in the Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq., Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of
the California Code of Regulations (CEQA Guidelines), and City Council Policy K-3
(Implementation Procedures for the California Environmental Quality Act). On July 23,
2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-50, to certify the PEIR as complete
and adequate, inclusive of all required findings, a statement of overriding considerations,
and a mitigation monitoring reporting program.
17-6
Resolution No. 2024-73: Amending Portions of the Adopted and
Certified 6t" Cycle Housing Element, and Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17:
Amending Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) to Create the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts and Establish Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
September 24, 2024
Page 7
NOTICING:
Given the citywide nature of this activity, notice of the public hearing was published in the
Daily Pilot in a one -eighth -page format at least 10 days before the scheduled meeting,
consistent with Section 20.62.020(B)(2)(c) of the NBMC. Additionally, the item appeared
on the agenda for this meeting, which was posted at City Hall and on the City website.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A
— Resolution No. 2024-73 (Housing Element Amendment)
Attachment B
— Ordinance No. 2024-16 (Housing Opportunity Overlay Zoning Districts)
Attachment C
— Ordinance No. 2024-17 (Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards)
Attachment D
— Redline -Strikeout Version of Housing Element Section 3
Attachment E
— Redline -Strikeout Version of Housing Element Section 4
Attachment F —
Correspondence Regarding Draft Housing Element Amendment
Attachment G
— HCD Letter
Attachment H — Lawsuits
Attachment I — Planning Commission Resolution No. PC2024-019 and Meeting Minutes
Attachment J — Planning Commission Staff Report
17- 7
Attachment A
Resolution to Adopt the Housing Element Amendment
17-8
RESOLUTION NO. 2024- 73
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND
ADOPTING A NARROWLY FOCUSED AMENDMENT TO
THE ADOPTED AND CERTIFIED 6T" CYCLE HOUSING
ELEMENT FOR THE 2021-2029 PLANNING PERIOD
(PA2022-0245)
WHEREAS, City Council Policy K-1 (General Plan and Local Coastal Program)
requires amendments to the City of Newport Beach ("City") General Plan to be initiated
by the City Council;
WHEREAS, Section 65580 et seq. of the Government Code requires each city
and county adopt a housing element that identifies and analyzes existing and projected
housing needs within their jurisdiction and prepare goals, policies, and programs, and
quantified objectives to further the development, improvement, and preservation of
housing;
WHEREAS, the City of Newport Beach ("City") 6th Cycle Housing Element for the
2021-2029 period ("Housing Element") presents a framework for meeting the housing
needs of existing and future resident populations within Newport Beach based on the
Regional Housing Needs Assessment ("RHNA") allocation of 4,845 new housing units;
WHEREAS, the Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on September
13, 2022, and certified as statutorily compliant with State Housing Element Law on
October 5, 2022, by the State Department of Housing and Community Development
("HCD");
WHEREAS, Charter Section 423 is described as a possible constraint in Section
3 (Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing), and
further discussed as an implementation action in Section 4 (Housing Plan) of the 6th Cycle
Housing Element;
17-9
Resolution No. 2024-
Page 2 of 5
WHEREAS, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation must take effect by
February 2025 to avoid significant penalties and loss of local control dictated by state law,
which may include, but are not limited to:
• Increased exposure to public and private litigation;
• Loss of permitting authority;
• Financial penalties, including monthly fines of up to $600,000;
• Loss of eligibility for state and regional funding sources;
• Court receivership;
• Allowing housing developers to bypass the City's zoning requirements; and
• Increased exposure to monitoring by the newly formed Housing Accountability
Unit of HCD;
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on July 23, 2024, by the City Council to
consider the Housing Element Implementation, including consideration of certifying the
Program Environmental Impact Report ("PEIR"), adoption of CEQA Findings, Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program and a Statement of Overriding Considerations. A
notice of time, place, and purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with CPUC
Section 21676(b), California Sections 54950 et seq. ("Ralph M. Brown Act"), Chapters
20.62 (Public Hearings), 20.66 (Amendments), and 21.62 (Public Hearings) of the
Newport Beach Municipal Code ("NBMC"), and City Council Policy K-1 (General Plan and
Local Coastal Program) and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation Procedures for the
California Environmental Quality Act). Evidence both written and oral, was presented to,
and considered by, the City Council at this hearing;
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council adopted Resolution
No. 2024-58 to initiate a narrowly focused amendment to the Housing Element to remove
the reference to Charter Section 423 from Sections 3 and 4 of the 6th Cycle Housing
Element based on evidence presented at the hearing that voter approval is precluded by
state law;
WHEREAS, City staff published and circulated draft revisions to Section 3
(Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) and Section
4 (Housing Plan) of the Housing Element ("Amendment") on July 26, 2024, that
incorporates the legal basis for the removal of Charter Section 423 voter approval
requirement to previously interested parties for a seven-day public review period,
including The Kennedy Commission, People for Housing Orange County, Still Protecting
Our Newport, The Public Law Center, and YIMBY Law;
17-10
Resolution No. 2024-
Page 3 of 5
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the seven-day public review period, City staff
transmitted the draft Amendment to HCD on August 2, 2024, for a formal review along
with one piece of written correspondence received from Jim Mosher. No other
correspondence was received in response to the published and circulated Amendment;
WHEREAS, the City received a letter from HCD, attached hereto and
incorporated by reference as Exhibit "A," on August 20, 2024, confirming the Amendment
maintains the City's compliant status and, with its adoption, the Housing Element will
remain certified as statutorily compliant;
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on September 5, 2024, in the Council
Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California. A notice of time, place
and purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and
65353 of the Government Code and consistent with City Council Policy K-1 (General Plan
and Local Coastal Program). Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to, and
considered by, the Planning Commission at this hearing;
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Commission
adopted Resolution No. PC2024-019 by a majority vote (5 ayes, 1 nay) recommending
the City Council approve the Amendment to the Housing Element; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on September 24, 2024, by the City
Council in the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach,
California to consider amendment to the Housing Element. A notice of time, place, and
purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and City
Council Policy K-1. Evidence both written and oral, was presented to, and considered by,
the City Council at this hearing.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach resolves as
follows:
Section 1: The City Council hereby finds the Amendment is necessary and that
the voter approval requirement set forth in Charter Section 423 is precluded by state law
based on the Growth Management Measures set forth in the Amendment which is
attached hereto as Exhibit "B," and incorporated herein by reference. The City Council
does hereby approve the Amendment adopting the revised Housing Element, of which
the affected portions are set forth in Exhibit "B." The City Council directs staff to transmit
the Amendment to HCD for certification review.
17-11
Resolution No. 2024-
Page 4 of 5
Section 2: The recitals provided in this resolution are true and correct and are
incorporated into the operative part of this resolution.
Section 3: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
resolution is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not
affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this resolution. The City
Council hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution, and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 4: The City Council finds the Amendment is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as set forth in the Public Resources Code Section
21000 et seq., Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations
("CEQA Guidelines"), and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation Procedures for the
California Environmental Quality Act) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will
not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378)
of the CEQA Guidelines because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the
environment, directly or indirectly. The City Council finds the Amendment is exempt from
CEQA environmental review pursuant to Class 21 as set forth in Section 15321 of the
CEQA Guidelines which exempts actions that involve enforcement of a law, general rule,
standard, or objective, administered or adopted by a regulatory agency.
The Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on September 13, 2022,
and certified as statutorily compliant with State Housing Element Law on October 5, 2022,
by HCD as a framework for meeting the housing needs of existing and future resident
populations within Newport Beach based on the RHNA allocation of 4,845 new housing
units. The environmental impacts associated with the Housing Element were analyzed
by way of the Housing Element Implementation Program Amendments Final PEIR (SCH
No. 2023060699) discussed below. The Amendment does not result in any direct or
indirect physical change to the environment. It simply removes the Charter Section 423
voter approval requirement of the Housing Element Implementation since it is precluded
by state law. Additionally, the Amendment is categorically exempt under Section 15321.
Charter Section 423 was described in Section 3 (Housing Constraints, Resources, and
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) of the Housing Element as a constraint on
implementation of the Housing Element and possibly violative of the City's obligation to
affirmatively further fair housing as set forth in California Government Code Section
8899.50 et seq. The 6t" Cycle Housing Element Implementation must take effect by
17-12
Resolution No. 2024-
Page 5 of 5
February 2025 to avoid significant penalties and loss of local control dictated by state law
and described above. Since the Amendment involves the enforcement of a law, general
rule, standard, or objective, administered or adopted by a regulatory agency, it is
categorically exempt under Section 15321.
Finally, the City Council hereby finds the adoption of this Amendment is covered
under the Housing Element Implementation Program Amendments Final Program
Environmental Impact Report. The Housing Element Implementation Program
Amendments Final PEIR (SCH No. 2023060699) was prepared for the 6t" Cycle Housing
Element Implementation (also referred to as the "Project") in compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"). On July 23, 2024, the City Council
adopted Resolution No. 2024-50, to certify the PEIR as complete and adequate, inclusive
of all required findings, a statement of overriding considerations, and a mitigation
monitoring reporting program. The City Council hereby finds that the action to adopt this
Resolution approving the Amendment was considered within the PEIR. Resolution No.
2024-50 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Section 5: This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the
City Council, and the City Clerk shall certify the vote adopting the resolution.
ADOPTED this 24th day of September, 2024.
Will O'Neill
Mayor
ATTEST:
Leilani I. Brown
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE
Aaron C. Harp
City Attorney
Attachments: Exhibit A — HCD Letter
Exhibit B — Housing Element Amendment
17-13
EXHIBIT A
HCD Letter
STATF OF ('At IFORNIA - 8USlN SS ONS lMFR R41C' S AND HOUSING AGENCY GA IN NEWSOM GovoraLhr
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento. CA 95811
(916) 263-2911 1 FAX (916) 263-7453
WAW. hcd.ca.onv is
August 20, 2024
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Community Development Department
City of Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Dear Seimone Jurjis:
RE: City of Newport Beach 6"' Cycle (2021-2029) Draft Housing Element
Amendment
Thank you for submitting the City of Newport Beach (City) draft amendment to the
adopted housing element that was received for review on August 2, 2024. Pursuant to
Government Code section 65585, subdivision (b), the California Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) is reporting the results of its review.
The City's housing element was found in compliance on October 5, 2022. The draft
amendment incorporates modifications to Section 3: Housing Constraints, Resources,
and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and Section 4: Housing Plan, Housing Policy
1.1 Implementation Action - Adequate Sites to Accommodate 2021-2029 RHNA and will
not negatively impact demonstrating adequate sites to accommodate the regional
housing need allocation (RHNA) or the current compliance status of the housing
element. Therefore, the element will remain in compliance with State Housing Element
Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) when the draft amendment is adopted, submitted to
and approved by HCD, in accordance with Government Code section 65585.
Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing
element is essential to effective housing planning. Throughout the housing element
process, the City must continue to engage the community, including organizations that
represent lower -income and special needs households, by making information regularly
available while considering and incorporating comments where appropriate.
17-14
Seimone Jurjis, Director
Page 2
HCD appreciates the hard work and dedication provided in the preparation of the City's
housing element and looks forward to receiving the County's adopted housing element.
If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact me at
Melinda.Cov.(dd)hcd.ca.00v.
Sincerely,
Melinda Coy
Proactive Housing Accountability Chief
17-15
EXHIBIT B
Housing Element Amendment
Section 1: Amend the Subsection entitled "Growth Management Measures" beginning
on Page 3-28 within Section 3: Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively
Furthering Fair Housing as follows:
Growth Management Measures
Growth management measures are techniques used by a government to regulate the rate,
amount, and type of development. Growth management measures allow cities to grow
responsibly and orderly, however, if overly restricted can produce constraints to the
development of housing, including accessible and affordable housing.
On November 7, 2000, the Newport Beach electorate approved Measure S, which amended the
Newport Beach City Charter by adding Section 423. Charter Section 423 requires voter approval
of certain major amendments of the Newport Beach General Plan, unless state or federal law
precludes a vote of the electorate on the amendment. In the case of Charter Section 423, in
general, a major amendment to the General Plan is defined as one that significantly increases
allowed density or intensity by increasing over 100 peak hour trips (traffic), or over 40,000 square
feet of floor area (intensity), or over 100 dwelling units (density) when compared to the General
Plan prior to approval. These thresholds are calculated as the sum of the amendment itself and
eighty percent (80%) of the increases resulting from other amendments affecting the same
neighborhood that were adopted within the preceding ten (10) years.
When the electorate approved Measure S, the electorate encouraged the City Council to adopt
implementing guidelines that are consistent with the purpose and intent of Measure S; however,
the Guidelines for Implementing Charter Section 423 do not provide guidance as to when a state
or federal law precludes a vote on a major amendment of the General Plan.
The City Council determines if a proposed amendment requires voter approval pursuant to
Charter Section 423, based on the following conditions:
• The Amendment modifies the allowed use(s) of the property or area that is the subject
of the Amendment such that the proposed use(s) generate(s) more than one hundred
(100) morning or evening peak hour trips than are generated by the allowed use(s)
before the Amendment; or
17-16
• The Amendment authorizes an increase in floor area for the property or area that is
the subject of the Amendment that exceeds forty thousand (40,000) square feet when
compared to the General Plan before approval of the Amendment; or
• The Amendment authorizes an increase in the number of dwelling units for the
property or area that is the subject of the Amendment that exceeds one hundred
(100) dwelling units when compared to the General Plan before approval of the
Amendment; or
• The increase in morning or evening peak hour trips, floor area or dwelling units
resulting from the Amendment when added to eighty percent (80%) of the increases
in morning or evening peak hour trips, floor area or dwelling units resulting from Prior
Amendments, within the preceding ten (10) years (see definition in Section 2J)
exceeds one or more of the voter approval thresholds in Section 423 as specified in
Subsection 1, 2 or 3.
If the City Council determines a General Plan Land Use Element Amendment requires voter
approval, after approving the Amendment, the City Council then adopts a resolution calling an
election on the Amendment. The City Council schedules the election at the next regular municipal
election, as specified by the City Charter. The City Attorney then prepares an impartial analysis
of the Amendment, which contains information about the Amendment, any related project or
land use approval, and the environmental analysis conducted that will help the electorate make
an informed decision. In the absence of an ordinance or Charter provision that establishes a
procedure for submittal of arguments or rebuttals relative to City measures, the City Council will
adopt a resolution that authorizes the filing of arguments and rebuttals in accordance with the
general procedures specified in the Elections Code.
It is important to understand that Charter Section 423 only applies to General Plan amendments.
Individual housing development projects that do not require a General Plan amendment are
already accommodated within the General Plan and zoning framework. They would not be
subject to Charter Section 423 and would never require a vote of the electorate.
If a housing development project requires a General Plan amendment, any unit and peak hour
traffic increases added to the project through bonus units awarded by the Density Bonus process
are not counted toward Charter Section 423 thresholds and a determination whether a vote is
required. Ultimately projects that require a vote of the electorate pursuant to Charter Section
423 may require additional costs and be subject to delays due to the election process that may
yield uncertain election results.
17-17
To implement the Housing Element, the City must move forward with adding housing units that
would qualify as a major amendment for purposes of Charter Section 423, which raises the
question whether a vote under Charter Section 423 is precluded by state or federal law. In recent
legislation, such as Senate Bill 1333, the legislature has specifically found that the lack of
affordable housing is a matter of statewide concern and that state housing laws related to land
use, planning and zoning apply to charter cities. Similarly, the court in Anderson v. City of San
Jose (2019) 42 Cal.App.Sth 683, found that that the lack of affordable housing is a matter of
statewide concern.
To comply with state laws, the City must have a general plan, which serves as the long-range plan
for future physical development in the community. (Government Code § 65000, et seq.) One of
the mandatory elements of a general plan is a housing element, which must be updated by the
City every eight (8) years and identify sites sufficient to meet the City's share of the Regional
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation. (Government Code §§ 65302, 65588, 65863.) In
determining the RHNA allocation, the council of governments does not take into consideration
any zoning or other local land use restrictions, such as Charter Section 423, but is directed by
state law to "consider the potential for increased residential development under alternative
zoning ordinances and land use restrictions." (Government Code § 65584.04(e)(2)(B).)
Furthermore, the City has a continuing obligation to always ensure that adequate sites exist to
accommodate lower -income housing development, not just at the beginning of the eight (8)-year
Regional Housing Needs Allocation cycle. (Government Code § 65863.)
In this RHNA cycle, the City has been allocated 4,845 new housing units. To comply with state
law, the City must not only plan for these units, but the City must also take action to establish
the appropriate zoning designations and development standards to allow the private market to
develop these units. After developing a plan for these units, the City must submit the Housing
Element to the Department of Housing and Community Development for them to find that the
Housing Element is in compliance with state law.
But having the California Department of Housing and Community Development find the City's
Housing Element is compliant with state law is only one step of many. The City is then required
to implement the Housing Element. Under Government Code Section 65585 (i)(1)(A),
implementation is not optional, and the California Department of Housing and Community
Development is charged with ensuring the City is implementing the Housing Element and taking
action to revoke its finding that the Housing Element complies with state law if the City fails to
implement the Housing Element. In addition to the loss of local zoning control, permitting
authority, and fines of up to $600,000 per month for not having a compliant Housing Element,
state law provides that the Attorney General may appoint an agent to take all necessary actions
to bring the City into compliance with state law. (Government Code § 65585(I).)
17-18
Because providing residential housing opportunity sites to accommodate the City's RHNA
allocation is mandated by state law and the City is required to implement the Housing Element,
a Charter Section 423 vote is precluded, and the City will move forward with implementing the
Housing Element without a Charter Section 423 vote.
Section 2: Amend the Subsection entitled "Implementation Actions" beginning on Page
4-2 within Section 4: Housing Plan as follows:
Implementation Actions
The City of Newport Beach has a total Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation of
4,845 units. State law requires the City of Newport Beach to identify adequate sites to
accommodate its fair share allocation for the 6th Cycle Housing Element. This City has identified
a variety of candidate sites through extensive analysis in collaboration with the community and
stakeholders through Newport Together's "Listen and Learn" process, multiple meetings of the
City's Housing Element Update Advisory Committee (Committee), participation by interested
residents at a variety of public meetings, workshops, and consultation with property owners. The
City of Newport Beach has identified an adequate amount of land that was determined by the
Committee as "Feasible" or "Potentially Feasible" for future development. Only a portion of these
candidate sites will be necessary to accommodate the City's RHNA planning obligation. These
sites have undergone a rigorous process to evaluate site features, development potential,
developer/owner interest and other factors to deem them appropriate for housing during the
2021-2029 Planning Period.
As part of the analysis of adequate sites, the City has comprehensively reviewed opportunity sites
citywide and has identified eight primary areas of opportunity:
• Airport Area Environs • Dover/Westcliff
• West Newport Mesa • Newport Center
• Banning Ranch • 5th Cycle Housing Element Sites
• Coyote Canyon • Accessory Dwelling Units
Since the City has identified several opportunity sites in the 5th Cycle Housing Element that will
be utilized in the 6th Cycle Housing Element, additional policy considerations are stated in this
Policy Program.
These opportunities sites are described in map and tabular format in Appendix B of this Housing
Element.
17-19
Each of the opportunity areas described in this Housing Element have been assigned a targeted
acreage, and a targeted number of new housing units (see following implementing Policy Action
statements). Collectively, these targets must meet the unmet RHNA need as required by state
law. It is expected there may be deviations from the targets with future implementing zoning
actions. New opportunity sites may be identified, and other sites may be deemed unsuitable, or
densities may be modified, all based on new information received over time. The City may adopt
future zoning strategies that are more or less than the identified targets in this Housing Element
provided the total unmet RHNA need by income category is accommodated within state -defined
deadlines. If future zoning strategies deviate from the targets expressed in this Housing Element
but still meet the requirement to identify adequate sites to accommodate unmet RHNA need, no
amendment to the Housing Element would be required and deviations of any magnitude may be
considered subject to the City Council's review and approval in consultation with the Community.
For all Rezone Policy Actions 1A to 1F, Pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions
(h) & (i), which rezone sites to accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the
City commits to the following:
• permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in
which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income
households. By -right means local government review must not require a CUP,
planned unit development permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
• accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
• require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on
sitesdesignated
• for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that accommodate
all of the very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 100 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a
mixed -use project.
5788168.1
17-20
Attachment B
Ordinance to Create the Housing Opportunity Overlay Zoning Districts
17-21
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-16
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE
20 (PLANNING AND ZONING) OF THE NEWPORT
BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE
GENERAL PLAN 6T" CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT
(PA2022-0245)
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the City of Newport Beach ("City") Charter vests the
City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations with
respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and limitations contained in
the Charter and the State Constitution, and the power to exercise, or act pursuant to
any and all rights, powers, and privileges, or procedures granted or prescribed by any
law of the State of California;
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65580 et seq. ("State Housing
Element Law") requires each city and county adopt a housing element that identifies and
analyzes existing and projected housing needs within their jurisdiction and prepare goals,
policies, and programs, and quantified objectives to further the development,
improvement, and preservation of housing;
WHEREAS, the City's General Plan Land Use Element is a mandatory element
that governs the ultimate pattern of development and requires updating every now and
then for consistency with other General Plan elements;
WHEREAS, every eight years, State Housing Element Law requires the City to
update its General Plan Housing Element to identify and analyze existing and projected
housing needs for the City along with a housing plan that provides adequate land use
capacity to meet those needs;
WHEREAS, the City was assigned a Regional Housing Needs Assessment
("RHNA") allocation of 4,845 new units as its projected housing need for the planning
period covering 2021-2029 and, as a result, the City worked diligently to prepare its 6tn
Cycle Housing Element in compliance with state law;
WHEREAS, preparation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element involved extensive
public participation with community groups at numerous workshops, as well as meetings
with the Planning Commission and City Council, and was assisted by an ad -hoc
committee called the Housing Element Update Advisory Committee ("HEUAC") formed
and appointed by the City Council;
17-22
Ordinance No. 2024-16
Page 2 of 6
WHEREAS, after several meetings with the State Department of Housing and
Community Development ("HCD") and numerous drafts, the City Council adopted the
final 6th Cycle Housing Element on September 13, 2022;
WHEREAS, HCD certified the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element on October 5,
2022, as statutorily compliant with state law;
WHEREAS, Section 4 (Housing Plan) of the 6th Cycle Housing Element presents
a framework and strategy for meeting the needs of existing and future resident populations
in Newport Beach based on the RHNA allocation of 4,845 new housing units, the "fair
share" of regional housing need and demand, by planning for units within the following site
groupings or 'focus areas" that are best suited for residential growth: Airport Area
Environs, West Newport Mesa, Newport Center, Dove r/Westcl iff, and Coyote Canyon;
WHEREAS, the 6t11 Cycle Housing Element opportunity sites are to be rezoned per
Housing Element Policy Actions 1A through 1F to accommodate the City's RHNA
obligation, including a buffer necessary to address future "no net loss" of available sites
and to preclude the need to identify replacement sites during implementation;
WHEREAS, the rezoning includes the establishment of overlay zoning districts
and accompanying development standards, as well as corresponding amendments to the
General Plan Land Use Element and the Local Coastal Program;
WHEREAS, to comply with state law, the City has been working diligently to
implement the 6th Cycle Housing Element no later than February 2025 ("6th Cycle
Housing Element Implementation"), which requires the following amendments and
actions:
• General Plan Amendment ("GPA") - To revise the necessary goals and/or
policies within the City's Land Use Element to support housing production in
the focus areas identified by the 6th Cycle Housing Element;
• Amendment to Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) ("ZCA") - To implement the
Land Use Element's policy changes by allowing housing development as an
opportunity and establishing appropriate objective design and development
standards for multi -unit residential and mixed -use development projects;
17-23
Ordinance No. 2024-16
Page 3 of 6
• Local Coastal Program Amendment ("LCPA") - To revise and create new
policies within the City's Coastal Land Use Plan and update Title 21 (Local
Coastal Program Implementation Plan) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code ("NBMC") to support housing production in the focus areas identified
by the 6th Cycle Housing Element that are within the Coastal Zone; and
• Program Environmental Impact Report ("PEIR") (SCH No. 2023060699) - To
analyze potential environmental impacts under the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQK) related to the 6"1 Cycle Housing Element
Implementation, a Draft Housing Element Implementation Program
Amendments Program Environmental Impact Report ("Draft PEIR"), to
address reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts resulting from the 6th
Cycle Housing Element Implementation;
WHEREAS, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation must take effect by
February 2025 to avoid significant penalties and loss of local control dictated by state
law, which may include, but are not limited to:
• Increased exposure to public and private litigation;
• Loss of permitting authority;
• Financial penalties including monthly fines of up to $600,0000;
• Loss of eligibility for state and regional funding sources;
• Court receivership;
• Allowing housing developers to bypass the City's zoning requirements; and
• Increased exposure to monitoring by the newly formed Housing
Accountability Unit of HCD;
WHEREAS, City staff worked closely with the community through the City
Council -appointed General Plan Advisory Committee ("GPAC") and General Plan
Update Steering Committee ("GPUSC") from March 2023 to August 2023 to draft Land
Use Element goals and policies that support 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation,
including the ZCA;
WHEREAS, the draft GPA that was supported by the GPAC and the GPUSC
was posted online along with the draft ZCA on August 30, 2023, with additional public
comments and participation at the Planning Commission Study Session on September
21, 2023, and City Council Study Session on February 13, 2024;
WHEREAS, the draft GPA was revised and reposed online on January 16,
2024, and March 28, 2024, based on the public's input;
17-24
Ordinance No. 2024-16
Page 4 of 6
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on April 18,
2024, in the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California to
consider the actions and amendments required for the 6th Cycle Housing Element
Implementation. A notice of time, place, and purpose of the hearing was given in
accordance with Government Code Section 54950 et seq. ("Ralph M. Brown Act"),
Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings) and Chapter 21.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC.
Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to, and considered by the Planning
Commission at this hearing;
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Commission
adopted Resolution No. PC2024-006 by a unanimous vote (5 ayes, 2 recusals)
recommending the City Council certify the Housing Element Implementation Program
Amendments Draft PEIR and approve the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation;
WHEREAS, California Public Utilities Code ("CPUC") Section 21676(b) requires
the City to refer the 6t" Cycle Housing Element Implementation to the Orange County
Airport Land Use Commission ("ALUC") to review for consistency with the 2008 John
Wayne Airport Environs Land Use Plan ("AELUP");
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2024, the ALUC determined the 6t" Cycle Housing
Element Implementation is inconsistent with the AELUP;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 21670 and 21676 of the CPUC, the City
Council held a duly noticed public hearing on May 28, 2024, and adopted Resolution
No. 2024-32 (7 ayes, 0 nays), to notify the ALUC and State Department of
Transportation Aeronautics Program of the City's intent to override ALUC's
inconsistency finding and on May 29, 2024, the City issued the Notice of Intent to
Override ALUC's determination and received two comments in response; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on July 23, 2024, by the City Council in
the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California to
consider the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation, including consideration of
certifying the PEIR, adoption of CEQA Findings, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program and a Statement of Overriding Considerations. A notice of time, place, and
purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with CPUC Section 21676(b), the
Ralph M. Brown Act, Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings), Chapter 20.66 (Amendments),
and Chapter 21.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC, and City Council Policy K-1
(General Plan and Local Coastal Program) and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation
procedures for the California Environmental Quality Act). Evidence both written and
oral, was presented to, and considered by, the City Council at this hearing.
17-25
Ordinance No. 2024-16
Page 5 of 6
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows:
Section 1: The City Council finds amendments to Title 20 (Planning and
Zoning) of the NBMC are legislative acts. Neither Title 20 nor State Planning Law set
for any required findings for either approval or denial of such amendments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ZCA is consistent with the corresponding GPA and
LCPA.
Section 2: The City Council does hereby make the findings attached hereto as
Exhibit "A" and incorporated by reference, and approves the ZCA, as set forth in Exhibit
"B," which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3: The Housing Element Implementation Program Amendments Final
PEIR (SCH No. 2023060699) was prepared for the 6th Cycle Housing Element
Implementation (also referred to as the "Project") in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as set forth in the Public Resources Code Section
21000 et seq., Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations
("CEQA Guidelines"), and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation Procedures for the
California Environmental Quality Act). On July 23, 2024, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 2024-50, to certify the PEIR as complete and adequate, inclusive of all
required findings, a statement of overriding considerations, and a mitigation monitoring
reporting program. The City Council hereby finds that the action to adopt this Resolution
approving the ZCA was considered within the PEIR. Resolution No. 2024-50 is hereby
incorporated by reference.
Section 4: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
Section 5: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not
affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The
City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
Section 6: Except as expressly modified in this ordinance, all other sections,
subsections, terms, clauses and phrases set forth in the NBMC shall remain unchanged
and shall be in full force and effect.
17-26
Ordinance No. 2024-16
Page 6 of 6
Section 7: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be
published pursuant to City Charter Section 414. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty
(30) calendar days after its adoption.
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach held on the 23rd day of July, 2024, and adopted on the 24th day of
September, 2024, by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
WILL O'NEILL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LEILANI I. BROWN, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE
A R N C. HARP, CITY ATTORNEY
Attachments: Exhibit "A" — Findings for Approval
Exhibit "B" — Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) Housing Opportunity
(HO) Overlay Zoning Districts
17-27
EXHIBIT "A"
Findings for Approval
General Finding:
An amendment to the City's Zoning Code is a legislative act. Neither Title 20 (Planning
and Zoning) of the NBMC nor California Government Code Section 65000 et seq., set
forth any required findings for approval of such amendments. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the following amendments to the Zoning Code will create internal consistency
with the certified 6th Cycle Housing Element:
Facts in Support of Finding:
1. The Zoning Code is a tool designed to implement the General Plan. Since
the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation involves an amendment to
the General Plan, it is necessary to also amend Title 20 (Planning and
Zoning) to achieve its goals and policies.
2. The Zoning Code Amendment ("ZCA"), attached to this ordinance as
Exhibit "B" incorporated herein, including the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts with associated development standards, are
consistent with the implementation program in the Housing Plan of the
Housing Element, as discussed in Resolution No. 2024- under the
Findings for the General Plan Amendment. The ZCA will enable the
implementation of the Housing Element's key objective, which is to
accommodate the development of housing projects to fulfill City's "fair
share" of regional housing need and demand.
17-28
EXHIBIT "B"
Title 20 (Planning and Zoning)
Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning Districts
Chapter 20.28 (Overlay Zoning Districts) of the NBMC is amended to include a new
Section 21.28.050 (Housing Opportunity [HO] Overlay Zoning Districts) as follows:
Chapter 20.28
OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICTS (MHP, PM, B, HO, H)
Sections:
20.28.010 Purposes of Overlay Zoning Districts.
20.28.020 Mobile Home Park (MHP) Overlay Zoning District.
20.28.030 Parking Management (PM) Overlay District.
20.28.040 Bluff (B) Overlay District.
20.28.050 Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning Districts.
20.28.060 Height (H) Overlay District.
Section 20.28.010 (Purposes of Overlay Zoning Districts) is amended to include a new
Subsection (D) as follows:
D. HO (Housing Opportunity) Overlay Zoning Districts. The HO Overlay Zoning Districts are
intended to accommodate housing opportunities consistent with the Housing Element's
focus areas and to ensure the City can meet its allocation of the Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA). The specific areas are identified in Part 8 of this title (Maps).
New Section 20.28.050 (Housing Opportunity [HO] Overlay Zoning Districts) is
incorporated into the Chapter as follows:
20.28.050 Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning Districts.
A. Applicability. This section applies to properties located in one of the Housing
Opportunity (HO) Overlay Zoning Districts, as identified in Part 8 of this title (Maps -
NOTE: Maps largely mirror the focus areas in Appendix B of the Housing Element and
will be posted once available). This includes the following subareas:
1. HO-1 - Airport Area Environs Area - The Airport Area Environs Area is located north
of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Reserve, primarily around the John Wayne
Airport.
17-29
2. HO-2 - West Newport Mesa Area - The West Newport Mesa Area is located near the
southwest corner of the City and primarily consists of industrial properties along
16th Street, Production Place, and 15th Street.
3. HO-3 - Dover-Westcliff Area - The Dover-Westcliff Area includes property on both
sides of West Coast Highway and the west of Dover Drive. Properties in the Lido
Village area are included.
4. HO-4 - Newport Center Area - The Newport Center Area is generally bounded by
San Joaquin Hills Road, MacArthur Blvd, Coast Highway, and jamboree Road.
5. HO-5 - Coyote Canyon Area - The Coyote Canyon Area is located on the south side
of California State Route 73, at the junction of Newport Coast Drive.
The above listed are general descriptions of each subarea and additional properties may
be included with the subarea. To be eligible for the provisions of this chapter, the property
must be listed on the HO area map as an "Opportunity Site".
6. HO-6 - 5th Cycle Housing Element Sites - Those sites that are identified as 5th Cycle
Housing Element sites on Figure B-5 of the 6th Cycle Housing Element. See
subsection 20.28.050(E) for alternative review process.
B. Uses Allowed. The following uses shall be permitted in the Housing Opportunity (HO)
Overlay Zoning Districts with exception of HO-6 where only the base zoning standards
apply:
1. Any use that is permitted or conditionally permitted in the base zone;
2. Multiple -unit development that meets the density requirements set forth in this
section;
3. Mixed -use development that includes a residential component which complies with
the minimum density set forth in this section; and
4. Residential supporting uses such as leasing/sales/property management offices,
fitness facilities, recreation facilities, etc.
C. Subarea Development Standards.
1.
1. Development Standards. The following development standards shall apply to any
residential or mixed -use project permitted pursuant to this section. Unless
otherwise modified by this section, all applicable development standards, including
any adopted objective design standards, shall apply.
17-30
TABLE 2-16
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY OVERLAY ZONES
Development Feature
Housing Opportunity Subareas
HO-1
HO-2
HO-3
HO-4
HO-5
HO-6
Development Limit
2,577
1,107
521
2,439
1,530
N/A
(units)(')
Lot Size/Dimension
Per Base Zone
Lot area required per unit
Minimum:
Minimum:
Minimum:
All
(sq. ft.)(z)
2,178 (20
2,178 (20 du/ac)
2,178 (20
Standards
du/ac)
Maximum:
du/ac)
Per Base
Maximum:
871 (50 du/ac)
Maximum:
Zone
871 (50
726 (60
du/ac)
du/ac)(10)
Setbacks
Front
0 ft.(3)
10
10 ft.(3)(4)
0(3)
10 ft.(3)
ft.(3)
Rear
0
20 ft.
20 ft.
0
20 ft.
Side
0 (4)
Street Side
0(3)
10
10 ft.(3)
0 ft.(3)
10 ft.(3)
ft.(3)
Height
Per Base
65 ft.
65 ft.(6)
Per
65 ft.
Zone
Base
unless
Zone(')
otherwise
identified
on the
map
Building Separation
10 ft.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
No restriction(8)
Common Open Space(9)
Minimum 75 square feet/dwelling unit. (The minimum
dimension [length and width] shall be 15 feet.)
Private Open Space(9)
5% of the gross floor area for each unit. (The
minimum dimension [length and width] shall be 6
feet.)
Fencing
See Section 20.30.040 (Fences, Hedges, Walls, and
Retaining Walls).
Landscaping
See Chapter 20.36 (Landscaping Standards).
Lighting
See Section 20.30.070 (Outdoor Lighting).
Outdoor Storage/Display
See Section 20.48.140 (Outdoor Storage, Display, and
Activities).
Parking
See Subsection (D)(3) below and Chapter 20.40 (Off -
Street Parking).
Satellite Antennas
See Section 20.48.190 (Satellite Antennas and
Amateur Radio Facilities).
Signs
See Chapter 20.42 (Sign Standards).
17-31
(1) Development limits are additional residential development opportunities beyond the base allowances in this Title
and General Plan, including projects approved under those base allowances and units identified as pipeline units in
the 611 Cycle Housing Element (Table B-2). Development limits shall not include density bonus units. Furthermore,
eligible units are only counted against the development limits when they are either entitled or are issued a building
permit if allowed by right. However, 25% of the development limit within each HO Overlay Zoning District that
includes properties within the Coastal Zone shall be reserved until such a time as the Citys Local Coastal Program
has been amended to allow for housing consistent with the implementation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
Following the Citys Local Coastal Program Amendment, priority for the reserved units will be given to sites located
within the Coastal Zone.
(2) Minimum/maximum allowable density range may be based on an average density of the entire project site,
excluding density bonus units.
(3) Any portion of the building that is over 20 feet in height shall be setback a minimum 20 feet from the street right-of-
way.
(4) Except in the Mixed -Use Mariners Mile (MU-MM) Zoning District wherein residential uses are only allowed beginning
100 feet north of Coast Highway.
(5) The combined total from both sides shall be 15 feet.
(6) The height shall be limited to 35 feet in the Shoreline Height Limit Area, as identified in Map H-1.
(7) "Base Zone" includes all height limitations established by the Sight Plane Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1371 and
Ordinance No. 1596).
(8) The FAR in this table only applies to residential floor area, including any supporting facilities. In mixed -use
developments, the FAR for nonresidential is still applicable.
(9) For purposes of this section, common and private open space in HO-1 may include enclosed shared amenities such
as a clubhouse, swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, racquetball court, weightlifting facility, children's
playground equipment, sauna, jacuzzi, day care facility, or any other recreational amenities/facilities as deemed
appropriate by the Community Development Director.
(10) This density is intended for the former Coyote Canyon Landfill site only. The Sage Hill School site is limited to a
maximum of 20 dwelling units.
2. Airport Area Environs Area (HO-1). The following development standards shall only
apply to projects with the Airport Area Environs Area:
a. Sound Mitigation. The interior ambient noise level of all new residential
dwelling units shall meet applicable standards of the Section 10.26.030
(Interior Noise Standards). An acoustical analysis report, prepared by an
acoustical engineer, shall be submitted describing the acoustical design
features of the structure that will satisfy the interior noise standard. The
residential units shall be constructed, and noise attenuated in compliance
with the report.
b. Advanced Air Filtration. The design of all new residential and mixed -use
residential developments shall include advanced air filtration systems to
promote cleaner air within living environments.
c. Notification to Owners and Tenants. A written disclosure statement shall be
prepared prior to sale, lease, or rental of a residential unit within the
development. The disclosure statement shall indicate that the occupants will
be living in an urban type of environment adjacent to an airport and that the
noise, odor, and outdoor activity levels may be higher than a typical
suburban residential area. The disclosure statement shall include a written
17-32
description of the potential impacts to residents of both the existing
environment (e.g., noise from planes, commercial activity on the site and
vehicles streets) and potential nuisances based upon the allowed uses in the
zoning district. Each and every buyer, lessee, or renter shall sign the
statement acknowledging that they have received, read, and understand the
disclosure statement. A covenant shall also be included within all deeds,
leases or contracts conveying any interest in a residential unit within the
development that requires: (1) the disclosure and notification requirement
stated herein; (2) an acknowledgment by all grantees or lessees that the
property is located within an urban type of environment and that the noise,
odor, and outdoor activity levels may be higher than a typical suburban
residential area; and (3) acknowledgment that the covenant is binding for the
benefit and in favor of the City of Newport Beach.
3. West Newport Mesa Area (HO-2). The following development standards shall only
apply to projects with the West Newport Mesa Area:
a. West Newport Mesa Streetscape Master Plan. Any residential or mixed -use
residential development shall implement applicable components of the
adopted West Newport Mesa Streetscape Master Plan.
4. Coyote Canyon Area (HO-5). The following development standards shall only apply
to projects with the Coyote Canyon Area:
a. Public Park. Any future residential development within this subarea shall
include a public park that is no less than 3.5 acres, in aggregate. As part of
the review for the overall project, the developer shall provide a detailed
description of the public park, including timing, dimensions, and location
within the project site.
b. Public Trails. Any future residential development shall include public trails for
the entire subarea that accommodate multiple modes of transit (i.e., walking
and bicycling) and connect to nearby community resources, as well as the
existing trail system. As part of the review for the overall project, the
developer shall provide a detailed description of the trail system, including
timing, dimensions, alignment, and location within the project site.
D. General Development Standards. The following development standards shall apply to all
projects within the Housing Opportunity zone, regardless of subarea:
1. Mixed -use developments. All mixed -use developments shall comply with Section
20.48.130 (Standards for Mixed -Use Projects). In addition, a minimum of 50% of the
17-33
floor area of mixed -use developments shall be dedicated to residential uses. For
purposes of this section, floor area be defined as all enclosed floor space, but
exclude parking garages/spaces, utility areas, and storage areas that are not directly
accessible from the interior of a dwelling unit.
2. Landscaped Setbacks. All front and street side setbacks shall be landscaped, except
for areas that provide vehicle and pedestrian access to the right-of-way.
3. Residential Off -Street Parking Requirements. Residential parking requirements for
projects within the Housing Opportunity Overlay Zones shall be provided in
accordance with Table 2-17 below. Parking for all other uses not included in this
table shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 20.40 (Off -Street Parking
Requirements) of the NBMC.
TABLE 2-17
RESIDENTIAL OFF-STREET PARKING FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY OVERLAY ZONES
Land Use
Subtype
Parking Requirement
Residential
Studio
1.1 spaces per dwelling unit
(Rental)
1 Bedroom
1.5 spaces per dwelling unit
2 Bedrooms
1.8 spaces per dwelling unit
3 Bedrooms
2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Visitor Parking
0.3 spaces per dwelling unit
Residential
Studio
1.4 spaces per dwelling unit
(Ownership)
1 Bedroom
1.8 spaces per dwelling unit
2 Bedrooms
1.8 spaces per dwelling unit
3 Bedrooms
2.0 spaces per dwelling unit
Visitor Parking
0.3 spaces per dwelling unit
E. Review Process. Notwithstanding Sections 20.48.130(A) and 20.52.080, any residential or
mixed -use development in the HO Overlay Zones that includes a minimum of 20% of the
units reserved for very -low- and low-income residents shall not require a Site Development
Review, but shall require an affordable housing implementation plan (AHIP) and shall meet
all the following criteria:
1. All units designated as affordable to very -low and/or low-income residents shall be
subject to a minimum 30-year affordability covenant;
2. Affordable units shall reflect the range of numbers of bedrooms provided in the
residential development project as a whole, but may be smaller and have different
interior finishes and features than market -rate units;
17-34
3. Affordable units shall be comparable in the facilities provided (e.g., laundry,
recreation, etc.) and in the quality of construction and exterior design to the market -
rate units; and
4. Affordable units shall be dispersed throughout the residential development.
Subsection 20.48.130(B) shall be amended to include a reference to the HO Overlay
Zoning Districts as follows:
B. Development Standards. In addition to the development standards provided in this
section, development standards for mixed -use projects are provided in:
1. Table 2-10 (Development Standards for MU-V; MU-MM; MU-DW; and MUCV/15th
St.);
2. Table 2-11 (Development Standards for MU-W1 and MU-W2 Mixed -Use Zoning
Districts);
3. Table 2-16 (Development Standards for Housing Opportunity Overlay Zones); and
4. Other sections in this Part 4 for specific uses that may be part of the proposed
mixed -use project.
Part 8. Maps, Chapter 20.80 (Maps) is amended to include new Section 20.80.025
(Housing Opportunity Overlay Zoning Districts maps) as follows:
Chapter 20.80
MAPS
Sections:
20.80.010
Area maps.
20.80.020
Bluff overlay.
20.80.025
Housing Opportunity Overlay Zoning Districts maps.
20.80.030
Height limit areas.
20.80.035
Parking Management Overlay District maps.
20.80.040
Setback maps.
17-35
Section 20.80.025 (Housing Opportunity Overlay Zoning Districts maps) is added in its
entirety to include an indexing of maps as follows:
HO-1 - Airport Area Environs Area (PDF)
HO-2 - West Newport Mesa Area (PDF)
HO-3 - Dover-Westcliff Area (PDF)
HO-4 - Newport Center Area (PDF)
HO-5 - Coyote Canyon Area (PDF)
HO-6 - 5th Cycle Housing Element Sites (PDF)
The corresponding maps for each of the Housing Opportunity Overlay Zoning Districts,
as indexed in Section 20.80.025 and linked as a PDF, are to be in a similar format to the
following series of maps beginning on the next page:
17-36
Legend
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17-37
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17-38
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17-39
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17-40
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17-41
HO-6 Existing 5th Cycle Sites
Balboa Village
NE
17-42
Attachment C
Ordinance to Establish the Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
17-43
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-17
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE
20 (PLANNING AND ZONING) OF THE NEWPORT
BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT OBJECTIVE
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS (PA2022-0245)
WHEREAS, Section 200 of the City of Newport Beach ("City") Charter vests the
City Council with the authority to make and enforce all laws, rules, and regulations with
respect to municipal affairs subject only to the restrictions and limitations contained in
the Charter and the State Constitution, and the power to exercise, or act pursuant to
any and all rights, powers, and privileges, or procedures granted or prescribed by any
law of the State of California;
WHEREAS, California Government Code Section 65580 et seq. ("State Housing
Element Lave') requires each city and county adopt a housing element that identifies and
analyzes existing and projected housing needs within their jurisdiction and prepare goals,
policies, and programs, and quantified objectives to further the development,
improvement, and preservation of housing;
WHEREAS, the City's General Plan Land Use Element is a mandatory element
that governs the ultimate pattern of development and requires updating every now and
then for consistency with other General Plan elements;
WHEREAS, every eight years, State Housing Element Law requires the City to
update its General Plan Housing Element to identify and analyze existing and projected
housing needs for the City along with a housing plan that provides adequate land use
capacity to meet those needs;
WHEREAS, the City was assigned a Regional Housing Needs Assessment
("RHNA") allocation of 4,845 new units as its projected housing need for the planning
period covering 2021-2029 and, as a result, the City worked diligently to prepare its 6th
Cycle Housing Element in compliance with state law;
WHEREAS, preparation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element involved extensive
public participation with community groups at numerous workshops, as well as meetings
with the Planning Commission and City Council, and was assisted by an ad -hoc
committee called the Housing Element Update Advisory Committee ("HEUAC") formed
and appointed by the City Council;
17-44
Ordinance No. 2024-17
Page 2of6
WHEREAS, after several meetings with the State Department of Housing and
Community Development ("HCD") and numerous drafts, the City Council adopted the
final 6th Cycle Housing Element on September 13, 2022;
WHEREAS, HCD certified the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element on October 5,
2022, as statutorily compliant with state law;
WHEREAS, Section 4 (Housing Plan) of the 6th Cycle Housing Element presents
a framework and strategy for meeting the needs of existing and future resident populations
in Newport Beach based on the RHNA allocation of 4,845 new housing units, the "fair
share" of regional housing need and demand, by planning for units within the following site
groupings or "focus areas" that are best suited for residential growth: Airport Area
Environs, West Newport Mesa, Newport Center, Dove r/Westcl iff, and Coyote Canyon;
WHEREAS, the 6th Cycle Housing Element opportunity sites are to be rezoned per
Housing Element Policy Actions 1A through 1 F to accommodate the City's RHNA
obligation, including a buffer necessary to address future "no net loss" of available sites
and to preclude the need to identify replacement sites during implementation;
WHEREAS, the rezoning includes the establishment of overlay zoning districts
and accompanying development standards, as well as corresponding amendments to the
General Plan Land Use Element and the Local Coastal Program;
WHEREAS, to comply with state law, the City has been working diligently to
implement the 6th Cycle Housing Element no later than February 2025 ("6th Cycle
Housing Element Implementation"), which requires the following amendments and
actions:
• General Plan Amendment ("GPA") - To revise the necessary goals and/or
policies within the City's Land Use Element to support housing production in
the focus areas identified by the 6th Cycle Housing Element;
• Amendment to Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) ("ZCA") - To implement the
Land Use Element's policy changes by allowing housing development as an
opportunity and establishing appropriate objective design and development
standards for multi -unit residential and mixed -use development projects;
17-45
Ordinance No. 2024-17
Page 3 of 6
• Local Coastal Program Amendment ("LCPA") - To revise and create new
policies within the City's Coastal Land Use Plan and update Title 21 (Local
Coastal Program Implementation Plan) of the Newport Beach Municipal
Code ("NBMC") to support housing production in the focus areas identified
by the 6t" Cycle Housing Element that are within the Coastal Zone; and
• Program Environmental Impact Report ("PEIR") (SCH No. 2023060699) - To
analyze potential environmental impacts under the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") related to the 6th Cycle Housing Element
Implementation, a Draft Housing Element Implementation Program
Amendments Program Environmental Impact Report ("Draft PEIR"), to
address reasonably foreseeable environmental impacts resulting from the 6th
Cycle Housing Element Implementation;
WHEREAS, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation must take effect by
February 2025 to avoid significant penalties and loss of local control dictated by state
law, which may include, but are not limited to:
• Increased exposure to public and private litigation;
• Loss of permitting authority;
• Financial penalties including monthly fines of up to $600,000;
• Loss of eligibility for state and regional funding sources;
• Court receivership;
• Allowing housing developers to bypass the City's zoning requirements; and
• Increased exposure to monitoring by the newly formed Housing
Accountability Unit of HCD;
WHEREAS, City staff worked closely with the community through the City
Council -appointed General Plan Advisory Committee ("GPAC") and General Plan
Update Steering Committee ("GPUSC") from March 2023 to August 2023 to draft Land
Use Element goals and policies that support 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation,
including the ZCA;
WHEREAS, the draft GPA that was supported by the GPAC and the GPUSC
was posted online along with the draft ZCA on August 30, 2023, with additional public
comments and participation at the Planning Commission Study Session on September
21, 2023, City Council Study Session on February 13, 2024;
WHEREAS, the draft GPA was revised and reposed online on January 16,
2024, and March 28, 2024, based on the public's input;
17-46
Ordinance No. 2024-17
Page 4of6
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission on April 18,
2024, in the Council Chambers at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California to
consider the actions and amendments required for the 6t" Cycle Housing Element
Implementation. A notice of time, place, and purpose of the hearing was given in
accordance with Government Code Section 54950 et seq. ("Ralph M. Brown Act"),
Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings) and Chapter 21.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC.
Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to, and considered by the Planning
Commission at this hearing;
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the public hearing, the Planning Commission
adopted Resolution No. PC2024-006 by a unanimous vote (5 ayes, 2 recusals)
recommending the City Council certify the Housing Element Implementation Program
Amendments Draft PEIR and approve the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation;
WHEREAS, California Public Utilities Code ("CPUC") Section 21676(b) requires
the City to refer the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation to the Orange County
Airport Land Use Commission ("ALUC") to review for consistency with the 2008 John
Wayne Airport Environs Land Use Plan ("AELUP");
WHEREAS, on May 16, 2024, the ALUC determined the 6tn Cycle Housing
Element Implementation is inconsistent with the AELUP;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 21670 and 21676 of the CPUC, the City
Council held a duly noticed public hearing on May 28, 2024, and adopted Resolution
No. 2024-32 (7 ayes, 0 nays), to notify the ALUC and State Department of
Transportation Aeronautics Program of the City's intent to override ALUC's
inconsistency finding and on May 29, 2024, the City issued the Notice of Intent to
Override ALUC's determination and received two comments in response; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on July 23, 2024, by the City Council in
the Council Chambers located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, California to
consider the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation, including consideration of
certifying the PEIR, adoption of CEQA Findings, Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting
Program and a Statement of Overriding Considerations. A notice of time, place, and
purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with CPUC Section 21676(b), the
Ralph M. Brown Act, Chapter 20.62 (Public Hearings), Chapter 20.66 (Amendments)
and Chapter 21.62 (Public Hearings) of the NBMC, and City Council Policy K-1
(General Plan and Local Coastal Program) and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation
procedures for the California Environmental Quality Act). Evidence both written and
oral, was presented to, and considered by, the City Council at this hearing.
17-47
Ordinance No. 2024-17
Page 5 of 6
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Newport Beach ordains as
follows:
Section 1: The City Council finds amendments to Title 20 (Planning and
Zoning) of the NBMC are legislative acts. Neither Title 20 nor State Planning Law set
for any required findings for either approval or denial of such amendments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the ZCA is consistent with the corresponding GPA and
LCPA.
Section 2: The City Council does hereby make the findings attached hereto as
Exhibit "A" and incorporated by reference, and approves the ZCA, as set forth in Exhibit
"B," which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 3: The Housing Element Implementation Program Amendments Final
PEIR (SCH No. 2023060699) was prepared for the 6th Cycle Housing Element
Implementation (also referred to as the "Project") in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as set forth in the Public Resources Code Section
21000 et seq., Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations
("CEQA Guidelines"), and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation Procedures for the
California Environmental Quality Act). On July 23, 2024, the City Council adopted
Resolution No. 2024-50, to certify the PEIR as complete and adequate, inclusive of all
required findings, a statement of overriding considerations, and a mitigation monitoring
reporting program. The City Council hereby finds that the action to adopt this Resolution
approving the ZCA was considered within the PEIR. Resolution No. 2024-50 is hereby
incorporated by reference.
Section 4: The recitals provided in this ordinance are true and correct and are
incorporated into the substantive portion of this ordinance.
Section 5: If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not
affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance. The
City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this ordinance and each section,
subsection, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or
more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared invalid or
unconstitutional.
17-48
Ordinance No. 2024-17
Page 6 of 6
Section 6: Except as expressly modified in this ordinance, all other sections,
subsections, terms, clauses and phrases set forth in the NBMC shall remain unchanged
and shall be in full force and effect.
Section 7: The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall attest to the passage
of this Ordinance. The City Clerk shall cause the ordinance, or a summary thereof, to be
published pursuant to City Charter Section 414. This ordinance shall be effective thirty
(30) calendar days after its adoption.
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of Newport Beach held on the 23rd day of July, 2024, and adopted on the 24th day of
September, 2024, by the following vote, to -wit. -
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
WILL O'NEILL, MAYOR
ATTEST:
LEILANI I. BROWN, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY TTORNEY'S OFFICE
A R N C. HARP, CITY ATTORNEY
Attachments: Exhibit "A" — Findings for Approval
Exhibit "B" — Title 20 (Planning and Zoning) Multi -Unit Objective
Design Standards
17-49
EXHIBIT "A"
Findings for Approval
General Finding:
An amendment to the City's Zoning Code is a legislative act. Neither Title 20 (Planning
and Zoning) of the NBMC nor California Government Code Section 65000 et seq., set
forth any required findings for approval of such amendments. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the following amendments to the Zoning Code will create internal consistency
with the certified 6th Cycle Housing Element:
Facts in Support of Finding:
1. The Zoning Code is a tool designed to implement the General Plan. Since
the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation involves an amendment to
the General Plan, it is necessary to also amend Title 20 (Planning and
Zoning) to achieve its goals and policies.
The Zoning Code Amendment ("ZCA"), attached to this ordinance as
Exhibit "B" incorporated herein, including the Multi -Unit Objective Design
Standards, are consistent with Senate Bill 330 which limits discretion for
housing development projects that are consistent with the general plan
and zoning code. The objective development standards provided herein
will provide for the orderly development of residential development
projects that are consistent with SB 330.
17-50
EXHIBIT "B"
Title 20 (Planning and Zoning)
Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
Section 20.48.185 (Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards) is added in its entirety as
follows:
20.48.185 Multi -Unit Objective Design Standards
A. Purpose. The purpose of the Objective Design Standards is to ensure the highest possible
design quality and to provide a baseline standard for all new multi -unit development in
Newport Beach. Multi -unit housing proposals must, at a minimum demonstrate compliance
with all the standards contained herein. Proposals not consistent with any of these
standards shall be required to seek approval through a discretionary site development
review process as provided by Chapter 20.52.080 (Site Development Reviews). Applicants
may request site development review to demonstrate that a project meets or exceeds the
intent of the standards in this document by other means. The Objective Design Standards
shall serve as the basis for evaluating proposed deviations; applicants using a discretionary
review process shall refer to the Objective Design Standards to demonstrate how the
proposal meets or exceeds the intent of the Newport Beach Development Code.
B. Intent. The objective design standards are intended to result in quality design of multi -unit
residential and mixed -use development. Review under these standards supports
development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high
quality and resilient buildings and public spaces. These standards shall be applied uniformly
and without discretion to enhance the built environment for both affordable and market -
rate multi -unit residential development.
C. Applicability. The standards shall be used for review of multi -unit development applications,
including by -right and discretionary applications. The development standards in this
subsection shall apply to residential and mixed -use development projects that include a
residential density of a minimum of 20dwelling units per acre, which is calculated as an
average over a project site. When an applicant elects to deviate from these objective
development standards, approval of site development review by the Planning Commission
shall be required in compliance with Chapter 20.52.080. The Planning Commission may
waive any of the design and development standards in this section upon finding that:
1. The strict compliance with the standards is not necessary to achieve the purpose and
intent of this section; and
2. The project possesses compensating design and development features that offset
impacts associated with the modification or waiver of standards.
D. General Standards
17-51
1. Multi -unit development orientation shall comply with the following standards:
a. Residential developments with more than 8 buildings shall provide a minimum of
two (2) distinct color schemes. A single -color scheme shall be dedicated to no less
than 30 percent of all residential buildings.
b. Residential developments with 30 or more buildings shall provide a minimum of
three (3) distinct color schemes. The number of buildings in single style shall be no
less than 30 percent.
c. Pedestrian linkages to nearby neighborhoods, schools, parks, commercial projects,
and parking areas shall be provided.
d. Visual interest shall be provided through architectural variety, especially where
several new buildings face streets, such as by using different layouts and/ or
architectural features. Abutting buildings shall have complimentary architectural
styles.
e. Except for garage entrances, structured parking shall not be visible from the primary
streets or any public open space, unless treated in an architectural manner subject
to the approval of the Director.
f. Loading docks and service areas on a corner lot must be accessed from the side
street.
g. In order to accommodate a minimum of one vehicle entering the facility, controlled
entrances to parking facilities (gates, doors, etc.) shall be located a minimum of 18
feet from the back of sidewalk.
2. Mixed -use buildings orientation shall comply with all the standards mentioned above
and the following standards:
a. Commercial/office unit entrances shall face the street, a parking area, or an interior
common space.
b. Entrances to residential units shall be physically separated from the entrance to the
permitted commercial uses and clearly marked with a physical feature.
17-52
46 $
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Buildings along streets and open space shall provide visual interest by using different form, color, and
materials
E. Orientation
Building entries shall face the primary public street with direct pedestrian connections to
the public sidewalks, unless determined to be infeasible due to topographic constraints
by the Director. Pedestrian connections to the public sidewalks shall also be provided to
parking areas and publicly accessible open space. For larger sites with multiple buildings,
building entries may also be oriented to face internal open spaces, paseos, and
recreation amenities.
2. Parking areas, covered and uncovered, shall be screened from public street frontages.
Screening may be accomplished through building placement, landscaping, fencing, or
some combination thereof.
3. For multi -unit projects located across the street from a single -unit family zoning district,
parking lot areas and carports shall not be located along the single -unit neighborhood
street frontages.
4. Buildings shall be arranged to provide functional common outdoors spaces (such as
courtyards, paseos, or parks) for the use of residents.
17-53
�4
Public Street
Public Street
Building entries shall face a public street, internal open space, or paseo
F. Parking Standards
1. Parking Lots. Parking shall comply with standards as specified in NBMC Section
20.40.070.
a. Parking lots shall be placed to the side or rear of buildings. Parking lots shall be
connected to building entrances by means of internal pedestrian walkways.
17-54
b. In surface parking lots with 10 or more spaces, a minimum of 14 square feet of
landscape area shall be provided per parking space. Landscaping may be provided in
parking lot planters and/or for perimeter screening.
Palkingl osid andb�nlnd ,
the huiidng
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.. fences, xwlla, and landscaping
Parking lots shall be shielded from view from adjoining streets
2. Residential Garages
a. Street -facing garage doors serving individual units that are attached to the structure
must incorporate one or more of the following so that the garage doors are visually
recessive and complementary to other building element:
i. Garage door windows or architectural detailing consistent with the main
dwelling.
ii. Arbor or other similar projecting feature above the garage doors.
3. Parking Structures and Loading Bays
a. Parked vehicles at each level within the structure shall be shielded from view from
adjoining streets.
b. The exterior elevations of parking structures shall be designed to minimize the use
of blank concrete facades. This shall be accomplished through the use of decorative
textured concrete, planters or trellises, or other architectural treatments.
17-55
so' r
Parking structures shall be shielded from view from adjoining streets
G. Common Open Space
1. The required front yard area shall not be counted toward satisfying the common
recreation area requirement.
2. Residential unit entries shall be within a 114 mile walking distance of common open
space.
3. Pedestrian walkways shall connect the common open space to a public right-of-way or
building entrance.
4. Open space areas shall not be located directly next to arterial streets, service areas, or
adjacent commercial development to ensure they are sheltered from the noise and
traffic of adjacent streets or other incompatible uses. Alternatively, a minimum of ten
(10) foot wide, dense landscaping area shall be provided as screening, but does not
count towards the open space requirement.
5. An area of usable common open space shall not exceed an average grade of ten (10)
percent. The area may include landscaping, walks, recreational facilities, and small
decorative objects such as artwork and fountains.
6. All common open spaces shall include seatings and lighting.
17-56
H. Recreation Amenities
1. All play areas shall be located away from high automobile traffic and shall be situated for
maximum visibility from the dwelling units.
2. Senior housing and/or housing for persons with disabilities shall be exempt from the
requirement to provide play areas, but shall provide areas of congregation that
encourage physical activity.
3. One common recreational amenity shall be provided for each 50 units or fraction
thereof. Facilities that serve more people could be counted as two amenities. Examples
of amenities that satisfy the recreational requirements include:
a. Clubhouse at a minimum of 750 square feet.
b. Swimming Pool at a minimum of 15x30 feet or equal surface area.
17-57
c. Tennis, Basketball or Racquetball court.
d. Children's playground at a minimum of 600 square feet.
e. Sauna or Jacuzzi.
f. Day Care Facility.
g. Community garden.
h. Other recreational amenities deemed adequate by the Director.
17-58
I. Landscaping. All landscaping shall comply with all standards as specified in Chapter 20.36.
1. A minimum of 8 percent of the total site shall be landscaped. Required setbacks and
parking lot landscaping may be counted toward this requirement.
2. Landscaping materials shall comply with the following:
a. Ground cover instead of grass/turf, and/or
b. Decorative nonliving landscaping materials including, but not limited to, sand, stone,
gravel, wood or water may be used to satisfy a maximum of 25 percent of the
required landscaping area.
c. Turf areas shall be placed in areas for recreational use only and must have a 10 foot
minimum dimension.
3. Landscaping and irrigation shall follow local and regional requirements and guidance for
approved plant lists to meet the needs of local conditions, where available. For plants
and planting materials addressing water retention areas, recommended resources
include the Low Impact Development Manual for Southern California prepared by the
Southern California Stormwater Monitoring Coalition, State of California Model Water
Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) or Newport Beach Municipal Code Chapter
14.17 (Water -Efficient Landscaping).
17-59
). Frontage Types and Standards. Frontage is the side of a building facing a public street right-
of-way.
1. Storefronts for ground floor commercial in mixed -use projects. A frontage that
reinforces the commercial character and use of the ground floor of the building. The
elevation of the ground floor is located at or near the grade of sidewalk to provide direct
public access into the building.
a. The ground floor elevation shall be located at the elevation of the sidewalk to
minimize the need for external steps and ramps at public entrances.
b. Entrance shall be emphasized and clearly recognizable from the street. One or more
of the following methods shall be used to achieve this result:
i. Projecting non -fabric awnings or canopies above an entry (covered entry);
ii. Varied building mass above an entry, such as a tower that protrudes from the
rest of the building surface;
iii. Special corner building entryway treatments, such as a rounded or angled
facets on the corner, or an embedded corner tower, above the entry;
iv. Special architectural elements, such as columns, porticoes, overhanging roofs,
and ornamental light fixtures;
v. Projecting or recessed entries or bays in the facade;
vi. Recessed entries must feature design elements that call attention to the
entrance such as ridged canopies, contrasting materials, crown molding,
decorative trim, or a 45-degree cut away entry; or
vii. Changes in roofline or articulation in the surface of the subject wall.
17-60
c. Windows and/or glass doors shall cover not less than 50 percent of the first floor
elevation along street frontages.
d. At least 25 percent of the surface area of each upper floor facade shall be occupied
by windows.
e. Development with retail, commercial, community or public uses on the ground floor
shall have a clear floor to floor height of at least 15 feet. Floor -to -floor height may
be reduced on sloping sites.
f. The minimum height for awnings or marquees is 8 feet above finished grade and the
maximum height for awnings or marquees is 12 feet above finished grade; except
as otherwise required in the Building Code approved by the City.
Ground Floor Commercial
Residential Flats
Retail/C
feet
in.)
17-61
11
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2. Live-work/office fronts. A frontage that reinforces both residential and work activities
that can occur in the building. The elevation of the ground floor is located at or near the
grade of sidewalk to provide direct public access to the building.
a. The ground floor elevation shall be located near the elevation of the sidewalk to
minimize the need for external steps and ramps at public entrances.
b. All ground floor tenant spaces that have street frontage shall have entrances on a
facade fronting a street. All other ground floor uses may have a common lobby
entrance along the front facade or private entrances along other facades.
c. Entrances to upper floor units may be provided through a common lobby entrance
and/or by a common entrance along a facade fronting a street.
d. At least 40 percent of the surface area of the ground floor facade shall be occupied
by display windows or translucent panels.
e. At least 25 percent of the surface area of each upper floor facade shall be occupied
by windows.
f. The ground floor shall have a clear floor -to -ceiling height of at least 12 feet.
g. The minimum height for awnings or marquees is 8 feet above finished grade and the
maximum height for awnings or marquees is 12 feet above finished grade; except
as otherwise required in the Building Code approved by the City.
h. If the front facade is set back from the public sidewalk, the setback shall be
landscaped and/or improved as an extension of the public sidewalk.
17-63
Ground Floor Live - Work / Office
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COMM
live / w
Residential
q
12 feet
(min.)
17-64
3. Residential fronts. A frontage that reinforces the residential character and use of the
buildings. The elevation of the ground floor is typically elevated above the grade of the
lot to provide privacy for residences by preventing direct views into the home from the
sidewalk. Applicable to buildings with no commercial use on the ground floor.
a. Residential frontages reinforce the residential character and use of the building. The
ground floor may be elevated a maximum of 36 inches above the grade of the
nearest adjacent public or private sidewalk to provide privacy for residences by
preventing direct views into the home.
i. Garages facing a public street shall not exceed 40 percent of the length of the
building facade.
ii. Entrances to ground floor units that have street frontage may be provided
through a common lobby entrance and/or by private entrances from the
adjacent sidewalk.
iii. Entrances to upper floor units may be provided through a common lobby
entrance and/or by a common entrance along a facade fronting a street.
iv. At least 20 percent of the surface area of the ground and upper floor facade
shall be occupied by windows.
v. If the front facade is set back from the public sidewalk, the setback shall be
landscaped (excluding stoops/front porches and paved paths to building
entrances).
17-65
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Graphic credit. Crandall Arambula
1. Community perimeter or theme walls shall be solid decorative block walls.
2. Wall materials shall be brick, slump stone, tile, textured concrete, stucco on masonry,
steel framing, or other material walls which require little or no maintenance. Plain
concrete block walls (i.e. precision block) nor chain link fencing with inserts shall not be
used as wall materials.
3. The style of the wall shall be the same or similar to the architectural style of the project.
4. All exterior perimeter walls located along public streets shall have an offset of a
minimum of 5 feet deep for every 50 linear feet to 75 linear feet of the wall length, or be
screened by a minimum of 2 feet of landscaping depth.
5. Retaining walls within a street facing setback and visible from the public sidewalk shall
not exceed 4 feet in height and shall provide a minimum of 18 inches deep landscape in
front of the wall.
17-67
P
L. Utilities
1. All utility equipment shall be located out of the pedestrian path of travel. All utility
equipment shall be purposefully and aesthetically placed adjacent to alleyways, within
parking areas, rear or side yards, or within building "notch outs" and screened from
public view.
2. If the mechanical equipment cannot be placed in rear or side yards, it shall be either
placed on the ground and screened with landscape, or placed on the roof and screened
with architectural materials such as roof or parapet consistent with the overall
architectural style.
3. AI electrical utility equipment, electrical meters, and junction boxes shall be placed within
a utility room. If a utility room is not feasible, then all utility equipment shall be
purposefully designed as an integral part of the building development, placed adjacent
to alleyways, within parking areas, or within rear or side yards, and screened from public
view.
M. Private Street Standards. The intent of Private Street realm standards is to foster a low
speed, multi -modal internal site circulation network. Streets shall provide a limited amount
of curbside parking for visitors, loading, service, and accessible ADA spaces. The streets shall
be designed as an amenity for the site, including surface treatments and landscaping similar
in character and quality to any paseos or common open space.
1. Private Street Right -of -Way. All new multi -unit development sites that provide private
streets shall comply with a minimum width right-of-way standard.
a. When on -street parallel parking is not provided, the right-of-way width shall be 41
feetin width.
17-69
b. When on -street parallel parking is provided, the right-of-way width shall be 50 feet in
width.
2. Private Street Zones. Three zones as described below comprise the right-of-way.
Variations in width reflect the presence or absence of on -street parking:
a. Street Zone (SZ). Streets shall be 26-35 feet in width from curb -to -curb designed to
provide motor vehicle and bicycle access. All Police and Fire emergency and
maintenance vehicle access standards shall be met. Parallel curbside parking shall be
permitted within roadways. Angled or head -in parking shall be prohibited.
b. Sidewalk Zone (SWZ). A minimum of one SWZ, 5-feet-wide, shall be provided.. When
on -street parking is provided, the SWZ shall be on the side of street with parking.
Shrubs, ground cover, and street trees are prohibited in the zone.
c. Landscaping and Paving Zone (LPZ). There shall be a minimum 5-foot Landscaping
and Paving Zone. The zone is intended to provide a transition between the street
and private residences. Landscaping shall comprise a minimum of 20 percent of the
total building frontage(s) area. Landscape planting beds shall have a minimum width
of 3 feet. Paving stone, brick or concrete unit pavers or poured in place concrete with
integral color pigments is permitted in the Zone. Steps are permitted to above grade
first floor entrances.
17-70
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Parking Not Provided
(When on -street parking not provided)
Parking Provided
oME;T'
c
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Maximum 36 feet _
50 feet
Right-of-way
(When on -street parking is provided)
GFaphic credit Crandall Arambul s
17-71
AW
N. Private Driveway Standards. The intent of Driveway standards is to provide motor vehicle
access to private garages and service areas, pedestrian access between residential garages
and doors, and private or public street network.
1. Private Driveway Right -of -Way. All private driveways shall comply with a 26-foot
minimum width fire apparatus access standard. No dead-end driveway shall exceed 150
feet in length.
2. Driveway Zones. Two zones described below comprise the driveway:
a. Driveway Zone (DZ). Paving shall be asphalt, stone, brick or concrete unit pavers
or poured in place concrete with integral color pigment. Stamped concrete shall
be prohibited.
b. Landscape and Paving Zone (LPZ). A 4-foot minimum width zone shall be
provided. The Zone shall be landscaped a minimum of 20 percent of the total site
abutting a building. A combination of vines, ornamental, grasses, shrubs, ground
cover, and ornamental trees shall be provided. Landscaping in pots is permitted.
17-72
Minimum Build to line I
Development Site JLPZ
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t
Development iLPZ
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Minumum
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.�iaphlc credit Crandall
or rolled
O. Publicly Accessible Open Space (PAOS) Standards. PAOS is intended to serve as an amenity
for multi -unit tenant and surrounding neighborhood residents, employees and visitors. The
PAOS shall be configured as passive paseo or promenade mobility corridors that provide
walking and biking connections through or along the development site, or more active
17-73
courtyard gathering spaces that can be the focus for adjacent ground floor uses, especially
where ground floor commercial is provided. The PAOS shall be contiguous, universally
accessible, and shall be connected directly to adjacent public realm. Development sites that
meet all requirements for providing PAOS, shall include one of the options as specified.
OPTIONS
Promenades Courtyards Paseos
J
Q Multi•use path or sidewalk
Development Parcel (t net acre minimum)
PADS (minimum 3 percent of site)
Courtyard PAOS
1. Required PAOS. Development sites with a combined street frontage 200 feet or greater
in width and a total development site area of 1 acre or greater shall provide a minimum
of 3 percent PAOS of the net site area. All PAOS shall be in addition to all residential
zoning common open space.
2. Site Area Calculations. The net site area shall be the total site area minus the following:
a. Public Easements. Total area measured between the right-of-way line to the
build -to -line.
b. Utility Easements. The total area required easements for public utilities through
the site.
3. PAOS Design Standards.
a. Minimum PADS width. No paseo, promenade, or courtyard right-of-way shall be
no narrower than 20 feet in width. If incorporated in a development plan, paseos
or promenades shall include an 8-foot minimum width path; all courtyards shall
include a minimum 6-foot minimum width path.
17-74
b. Access. All PAOS multi -use path access -ways shall be dedicated as a public
easement subject to restrictions on hours of use.
Paseo Pub
I
n
Promenade Publicly Accessible Open Space
P. Facade Modulation Standards.
The intent of the standards is to modulate the building's massing and volume— the external
dimensions comprising of height, length, width, and depth in a manner that results in buildings
that are in proportion to development site context and provides opportunities for applied
facade plane and surface architectural visual interest. All multi -unit dwellings, or multi -unit
components of mixed -use buildings shall be modulated both vertically and horizontally.
Modulation standards are provided for density ranges that correlate with multi -unit building
typologies. Townhome buildings shall adhere to standards for buildings up to 30 dwelling units
per acre and apartment buildings shall follow standards for buildings with greater than 30
dwelling units per acre. Applicants shall select a set of standards based upon the density of the
building. Where development sites are of sufficient size to accommodate multiple building
typologies with varying densities, the following Design Standards shall apply to each typology
separately. Density allocations may be transferred within a contiguous property.
Q. Vertical Modulation
The intent of the standards is to minimize the perceived height of a building by visually
organizing the facade in a manner that reflects the function of the underlying building floor(s)
through the use of varied yet uniform application of height, form, material, and color
articulation.
1. Components. All buildings shall be organized into an identifiable base, middle, and top to
differentiate the first floor and upper function of the building. This tripartite articulation
provides opportunities to create varied application of materials, color, and fenestration.
17-75
Modern or contemporary building architecture may be approved at the discretion of the
Director.
a. Base. For multi -story buildings, the first floor primary facade shall constitute the
building's base.
b. Middle. The primary facade of floor(s) above the base and below the top shall
constitute the middle.
c. Top. The primary facade of the uppermost floor(s) to the parapet or ridge line of a
building and any facade of a floor(s) that steps back shall constitute the building's
top.
Buildings shall be vertically modulated with a base, middle, and top
Buildings shall be horizontally modulated with recesses or projections
2. Vertical Modulation Changes in Facade Material and/or Color
a. Banding. Use of functional and/or decorative horizontal facade belt course, trim, or
other projections or recesses at floor lines between the base, middle, and top. The
17-76
projection or recess shall have a minimum height of 12 inches and a depth of 4
inches.
b. Floor Heights. Change in floor -to -floor facade heights at the second floor or above.
No middle or top floor -to -floor height shall be less than 10 feet.
c. Fenestration. Changes in building window and door widths, heights, depths,
materials, and colors. Changes in trim and inclusion or absence of shutters, mullions,
muntins, transoms or other window components.
d. Cladding Material. Buildings may express vertical modulation by providing a change
of cladding materials to denote base, middle and top. Buildings using cladding
material to provide vertical modulation are not required to provide banding. For
buildings one hundred feet in height, a curtain wall system may be used above the
building base.
3. Additional Vertical Modulation Standards
a. First Floor Height. The minimum fist finished floor to second finished floor plate
elevation shall be:
i. 10 feet -for buildings with density of less than 30 dwelling units per acre.
ii. 12 feet - for buildings with density greater than 30 dwelling units per acre,
developed as residential only.
iii. 15 feet - for buildings with a density greater than 30 dwelling units per acre
with commercial uses on the ground floor.
b. Vertical Variation. Base, middle and top facade divisions shall be consistent with the
underlying floor plate heights.
i. Density of less than 30 dwellings per acre — combining, omitting, increasing
or decreasing the base or middle facade division height along building
frontages shall be prohibited.
ii. Density of greater than 30 dwellings per acre— increasing the base and
decreasing the middle facade division height shall be permitted for any
building facade greater than 60 feet in length. Stepping of plate heights shall
be limited to no more than 1/3 of any total facade frontage length.
17-77
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to floor height fenestration
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material &
Base cladding
material 8
color
vertical
n base height
Graphic crediL Crandall Va aiia
30+ Dwelling unit per acre minimum base density buildings (apartment)
R. Horizontal Modulation
The intent of the standards is to shorten the perceived length and mass of a building by
providing facade recesses and projections that break up the horizontal thrust of a building.
The modulation provides opportunities to accentuate and draw visual attention to key
building features such as stairwells, elevators, lobbies, and entries, and create usable open
spaces such as courtyards. Horizontal modulation is intended to be complemented and
strengthened by accompanying application of different facade materials, color, and
fenestration; and layering of additional recessed and projected architectural elements such
as bays, balconies, and patios.
1. Building Standards for Developments with Density of less than 30 dwelling per acre
a. Maximum building length. No building shall be greater than 150 feet in length.
17-78
b. Required minimum modulation area. A minimum of 10 percent of the total
facade area shall be horizontally modulated.
c. Minimum depth. All recesses or projections shall be a minimum of 2 feet in
depth.
d. Maximum number. No facade shall have no more than 2 total recesses or
projections per facade.
2. Building Standards for Development with Density of 30 dwellings per acre or greater.
a. Maximum facade length. Buildings in excess of 200 feet shall have a horizontal
massing break of no less than 20 feet with a depth of 15 feet for every 200 feet of
additional overall length.
b. Required minimum modulation area. A minimum of 10 percent of the total
facade area shall be horizontally modulated.
c. Minimum depth. All recesses or projections shall be a minimum of 4 feet in
depth.
d. Minimum width. All recesses or projections shall be a minimum of 20 feet in
width.
e. Maximum number. No facade shall have no more than 4 total recesses or
projections per facade.
17-79
ball:
ti Total recessed or
l—I projected fatsade area
Primaryfarade
Graphic crMft: Cranda 1 _.
Less than 30 Dwelling unit per acre minimum base density buildings
Excludes balconies,
patios, bays or
oriel forms
Excludes
top floor
stepback
Total recessed or
projected facade area
Primary facade
10 percent minimum — Minimum depth
total facade area
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30+ Dwelling unit per acre minimum base density buildings
S. First Floor Opening and Transparency Standards
17-80
The standards are intended to foster passive 'eyes on the street' surveillance of the public
realm by providing an adequate number of clear and direct sightlines between first floor
residences and adjacent public realm sidewalks and common areas without compromising
residential livability, privacy, and security. For multi -unit buildings with commercial first floor
uses, the standards are intended to provide a greater amount of visibility of merchant goods
and services for potential walking, rolling, or driving -by clients or customers. For all
buildings, the standards apply only to portions of the first floor that contain residential or
commercial conditioned/occupied floor areas fronting streets and open common open
space.
1. Building Standards for Developments with Density of less than 30 dwellings per
acre.
a. Minimum Opening Standard. For any at -grade or above -grade
residential first floor unit fronting a street or paseo, the building
frontages shall be comprised of a minimum 20 percent transparent
glazed door and window openings.
2. Building Standards for Developments with Density of 30 dwellings per acre or
greater
a. Minimum Opening Standard. First floor multi -unit building frontages
shall be comprised of transparent glazed door and window openings as
follows:
i. 25 percent - for any at -grade or above -grade residential first floor
unit fronting a street or paseo.
ii. 50 percent - for any mixed use multi -unit building with a first
floor commercial use fronting a street, courtyard or paseo.
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minimumum openingsnings Pin I
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finished floor — I —._..._._
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17-81
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30+ Dwelling unit per acre minimum base density buildings
T. First floor Entry Standards
The intent of the standard is to locate building individual unit and lobby entries along street
frontages to foster pedestrian neighborhood access and street -oriented activity.
Unobstructed sight lines and pedestrian access from the public sidewalk shall be provided.
The standards do not apply to service and loading entrances.
1. Individual Residential Unit Entrances
a. Residential Front Door Standards. At -grade or above -grade first floor individual
residential units' entrances shall be accessed directly adjacent public realm or
common area unless determined not feasible by the Director or due to site
topographic considerations.
i. Minimum entry to sidewalk width — walkway, ramp, and stairs
connecting to the public sidewalk shall be a minimum of 5 feet in width.
ii. Entry stoop, terrace and patio area — if proposed, entry terraces and
patio areas shall be a minimum of 40 square feet. If proposed, entry
stoops shall be a minimum of 20 square feet excluding any required
stairs or ramp area.
2. Lobby Entrances
a. Standards. Lobby entrances shall be located at -grade, unless determined not
feasible by the Director. Residential and commercial lobby entrances shall be
accessed directly from the adjacent public realm or PAOS.
i. No lobby door setback is required.
ii. Minimum entry sidewalk width - where entries are setback, walkway
width connecting to the sidewalk zone shall be a minimum of 6 feet.
17-82
iii. Entry landing area - shall be a minimum of 60 square feet.
iv. Prohibited - lobby entrance primary entries are prohibited from
driveways, at -grade parking lots, parking structures, or alleys unless
required due to topographic conditions.
Primary Primary Minimum entry 200square.foot minimum
entrance facade setback entry stoop or terrace
t
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- "+ to public realm
Public realm ..
Grapiuc rrcMii'Uan fall MdinO:.:a
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Stoop, terrace or patio
Primary entrance
Individual residential unit front door standards
Lobby entrances shall be accessed directly from the street
17-83
17-84
Attachment D
Redline -Strikeout Version of Housing Element Section 3
(This document is available at the following link due to bulk:
https://newportbeachca.gov/home/showdocument?id=74989&t=638575787146870000 )
17-85
Attachment E
Redline -Strikeout Version of Housing Element Section 4
17-86
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City of Newport Beach
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
- - ter_ -�,..; � ...�� • _ =:
The Housing Plan describes the City of Newport Beach 2021-2029 policy program. The Housing Plan
describes the specific goals, policies, and programs to assist City decision makers to achieve the long-term
housing objectives set forth in the Newport Beach Housing Element. This Plan identifies goals, policies,
and programs aimed at providing additional housing opportunities, removing governmental constraints
to affordable housing, improving the condition of existing housing, and providing equal housing
opportunities for all residents. These goals, policies, and programs further the City's overall housing policy
goal to encourage a more diverse, sustainable, and balanced community through implementation of
strategies and programs that will result in economically and socially diversified housing choices that
preserve and enhance the special character of Newport Beach. The City will make every effort to budget,
plan for and comply with the timelines for implementation set forth in this Section, but may be contingent
upon funding and staffing resources.
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has conducted a Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) to determine the City's share of the affordable housing needs for the Orange County
region. The RHNA quantifies Newport Beach's local share housing needs for the region by income
category. Income categories are based on the most current Median Family Income (MFI) for Orange
County. The current 2021 MFI (for an assumed family of 4 persons) for Orange County is $106,700. The
MFI may change periodically, as it is updated on an annual basis. The City's 2021-2029 RHNA growth need
of 4,845 housing units is allocated into the following income categories:
• 1,456 units - Very low-income (0-50% County MFI)
• 930 units - Low-income (51-80% of County MFI)
• 1,050 units - Moderate -income (81-120% of County MFI)
• 1,409 units - Above moderate -income (120% or more of County MFI)
Housing Goals
The City of Newport Beach has identified the following housing goals as part of this Housing Element
Update:
Housing Goal #1: Provision of adequate sites to accommodate projected housing unit growth needs
identified by the 2021-2029 RHNA.
Housing Goal #2: Quality residential development and the preservation, conservation, and appropriate
redevelopment of housing stock.
Housing Goal #3: A variety of housing types, designs, and opportunities for all social and economic
segments.
Housing Goal #4: Housing opportunities for as many renter- and owner -occupied households as possible
in response to the market demand and RHNA obligations for housing in the City.
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element) 4-2
17-88
City of Newport Beach
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
- - ter_ -�,..; � ...�� • _ =:
Housing Goal #5: Preservation of the City's housing stock for extremely low-, very low-, low-, and
moderate -income households.
Housing Goal #6: Housing opportunities for special needs populations.
Housing Goal #7: Equal housing opportunities in the City for all people.
Housing Goal #8: Effective and responsive housing programs and policies.
The goals listed above are described below and on the following pages with accompanying policies and
programs to achieve them.
B. Housing Policies and Program Actions
This Housing Element expresses the Newport Beach community's overall housing goals and supporting
policies and program actions to achieve them. The stated Housing Program Actions are based on a review
of past performance of the 5th Cycle Housing Element, analysis of current constraints and resources, and
input from Newport Beach residents and stakeholders.
Housing Goal #1
Provision of adequate sites to accommodate projected housing unit growth needs.
Housing Policy 1.1: identify a variety of sites to accommodate housing growth need by income categories
to serve the needs of the entire community.
Implementation Actions
Adequate Sites to Accommodate 2021-2029 RHNA
The City of Newport Beach has a total Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation of 4,845
units. State law requires the City of Newport Beach to identify adequate sites to accommodate its fair
share allocation for the 6th Cycle Housing Element. This City has identified a variety of candidate sites
through extensive analysis in collaboration with the community and stakeholders through Newport
Together's "Listen and Learn" process, multiple meetings of the City's Housing Element Update Advisory
Committee (Committee), participation by interested residents at a variety of public meetings, workshops,
and consultation with property owners. The City of Newport Beach has identified an adequate amount
of land that was determined by the Committee as "Feasible" or "Potentially Feasible" for future
development. Only a portion of these candidate sites will be necessary to accommodate the City's RHNA
planning obligation. These sites have undergone a rigorous process to evaluate site features, development
potential, developer/owner interest and other factors to deem them appropriate for housing during the
2021-2029 Planning Period.
As part of the analysis of adequate sites, the City has comprehensively reviewed opportunity sites citywide
and have has fdentify identified eight (8) primary areas of opportunity:
• Airport Area Environs • Dover/Westcliff
• West Newport Mesa • Newport Center
• Banning Ranch • 5th Cycle Housing Element Sites
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• Coyote Canyon • Accessory Dwelling Units
Since the City has identified several opportunity sites in the St" Cycle Housing Element that will be utilized
in the 6t" Cycle Housing Element, additional policy considerations are stated in this Policy Program.
These opportunities sites are described in map and tabular format in Appendix B of this Housing Element.
Each of the opportunity areas described in this Housing Element have been assigned a targeted acreage,
and a targeted number of new housing units (see following implementing Policy Action statements).
Collectively, these targets must meet the unmet RHNA need as required by sState law. It is expected there
may be deviations from the targets with future implementing zoning actions. New opportunity sites may
be identified, and other sites may be deemed tunsuitable, or densities may be modified, all
based on new information received over time. The City may adopt future zoning strategies that are more
or less than the identified targets in this Housing Element provided the total unmet RHNA need by income
category is accommodated within state -defined deadlines. If future zoning strategies deviate from the
targets expressed in this Housing Element but still meet the requirement to identify adequate sites to
accommodate unmet RHNA need, no amendment to the Housing Element would be required and
deviations of any magnitude may be considered subject to the City Council's review and approval in
consultation with the Community.
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For all Rezone Policy Actions 1A to 1F, Pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i),
which rezone sites to accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to
the following:
• permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent 20% or more of the units are affordable to lower -income households.By-
right means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit
development permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
• accommodate a minimum of sixteen 161 units per site;
• require a minimum density of twenty 201 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent J5 of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated
• for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that accommodate all of the
very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 100 percent 100% residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent 5 of the total floor area of a
mixed -use project.
Policy Action 1A: Airport Environs Sub Area
The City will establish a housing opportunity overlay district, or similar rezoning strategy, in the Airport
Environs area for 172 acres of land to provide for the accommodation of at least 2,577 housing units in
the Very Low, Low, Moderate and Above Moderate -income categories. A Map and Table Summary of
these sites are provided in Appendix B of this Housing Element. The overlay, or similar rezone strategy,
will allow development of a variety of residential product types at a permitted average density of
50 dwelling units per acre.
Implementation of this program will also include but not limited to development standards, overlay text
and entitlement procedures to, among other things, encourage the development of housing for persons
of Very Low and Low incomes. In developing the overlay, or similar rezone strategy, the City will evaluate
the potential to include a variety of incentive tools as appropriate, including but not limited to floor area
bonus, density bonus, entitlement streamlining, fee waivers or reductions and other considerations.
For Policy 1A, pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i), which rezone sites to
accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to the following:
• permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income households. By -right
means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit development
permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
• accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
• require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that
accommodate all of the very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
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o allow 100 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a
mixed-useproject.
Timeframe: Complete Code Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1 B: West Newport Mesa
The City will establish a housing opportunity overlay, or similar rezoning strategy, in the West Newport
Mesa area for 47 acres of land to provide for the accommodation of at least 1,107 housing units in the
Very Low, Low, Moderate and Above Moderate -income categories. A Map and Table Summary of these
sites are provided in Appendix B of this Housing Element. The overlay, or similar rezone strategy, will
allow development of a variety of residential product types at a permitted average density of 50 dwelling
units per acre.
Implementation of this program will also include but not limited to development standards, overlay text
and entitlement procedures to, among other things, encourage the development of housing for persons
of Very Low and Low incomes. In developing the overlay, or similar rezone strategy, the City will evaluate
the potential to include a variety of incentive tools as appropriate, including but not limited to floor area
bonus, density bonus, entitlement streamlining, fee waivers or reductions and other considerations.
For Policy 113, pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i), which rezone sites to
accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to the following:
permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income households. By -right
means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit development
permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
0 accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
• require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that
accommodate all of the very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 100 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a
mixed-useproject.
Timeframe: Complete Code Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
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Policy Action 1 C: Newport Center
The City will establish a housing opportunity overlay, or similar rezoning strategy, in the Newport Center
area for 163 acres of land to provide for the accommodation of at least 2,439 housing units in the Very
Low, Low, Moderate and Above Moderate -income categories. A Map and Table Summary of these sites
are provided in Appendix B of this Housing Element. The overlay, or similar rezone strategy, will allow
development of a variety of residential product types at a permitted average density of 50 dwelling units
per acre.
Implementation of this program will also include but not be limited to development standards, overlay
text and entitlement procedures to, among other things, encourage the development of housing for
persons of Very Low and Low incomes. In developing the Overlay, or similar rezone strategy, the City will
evaluate the potential to include a variety of incentive tools as appropriate, including but not limited to
floor area bonus, density bonus, entitlement streamlining, fee waivers or reductions and other
considerations.
For Policy 1C, pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i), which rezone sites to
accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to the following:
• permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income households. By -right
means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit development
permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
• accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
• require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that
accommodate all of the very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 100 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a
mixed-useproject.
Timeframe: Complete Code Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1 D: Dover/ Westcliff
The City will establish an overlay, or similar rezoning strategy, in the Dover / Westcliff area for 20 acres of
land to provide for the accommodation of at least 521 housing units in the Very Low, Low, Moderate and
Above Moderate -income categories. A Map and Table Summary of these sites are provided in Appendix
B of this Housing Element. The overlay, or similar rezone strategy, will permit development of a variety
of residential product types at a permitted average density of 50 dwelling units per acre.
Implementation of this program will also include but not limited to development standards, overlay text
and entitlement procedures to, among other things, encourage the development of housing for persons
of Very Low and Low incomes. In developing the overlay, or similar rezone strategy, the City will evaluate
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the potential to include a variety of incentive tools as appropriate, including but not limited to floor area
bonus, density bonus, entitlement streamlining, fee waivers or reductions and other considerations.
For Policy 1D, pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i), which rezone sites to
accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to the following:
• permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income households. By -right
means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit development
permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that
accommodate all of the very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 100 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a
mixed-useproject.
Timeframe: Complete Code Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1E: Banning Ranch
The City has identified the Banning Ranch area as a potential site to accommodate future housing needs.
The City has previously approved housing development on this site, but the approved project was
subsequently denied by the California Coastal Commission. Additionally, there is a potential the site will
be purchased by an entity to preserve the area as open space. The State Department of Housing and
Community Development and California Coastal Commission have expressed they do not support the City
utilizing the site to the accommodate future RHNA needs based on this potential. Despite these
statements, the City believes this site is still a viable opportunity to provide housing for a variety of income
levels on a small portion of the 400+ acre site while protecting environmental resources. The City will
continue to support development potential in the Banning Ranch Area, but will not assume the potential
buildout of the area to demonstrate adequate sites for the 2021-2029 RHNA planning period.
The site is currently within the City's Sphere of Influence. The City will continue to work collaboratively
with the County of Orange for annexation and with other agencies/entities regarding future use of the
property. The City will continue to pursue residential opportunities on a portion of the Banning Ranch
site, consistent with existing General Plan policies to provide opportunities for up to 1,475 residential
units at an average density of 50 dwelling units per acre.
Implementation of this program will also include development standards and entitlement procedures to
encourage the development housing for persons of Very Low and Low incomes.
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For Policy 1E, pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i), which rezone sites to
accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to the following:
• permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income households. By -right
means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit development
permit, or other discretionary review or approval.
• accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
• require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that
accommodate all of the very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 100 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a
mixed-useproject.
Timeframe: Complete necessary Code, General Plan and LCP Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element
Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1 F. Coyote Canyon
The Coyote Canyon property is a closed landfill that is owned and managed by the County or Orange but
leased to a private developer. The area is of substantial acreage but has limited development potential
due to various environmental considerations. The developer has evaluated the entire landfill area and
has concluded that 34 acres of the property is not subject to environmental constraints. Additionally, the
City has been advised that the County has expressed interest in participating in a transfer of a portion of
the property to accommodate residential opportunity.
The City will rezone at least 34 acres of land on the Coyote Canyon site, as shown in Appendix B, to
accommodate up to 1,530 housing units at an average density of 60 dwelling units per acre.
Implementation of this program will also include development standards and entitlement procedures to
encourage the development of housing for persons of Very Low and Low incomes.
Timeframe: Complete Code Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1G: 51 Cycle Housing Element Sites
The City has identified a number of sites in the sites inventory contained in Appendix B contain infill sites
that were identified in the 5th Cycle Housing Element to accommodate the Very Low and Low-income
categories. To comply with State law, the City will amend Title 20 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code
(NBMC) to permit residential uses by -right for housing development projects in which at least 20-percent
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of the units are affordable to lower -income households. For the purpose of implementation of this
program, by -right shall mean the City will not require a discretionary permit application, such as a
Conditional Use Permit or Planned Unit Development Permit, that would constitute a "project" as
described in Section 21100 of the Public Resources Code. For sites in the coastal zone, the City will
continue to require coastal development permits to determine compliance with the City's certified Local
Coastal Program.
The City commits to zoning these 5t" Cycle sites to allow Newport Beach's default density of 30 du/ac,
pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivision(c) or at densities demonstrated to be appropriate for
the development of housing for lower -income households. Additionally, if any vacant sites in the
inventory are being used to accommodate the lower RHNA and have been identified in two prior planning
periods, the program must ensure that those sites meet the same requirements.
Timeframe: Complete Code Amendments within 36 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1 H: Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are an accepted method of providing affordable housing in the City. Due
to recent legislation, the ability to entitle and construct ADUs has increased significantly. The City
recognizes the significance of this legislation as evidenced by a marked increase in ADU permit
applications. Due to this legislation, the City believes aggressive support for ADU construction will result
in increased opportunities for housing including affordable units.
The City will aggressively support and accommodate the construction of at least 240 ADUs by a variety of
methods, including but not limited to:
• Developing and implementing a public awareness campaign for construction of ADUs with a
systematic approach utilizing all forms of media and outreach distribution
• Preparing and maintaining a user-friendly website committed to information related to codes,
processes, and incentives pertaining to the development of ADUs and JADUs in the City.
• Evaluating and assessing the appropriateness of additional incentives to encourage ADU
development.
• Approve permit -ready standard plans to permit new ADU construction to minimize design costs,
expedite permit processing, and provide development certainty for property owners.
Timeframe: Analyze methods within 12 months of Housing Element adoption; Establish programs within 24
months of Housing Element adoption.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
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Policy Action 11: Accessory Dwelling Units Monitoring Program
The City will annually monitor its progress in permitting an average of 30 ADUs annually, for a total of 240
ADUs during the planning period, in conjunction with Annual Housing Element Progress Report. The
analysis will track applications for ADUs, location, affordability, and other important features. If ADU
permitting falls below 20 ADUs for more than two consecutive years, the City re-evaluate the City's ADU
standards and procedures and modify accordingly within 6 months. If actual production of ADUs is far
from anticipated trends, then the City will commit to increasing the capacity or inventory of sites within
six months. This increase in capacity would apply to the proposed rezoning focus areas to demonstrate
the City has remaining capacity to accommodate RHNA need previously assumed through ADU
construction. If actual production is near anticipated trends, then the City will consider additional
outreach and marketing
Timeframe: Ongoing, Annual, Developing Monitoring Program within 6 months of adoptions of Housing Element,
Increase capacity in rezone areas withing 6 months if monitoring program is far from anticipated trends.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1J: Accessory Dwelling Units Amnesty Program
The City will establish a program to allow owners with existing unpermitted ADUs to obtain permits to
legalize the ADUs during the 2021-2029 planning period. The Amnesty Program should consist of two
parts: 1) education; and 2) incentives. The intent of Part 1 (education) of the program is to create an
information guide to help educate and inform the importance and benefits of legalizing and bringing their
unpermitted units into compliance. The information guide will include an overview of the necessary life
safety code requirements and improvements that will need to be provided for permit issuance and advice
on how to discuss and ask questions of permitting staff without the risk of Code Enforcement action. The
information guide will also explain how the City's ADU regulations have created an easier path towards
compliance whereas previously not feasible. Part 2 (Incentives) of the program will provide property
owners incentives, such as fee waivers, courtesy inspections, or grants, to encourage property owners to
seek permits to legalize units and make them safe for habitation.
Timeframe: Develop Amnesty Program within 24 months of Housing Element adoption, Target 10 Households
annually to participate in the program.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 1 K: Inclusionary Housing Policy
The City has a substantial RHNA obligation of affordable housing that will be a challenge to accommodate
due to prevailing project development costs include high land values. Therefore, the City must evaluate
a variety of policy prescriptions that will encourage and facilitate the construction of below market -rate
housing. The City will investigate inclusionary housing policy options as an additional means to provide a
variety of housing types and opportunities for very low, low- and moderate -income households in
Newport Beach. The City will assess and analyze a variety of inclusionary housing policy options,
standards, requirements and regulations to determine the best course of action. Based upon this initial
assessment, the City will determine the appropriateness and application of inclusionary policies, and
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adopt policies, programs or regulations that will produce housing opportunities affordable to very low,
low and moderate -income households.
The City has determined that a base inclusionary requirement of 15 percent for new residential
development to be affordable to very low-, low-, and moderate -income households is appropriate as an
interim measure prior to the adoption of a final inclusionary ordinance or policy. The final inclusionary
policy shall address development of rental and for -sale housing affordable to very low, low- and
moderate -income households, as well as the applicability of this requirement and its alternatives.
Timeframe: Adopt interim inclusionary policy within 6 months of Housing Element adoption. Evaluate
Inclusionary options and adopt an Ordinance within 36 months of Housing Element adoption.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Housing Goal #2
Quality residential development and preservation, conservation, and appropriate redevelopment of
housing stock.
Housing Policy 2.1: Support all reasonable efforts to preserve, maintain, and improve availability and
quality of existing housing and residential neighborhoods, and ensure full utilization of existing City
housing resources for as long into the future as physically and economically feasible.
Implementation Action:
Policy Action 2A: Neighborhood Preservation
The City will continue to improve housing quality and prevent deterioration of existing neighborhoods by
strictly enforcing applicable Building Code, Fire Code, and Zoning Code regulations and abating Code
violations and nuisances. The City of Newport Beach will continue to prepare a quarterly report on code
enforcement activities in the 61" Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing, Semi -Annual
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 2B: Residential Building Record Program
The City will maintain and continue to implement the Residential Building Records (RBR) program to
reduce and prevent violations of building and zoning ordinances by providing a report to all parties
involved in a transaction of sale of residential properties, and providing an opportunity to inspect
properties to identify potentially hazardous conditions, resources permitting. The report provides
information as to permitted and illegal uses/construction, and verification that buildings meet applicable
zoning and building requirements.
The City will continue to implement this program as RBR applications are submitted to the City. The City
will continue to promote the availability of program to the public and local real estate professionals by
maintaining information on its website and developing brochures and other promotional materials.
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Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 2C: Preservation of At -Risk Units
There are a number of assisted housing developments or individual housing units within development
that may be at -risk of converting to market rate during the 10-year period from the beginning of the 2021-
2029 Housing Element planning period. "Assisted housing developments" shall mean multifamily rental
housing that receives governmental assistance under federal programs listed in subdivision (a) of
Government Code Section 65863.10, state and local multifamily revenue bond programs, local
redevelopment programs, the federal Community Development Block Grant Program, or local in -lieu fees.
"Assisted housing developments" shall also include multifamily rental units that were developed pursuant
to a local housing program or used to qualify for a density bonus pursuant to Government Code Section
65916. During the planning period, preservation of the assisted housing developments shall utilize, to the
extent necessary, all available federal, state, and local financing and subsidy programs including those
listed above, except where a City demonstrates it has other urgent needs for which alternative funding
sources are not available. The city will include strategies that involve local regulation and technical
assistance, including maintaining registration as a Qualified Preservation Entity with HCD to ensure that
the City will receive notices from all owners intending to opt out of their Section 8 contracts and/or prepay
their HUD -insured mortgages. The City will proactively consult with the property owners identified in
Table 3-31 of the Housing Element and potential preservation organizations regarding use of all federal,
state and local resources to be used for maintaining affordable housing opportunities in those
developments listed in Table 3-31 of Chapter 3 of this Housing Element. The City will provide technical
assistance to non-profit entities for acquisition of the units to ensure long-term affordability, upon
receiving notice that a property owner of an existing affordable housing development intends to convert
the units to a market -rate development. The City will provide specific assistance to owners of these units
by making initial contact within 9 months of Housing Element adoption to identify and coordinate
assistance. The City will provide in -kind assistance, through information dissemination, to assist in
partnering local assisted unit owners with agencies or entities that can provide financial or other
assistance to preserve the affordability of these units.
The Citywill maintain registration as a Qualified Preservation entitywith HCD and continuously implement
the above policy as notices are received from property owners in the 61" Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing, as necessary to preserve affordability. Initial contact with owners within 9 months of
Housing Element adoption.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund, State, Federal funding
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Housing Goal #3
A variety of housing types, designs, and opportunities for all social and economic segments.
Housing Policy 3.1: Encourage preservation of existing and provision of new housing affordable to
extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate -income households.
Housing Policy 3.2: Encourage housing developments to offer a wide spectrum of housing choices,
designs, and configurations.
Implementation Actions
Policy Action 3A: Objective Design Standards
State Housing law includes various exemptions for projects with an affordable housing component, which
limits the City's ability to apply discretionary design review requirements to certain residential projects.
State Housing law specifies having objective design standards available to apply to housing projects where
the City's discretion over design review is otherwise preempted per State law. The City of Newport Beach
will review existing entitlement processes for housing development and will eliminate discretionary
review for all housing development proposals that include a minimum affordable housing component.
The City will also review the appropriateness of its current development standards to ensure that it
reasonably accommodates the type and density of housing it is intended to support. The City will also
amend existing development standards to replace or remove all subjective standards for projects with a
minimum affordable housing component with objective standards that do not impede the type and
density of housing it is intended to allow.
Timeframe: Adopt standards within 24 months of Housing Element adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 3B: SB 35 Streamlining
The City will establish written procedures to comply with California Government Code Section 65913.4
and publish those procedures for the public, as appropriate, to comply with the requirements of SB 35,
Chapter 366 Statues 2017. These requirements apply at any point in time when the City does not meet
the State mandated requirements, based upon the SB 35 Statewide Determination Summary Report for
Housing Element progress and reporting on Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)., the City will
process development projects with at least 50 percent affordable units through a streamlined permit
process (i.e., 90 days for projects with up to 150 units). All projects covered by SB 35 are still subject to
the objective development standards of the Newport Beach Municipal Code that includes the Building
and Fire Codes. However, qualifying projects cannot be subject to discretionary review or public hearings;
and in many cases the City cannot require parking. Reduced parking requirements would be established
consistent with the requirements of SB 35 for qualified streamlining projects.
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The City currently has consistently exceeded RHNA performance goals during the 5t" Cycle. The City's
status regarding SB 35 could change during the 6t" Cycle dependent upon RHNA progress throughout the
2021-2029 Planning Period.
Timeframe: Adopt procedures within first year of the planning period
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 3C: Preservation of Rental Opportunities
The City will continue to maintain rental housing opportunities by restricting conversions of rental units
to condominiums in a development containing 15 or more units unless the rental housing vacancy rate in
Newport Beach is 5 percent or higher, and unless the property owner complies with condominium
conversion regulations contained in Newport Beach Municipal Code Chapter 19.64. The City's intent is to
ensure no net loss in rental opportunities in existing sites that contain 15 or more units and that the
conversion of rentals do not create an imbalance of opportunity in the community. The City will conduct
an annual vacancy rate survey to support the implementation of this policy.
To protect lower and moderate -income rental housing, the City shall amend the Municipal Code to restrict
the demolition of lower and moderate -income rental housing on sites that provide more than 15 units
unless the units maintain the same income categories after demolition.
Timeframe: Ongoing. Update Municipal Code within 24 months of Housing Element adoption.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 3D: Priority of Affordable Housing
The City will continue to take all feasible actions, through use of development agreements, expedited
development review, and expedited processing of grading, building and other development permits, to
ensure expedient construction and occupancy for projects approved with lower- and moderate -income
housing requirements. The City will continue to implement this program as affordable housing projects
are submitted to the City.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 3E: Mortgage Revenue Bonds
The City will continue to participate with the County of Orange in the issuance of tax-exempt mortgage
revenue bonds to facilitate and assist in financing, development, and construction of housing affordable
to low and moderate -income households. The City will continue to implement program per project
submittal as the developer applies for these bonds. The City will adjust this policy to include the promotion
of available bonds to the public and developers in the 6t" Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing, Annual
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
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Policy Action 3F. Annual Reporting Program
The City will conduct an annual compliance -monitoring program for units required to be occupied by very
low-, low-, and moderate -income households. The City of Newport will complete review by the last
quarter of each year and report within the annual General Plan Status Report including the Housing
Element Report provided to OPR and HCD by April 1st each year.
Timeframe: Ongoing. Annual
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 3G: Entitlement Assistance
The City will provide entitlement assistance, expedited entitlement processing, and waive application
processing fees for developments in which 5 percent of units are affordable to extremely low-income
households. To be eligible for a fee waiver, the units shall be subject to an affordability covenant for a
minimum duration of 55 years. The affordable units provided shall be granted a waiver of park in -lieu fees
(if applicable) and City traffic fair share fees.
The City will continue to implement this program as affordable housing projects are submitted to the City
in the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 3H: Prioritization of Affordable Housing Funds
The City will give highest priority for use of Affordable Housing Fund monies to affordable housing
developments providing units affordable to extremely -low-income households and senior households.
The City will continue to implement this program as affordable housing projects are submitted to the City.
The City shall establish objective priorities to allow for the ranking/scoring of future affordable housing
projects so that expenditures that most meet the City's objectives are prioritized for funding.
Timeframe: Ongoing. Establish objective priorities with project ranking/scoring within 16 months of Housing
Element adoption.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: Affordable Housing Fund, based upon available funds
Policy Action 31: Public Information About Affordable Housing
The City will continue to maintain a brochure of incentives offered by the City for the development of
affordable housing including fee waivers, expedited processing, density bonuses, and other incentives. A
copy of this brochure shall be located at the Planning Counter, on the City's website and shall also be
provided to potential developers.
The City will update the brochure as needed to provide updated information regarding incentives
including updated fees and a reference to the most up to date Site Analysis and Inventory.
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Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action V: Priority in Kind Assistance for Affordability
The City shall provide more assistance for projects that provide a higher number of affordable units or a
greater level of affordability. At least 15 percent of units shall be affordable when assistance is provided
from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds or the City's Affordable Housing Fund. The City
will continue to implement the program as housing projects are submitted to the City in the 61h Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 3K: Coastal Zone Development Affordability
The City shall follow Government Code Section 65590 and implement Municipal Code Titles 20.34 and
2134 "Conversion or Demolition of Affordable Housing" for new developments proposed in the Coastal
Zone areas of the City. All required affordable units shall have restrictions to maintain their affordability
for a minimum of 55 years.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 3L: Proactive Education and Outreach to Prospective Developers
The City will continue to advise and educate existing landowners and prospective developers of affordable
housing development opportunities available within Banning Ranch, the Airport Area, West Newport
Mesa, Dove r-Westcl iff, Newport Center, Mariners' Mile, and Balboa Peninsula areas. The City of Newport
Beach will continue to implement its program as prospective developers contact the City seeking
development information. The City will maintain designated staff persons that can be contacted to
provide housing opportunity information and incentives for development of affordable housing during
the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 3M: Regional Coordination of Housing Issues
The City will continue to participate in other programs that assist production of housing. The City will
attend quarterly OCHA (Cities Advisory Committee) meetings to keep up to date on rehabilitation
programs offered by the County in order to continuously inform homeowners and rental property owners
within the City of opportunities and to encourage preservation of existing housing stock in the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
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Policy Action 3N: Housing Impact Studies
The City will continue to study housing impacts of proposed larger -scale, significant commercial/industrial
projects during the development review process. Prior to project approval, a housing impact assessment
shall be developed by the City with the active involvement of the developer. Such assessment shall
indicate the magnitude of jobs to be created by the project, where housing opportunities are expected to
be available, and what measures (public and private) are requisite, if any, to ensure an adequate supply
of housing for the projected labor force of the project and any restrictions on development due to the
City "Charter Section 423". The City will continue to implement such program as major
commercial/industrial projects are submitted to the City in the 61" Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 30: Single Resident Occupancies (SROs)
The City will continue to study housing impacts of proposed larger -scale, significant commercial/industrial
Use State and federal funding to continue to provide assistance and make provisions for development of
single -room occupancy (SRO) housing and other forms of housing for people experiencing homelessness
in the City. The City will ensure that such housing options include reasonable accommodations and
supportive services for people with disabilities. The City will seek to encourage the development of at
least one SRO development within the Planning Period.
Timeframe: Ongoing, with targeted outreach on an annual basis.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources:: To be determined as State and federal funding sources become available.
Policy Action 3P: Residential Care Facilities
The City will review and amend the permitting procedures, application requirements, and development
standards applicable to residential care facilities for persons of 7 or more to ensure consistency with state
and federal laws to promote objectivity and greater approval certainty.
Timeframe: By October 2022 and amend the Zoning Code by April 2023 if needed.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund.
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Housing Goal #4
Housing opportunities for as many renter- and owner -occupied households as possible in response
to the market demand and RHNA obligations for housing in the City.
Housing Policy 4.1: Mitigate potential governmental constraints to housing production and affordability
by increasing the City's role in facilitating construction of market -rate housing and affordable housing for
all income groups.
Housing Policy 4.2: Enable construction of new housing units sufficient to meet City quantified goals by
identifying adequate sites for their construction.
mplementation Actions
Policy Action 4A: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Pursuant to AB 686, Chapter 958, Statutes 2018, the City will affirmatively further fair housing by taking
meaningful actions in addition to resisting discrimination, that overcomes patterns of segregation and
fosters inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected
classes, as defined by State law.
To accomplish this, the City or designated contracted organization will collaborate with local and regional
organizations to review any housing discrimination complaints, assist in dispute resolution, and, where
necessary, refer complainants to appropriate state or federal agencies for further investigation, action, and
resolution.
Section 3 of this Housing Element contains an analysis of fair housing activities in Newport Beach and the
Orange County region.
The analysis found that:
• The City does not have any racial or ethnic groups that score higher than 60 on the dissimilarity
index, indicating that while the City of Newport Beach has no racial or ethnic populations with a
dissimilarity index above 60, all populations (with the exception of the Hispanic/Latino
population) have a score above 30, meaning all groups experience moderate segregation from
the White population.
• The City does not have any racially or ethnically concentrated census tracts (R/ECAPs) as identified
by HUD. This indicates that there are no census tracts within Newport Beach with a non -white
population of 50 percent or more or any census tracts that have a poverty rate that exceeds
40 percent or is three or more times the average tract poverty rate for the metropolitan/
micropolitan area. However, one R/ECAP was identified in the neighboring City of Irvine, near the
University of California Irvine. This will be considered in the housing plan as students within the
R/ECAP may look for housing in Newport Beach.
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• The UC Davis Regional Opportunity Index shows that most residents within Newport Beach have
a high level of access to opportunity throughout the majority of the City, with only two census
tracts showing low access to opportunity.
• The analysis of the TCAC/HCD opportunity Area Maps shows that most census tracts in Newport
Beach are classified with the "Moderate Resource" "High Resource" or "Highest Resource"
designation. This indicates that these census tracts are within the top 40 percent in the region in
terms of areas that lower -income residents may thrive if given the opportunity to live there. All
but two census tracts within Newport Beach register within the top 20 percent in the index. One
census tract registered as a "Low Resource" area, citing high economic opportunity and low
educational opportunity.
• The Opportunity Indices identify overall high access to quality resources including economic and
job proximity, educational access, and transportation access. However, there is a low health
index, indicating increased pollution and low environmental quality across all racial/ethnic groups
in the City. The opportunity indices identify low affordable transportation options to both the
Asian or Pacific Islander (Non -Hispanic) and Native American (Non -Hispanic). Additionally, the
index identified that households who earn below the poverty rate in Newport Beach have lower
levels of opportunity access across all indicators as well as race and ethnicities.
• Racially Concentrated Areas of Affluence (RCAA) are characterized by census tract areas in which
80 percent or more of the population is White and that have a median income of at least
$125,000. There are 12 census tracts within the City that are identified as RCAAs.
• Newport Beach and the State have the same rate of home ownership, but residents of Newport
Beach experience higher rates of cost burden. Housing adequacy and affordability are similar in
both the City and State, where California has a slightly higher rate of affordability.
• Newport Beach scored a 3.9 AIITransit performance score, illustrating a low combination of trips
per week and number of jobs accessible that enable a moderate number of people to take transit
to work. In total, 138,164 jobs are accessible within a 30-minute trip from Newport Beach,
howeverjust 0.55 percent of commuters use transit. By comparison, Newport Beach scored lower
than neighboring jurisdictions of Costa Mesa (5.4), Huntington Beach (4.4), and Irvine (3.6),
however slightly higher than Laguna Beach (3.8). Overall, the City of Newport Beach has a lower
AIITransit score than the County of Orange (3.9) in Newport Beach and 4.2 in the County).
During the planning period, the City will take the following explicit actions to address and implement Fair
Housing issues and to affirmatively further fair housing in the community:
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r
Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
Anti-
The City does not have any
Target
Airport Area,
To help address this issue, the City will
Low
Timeline(s):
Displacement
racially or ethnically
adjacent to UC
take the following actions:
/ Housing
concentrated census tracts
Irvine
By December 2024, the City will aim to
Mobility
(R/ECAPs) as identified by
1. Address potential R/ECAP
adopt amendments to the General Plan
HUD. This indicates that there
and Environmental Justice
to include environmental justice policies
issues by adopting an
that promote a reduction in poverty rate,
are no census tracts within
promote diversity, and require
Newport Beach with a non
amendment to include
consideration of environmental justice
white population of 50
policies addressing
principles in City decision -making.
percent or more or any
environmental justice in the
census tracts that have a
General Plan; and
Evaluative Metric(s):
poverty rate that exceeds
2. Facilitate an annual meeting
1. The City will strive to meet
40 percent or is three or more
annually with representatives
times the average tract
with representatives from
from the City of Irvine and UC
poverty rate for the
the City of Irvine and UC
Irvine to review whether the
metropolitan/ micropolitan
Irvine or other major
R/ECAP is contributing to any
area. However, one R/ECAP
employers to address any
fair housing issues. If
was identified in the
local affects these R/ECAP
determined to be a contributor,
neighboring City of Irvine,
areas may have on
the City will coordinate
near the University of
opportunity for housing in
additional actions that will seek
to reduce or eliminate the
California Irvine. This will be
Newport Beach.
R/ECAP identified adjacent to UC
considered in the housing
Irvine.
plan as students within the
R/ECAP may look for housing
in Newport Beach.
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
Access to
The UC Davis Regional
Target
Two census
To help address this issue, the City will
High
Timeline(s):
Opportunity /
Opportunity Index shows that
tracts with low
take the following actions:
Place Based
most residents within
access to
By June 2023, the City will aim to adopt
Strategies
Newport Beach have a high
opportunity.
1. Adopt and codify accessory
revised ADU regulations. By December
level of access to opportunity
In the
dwelling unit (ADU)
2023, the City will conduct two
regulations that facilitate
community workshops that are focused
throughout the majority of
g J y
following
g
within the geographic target.
the City, with portions of only
areas:
and incentivize ADU
two census tracts showing
development beyond State
Evaluative Metric(s):
low access to opportunity.
1. In the
law minimum requirements,
West
create new housing
1. The City will seek to produce 20
Newport
development incentives and
to 30 ADUs per calendar year
Focus
fee waivers, and that provide
within higher resource areas;
Area
for access into areas of high
and
adjacent
opportunity that contribute
2. The City will seek to make
to Hoag
to the following community
contact with at least 50% of the
Hospital
development actions:
households in the affected
2. In the
o Increase residential
census tracts.
Airport
development
Focus
opportunities;
Area,
o Maximize infill
adjacent
development in
to John
"built -out"
Wayne
neighborhoods, and
Airport
o Increase affordable
housing options.
2. Target outreach to the two
census tracts with low access
to opportunity; and
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
Target
3. Conduct two community
workshops that will
accomplish the following:
o Identify local issues
that are influencing
low access to
opportunity;
o Identify potential
solutions to address
those local issues;
o Identify
opportunities to
increase the
housing supply for
all income levels;
and
o Establish economic
development
priorities to help
stimulate the
creation of jobs and
access to services.
Access to
The analysis of the TCAC/HCD
Two census
To help address this issue, the City will
Timeline(s):
Opportunity /
opportunity Area Maps shows
tracts with low
take the following actions:
Place Based
that most census tracts in
access to
Starting 2023, the City will annually
Strategies
Newport Beach are classified
opportunity
• Adopt an Inclusionary
review and update its housing -related
"Moderate
Housing Ordinance (See
webpages. Within 6 months of Housing
with the
are in the
Policy Action 1K) to ensure
Element adoption, the City will adopt an
Resource" "High Resource" or
following
lower income units are
interim inclusionary housing policy.
"Highest Resource"
areas:
developed in conjunction
Within 36 months of Housing Element
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
designation. This indicates
Target
with new market -rate
adoption, the City will adopt an
that these census tracts are
1. In the
development equitably
inclusionary housing ordinance.
within the top 40 percent in
West
throughout the City and
the region in terms of areas
Newport
higher resource census
Evaluative Metric(s):
tracts;
that lower -income residents
Focus
1. By December 2026, the City will
may thrive if given the
Area
• Target outreach to two low-
aspire to have approved
opportunity to live there. All
adjacent
access census tracts via
between 750 and 1,000
but two census tracts within
to Hoag
mailers or by other means
affordable housing units or to
Newport Beach register
Hospital
including social media to
have collected a commensurate
within the top 20 percent in
2. In the
provide website information
in -lieu affordable housing fee for
the index. One census tract
Airport
about local entrepreneurship
use to subsidize future
and educational
affordable housing projects;
registered as a "Low
Focus
opportunities;
Resource" area, citing high
Area,
2. The City will improve upon its
economic opportunity and
adjacent
• Maintain and promote the
existing Business Ambassador
low educational opportunity.
to John
City's Business Ambassador
Program and will seek to assist at
Wayne
Program to local residents as
least 35-45 persons annually
Airport
a way to support local
with establishing their own
businesses and
business opportunities; and
entrepreneurship; and
3. The Business Ambassador
• Continually update the City's
Program will be advertised
housing related webpages to
within the lower -opportunity
ensure current available
census tracts with a goal of
data.
reaching at least 50% of the
households.
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
Housing
Availability of financing
Target
Citywide
To help address this issue, the City will
Medium
Timeline(s):
Mobility
affects a person's ability to
take the following actions:
purchase or improve a home.
By June 2023, the City will provide
Under the Home Mortgage
1. Disseminate online
information to the community about
information to the
home loans and the loan process. By
Disclosure Act (HMDA),
community about home
December 2023 , the City will conduct its
lending institutions are
loans and the loan
first biannual affordable housing
required to disclose
application and approval
workshop with affordable housing
information on the
process;
lenders and local affordable housing
disposition of loan
advocates.
applications and the income,
2. Conduct biannually
gender, and race of loan
affordable housing
Evaluative Metric(s):
workshops with invited
applicants. The primary
guests from the local lending
1. The City will seek to reach
concern in a review of lending
industry and local affordable
between 10,000 and 15,000
activity is to determine
housing advocates; and
households with loan
whether home financing is
information and will further seek
available to residents of a
3. Conduct annual report of
to reduce any occurrence of loan
community.
loan dispositions in the City
disposition discrimination, if
and identify any trends or
found to be prevalent.
According to available data,
issues. Provide findings to
applicants in the 120 percent
local lenders and financial
institutions.
median -income or more had
the highest rates of loans
approved. Of that income
category, applicants who
reported White had the
highest percentage of
approval and the number of
applications. Applicants in the
less than 50 percent of the
MSA/MD median -income
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element)
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
categories were showed
Target
higher percentages of denied
loans than loans originated.
According to the data,
applicants who reported
white were, on average, more
likely to be approved for a
loan than another race or
ethnicity.
Access to
The majority of the City of
Citywide w/
To help address this issue, the City will
Timeline(s):
Opportunity
Newport Beach is classified as
focus on two
take the following actions:
a high opportunity zone. This
census tracts
Within the first half of the planning
indicates a high level of
in the
• Conduct two public workshops
period, the City will conduct two public
for residents of the two census
workshops on entrepreneurship and job
relative opportunities that
following
tracts identifying as lower
training.
g•
people can achieve as well as
locations:
opportunity;
a high level of relative
Evaluative Metric(s):
opportunities that Newport
1. In the
. Collaborate with the Chamber of
Beach provides.
West
Commerce to disseminate
1. The City will improve upon its
Newport
economic opportunity through
existing Business Ambassador
While most of the census
Focus
entrepreneurship, job training on
Program and will seek to assist at
the City's website;
least 35-45 persons annually with
tracts within the City are
Area
establishing their own business
areas of high opportunity,
adjacent
• Maintain and promote the City's
opportunities; and
there are two census tracts
to Hoag
Business Ambassador Program to
identifying as low
Hospital
local residents as a way to
2. The Business Ambassador Program
opportunity. Together these
2. In the
support local businesses and
will advertised within the lower -
areas contain 86 sites which
Airport
entrepreneurship; and
unity census tracts with a goal
opportunity
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element)
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
accommodate 1,941 potential
Target
Focus
of reaching at least 50% of affected
units intended to meet the
Area,
• Provide direct contact to
households.
City's RHNA for lower -income
adjacent
residents within the lower
units (shown in Section 3:
to John
opportunity census tracts via
mailers or other means including
Housing Resources and
Wayne
social media to invite them to
outlined in Appendix B).
Airport
workshop.
The data for both regions with
lower opportunity show very
low housing access, but
conversely show high civic
life, health, transportation,
economic and educational
access..
Therefore, the consideration
and identification of these
areas for housing, affordable
to low and very low-income
households will address the
deficiency to housing access
in these otherwise high
opportunity and high
resources areas.
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
Access to
Access to education is
Target
Citywide
To further improve access to
High
Timeline(s):
Opportunity
generally above average in
education, the City will take the
Newport Beach. Additionally,
following action:
Beginning 2023, the City will conduct
access to quality education
meetings annually with local educational
system is high among all
1. Conduct an annual meeting
institutions.
racial/ethnic groups (each
with local educational
institutions to discuss
Evaluative Metric(s):
group has an opportunity
housing needs related to
index score above 80).
education
1. The City will leverage the input from
the annual meetings to identify up to
two additional City policies or actions
that will help enhance access to
education.
Place Based
The City of Newport Beach
Citywide, with
To help improve access to transit, the
Medium
Timeline(s):
Strategies /
has a low transit performance
focus on the
City will take the following actions:
Access to
score overall. The City has
Airport Area
Starting with the adoption of the FY23-24
Opportunity
identified low- and very low-
environs.
1. In adopting the annual
Capital Improvement Program , the City
Capital Improvements
will annually consider projects that
income housing opportunity
Program (CIP), the City will
enhance access to transit in the targeted
sites in the Airport Area
seek and consider projects
areas of need. By December 2024, the
Environs in the north, the
that will help improve access
City will consider updating the Land Use
West Newport Mesa Area in
to transit near housing
Element to include policies encouraging
the west, and the Newport
opportunity sites;
denser residential near transit stops.
Center Area in the central
area of the City. While these
2. Maintain a proactive working
Evaluative Metric(s):
partnership with the Orange
three areas of the City have
County Transportation
1. The City will seek improve or trend
low transit performance
Authority (OCTA) to continue
the City's AIITransit Score from 3.9 to
scores, they have high
to plan and coordinate public
5.0 or greater by the end of the
connectivity scores compared
transit routes to serve
Housing Elementplanning period.
to other areas throughout the
existing community facilities
City. Households within these
and future development.
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
areas have better access to
Target
Continue to provide local
jobs and key destinations
input on the Long -Range
through transit than those
Transportation Plan (LRTP);
located elsewhere in the City.
and
The majority of the low- and
3. With the Land Use Element
very low-income sites were
Update, the City will consider
strategically located within
policies that would
the Airport Area Environs,
encourage denser housing
West Newport Mesa Area,
projects closer to transit
and the Newport Center Area
stops consistent with the
to take advantage of the
housing opportunity sites
identified in Appendix B.
increased transportation
assets within these areas.
Place Based
The City of Newport Beach
Citywide
To help address this issue, the City will
Medium
Timeline(s):
Strategies /
has very high comparative
take the following actions:
Displacement
rental and sales prices.
By December 2023, the City will revamp
The cost of housing limits
1. Continue to provide quarterly
and provide updated information on the
upward mobility and the costs
and virtual training to
website related to fair housing.
of upkeep, repairs or
landlords and tenants on fair
rehabilitation,
housing requirements
Within 6 months of Housing Element
especially for older housing
including allowable rent
adoption, the City will adopt an interim
units, may be prohibitive for
increases, source of income
inclusionary housing policy.
some segments of the
discrimination, and benefits
population.
of marketing housing units
Within 36 months of Housing Element
for vouchers to expand the
adoption, the City will adopt an
locations of registered units
inclusionary housing ordinance.
in the City. Provide update
information on the City's
Evaluative Metric(s):
website;
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
Target
2. Encourage development of
1. Ensure the provision of quarterly fair
ADUs in high opportunity
housing educational workshops
areas through targeted public
conducted by a qualified fair housing
outreach, user-friendly
service provider;
websites, pre -approved
standard plans, fee waivers,
and priority processing; and
2. The City will seek to assist at least 5
households annually through rehab
3. Incentivize development of
assistance. The City will seek to
affordable housing units
abate 75% of major deferred
through inclusionary housing
maintenance incidents during the
policies (Policy 1K).
planning period; and
3. The City will seek to produce 20 to 30
ADUs per calendar year within higher
resource areas.
Access to
There are approximately 12
Citywide,
To help address this issue, the City will
Medium
Timeline(s):
Opportunity
census tracts that are
predominately
take the following actions:
considered racially
in the east and
By June 2024, the City will conduct a
concentrated areas of
along the
1. Conduct summary review of
summary review of RCAA census tracts.
RCAA census tracts to identify
By June 2025, the City will use findings
affluence (RCAA) in the City.
southern and
potential redlining; and
from the study to develop potential
western
policies.
The RCAA areas are clustered
boundaries of
2. Use findings from redlining
throughout the City
the City
study to develop potential
Evaluative Metric(s):
predominately in the east and
ggreenlining policies that can
along the southern and
be employed to benefit RCAA
1. The City will seek to reduce the
western boundaries of the
areas.
incidents of unlawful redlining (if
found) in these RCAA by between 35-
City. The concentrations of
50% during the planning period.
lower income households
located in the northern,
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Identified Fair
Local Contributing Factors
Table
Geographic
4-1: Fair Housing Actions
Housing Issue
western, and central areas of
Target
the City are in high income
areas surrounded by RCAAs.
The location of these area
provides affordable housing
opportunities within areas
with high access to resources.
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The City will maintain compliance with Fair Housing Laws and Regulations. The City will annually
review and, if necessary, amend its Municipal Code to comply with State Housing Laws and Fair
Housing Laws and Regulations.
Timeframe: Review annually, amend actions and modify Municipal Code as necessary to continue to affirmatively
further fair housing and comply with State Housing Laws and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 4B: Streamlined Project Review
The City will provide a streamlined "fast -track" development review process for proposed affordable
housing developments. The City of Newport will continue to implement this program as affordable
housing projects are submitted to the City in the 61h Cycle.
Timeframe: Evaluate program features within 24 months, Adopt updated procedures within 36 months of
Housing Element adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 4C: Density Bonus and Incentives for Affordable Housing
The City will update its Density Bonus Ordinance (Newport Beach Municipal Code Chapter 20.32) to be
consistent with State Law, as amended. Additionally, the City shall either grant a density bonus as
required by state law if requested, or provide other incentives of equivalent financial value when a
residential developer agrees to construct housing for persons and families of very low, low, and
moderate -income above mandated requirements. The City will continue to implement provisions of
Chapter 20.32, as amended (Density Bonus) of the Zoning Code as housing projects are submitted to the
City during the 6th Cycle. The City will further encourage affordable housing and the potential use of
density bonus statutes to accommodate additional affordable units.
Timeframe: Update to Newport Beach Municipal Code Chapter 20.32 within 12 months of the adoption of this
Housing Element and implement future updates to maintain consistency with applicable State law on an ongoing
basis.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 4D: List of Pre -Approved Development Incentives
The City will develop a pre -approved list of incentives and qualifications for such incentives to promote
the development of affordable housing. Such incentives could include the waiver of application and
development fees or modification to development standards (e.g., setbacks, lot coverage, etc.). The City
will continue to work with the Affordable Housing Task Force to develop the list within the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Evaluate program features within 24 months, Adopt procedures within 36 months of Housing
Element adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
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Policy Action 4E: Airport Area Policy Exceptions for Affordable Housing
The City recognizes that General Plan Policy LU6.15.6 may result in a potential constraint to the
development of affordable housing in the Airport Area, and as a result, the City shall maintain an exception
to the minimum 10-acre village requirement for projects that include a minimum of 30 percent of the
units affordable to lower -income households. It is recognized that allowing a smaller scale development
within an established commercial and industrial area may result in land use compatibility problems and
result in a residential development that does not provide sufficient amenities (i.e., parks) and/or
necessary improvements (i.e., pedestrian walkways). Therefore, it is imperative that the exception
includes provisions for adequate amenities, design considerations for the future integration into a larger
residential village, and a requirement to ensure collaboration with future developers in the area. The City
of Newport Beach will maintain the exception and continue to implement this program as projects are
submitted to the City in the 6t" Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 4F. Encourage Development of Opportunity Sites
The City will continue to encourage and facilitate residential and/or mixed -use development on sites listed
in Appendix B by providing technical assistance to interested developers with site identification and
entitlement processing. The City will continue to support developers funding applications from other
agencies and programs.
The City shall post the Sites Inventory, as showing in Appendix B on the City's webpage and produce
marketing materials for residential and mixed -use opportunity sites, and it will equally encourage and
market the sites for both for -sale development and rental development. The City shall educate developers
of the benefits of density bonuses and related incentives, identify potential funding opportunities, offer
expedited entitlement processing, and offer fee waivers and/or deferrals to encourage the development
of affordable housing within residential and mixed -use developments. The City will continuously
implement this program as housing projects are submitted to the City. Review and update as necessary
the Site Inventory and provide information to interested developers.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 4G: Annual RHNA Sites Inventory Monitoring
The City will monitor and evaluate the development of vacant and underdeveloped parcels on an annual
basis and report the success of strategies to encourage residential development in its Annual Progress
Reports required pursuant to Government Code 65400. The City of Newport will respond to market
conditions and will revise or add additional sites where appropriate or add additional incentives, if
identified strategies are not successful in generating development interest. The City will include the report
in its annual General Plan Status Report including Housing Element Report to OPR and HCD by April 1st
each year.
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Timeframe: Ongoing, Annual
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
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Policy Action 4H: Review Mixed -Use Zones
As part of the 2006 Comprehensive General Plan Update and 2010 Zoning Code Update, new mixed -use
housing opportunity zones were created throughout the City as a strategy to enhance and revitalize
underperforming and underutilized properties. These areas included the Airport Area, Dove r/Westcliff,
Newport Center, Mariners Mile, and portions of the Balboa Peninsula. The Airport Area and Newport
Center have proven the most successful with several approved and constructed mixed -use developments,
such as Uptown Newport and Villas Fashion Island. The Balboa Peninsula has had some limited success
while Dover/Westcliff and Mariners' Mile have not proven successful to -date.
Despite the housing opportunity that was created in these areas, a majority of these sites remain
underutilized with a single, non-residential use, such as retail or office. It is evident the City's existing
development standards (e.g., setbacks, height, density, parking, dedications, etc.) related to mixed -use
development may create constraints to the redevelopment of these properties.
Therefore, to ensure that mixed -use opportunities are maximized, the City will review established mixed -
use land use categories and corresponding zoning regulations in the City and recommend policy or code
changes to the City Council that reduce regulatory barriers and incentivize mixed -use residential
development.
Timeframe: Complete the review and provide recommendations to the City Council within 12 months of Housing
Element Adoption, and then complete a review annually thereafter.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 41: Establish Mixed -Use Resort Opportunities
Mixed -use resorts are an established trend in the hospitality industry that incorporate hotel -branded
residential units as an accessory use located within a resort hotel complex where residents enjoy access
to the full range of services, facilities, and amenities provided by the hotel operator or brand. The
residential use cannot exist without the hotel's services, facilities, and amenities.
The hotel industry has been one of the hardest hit industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a full
recovery of the industry is not anticipated for many years. Mixed -use resorts provide an opportunity to
revitalize older or underperforming hotels and maintain their competitive standing by creating multiple
revenue streams.
Economies of scale created by shared facilities, amenities, and services add additional benefit to mixed -
use resort developments. This cross pollination of business benefits both the hotel and the resident. It
may also increase occupancy rates at the resort by creating increased synergy between uses and social
gathering opportunities, boosting transient occupancy taxes while providing in -fill housing opportunities
to partially assist the City in meeting its RHNA obligation in highly desirable and built -out areas.
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Incorporating residences also helps to off -set cyclical variations in hotel occupancy rates that can, for
instance, result in seasonal decreases in revenue for the hotel's food and beverage offerings.
Therefore, to further encourage and incentivize the development of mixed -use hotels, the City will
consider policies, regulations and/or interpretations to: 1) clarify ambiguities in General Plan, Zoning
Code, and/or Local Coastal Plan Program provisions to allow hotels and motels, located outside of the
Coastal Commission Appeal Areas, to convert up to thirty percent (30%) of their permitted hotel and motel
rooms into residential units on a one -for -one basis; 2) establish parking programs (e.g., shared parking)
and/or reduced residential parking requirements that mitigate the need for any additional parking due to
the conversion to residential use; 3) require a fiscal impact analysis to disclose and mitigate any reduction
in transient occupancy tax due to a potential conversion; 4) increase the flexibility in use of transfer of
development rights to allow for transfer of unbuilt residential units to hotel sites; 5) require property
owners converting permitted hotel and motel rooms into residential units to mitigate impacts to on
affordable housing production by either constructing affordable housing units within the development or
through a contribution of in -lieu fees; 6) require mitigation of impacts to public access for potential
conversions located within the Coastal Zone; and 7) require property owners converting permitted hotel
and motel rooms into residential units to enter into a development agreement to ensure implementation
of this policy at the project level.
Timeframe: Establish policies, regulations and/or interpretations within 24 months of Housing Element Adoption.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 4J: Airport Environs Sub Area Environmental Constraints
As discussed in Section 3 (Analysis of Exacerbating Current Conditions), the Airport Area is potentially
exposed to heightened noise and a lower environmental score primarily due to the proximity of John
Wayne Airport.
The City will take the following actions to address potential environmental constraints in the Airport
Environs Sub Area and ensure continued feasibility of sites, particularly for lower -income RHNA:
• Require new residential development projects in the Airport Environs Sub Area provide noise
studies and acoustical analyses to ensure designs include proper sound attenuation;
• Require new residential development projects in the Airport Environs Sub Area to explore
advanced air filtration systems for buildings to promote cleaner air;
• Encourage on -site indoor amenities, such as fitness facilities or recreation and entertainment
facilities; and
• Continue to implement park dedication requirements consistent with the City's Park Dedication
ordinance and Land Use Element Policy LU 6.15.13 (Neighborhood Parks — Standards) and Policy
LU 6.15.16 (On -Site Recreation and Open Space) to ensure adequate recreational space to ensure
at least 8-percent of a project's gross land area (exclusive of existing rights -of -way) of the first
phase for any development in each neighborhood or % acre, whichever is greater, is developed
as a neighborhood park, unless waived through Density Bonus Law.
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Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 4K. West Newport Mesa Environmental Constraints
As discussed in Section 3 (Analysis of Exacerbating Current Conditions), the West Newport Area is possibly
exposed to heightened noise and pollutants largely due to a historic concentration of industrial type uses
in the area.
The City will take the following actions to address environmental constraints and ensure feasibility of sites,
particularly for lower -income RHNA, in the West Newport Mesa Area:
• Continue to coordinate with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and
other responsible regulatory agencies to monitor compliance of industrial operators on an as -
needed basis if any issues are identified;
• Closely examine new light industrial uses that may locate in the area to avoid and mitigate
potential environmental impacts to ensure the use/activity is compatible with nearby residential
uses;
• Provide a Code Enforcement Division response when complaints are made and track the nature of
the complaints; review for trends or patterns that may require stronger enforcement actions to
abate identified nuisances;
• Require implementation of the West Newport Mesa Streetscape Master Plan for new private
development projects and consider including improvement projects in the City's Capital
Improvements Program (CIP);
• Consider including residential -serving commercial as part of a zoning overlay (or similar rezoning
mechanism) to support the future residents and to allow zoning flexibility beyond the underlying
industrial zoning limits as part of the overall rezoning program within 36 months of Housing
Element adoption; and
• Pursue the siting and development of a community center to serve the West Newport area. If a
potential site is identified, the Community Development Department will research the feasibility
from a land use and entitlement perspective and will present findings during at least one study
session with the City Council.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Policy Action 4L: Coyote Canyon Environmental Constraints
As noted, the Coyote Canyon property is locates on a closed landfill or is proximate to the landfill. The
bulk of conceptual residential development is sited away from former landfill areas; however, the City
understands the importance of ensuring the health and safety of future residents and the surrounding
neighborhood.
The City will take the following actions to address environmental constraints on the Coyote Canyon landfill
site:
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• During the Coyote Canyon project design and entitlement phase, work closely with developer(s)
and property owner(s) to ensure all residential units and construction comply with the proper
building and safety code requirements (e.g., ensure seismic standards are met, provide
appropriately designed landfill gas mitigation); and
• Implement the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act and other applicable
environmental regulations.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Housing Goal #5
Preservation of the City's housing stock for extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate -income
households.
Housing Policy 5.1: Continue or undertake the following programs to mitigate potential loss of "at risk"
units due to conversion to market -rate units. These efforts utilize existing City and local resources. They
include efforts to secure additional resources from public and private sectors should they become
available.
Housing Policy 5.2: Improve energy efficiency of all housing unit types (including mobile homes).
Implementation Actions
Policy Action 5A: Preservation of Affordability Covenants
The City will contact owners of 19 affordable units approaching the expiration of affordability covenants
to obtain information regarding their plans for continuing affordability on their properties, inform them
of financial resources available, and to encourage the extension of the affordability agreements for the
developments listed beyond the years noted.
The City will conduct an annual compliance monitoring program and a contact list shall be maintained on
City website and updated annually during the 6 1 h Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing, as necessary
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 5B: Section 8 Participation
The City shall maintain information on the City's website and prepare written communication for tenants
and other interested parties about Orange County Housing Authority Section 8 opportunities and to assist
tenants and prospective tenants acquire additional understanding of housing law and related policy
issues.
The City will attend quarterly OCHA (Cities Advisory Committee) that provide updates on OCHA Section 8
waiting list and housing opportunities to ensure information provided on City website is up to date. If
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Section 8 waiting list is opened, promote the availability of the program through marketing materials
made available to the public.
Timeframe: Ongoing, Annual
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 5C: Incentivize for Preserving of Affordability Covenants
The City will investigate the potential for providing additional incentives or modify its current policy to
incentivize property owners to maintain the affordability of units on their property during the 61h Cycle.
Timeframe: Investigate and adopt incentives, as appropriate, within 24 months of Housing Element Adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 5D: Mobile Home Park Conversions
The City will continue to employ the provisions of NBMC Title 20 provision of the Mobile Home Park
Overlay to maintain and protect mobile home parks in a stable environment with a desirable residential
character. The City will review the existing provisions of the Mobile Home Park Overlay for consistency
with State law in accordance with Government Code Section 65863.7. The City will continue to implement
program as projects are submitted to the City.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 5E: Orange County Housing Authority Advisory Committee
The City of Newport Beach will continue to participate as a member of the Orange County Housing
Authority (OCHA) Advisory Committee and work in cooperation with the OCHA to provide Section 8 Rental
Housing Assistance to residents of the community. The City will continue to attend quarterly OCHA (Cities
Advisory Committee). Continue to maintain information on City's website informing landlords of the
program benefits of accepting Section 8 Certificate holders.
The City will, in cooperation with the Housing Authority, recommend and request use of modified fair -
market rent limits to increase the number of housing units within the City that will be eligible to participate
in the Section 8 program. The Newport Beach Planning Division will prepare and implement a publicity
program to educate and encourage landlords within the City to rent their units to Section 8 Certificate
holders, and to make very low-income households aware of availability of the Section 8 Rental Housing
Assistance Program.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
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Policy Action 5F: Water Efficiency for Residential Projects
The City will continue to implement and enforce the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and Landscape
and Irrigation Design Standards in compliance with AB 1881 (Chapter 559 Statutes 2006). The ordinance
establishes standards for planning, designing, installing, and maintaining and managing water -efficient
landscapes in new construction and rehabilitated projects. The City will continue to implement such
program as housing projects are submitted to the City. The City will also encourage the retrofit of existing
residential developments to install water efficient appliances and fixtures.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 5G: Energy Efficiency in Residential Projects
The City of Newport Beach will continue to require that any affordable housing developments that receive
City assistance from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds or from the City's Affordable
Housing Fund shall be required, to the extent feasible, to include installation of energy efficient appliances
and devices that will contribute to reduced housing costs for future occupants of the units. The City will
continue to implement program as housing projects are awarded funds from the City in the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund & Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
Housing Goal #6
Housing opportunities for special needs populations.
Housing Policy 6.1: Encourage approval of housing opportunities for senior citizens and other special
needs populations.
Implementation Actionz.
Policy Action 6A: Homeless Program Assistance
In the 5th Cycle, the City was successful in providing funding to local organizations for providing shelter
and services to the individuals experiencing homelessness.
The City will continue to apply annually for United States Department of Urban Development Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and allocate a portion of such funds to sub -recipients who provide
shelter and other services for the homeless as well as submit Annual Action Plan to HUD in May of each
year.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
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Policy Action 6B: Repair Loans and Grant Programs for Seniors, Persons with Physical
and Developmental Disabilities and Lower -Income Households
The City, in partnership with OASIS Senior Center and Habitat for Humanity Orange County, has developed
a Senior Home Repair Assistance Program (SHARP) that is aimed at assisting low-income seniors in need
of critical home repair or modifications due to accessibility needs, safety concerns, health and well-being.
The program is available to homeowners aged 60 and older who fall within the 50t" percentile of the
Orange County median -income.
Additionally, the City will continue to cooperate with the Orange County Housing Authority to pursue
establishment of a Senior/Disabled or Limited Income Repair Loan and Grant Program to underwrite all
or part of the cost of necessary housing modifications and repairs. Cooperation with the Orange County
Housing Authority will include continuing City of Newport Beach participation in the Orange County
Continuum of Care and continuing to provide CDBG funding.
The City will continue to attend quarterly OCHA (Cities Advisory Committee) meetings to keep up to date
on rehabilitation programs offered by the County in order to continuously inform homeowners and rental
property owners within the City of opportunities and to encourage preservation of existing housing stock.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 6C: Leverage CDGB and other Federal Formula Grant Funding
The City receives annual allocation of CDBG and other Federal formula grant funds for use in a variety of
housing -related activities. The City shall make every effort to leverage these annual funds from various
agencies to further the City's housing goals. These may include, but are not limited to, the following State,
Regional and private resources:
State Resources
• State Low -Income Housing Tax Credit Program
• Building Equity and Growth in Neighborhoods Program (BEGIN)
• CalHome Program
• Multifamily Housing Program (MHP)
• Housing Related Parks Grant
• CalHFA Single and Multi -Family Program
• Mental Health Service Act (MHSA) Funding
Regional Resources
• Orange County Housing & Finance Agency (OCHFA) Funding
• Southern California Home Financing Authority (SCHFA) Funding
• Orange County Continuum of Care Program
• Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) Programs
Private Resources
• Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program (AHP)
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• Community Reinvestment Act Programs
• United Way Funding
• Private Contributions
• Public -Private Partnerships
In addition, the City of Newport Beach will continue to maintain a list of "Public and Private Resources
Available for Housing and Community Development Activities" and maintain a list of resources on City
website and update as necessary in the 61h Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 6D: Child Daycare Facilities
The City will continue to encourage the development of daycare centers as a component of new
affordable housing developments and grant additional incentives in conjunction with the review and
approval of density bonus projects pursuant to NBMC Chapter 20.32 (Density Bonus).
Timeframe: Modify
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 6E: Housing Assistance for Seniors
The City of Newport Beach was successful in assisting the funding of senior housing services through the
5th Cycle. The City shall continue to encourage senior citizen independence through the promotion of
housing and services related to in -home care, meal programs, and counseling, and maintain a senior
center that affords seniors opportunities to live healthy, active, and productive lives in the City.
The City will encourage and approve senior housing developments if there is a market demand provided
the projects include appropriate support services including transportation. Projects that provide housing
and services for low- and moderate -income seniors shall take precedence over market -rate senior
housing.
The City will continue to provide social services, support groups, health screenings, fitness classes, and
educational services at the City's OASIS Senior Center or other facilities and offer affordable ride -share
transportation and meal services to seniors who are unable to drive and/or prepare their own meals or
dine out and have little assistance in obtaining adequate meals during the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 6F. Emergency Shelters, Transitional and Supportive Housing
To comply with State law, the City of Newport Beach will amend certain sections of its Municipal Code to
address the following requirements:
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• Supportive Housing Streamlined Approvals (AB 2162) - To comply with AB 2162 (Chapter 753,
Statues 2018), the City of Newport Beach will amend its Municipal Code to permit supportive
housing as a use permitted by right in all zones where multiple family and mixed -use development
is permitted.
• Emergency and Transitional Housing Act of 2019 (AB 139) — The City will update its Municipal
Code to comply with the requirements of Gov Code 65583 to address permit requirements,
objective standards, analysis of annual and season needs, and parking and other applicable
standards and provisions.
• Amend the City of Newport Beach Municipal Code to comply with the definitions for "Supportive
Housing," Supportive Services," "Target Population" consistent with applicable sections of the
California Government Code.
• Amend the Newport Beach Municipal Code to ensure Emergency Shelters, Transitional and
Supportive Housing are permitted in appropriate zones, consistent with State law.
Timeframe: Adopt Code Amendments within the first year of the planning period.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 6G: Senior Housing Priority Program
The City has an aging population that will require affordable housing options for its existing and future
retirement age population. The City seeks to develop explore the feasibility and appropriateness of
proactive policies and programs to address and prioritize the needs of its senior population.
The City will strategically collaborate with the local senior community and organizations providing senior
services to evaluate existing programs, policies, procedures and funding priorities. Upon completion of
this initial assessment and determination if there are feasible and practical approaches, the City will
develop a comprehensive prioritization program for Senior Housing. The prioritization program will
establish the specific methodologies for priority ranking, criteria, scoring and related new policies,
programs, regulations and incentives as appropriate.
Timeframe: Study and evaluate existing policies within 24 months of Housing Element adoption. Establish formal
policies, programs and regulations within 36 months of Housing Element adoption If deemed practical and
feasible during initial study.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Source: General Fund
Housing Goal #7
Equal housing opportunities in the City for all people.
Housing Policy 7.1: Support fair and equal housing opportunities, and environmental justice
considerations for all housing opportunities in the City.
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Implementation Actions
Policy Action 7A: Supportive Housing / Low Barrier Navigation Centers
State law has been updated to require approval 'by right' of supportive housing with up to 50 units and low
barrier navigation centers that meet the requirements of State law. Low barrier navigation centers are
generally defined as service -enriched shelters focused on the transition of persons into permanent housing.
Low barrier navigation centers provide temporary living facilities will persons experiencing homelessness
to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. To comply with State law, the City of
Newport Beach will adopt policies, procedures, and regulations for processing this type of use to establish
a non -discretionary local permit approval process that must be provided to accommodate supportive
housing and lower barrier navigation centers per State law. In the interim, any submitted application for
this use type will be processed in accordance with State law.
The City will provide for annual monitoring of the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing adopted
policies. Should any amendments be warranted to existing policies pursuant to State law, the City will
modify its existing policies, as appropriate.
Timeframe: Adopt Code Amendments within first year of the planning period.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 7B: Transitional and Supportive Housing
In compliance with Senate Bill 2 (Chapter 364, Statutes 2017) and SB 745 Chapter 185, Statutes 2013 ) the
City will ensure the Zoning Code is amended to encourage and facilitates emergency shelters and limits
the denial of emergency shelters and transitional and supportive housing under the Housing
Accountability Act. This Program would permit transitional and supportive housing by -right in all zones
allowing residential uses, subject onlyto those regulations that apply to other residential uses of the same
type in the same zone. In addition, the Zoning Code will be amended to define "supportive housing,"
"target population" and "transitional housing" pursuant to state law. The City will continue to monitor
the inventory of sites appropriate to accommodate transitional and supportive housing and will work with
the appropriate organizations to ensure the needs of homeless and extremely low-income residents are
met. The City is committed to prioritizing funding and other available incentives for projects that provide
housing for homeless and extremely low-income residents whenever possible.
Timeframe: Adopt Code Amendments within 12 months of Housing Element adoption within the first year of the
planning period.
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 7C: Housing for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
The housing needs of persons with developmental disabilities are typically not fully addressed by local
zoning regulations. Persons with disabilities may require, in addition to basic affordability, slight
modifications to existing units, and in some instances, a varying range of supportive housing facilities. To
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element) 4-43
17-129
City of Newport Beach
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
accommodate residents with developmental disabilities, the City will review and prioritize housing
construction and rehabilitation including supportive services targeted for persons with developmental
disabilities.
Newport Beach will also explore the granting of regulatory incentives, such as expedited permit
processing, and fee waivers and deferrals, to projects targeted for persons with developmental
disabilities. To further facilitate the development of units to accommodate persons with developmental
disabilities, the City will encourage development of projects targeted for special needs groups. As housing
is developed or identified, Newport Beach will collaborate with the Regional Center of Orange County
(RCOC) to implement an outreach program informing families within the City of housing and services
available for persons with developmental disabilities. The City will provide information at City Hall and on
the City's website.
Timeframe: Adopt Code Amendments within 24 months of Housing Element adoption
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 7D: Fair Housing Services
The City was successful in reaching out to the community about fair housing services during the 51h Cycle.
The City of Newport Beach will continue to contract with an appropriate fair housing service agency for
the provision of fair housing services for Newport Beach residents. The City will also work with the fair
housing service agency to assist with the periodic update of the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing
document required by HUD. The City will continue to provide a minimum of two public outreach and
educational workshops a year, and distribute pamphlets containing information related to fair housing in
the 6th Cycle.
Timeframe: Ongoing
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Housing Goal #8
Effective and responsive housing programs and policies.
Housing Policy 8.1: Review the Housing Element on a regular basis to determine appropriateness of goals,
policies, programs, and progress of Housing Element implementation.
Implementation Actions
Policy Action 8A: Annual Reporting Program
The City of Newport Beach shall report on the status of all housing programs as part of its annual General
Plan Review and Annual Progress Report (APR). The Annual Progress Report discusses Housing Programs
and is submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development in accordance
with California state law. The City will continue to annually report its efforts within the annual General
Plan Status Report including Housing Element Report provided to OPR and HCD by April 1st each year.
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element) 4-44
17-130
City of Newport Beach
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
.-1
Timeframe: Ongoing, Annual
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
Policy Action 8B: Water and Sewer Service Providers
Pursuant to SB 1087, Chapter 727, Statues of 2005, the City of Newport Beach is required to deliver its
adopted housing element and any amendments thereto to local water and sewer service providers. This
legislation allows for coordination between the City and water and sewer providers when considering
approval of new residential projects, to ensure that the providers have an opportunity to provide input
on the Element. Additionally, review of the Housing Element ensures that priority for water and sewer
services is granted to projects that include units affordable to lower -income households. The City will
submit the adopted 61h Cycle Housing Element to local water and sewer providers for their review and
input.
Timeframe: Transmit document immediately upon adoption of future amendment
Responsible Agency: City of Newport Beach Community Development
Funding Sources: General Fund
+ummary of Quantified Objectives
The 2021-2029 Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) determined the City of Newport Beach had a
construction need for 4,845 residential units between October 15, 2021 and October 15, 2029. The
forecasted need by income group includes:
• Very Low -Income (0-50% County MR);
• Low -Income (51-80% County MFI);
• Moderate -Income (81-120% County MFI); and,
• Above Moderate -Income (>120% County MR)
Additionally, the City has goals to rehabilitate and preserve its existing inventory of housing units. As
required by State housing law, quantified objectives by income group for the 2021-2029 planning period
are summarized in this section. The quantified objectives represent the target number of housing units
that the City anticipates will be constructed, rehabilitated, or preserved over the 2021-2029 planning
period.
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element) 4-45
17-131
City of Newport Beach
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
- - ter_ -�,..; � ...�� • _ =:
Table 4-1: Quantified Objective Summary
Quantified Objective
Extremely Low
Very Low
Low
Moderate
Above
Moderate
Housing Production
Accessory Dwelling Units
163
72
5
RHNA Sites
1,456
930
1,050
1,409
Rehabilitation
5
5
10
284
00
Preservation
95
77
86
10
00
Source: City of Newport Beach
Section 4: Housing Plan (September 2022 Final Housing Element)
4-46
17-132
Attachment F
Correspondence Regarding Draft Housing Element Amendment
17-133
From: Jim Mosher <jimmosher@yahoo.com>
Sent: August 02, 2024 11:56 AM
To: Zdeba, Benjamin
Subject: Comment on Narrowly Focused 6th Cycle Housing Element Amendment
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Dear Mr. Zdeba,
Thank you for the notice of the opportunity to comment on the City of Newport Beach's
"Narrowly Focused 6th Cycle Housing Element Amendment."
As you know, I am a member of the City's General Plan Advisory Committee, but the
following comments are my personal opinions alone.
The notice does not identify the requirement for public review, but that would appear to
be California Government Code Subsection 65585LA. Since this proposal is
identified as an amendment to the recently certified 6th Cycle revision, and since the
timelines are specified only for "revisions," it is not clear to me if this initial draft of the
amendment is subject to a 7-day or 30-day review. Nonetheless, I am attempting to
comply with the stated deadline, and will refer to the posted 6-page Summary of 6th
Cycle Housing Element Amendment Revisions, which I will further assume accurately
depicts the revisions requested in the lengthier posted Section 3: Housing Constraints,
Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and Section 4: Housing Plan
documents.
My first and most obvious comment is that in request Revision 2, on unnumbered page
5 of 6, in the middle of the last long paragraph, the word "unsuitable" is proposed to be
deleted and then replaced with the same word. That makes little sense to me. Is this a
typo? Or was some other word intended to replace "unsuitable"? If so, not knowing the
intended word makes it difficult to comment on.
My larger comment is that the cited City Council Resolution No. 2024-58 directs staff to
remove from the certified Housing Element "the reference to a vote of the electorate
pursuant to Charter Section 423 as a constraint or as an implementing action."
I do not understand the significance of that exercise.
Charter cities are required to follow their charters, and in the case of Newport Beach,
Charter Section 423 requires a vote on amendments adding significant amounts of
housing to the general plan unless "state or federal law precludes a vote of the voters
on the amendment."
While it is possible the state could require the City to proceed despite a negative
outcome of the vote, I am unaware of any power the state has to prevent the vote
from occurring or any purpose it would have in doing so.
17-134
In particular, since it is not a lawmaking body, I am unaware of any authority HCD
has, especially through mere certification of City -provided language in a Housing
Element, to absolve a charter city of its obligations under its charter.
Nonetheless, and despite it not having anything like the status of a "state or federal
law, "in the final proposed new paragraph on unnumbered page 3 of 6, the City appears
to be asking HCD to certify a statement that in implementing the Housing Element the
Charter Section 423 vote is precluded.
Even if HCD had the power to enact a law saying that, the proposed language leading
up to the proposed statement of preclusion does not support the conclusion. First, the
outcome of the vote could be approval, as it has been in other cities such as Chino.
Second, and more importantly, there is no single way in which a RHNA obligation can
be met, so it is certainly logical that when there is a voter -approval requirement for
general plan amendments, voters should be given a chance to weigh in on alternative
implementations, as to number and location of housing units and their affordability
requirements, as is happening in Yorba Linda.
Again, when such a voter approval requirement exists, the residents do not abdicate
their responsibility to their city councils or HCD. Instead, they expect a proposal
sufficiently well thought out and sufficiently explained to garner a positive vote.
In Newport Beach, the City Council's problem is that the housing deficiency the RHNA
process has identified is entirely in the moderate and below income categories. Yet it
wants to proceed with an implementation program that would require no affordable
construction, despite Policy Action 1 K (Inclusionary Housing Policy), which it has so far
chosen to ignore, in Section 4.
The Charter Section 423 process is not so much a constraint as an incentive for the
Council to come up with a better plan that can be realistically expected to produce the
needed affordable units without an excessive amount of new luxury housing and traffic
which voters are unlikely to want to approve.
The City does not currently have such a plan, and removing the Charter Section 423
language as requested will not produce one. Even if the proposed language could
prevent the vote, these revisions would only allow the Council to proceed without a
viable plan to produce affordable units.
In summary, the Newport Beach City Charter requires a public vote on significant
general plan amendments, unless a law prohibits it, as state law does for housing
added by density bonus and ADU law. While it is possible the state could require the
City to proceed despite a negative Charter Section 423 vote, I am unaware of anything
that prohibits the vote from taking place. Adding or removing language about Section
423 from the Housing Element does nothing to change the City's charter
responsibilities. Indeed, pretending the Section 423 requirement does not exist, and
17-135
adding a claim that the vote is precluded, creates a less honest Housing Element and
removes a key incentive for the Council to create a better plan.
Yours sincerely,
Jim Mosher
Newport Beach resident
17-136
From: Biddle, Jennifer
Sent: September 17, 2024 2:19 PM
To: City Clerk's Office
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Kingsley Croul <kingsley@croul.com>
Sent: September 17, 2024 12:56 PM
To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: Kingsley Croul
EMAIL ADDRESS: kingsley(cbcrouLcom
COMMENTS:
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I would like to be able to vote not depend on the city council, but on all of Newport citizens.
17-137
From: Biddle, Jennifer
Sent: September 17, 2024 2:19 PM
To: City Clerk's Office
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Clarence Turner <cjtsr@sbcgloba1.net>
Sent: September 17, 2024 11:58 AM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: Clarence Turner
EMAIL ADDRESS: c*tsr0bsbcgLobaL.net
COMMENTS:
I can not attend the meeting. Please include my email comment in the official city record.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
17-138
From: Biddle, Jennifer
Sent: September 17, 2024 1:11 PM
To: City Clerk's Office
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Mary Ker <marycker@me.com>
Sent: September 17, 2024 11:56 AM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: Mary Ker
EMAIL ADDRESS: marycker@me.com
COMMENTS:
I can not attend the meeting. Please include my email comment in the official city record.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Unable to attend as I am temporarily disabled after surgery. It would be totally wrong to
Alter the housing plan to accommodate so many more units. Please don't do this. Not
what we voted for! This community cannot handle that much more housing and the traffic
that goes with it!
Mary C Ker
17-139
From: Biddle, Jennifer
Sent: September 17, 2024 1:11 PM
To: City Clerk's Office
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Carolyn Ross <carolynross@me.com>
Sent: September 17, 2024 11:57 AM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: Carolyn Ross
EMAIL ADDRESS: carolynross me.com
COMMENTS:
I can not attend the meeting. Please include my email comment in the official city record.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I am strongly against the 68 per cent increase.
17-140
From: Biddle, Jennifer
Sent: September 17, 2024 1:10 PM
To: City Clerk's Office
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Marilyn Brewer <Maybrew@aol.com>
Sent: September 17, 2024 11:57 AM
To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: Marilyn Brewer
EMAIL ADDRESS: Maybrew@aol.com
COMMENTS:
I can not attend the meeting. Please include my email comment in the official city record.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Mayor & City Council Members,
You were all elected to'represent'the citizens of Newport Beach! You were elected to
perform in the "best interest" of the city.
I am perplexed how voting for 68% more housing units than required is in the best interest
of our community?
I am perplexed how disallowing a public vote and violating our City Charter serves our
community.
A vote to approve this measure is a dereliction of your civic duty and ignoring your patriotic
obligation.
If this is such a good deal...... put it before our citizens and get their vote and support. WHY
are you ramming this thru???
17-141
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: September 18, 2024 7:37 AM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Biddle, Jennifer <JBiddle@newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:37:13 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: John Moreiko <iohnmoreiko@gmail.com>
Sent: September 18, 2024 12:16 AM
To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.org...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: John Moreiko
EMAIL ADDRESS: johnmoreiko@gmail.com
COMMENTS:
I can not attend the meeting. Please include my email comment in the official city record.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I am totally opposed to the new housing units to be built that you used a loophole to not go
to vote to the public. This is way too important of an issue that the public as a whole should
not decide.
17-142
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: September 18, 2024 7:37 AM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: Concerning Newport Beach Golf Course
From: Biddle, Jennifer <]Biddle@newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:36:57 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: FW: Concerning Newport Beach Golf Course
From: Drew Loughran <drewloughran@gmail.com>
Sent: September 17, 2024 9:10 PM
To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: Concerning Newport Beach Golf Course
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
To whom it may concern,
I have recently learned the news that the Newport Beach Golf Course is at risk of closure
due to a potential project for a private wave pool.
I am writing in hopes that you will keep the Newport Beach Golf Course open. The golf
course is one of the most affordable and accessible in Orange County. Closing the course
that has been a staple in the community to serve a few wealthy enthusiasts would be a
disappointment, and would leave many without an opportunity to learn the sport of golf.
Thanks for your consideration,
Drew
17-143
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: September 18, 2024 7:37 AM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Biddle, Jennifer <]Biddle@newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:36:40 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Lynn Lorenz <lynnierlo@aol.com>
Sent: September 17, 2024 9:10 PM
To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: Lynn Lorenz
EMAIL ADDRESS: lynnierlo@aol.com
COMMENTS:
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
I don't know if I can attend but I expressed my views to some Council members and most
likely wrote about it in the Daily Pilot where one can practice total freedom of speech
without having to please the owner or main influencer of the news source.
The Council most certainly should adhere to Greenlight. You were elected to express your
communities' wishes and I HAVE little doubt that a majority of the community resents that
you are using a technicality to get around abiding by legislation ( Greenlight) passed by the
people.
The Councils I have observed always seem to have a symbiotic relationship with the
17-144
development community. It is about time that they stopped joining together to subvert the
democratic process. Newport City Council has rarely shown respect for the wishes of the
community.
They are too busy being concerned about their own political future. I dream of the day that
we will get council members who do respect the community they serve and want to make a
difference.
17-145
From: City Clerk's Office
Sent: September 18, 2024 7:36 AM
To: Mulvey, Jennifer
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: Biddle, Jennifer <]Biddle@newportbeachca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:36:06 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: City Clerk's Office <CityClerk@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: FW: September 24th City Council Meeting
From: JAMES AND ELIZABETH WARD <jrwecw@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: September 17, 2024 5:17 PM
To: Dept - City Council<CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov>
Subject: RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
[EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is
safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button above.
Dear Mayor & City Councilmembers -
The following member of the Newport Beach community submitted the following via
NewportCares.or ...
RE: September 24th City Council Meeting
NAME: JAMES AND ELIZABETH WARD
EMAIL ADDRESS: irwecw(a)sbcglobal.net
COMMENTS:
I can not attend the meeting. Please include my email comment in the official city record.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Newport Beach is one of those one -of -a -kind places left In a burgeoning world. Originally
fishermen's shacks built on sand.- a blue-green harbor, an island where families
arrived each summer; Snowbird sails fluttering with the wind across the harbor;; the island
houses closed, and empty in the winter. waiting for the families who loved it, to come back.
And then the fifties and sixties: The winter people fell in love with this little place, beautiful
and welcoming as no other and one after another the families made it their own.
Until it filled up.
Who decided to surrender this near perfect place in this crowded world to cash in. Build it
up, like any other city?
Please do not do that in our names.
17-146
Attachment G
HCD Letter
17-147
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM. Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
651 Bannon Street ,,n V
Sacramento, CA 95811 , ��
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
August 20, 2024
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Community Development Department
City of Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Dear Seimone Jurjis:
RE: City of Newport Beach 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Draft Housing Element
Amendment
Thank you for submitting the City of Newport Beach (City) draft amendment to the
adopted housing element that was received for review on August 2, 2024. Pursuant to
Government Code section 65585, subdivision (b), the California Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) is reporting the results of its review.
The City's housing element was found in compliance on October 5, 2022. The draft
amendment incorporates modifications to Section 3: Housing Constraints, Resources,
and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and Section 4: Housing Plan, Housing Policy
1.1 Implementation Action - Adequate Sites to Accommodate 2021-2029 RHNA and will
not negatively impact demonstrating adequate sites to accommodate the regional
housing need allocation (RHNA) or the current compliance status of the housing
element. Therefore, the element will remain in compliance with State Housing Element
Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) when the draft amendment is adopted, submitted to
and approved by HCD, in accordance with Government Code section 65585.
Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing
element is essential to effective housing planning. Throughout the housing element
process, the City must continue to engage the community, including organizations that
represent lower -income and special needs households, by making information regularly
available while considering and incorporating comments where appropriate.
17-148
HCD appreciates the hard work and dedication provided in the preparation of the City's
housing element and looks forward to receiving the County's adopted housing element.
If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact me at
Melinda. Coy(a hcd.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Melinda Coy
Proactive Housing Accountability Chief
17-149
Attachment H
Lawsuits
17-150
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JENNIFER L. KELLER (SBN 84412)
jkeller@kelleranderle.com
BENJAMIN R. BARRON (SBN 257094)
bbaffon@kelleranderle.com
SHAUN A. HOTING (SBN 260656)
shoting@kelleranderle.com
KELLER/ANDERLE LLP
18300 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 930
Irvine, California 92612
Telephone: (949) 476-8700
Facsimile: (949) 476-0900
Attorneys for Petitioner,
STILL PROTECTING OUR NEWPORT
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
STILL PROTECTING OUR NEWPORT, a non- Case No.
profit organization,
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF
Petitioner, MANDATE
V.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
Respondent.
UNLIMITED JURISDICTION
-1-
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
17-151
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1. Petitioner Still Protecting Our Newport (SPON) brings this action for a writ of
mandate against Respondent City of Newport Beach (City), and alleges as follows:
INTRODUCTION
2. More than two decades ago, local residents voted by a landslide in favor of the
Greenlight Initiative, a ballot measure that added "Section 423" to the City Charter. Section 423
prohibits the City Council from amending the City's General Plan to authorize major development
projects without first obtaining approval from local residents. More specifically, Section 423
mandates local residents approve any amendment to the City's General Plan that authorizes the
development of more than 100 dwelling units.
3. The City Council openly violated Section 423. On July 23, 2024, the City Council
purported to adopt an amendment to the City's General Plan that would allow for the development of
at least 8,100 new dwelling units, and as many as 19,000 new dwelling units. Local residents did not
vote on that amendment prior to the July 23 action of the City Council.
4. The City Council asserts, without support, that the right to vote by local residents under
Section 423 is preempted by housing mandates adopted by the state Legislature. That is not the law
and the City knows it.
5. For example, in September 2022, the City informed the California Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD) that major amendments to the City's General Plan
authorizing the development of more than 100 dwelling units are subject to a local vote. Further, the
City expressly told HCD that it planned to comply with Section 423 as part of the overall process to
meet state housing mandates. A month later, HCD issued a written letter approving the City's plan
to comply with Section 423. What's more, City officials, such as the Mayor, told local residents that
any General Plan amendment that triggered Section 423 would be submitted to a vote of local
residents. The City Council's sudden reversal is stunning in light of the existing public record.
6. A writ of mandate should issue directing the City Council to comply with Section 423.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
7. This Court has jurisdiction under laws that include Code of Civil Procedure § 1085,
and Article 6, § 10 of the California Constitution.
-2-
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
17-152
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8. Venue is proper in this Court under California Code of Civil Procedure § 394 because
the City is situated in Orange County.
9. SPON has exhausted any administrative remedies and has no plain, adequate, or
speedy remedy at law.
PARTIES
10. Founded in 1974, Petitioner SPON is a non-profit organization that represents the
interests of City residents in connection with environmental matters and related land use issues.
SPON has a beneficial interest in the subject matter of this litigation within the meaning of section
1 1086 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.
11. Respondent City is a chartered city under the California Constitution, and operates
through a City Charter per Government Code § 34450, et seq. The City is governed by a seven -
member City Council, and has adopted a General Plan controlling all residential and commercial
development in the City.
THE CONTROVERSY
A. Local Residents Pass Measure S, Adding Section 423 to the City's Charter.
12. City Charter Section 423—commonly known as the "Greenlight Initiative"is a
fundamental section of the City's Charter that requires voter approval of land use decisions that
significantly increase the amount or intensity of development in the City.
13. Presented to voters as Measure S, the principal object of the Greenlight Initiative was
to amend the City Charter to add Section 423. In November 2000, local residents voted nearly 2-to-
1 to approve Measure S.
14. The current version of Section 423 states, in full:
Voter approval is required for any major amendment to the Newport Beach General
Plan. A "major amendment" is one that significantly increases the maximum amount
of traffic that allowed uses could generate, or significantly increases allowed density
or intensity. "Significantly increases" means over 100 peak hour trips (traffic), or over
100 dwelling units (density), or over 40,000 square feet of floor area (intensity); these
thresholds shall apply to the total of. 1) Increases resulting from the amendment itself,
plus 2) Eighty percent of the increases resulting from other amendments affecting the
same neighborhood and adopted within the preceding ten years. "Other amendments"
does not include those approved by the voters. "Neighborhood" shall mean a Statistical
Area as shown in the Land Use Element of the General Plan, page 89, in effect from
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1988 to 1998, and new Statistical Areas created from time to time for land
subsequently annexed to the City.
"Voter approval is required" means that the amendment shall not take effect unless it
has been submitted to the voters and approved by a majority of those voting on it. Any
such amendment shall be submitted to a public vote as a separate and distinct ballot
measure notwithstanding its approval by the city council at the same time as one or
more other amendments to the City's General Plan. The city council shall set any
election required by this Section for the municipal election next following city council
approval of the amendment, or, by mutual agreement with the applicant for the
amendment, may call a special election for this purpose with the cost of the special
election shared by the applicant and the City as they may agree. In any election
required by this Section, the ballot measure shall be worded such that a YES vote
approves the amendment and a NO vote rejects the amendment; any such election in
which the ballot measure is not so worded shall be void and shall have no effect.
This section shall not apply if state or federal law precludes a vote of the voters on the
amendment. (Added effective December 15, 2000)
B. City Officials Spent Years Telling the State and Local Residents that the City
Would Comply with Section 423.
15. The California Legislature requires each city in California to adopt a comprehensive,
long-term general plan for the physical development, configuration, and character of the city. (Gov.
Code § 65300, et seq.) A city's general plan serves a vital purpose in local planning efforts, with
California courts having described the general plan as "a constitution for all further development
within the city." (Friends of `B" Street a City of Hayward (1980) 106 Cal.App.3d 988, 997; see also
Endangered Habitats League, Inc. a Cnty of Orange (2005) 131 Cal.AppAth 777, 181 ["The general
plan functions as a `constitution for all future developments,' and land use decisions must be
consistent with the general plan and its elements."].)
16. On September 13, 2022, the City adopted the Housing Element, which is a
comprehensive disclosure of the details of the City's plan to comply with the HCD's Regional
Housing Needs Allocation. According to the City's Housing Element: for the "2021-2029 planning
period the City was allocated a total of 4,845 units[.]" (Housing Element at 1-4.)
17. Two days later, on September 15, 2022, the City submitted the Housing Element to the
HCD for review and certification. In its Housing Element, the City made numerous statements
recognizing that a Section 423 vote was required to amend other portions of the General Plan to align
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with the Housing Element. For example, the City unambiguously stated it "will implement Charter
Section 423 when it amends" the General Plan.
18. HCD conducted a review of the proposed Housing Element. In an October 5, 2022,
letter, HCD certified that the City's Housing Element was "in full compliance with State Housing
Element Law." In that same letter, HCD also informed the City that it "must continue timely and
effective implementation of all programs including ... [i]nitiating a Ballot Measure for a Charter
Section 423 Vote."
19. Since publishing the Housing Element, the City has made numerous other statements
recognizing its obligations to submit the necessary General Plan amendments to a vote under Section
423.
20. For example, on April 18, 2024, the City's Planning Commission held a meeting to
provide a recommendation to the City Council regarding various amendments and actions to
implement the Housing Element, including an amendment to the General Plan Land Use Element.
The Staff Report published in advance of that meeting provided the following: the "proposed General
Plan Land Use Element amendments would not take effect unless it has been submitted to the voters
and approved by a majority of those voting on it."
21. More recently, in the June 2024 issue of Newport Beach Living, the City's Mayor and
Councilmember, Will O'Neill, confirmed that a Section 423 public vote would take place on the
proposed General Plan amendment: "[i]n November [2024], our residents will have the choice to
approve that approach when the land use element of our city's general plan (implementing the housing
element) is in front of them."
22. Despite these numerous promises and representations to local residents, the City
Council abruptly reversed course and declined to submit the proposed amendments to the City's
General Plan to the local residents for a vote, as required by Section 423.
C. The July 23, 2024, City Council Meeting.
23. The City Council held a public meeting on July 23, 2024. Agenda Item No. 23 for the
meeting presented the City Council with two options. The first option was to comply with Section
423, and submit the proposed General Plan amendments to the local residents for a vote. The second
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option was for the City Council to unilaterally approve the proposed General Plan amendments
without calling a local vote as required by Section 423.
24. The City Council adopted the second option. Resolution No. 2024-58 provides in
relevant part, that the City Council "does hereby initiate a narrowly focused amendment to the
adopted and certified statutorily compliant 6th Cycle Housing Element of the General Plan to remove
the reference to a vote of the electorate pursuant to Charter Section 423 as a constraint or as an
implementing action." Resolution No. 2024-51 purported to approve amendments to the Land Use
Element of the City's General Plan, in particular by authorizing the development of thousands of
housing units without submitting the amendment for a local vote. In effect, the City Council ignored
Section 423's voter approval requirement.
25. A week later, on July 30, the City published for public comment its proposed amended
Housing Element, in which the City removed the previous statements that Section 423 required the
City to hold a public vote. The proposed amended Housing Element now provides that a "Charter
Section 423 vote is precluded, and the City will move forward with implementing the Housing
Element without a Charter Section 423 vote."
26. Mayor O'Neill later confirmed that, despite the City Council's decision, Section 423
required the Housing Element be submitted to a vote of local residents. Specifically, he stated: "I
thought that the policies, principles and politics all leaned toward not sending to a vote. But I read
423 to require a vote. So I couldn't support motions that interpreted 423 opposite that." Yet rather
than enter a vote at the Council Meeting that was consistent with the law, his stated views, and his
assurances to local residents that a Section 423 election would be held, Mayor O'Neill abstained.
Mayor O'Neill attempted to justify his conduct as a matter of "professional courtesy" and asserted
that it "made sense" in light of claimed threats of litigation.
27. The City has failed to provide any legal basis for its position that California law
precludes a Section 423 vote. Nor can it. For example, California law is clear that "courts must
resolve all doubts in favor of the people's exercise of the initiative power and uphold the validity of
an initiative wherever it is possible to do so." (Lesher Communications, Inc. v. City of Walnut Creek
(1990) 52 Cal.3d 531, 539.) And "absent a clear showing of the Legislature's intent to the contrary,"
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courts presume that initiatives requiring voter approval of local legislative decisions are valid. (Voters
for Responsible Retirement v. Bd. of Supervisors (1994) 8 CalAth 765, 777.) No provision of state
law allows the City's adoption of the General Plan amendment at issue in this litigation to be
immunized from voter review and approval under Section 423.
28. Despite HCD's October 2022 letter directing "timely and effective" implementation
of the Housing Element, the City Council waited nearly two years to take any action to amend the
General Plan to be consistent with the HCD-certified Housing Element. The City's lack of diligence
is no excuse for violating Section 423.
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(Petition for Writ of Mandate)
29. In general, mandamus relief is available to compel a public agency to comply with a
mandatory duty or remedy an abuse of discretion. (See Code Civ. Proc. §§ 1085, 1094.5.) A local
government's "failure to follow its own procedures provides the basis for the issuance of a traditional
writ of mandate." (CV Amalgamated LLC v. City of Chula Vista (2022) 82 Cal.App.5th 265, 283.)
30. Under City Charter Section 423, "[v]oter approval is required for any major
amendment to the Newport Beach General Plan." A "major amendment" is one that "significantly
increases" allowed density or intensity, which is defined to include adding more than 100 dwelling
units (among other things). Section 423 also mandates that any such amendment "shall not take effect
unless it has been submitted to the voters and approved by a majority of those voting on it."
31. The City, through its City Council, has refused to allow local residents to vote on an
amendment to the City's General Plan that triggered Section 423. The amended General Plan Land
Use Element at issue in this litigation states that it will add 4,845 new dwelling units. On information
and belief, the Land Use Element will actually add more than 8,100 dwelling units, and as many as
19,000 dwelling units. By adding more than 100 dwelling units, Section 423 required that the City
submit the proposed amendment to the General Plan Land Use Element to a vote of local residents.
On July 23, 2024, the City, through a vote of the City Council, violated Section 423 by voting to
unilaterally approve the amendment to the General Plan Land Use Element.
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PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, SPON prays for judgment as follows:
1. A writ of mandate directing the City Council to set aside Resolution No. 2024-58 and
Resolution No. 2024-51.
2. A judicial declaration to the effect that the City Council cannot bypass the local voter
requirement set forth in Section 423 relative to the subject matter of Resolution No. 2024-58 and
Resolution No. 2024-51.
3. An award of SPON'S reasonable fees and costs.
4. For any other relief as the Court deems proper and just.
Dated: August 8, 2024
Respectfully submitted,
KELLER/ANDERLE LLP
By: 0/-Zzl"
nnifer L. Keller
Bejamin R. Barron
Shaun A. Hoting
Attorneys for Petitioner,
Still Protecting Our Newport
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VERIFICATION
I, Charles Klobe, am the President of Stop Polluting Our Newport, Inc., d/b/a Still Protecting
Our Newport. I have read this Verified Petition for Writ of Mandate, and am informed and believe
that the matters therein are true, and on that ground alleges that the matters stated therein are true.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing
is true and correct.
Executed this day of August, 2024.
Charles Klobe
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VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE 17-159
30-2(
Electronically Filed by Superior Court of California, County of Orange, 08/23/2024 05:25:21 PM.
1421781-CU-WM-CXC - ROA # 2 - DAVID H. YAMASAKI, Clerk of the Court By G. Ramirez, Deputy Clerk.
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JENNIFER L. KELLER (SBN 84412)
jkeller@kelleranderle.com
BENJAMIN R. BARRON (SBN 257094)
bbarron@kelleranderle.com
SHAUN A. HOTING (SBN 260656)
shoting@kelleranderle.com
KELLER/ANDERLE LLP
18300 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 930
Irvine, California 92612
Telephone: (949) 476-8700
Facsimile: (949) 476-0900
Attorneys for Petitioner,
STILL PROTECTING OUR NEWPORT
Assif n-e d ear Al I Purpo*,es
judge Melissa R. McCormick
CX-104
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE
30-2024-01421781-CU-WM-CXC
STILL PROTECTING OUR NEWPORT, a Case No.
non-profit organization,
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF
Petitioner, MANDATE
V.
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH,
Respondent.
UNLIMITED JURISDICTION
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1. Petitioner Still Protecting Our Newport (SPON) brings this California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) action for a writ of mandate against Respondent City of Newport Beach (City),
and alleges as follows:
INTRODUCTION
2. Affordable housing is essential. But equally important is the need to protect the
environment. For that reason, CEQA generally requires that potential significant environmental
impacts be disclosed to the public, thoroughly analyzed, and avoided altogether or mitigated to make
them insignificant absent a finding of overriding considerations. The City recently authorized the
development of nearly 20,000 housing units but only analyzed the environmental impacts for a
fraction of them. The law demands more.
3. On July 23, 2024, the Newport Beach City Council (City Council) voted to amend the
City's General Plan, Local Coastal Program, and Zoning Code to dramatically increase the scale and
density of residential development in Newport Beach. These approvals, which were intended to
implement the Newport Beach 2021-2029 6th Cycle Housing Element (Housing Element), are
referred to collectively as the "6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation Program" (Project).
4. When the City first began to prepare the Housing Element, it assured the community
it would allow new development only to extent State housing law requires. Under California law, the
City was required to accommodate 4,845 new housing units at varying levels of affordability (e.g.,
low income, very -low income). This is commonly referred to as the City's Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) allocation.
5. Despite those assurances, the recently approved Project will allow a massive increase
in new development far beyond what the law requires. According to the Environmental Impact
Report (EIR) the City certified, the Project purportedly would allow the construction of 9,649 new
housing units. However, that number is far below what the City has actually authorized because the
EIR ignored the density bonus laws that will dramatically increase the number of housing units
constructed. In reality, those density bonus laws will allow developers to construct up to 19,298 new
units without any further changes to City laws or regulations —nearly four times the number of units
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required by State law. Such development would also add more than 42,000 new residents, increasing
Newport Beach's population by more than 50 percent.
6. Under CEQA, the EIR was required to disclose, analyze, and mitigate all direct and
reasonably foreseeable indirect environmental impacts associated with the Project, including the
massive influx of housing and residents authorized under the Project. This includes any direct or
indirect impacts to public services (e.g., utilities), traffic, air quality, noise, biological resources, and
more.
7. In the EIR, the City deliberately chose to ignore that future developers will be able to
leverage State and local density bonus laws to build far more units than what was disclosed. The
City's failure to address this issue infected the entirety of the EIR's analysis, leading to undisclosed
environmental impacts and a failure to identify or impose adequate mitigation. The City's obfuscation
of the true amount of development also frustrated CEQA's twin goals of informed public participation
and agency decision -making. The community deserves better.
8. SPON respectfully asks that this Court enter a writ ordering the City to set aside its
approval of the Project and to revise the EIR to address these errors. The issuance of such relief will
ensure the City complies with its obligations under CEQA and that both the public and City
decisionmakers truly understand the consequences of the Project.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
9. This Court has jurisdiction over this action under sections 1094.5 and 1085 of the Code
I of Civil Procedure and sections 21168 and 21168.5 of the Public Resources Code.
10. Venue is proper in this Court under section 394 of the California Code of Civil
Procedure because the City is situated in Orange County and the acts and omissions giving rise to the
instant controversy took place in Orange County. The Project is also located in Orange County.
PARTIES
11. Founded in 1974, Petitioner SPON is a non-profit organization that represents the
interests of Newport Beach residents in connection with environmental matters and related land use
issues. SPON has a beneficial interest in the subject matter of this litigation within the meaning of
section 1086 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.
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12. Respondent City is a chartered city under the California Constitution, and operates
through a City Charter per Government Code § 34450, et seq. The City is governed by a seven -
member City Council.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
13. SPON has exhausted all available administrative remedies in connection with the
City's approval of the Project. (Pub. Resources Code § 21177.)
14. On July 24, 2023, the Notice of Determination for the Project was filed with the
Orange County Clerk -Recorder. This action is therefore timely filed in compliance with section
21167 of the Public Resources Code.
15. SPON has complied with section 21167.5 of the Public Resources Code by providing
the City with notice of SPON's intent to commence this action. Attached as Exhibit A is a copy of
the Proof of Service completed in connection with the mailing of said notice.
THE CONTROVERSY
A. The RHNA Allocation and Housing Element.
16. Under California law, regional planning agencies are tasked with forecasting the future
housing needs across their respective regions. This process, which is conducted every eight (8) years,
is known as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment or "RHNA."
17. In March 2021, the Southern California Association of Governments adopted its 6th
Cycle RHNA allocation plan. Under that plan, Newport Beach was allocated 4,845 housing units,
including 1,456 very -low-income units, 930 low-income units, 1,050 moderate -income units, and
1,409 above -moderate -income units.
18. On September 13, 2022, the City Council adopted the Housing Element to address its
RHNA allocation. Three weeks later, on October 5, the California Department of Housing and
Community Development (HCD) certified the City's Housing Element was in full compliance with
the State Housing Element Law.
B. The EIR for the Project.
19. In March 2023, the City began taking steps to implement the Housing Element. For
several months City staff and the City Council -appointed General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC)
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and General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) began the process of identifying the goals
and general contents of the Project.
20. On June 27, 2023, the City issued a Notice of Preparation and Scoping Meeting to
announce that it was preparing the EIR for the Project. Six months later, on February 12, 2024, the
draft EIR was released for public review and comment.
21. The EIR analyzed the future development of 9,649 new housing units in Newport
Beach. This figure excludes so-called "Pipeline Projects," which are projects that are in or have
completed the entitlement process and would likely be developed during the 2021-2029 planning
period.
22. The EIR acknowledges that State density bonus laws —which are also reflected in the
Newport Beach Municipal Code (Municipal Code) —could result in the construction of housing units
above and beyond the 9,649 units contemplated in the EIR. The EIR provides: "As mandated by
State law and set forth in Municipal Code Chapter 20.32, density bonuses are granted where
affordable housing for Moderate- to Very -Low -Income households and special housing needs is
provided as a percentage of the proposed development." These density bonus laws allow for "a
density increase over the maximum allowable residential density under the applicable zoning and
Land Use Element of the General Plan." In other words, the EIR is crystal clear that developers could,
consistent with State and local law, ultimately build far more than the 9,649 units identified in the
EIR.
23. Despite acknowledging the eminently foreseeable possibility of this additional
housing, the EIR failed to identify or disclose any impacts from such development. Instead, the EIR
merely asserts the 9,649-unit figure "can be reasonably assumed to accommodate potential density
bonus units."
24. SPON understands that developers in Newport Beach and the broader Orange County
region frequently rely on density bonus laws to build more units than would otherwise be allowed
under applicable local land use regulations. The EIR fails to provide any evidence or analysis to
support the City's view that future development under the Project would not similarly take advantage
of State and local density bonus laws.
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25. Because the EIR ignores additional development facilitated under State and local
density bonus laws, the EIR fails to fully identify, evaluate, or mitigate the Project's impacts as CEQA
requires.
C. The City Approves the Project.
26. At its July 23, 2024, public meeting, the EIR was presented to the City Council for
approval and certification.
27. Prior to that meeting, SPON's President, Mr. Charles Klobe, submitted a comment
letter to the City Council raising concerns about the EIR's analysis. Mr. Klobe's letter states: "All
elements of the []EIR under consideration at the July 23, 2024 city council meeting are deficient as
they do not analyze the potential density bonus units allowed under state law. Density bonus units
were not analyzed and could add thousands of units above the 9,914 studied in the Draft []EIR,
therefore it is deficient and must be recirculated."
28. At the July 23 meeting, the City Council received a report from City staff and
additional comments from the public. SPON members and other Newport Beach residents once again
raised concerns about the EIR's failure to account for and analyze the additional development that
would be facilitated by State and local density bonus laws. Ignoring the public comments, the City
Council voted unanimously to certify the EIR and approve the Project.
FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
(Petition for Writ of Mandate under CCP §§ 1094.5 and/or 1085 — Inadequate Project
Description)
29. SPON hereby incorporates each paragraph set forth above.
30. Public agencies like the City must prepare an EIR before approving a project that may
have a significant effect on the environment. (Pub. Resources Code § 21152.) CEQA broadly defines
a "project" to include "the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in ether a direct
physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment" and that is undertaken, supported or approved by a public agency. (14 Cal. Code Regs.
§ 15378.) And to ensure an EIR adequately evaluates the potential impacts of a project, an EIR must
include a description of the project's location, objectives, and characteristics. (14 Cal. Code Regs. §
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15124.) "An accurate, stable and finite project description is the Sine qua non of an informative and
legally sufficient EIR." (County oflnyo v. City of Los Angeles (1977) 71 Cal.App.3d 185, 195.)
31. A EIR's project description must include all relevant aspects of a project, including
any activities that are a "reasonably foreseeable consequence" of the project approval. (Laurel
Heights Improvement Assn. v. Regents of Univ. of Cal. (1988) 47 Ca1.3d 376, 433.) It is unlawful for
an agency to artificially narrow the scope of a project to avoid disclosing or evaluating all potential
impacts. (See, e.g., San Joaquin Raptor/Wildlife Rescue Center v. Cmy. of Stanislaus (1994) 27
Cal.App.4th 713, 734-35; Rural Landowners Assn. v. City Council (1983) 143 Cal.App.3d 1013,
1024.)
32. As explained above, the EIR for the Project evaluates only the impacts associated with
the future development of 9,649 new housing units in Newport Beach. However, the EIR ignores the
fact that far more units would be built pursuant to State density bonus laws and the City's own
Municipal Code. Those laws could allow up to double the number of housing units—i.e., a total of
19,298 units.
33. Developers across California often rely on density bonus laws to build larger and more
dense projects than would otherwise be allowed under local planning and zoning regulations. Indeed,
the EIR acknowledges that density bonus laws could allow developers to build up to double the
number of housing units contemplated by the Project. Despite this acknowledgement, the EIR fails
to acknowledge or evaluate any of the impacts associated with the likelihood that developers will rely
on those same laws in Newport Beach.
34. The EIR's failure to disclose the additional development that is a reasonably
foreseeable consequence of the Project renders the EIR's project description legally deficient and
frustrated public participation and informed agency decision making.
35. Per sections 1094.5 and/or 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure, SPON seeks a writ
setting aside the City's certification of the EIR and approval of the Project on the grounds that the
City failed to proceed in the manner required by law and/or prejudicially abused its discretion by
failing to disclose the reasonably foreseeable consequences of Project.
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SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
(Petition for Writ of Mandate under CCP §§ 1094.5 and/or 1085 — Failure to Analyze and
Mitigate Environmental Impacts)
36. SPON hereby incorporates each paragraph set forth above.
37. An EIR must identify and describe the significant environmental impacts that will
result from a proposed project. (14 Cal. Code Regs. § 15126.2, subd. (a).) "An EIR must be prepared
with a sufficient degree of analysis to provide decision makers with information which enables them
to make a decision which intelligently takes account of environmental consequences." (14 Cal. Code
Regs. § 15151.)
38. In addition to identifying and describing significant impacts, an EIR must "describe
feasible measures which could minimize significant adverse impacts." (14 Cal. Code Regs. §
15126.4, subd. (a)(1).) The EIR must also "identify mitigation measures for each significant
environmental effect identified in the EIR." (Id. at subd. (a)(1)(A).)
39. As explained above, the City refused to account for the fact that State and local density
bonus laws could result in dramatically more housing development than what was disclosed and
evaluated in the EIR for the Project. The EIR therefore failed to identify and analyze fully all of the
Project's reasonably foreseeable impacts across each topic area. Similarly, by failing to identify and
analyze these impacts, the EIR failed to formulate or require implementation of feasible mitigation
measures that would avoid or reduce such impacts.
40. Per sections 1094.5 and/or 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure, SPON seeks a writ
setting aside the City's certification of the EIR and approval of the Project on the grounds that the
City failed to proceed in the manner required by law and/or prejudicially abused its discretion by
failing to identify, analyze, and mitigate all of the Project's foreseeable environmental impacts.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, SPON prays for judgment as follows:
1. A writ of mandate directing the City to set aside and vacate its certification of the EIR
(Resolution No. 2024-50).
-8-
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
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2. A writ of mandate directing the City to set aside and vacate its approvals for the Project
(Resolution Nos. 2024-51, 2024-52, 2024-53, and 2024-58; Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17).
3. A writ of mandate directing the City to identify and analyze all of the Project's
environmental impacts, including impacts associated with future use of State and local density bonus
laws, and to impose appropriate mitigation consistent with CEQA.
4. An award of SPON'S reasonable fees and costs, including under Code of Civil
Procedure section 1021.5.
5. For any other relief as the Court deems proper and just.
Respectfully submitted,
Dated: August 23, 2024
KELLER/ANDERLE LLP
By:
JYNNIFER L. KELLER
SHAUN A. HOTING
BENJAMIN R. BARRON
Attorneys for Petitioner,
STILL PROTECTING OUR NEWPORT
-9-
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE
17-168
VERIFICATION
I, Charles Klobe, am the President of Still Protecting Our Newport. I have read this Verified
Petition for Writ of Mandate, and am informed and believe that the matters therein are true, and on
that ground alleges that the matters stated therein are true.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing
is true and correct.
Executed this 23 day of August, 2024.
CHARLES KLOBE
-10-
VERIFIED PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE 17-169
Exhibit A
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PROOF OF SERVICE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF ORANGE
I, am over the age of 18 and not a parry to the action. I am employed Keller/Anderle LLP,
18300 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 930, Irvine, California 92612.
On August 23, 2024, I served a copy of the following document(s) on the interested parties
through their counsel identified on the attached service list by the mean of service indicated below.
LETTER FROM JENNIFER L. KELLER TO CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH, CITY
CLERK'S OFFICE
❑x BY MAIL: I placed a copy of the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope for
collection by the United States Postal Service, addressed to the persons in the attached
service list, following the ordinary business practices of Keller/Anderle LLP. I am readily
familiar with the practices of Keller/Anderle LLP for the collection and processing of mail
with the United States Postal Service. On the same day that correspondence is placed for
collection, it is deposited in the ordinary course of business with the United States Postal
Service, in a sealed envelope with postage fully prepaid.
❑ BY ELECTRONIC SERVICE: I sent by email a copy of the document(s) listed above to
the email address(es) in the attached service list.
❑ BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY: I placed a copy of the document(s) listed above in a
sealed envelope or package for collection by an overnight delivery carrier and addressed to
the persons in the attached service list. I deposited the envelope or package in a box or other
facility regularly maintained by the overnight deliver carrier or delivered the envelope or
package to a courier or driver authorized by the overnight delivery carrier to receive such
documents.
❑ BY PERSONAL SERVICE: I placed a copy of the document(s) listed above in a package
and I delivered or directed a courier to deliver the package by hand to the address(es) in the
attached service list.
0 (STATE) I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that
the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed August 23, 2024, at Irvine, California.
Leobardo Cano
Type or Print Name
.
W— PF -0 M---
PROOF OF SERVICE
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SERVICE LIST
Leilani Brown City Clerk for the City of Newport Beach
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
100 Civic Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
I
PROOF OF SERVICE
17-172
Keller/AnderleLLP
BUSINESS TRIAL LAWYERS
August 23, 2024
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
City of Newport Beach, City Clerk's Office
Attn: Leilani Brown, City Clerk
100 Civic Center Drive, Bay 2E
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Re: Notice of Impending Litigation — California Environmental Quality Act
Dear Ms. Brown:
Per Section 21167.5 of the Public Resources Code, please take notice that our client Still
Protecting our Newport (SPON) intends to file a Verified Petition for Writ of Mandate on August
23, 2024, challenging the City of Newport Beach's certification of an Environmental Impact Report
for, and its related approval of, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Implementation Program. These
decisions are reflected in Resolution Nos. 2024-50, 2025-51, 2025-52, 2024-53, and 2024-58, and
Ordinance Nos. 2024-16 and 2024-17. A conformed copy of the Verified Petition for Writ of
Mandate will be served under separate cover.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to call or write.
Sincerely,
KELLER/ANDERLE LLP
Jennifer L. Keller
Keller/Anderle LLP 1 18300 Von Karman Ave., Suite 930 1 Irvine, CA 92612-1057
949.476.8700 1 Fax 949.476.0900 1 www.kelleranderle.com
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Attachment I
Planning Commission Resolution No. PC2024-019 and Meeting Minutes
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RESOLUTION NO. PC2024-019
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE
CITY COUNCIL ADOPT A NARROWLY FOCUSED AMENDMENT
TO THE ADOPTED AND CERTIFIED 6T" CYCLE HOUSING
ELEMENT FOR THE 2021-2029 PLANNING PERIOD (PA2022-
0245)
THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH HEREBY FINDS AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF FACTS.
Section 65580 et seq. of the Government Code requires each city and county adopt a
housing element that identifies and analyzes existing and projected housing needs within
their jurisdiction and prepare goals, policies, and programs, and quantified objectives to
further the development, improvement, and preservation of housing.
2. The City of Newport Beach ("City") 6t" Cycle Housing Element for the 2021-2029 period
("Housing Element") presents a framework for meeting the housing needs of existing
and future resident populations within Newport Beach based on the Regional Housing
Needs Assessment ("RHNA") allocation of 4,845 new housing units.
3. The Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on September 13, 2022, and
certified as statutorily compliant with State Housing Element Law on October 5, 2022,
by the State Department of Housing and Community Development ("HCD").
4. A public hearing was held on July 23, 2024, by the City Council to consider the Housing
Element Implementation, including consideration of certifying the Program
Environmental Impact Report ("PEIR"), adoption of CEQA Findings, Mitigation
Monitoring and Reporting Program and a Statement of Overriding Considerations. A
notice of time, place, and purpose of the hearing was given in accordance with CPUC
Section 21676(b), California Sections 54950 et seq. ("Ralph M. Brown Act"), Chapter
20.62 (Public Hearings), Chapter 20.66 (Amendments), and Chapter 21.62 (Public
Hearings) of the Newport Beach Municipal Code ("NBMC"), and City Council Policy K-1
(General Plan and Local Coastal Program) and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation
Procedures for the California Environmental Quality Act). Evidence both written and oral,
was presented to, and considered by, the City Council at this hearing.
5. At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-58 to
initiate a narrowly focused amendment to the Housing Element to remove the reference
to Charter Section 423 based on evidence presented at the hearing that voter approval
is precluded because state law mandates the City adopt and implement the Housing
Element or else face serious penalties such as loss of state funding and/or lawsuits for
failing to comply with the state's housing element requirements pursuant to Section
65000 et seq. of the Government Code in the event voters do not approve the Housing
Element Implementation.
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6. On July 26, 2024, City staff published and circulated draft revisions to Section 3
(Housing Constraints, Resources, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) and
Section 4 (Housing Plan) of the Housing Element ("Amendment") that incorporates the
legal basis for the removal of Charter Section 423 voter approval requirement to
previously interested parties for a seven-day public review period, including The
Kennedy Commission, People for Housing Orange County, Still Protecting Our Newport,
The Public Law Center, and YIMBY Law.
7. On August 2, 2024, at the conclusion of the seven-day public review period, City staff
transmitted the draft Amendment to HCD for a formal review along with one piece of
written correspondence received from Jim Mosher. No other correspondence was
received in response to the published and circulated Amendment.
8. On August 20, 2024, the City received a letter from HCD, attached hereto and
incorporated by reference as Exhibit "A," confirming the Amendment maintains the City's
compliant status and, with its adoption, the Housing Element will remain certified as
statutorily compliant.
9. On September 5, 2024, a public hearing was held in the Council Chambers at 100 Civic
Center Drive, Newport Beach, California. A notice of time, place and purpose of the
hearing was given in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and 65353 of the
Government Code and consistent with City Council Policy K-1 (General Plan and Local
Coastal Program). Evidence, both written and oral, was presented to, and considered
by, the Planning Commission at this hearing.
SECTION 2. CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT DETERMINATION.
The Housing Element Implementation Program Amendments PEIR (SCH No. 2023060699)
was prepared for the Housing Element Implementation in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as set forth in the Public Resources Code Sections 21000
et seq., Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations ("CEQA
Guidelines"), and City Council Policy K-3 (Implementation Procedures for the California
Environmental Quality Act). On July 23, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-
50, to certify the PEIR as complete and adequate, inclusive of all required findings, a statement
of overriding considerations, and a mitigation monitoring reporting program.
SECTION 3. DECISION.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
The Planning Commission of the City of Newport Beach hereby finds the adoption of this
Amendment is covered under the Housing Element Implementation Program
Amendments Final Program Environmental Impact Report, certified by the City Council on
July 23, 2024, and identified by State Clearinghouse Number 2023060699.
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2. The Planning Commission of the City of Newport Beach hereby finds that the Amendment,
attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and incorporated by reference, complies with the statutory
requirements set forth in Section 65580 et seq. of the Government Code.
3. In conformance with City Council Policy K-1, the Planning Commission has reviewed
and recommends approval of the Amendment to the City Council by the adoption of this
resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 5T" DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2024.
AYES: Barto, Rosene, Salene, Ellmore, Langford
NOES: Lowrey
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Harris
BY: V-V,-)
Mark Rosene, Chair
BY: VAW. sd ln.t,
David Salene, Secretary
Attachment: Exhibit A — HCD Letter
Exhibit B — Amendment
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EXHIBIT A
HCD Letter
STATE OF CALIFORNIA- AUSINFSS_ CONSUMERSERVICFS ANn HOUSINGAGFNCY GAVIN NEWSOM Goverrar
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
861 Gannon Sheet
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 263-Al1 1 FAX (916j 263-7453
w .hcd-ca-vay (D
August 20, 2024
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Community Development Department
City of Newport Beach
100 Civic Center Drive,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Dear Seimone Jurjis:
RE: City of Newport Beach V1 Cycle (2021.2029) Draft Housing Element
Amendment
Thank you for submitting the City of Newport Beach (City) draft amendment to the
adopted housing element that was received for review on August 2, 2024. Pursuant to
Government Code section 65585, subdivision (b), the California Department of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) is reporting the results of its review.
The City's housing element was found in compliance on October 5, 2022. The draft
amendment incorporates modifications to Section 3: Housing Constraints, Resources,
and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and Section 4; Housing Plan, Housing Policy
1.1 Implementation Action - Adequate Sites to Accommodate 2021-2029 RHNA and will
not negatively impact demonstrating adequate sites to accommodate the regional
housing need allocation (RHNA) or the current compliance status of the housing
element. Therefore, the element will remain in compliance with State Housing Element
Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) when the draft amendment is adopted, submitted to
and approved by HCD, in accordance with Government Code section 65585.
Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing
element is essential to effective housing planning. Throughout the housing element
process, the City must continue to engage the community, including Organizations that
represent lower -income and special needs households, by making information regularly
available while considering and incorporating comments where appropriate.
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Seimone Jurjis, Director
Page 2
HGD appreciates the hard work and dedication provided in the preparation of the City's
housing element and looks forward to receiving the County's adopted housing element.
If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact me at
Mclinda.CavCcPhcd.ca.aov-
Sincerely,
Melinda Coy
Proactive Housing Accountability Chief
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EXHIBIT B
Amendment
REVISION 1: Amend the Subsection entitled "Growth Management Measures" beginning
on Page 3.28 within Section 3: Housing Constraints, Resources. and Affirmatively
Furthering Fair Housing as follows -
Growth Management Measures
Growth management measures are techniques used by a government to regulate the rate, amount, and
type of development. Growth management measures allow cities to grow responsibly and orderly,
however, if overly restricted can produce constraints to the development of housing, including accessible
and affordable housing.
On November 7, 2000, the Newport Beach electorate approved Measure S. whit ,�.: amended
the Newport Beach City Charter by adding Sect! an 423. Charter Section 42 requires voter approval
of certain major amendments oft he Newport Beach General Plan, unless state or federal law precludes a
vote of the electorate on the arnendment_ In the case of Charter Section 423, in g2a ral. 34 maiar
amendment to the General Plan+4s defined as&01@4nod ariaw pFspaw'
one that significantly increases allowed density or intensity fW64 e0R6ideF90 _,.. r ff _PRFG 90 "•• *Q
4090 v increasine'_r-"4@h� - 4over 100
peak hour trips (traffic), or over 40.000 square feet af- floor area (intensity), or over 100 dwelling units
(density) when compared to the General Plan prior to aonroval. These thresholds are calculated- as the
sure-�f the amendment itself andefm eighty uercent (80%) of the increases resulting from other
amendments affecting the same neighborhood a that were adapted within the preceding ten
j 101 years a*aI4
When the electorate approved Measure 5,
electorate encourageds the City Council to adopt implementing guidelines that are consistent with thek&
purpose and intent of Measure S; however. the Guidelines for Implementing Charter Section 423 do not
provide guidance as to when a state or federal law precludes a Vote on a rnaioramendment of the General
Plan.
Procedure
The City Council determines if are proposed aamendment requires voter approval pursuant to Charter
5ection 423, based on the fallowing conditions:
■ The Amendment modifies the allowed use(s) of the property or area that is the subject of the
Amendment such that the proposed use(s}generateW more than one hundred 100 morning
or evening peak hour trips than are generated by the allowed use(s) before the Amendment;
or
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• The Amendment authorizes an increase in floor area for the property or area that is the
subject of the Amendment that exceeds forty thousand (40,000) square Peet when compared
to the General Plan before approval of the Amendment; or
• The Amendment authorizes an increase in the number of dwelling units for the property or
area that is the subject of the Amendment that exceeds one hundred (100) dwelling units
when compared to the General Plan before approval of the Amendment; or
■ The increase in morning or evening peak hour trips, floor area or dwelling units resulting from
the Amendment when added to eighty percent (80%) of the increases in morning or evening
peak hour trips, floor area or dwelling units resulting from Prior Amendments, within the
preceding ten (10) years (see definition in Section 2JJ exceeds one or more of the voter
approval thresholds in Section 423 as specified in Subsection 1, 2 or 3.
If the City Council determines a General Plan Land Use Element Amendment requiFes voter approvals after
approving the Amendment, the City Council then adopts a resolution calling an election on the
Amendment. The City Council schedules the election at the next regular municipal election, as specified
by the City Charter. The City Attorney then prepares an impartial analysis of the Amendment, which
contains information about the Amendment, any related project or land use approval, and the
environmental analysis conducted that will helpthe electorate make an informed decision. Inthe absence
of an ordinance or Charter provision that establishes a procedure for submittal of arguments or rebuttals
relative to City measures, the City Council will adopt a resolution that authorizes the filing of arguments
and rebuttals in accordance with the general procedures specified in the Elections Code.
It is important to understand that Charter Section 423 only applies to General Plan amendments.
Individual housing development projects that do not require a General Plan amendment are already
accommodated within the General Plan and zoning framework. They would not be subject to Charter
Section 423 and would never require a vote of the electorate.
If a housing development project requires a General Plan amendment, any unit and peak hour traffic
increases added to the project through bonus units awarded by the Density Bonus process are not
counted toward Charter Section 423 thresholds and a determination whether a vote is required.
Ultimately projects that require a vote of the electorate pursuant to Charter Section 423 may require
additional costs and be subject to delays due to the election process that may yield uncertain election
results.
To implement the Housing Element, the City must move forward with adding housing units that would
qualify as a major amendment for purposes of Charter Section 423, which raises theguestiarH4whether
a vote under CharterSsection 423 is precluded by state or federal law. In recent legislation, such as Senate
Bill 1333, the legislature has specifically found that the lack of affordable housing is a matter of statewide
concern and that state housing laws related) to land use, planning and zoning apoly to charter cities.
Similarly, the court in Anderson v. City of San Jose 12019) 42 CaLAP P.Sth 683, found that that the lack of
affordable housing is a matter of statewide concern.
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To comply with state laws, the City must have a general plan, which serves as the Ion¢ -range Plan for
future physical development in the community. (Government Code 4 650N. et sea.) one of the
mandatory elements of a general plan is a housing element, which must be updated by the City every
eight (8) years and identify sites sufficient to meet the City's share of the Recional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA} allocation. (Government Code §§ 65302, 65588, 65863.1 In determining the RHNA
allocation, the council of governments does not take into consideration any zoning or other local land use
restrictions, such as Charter Section 423, but is directed by state law to "consider the potential for
increased residential development under alternative zoning ordinances and land use restrictions.''
(Government Code 4 65584.04fe1( 18).) Furthermore. the City has a continuing obligation to always
ensure that adequate sites exist to accommodate lower -income housing development, not lust at the
beginning of the eight (81-year Recional Housing Needs Allocation cycle. (Government Code § 65863.1
Inthis RHNA cycle, the City has been allocated 4,845 new housing units. To comply with state law, the City
must not only plan for these units, but the City must also take action to establish the appropriate zoning
designations and development standards to allow the private market to develop these units. After
developing a plan for these units, the City must submit the Housing Element to the Department of Housing
and Community Development for them to find that the Housing Element is in compliance with state law.
But haying the California Department of Housing and Community Development find the Citv's Housing
Element is compliant with state law is only one step of many. The City is then required to implement the
Housing Element. Under Government Code Section 65585 (i)(II(A). implementation is not optional, and
the California Department of Housing and Community Development is charged with ensuring the City is
implementing the Housing Element and taking action to revoke its finding that the Housing Element
complies with state law if the City fails to implement the Housing Element. In addition to the loss of local
zoning control, permitting authority. and fines of up to 5600.004 per month for not having a compliant
Housing Element state law provides that the Attorney General may appoint an agent to take all necessary
actions to bring the City into compliance with state law. (Government Code 4 65585(11.1
(Because providing residential housing opportunity sites to accommodate the City's RHNA allocation is
mandated by state law and the City is required to implement the Housing Element. a Charter Section 423
vote is precluded, and the City will move forward with implementing the Housing Element without a
Charter Section 423 vote.
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REVISION 2: Amend the Subsection entitled "Implementation Actions" beginning on Page
4-2 within Section 4. Housing Plan as follows:
Implementation Actions
Adequate Site #o Accommodate 2021-2029 RHNA
The City of Newport Beach has a total Regional Housing (deeds Assessment (RHNA) allocation of 4,845
units. State law requires the City of Newport Beach to identify adequate sites to accommodate its fair
share allocation for the Leh Cycle Housing Element. This City has identified a variety of candidate sites
through extensive analysis in collaboration with the community and stakeholders through Newport
Together's "Listen and Leam" process, multiple meetings of the City's Housing Element update Advisory
Committee (Committee), participation by interested residents at a variety of public meetings, workshops.
and consultation with property owners. The City of Newport Beach has identified an adequate amount
of land that was determined by the Committee as "Feasible" or "Potentially Feasible" for future
development, only a portion of these candidate sites will be necessary to accommodate the City's RHNA
planning obligation. These sites have undergone a rigorous process to evaluate site features, development
potential, developer/owner interest and other factors to deem them appropriate for housing during the
2021-2029 Planning Period.
As part of the analysis of adequate sites, the City has comprehensively reviewed opportunity sites citywide
and #are -has 4k-RFi "dentified eight primary areas of opportunity:
• Airport Area Environs . ❑over/Westcliff
• West Newport Mesa + Newport Center
• Banning Ranch + 5th Cycle Housing Element Sites
• Coyote Canyon + Accessory Dwelling Units
Since the City has identified several opportunity sites in the 51h Cycle Housing Element that will be utilized
in the b`h Cycle Housing Element, additional policy considerations are stated in this Policy Program.
These opportunities sites are described in map and tabular format in Appendix B of this Housing Element.
Each of the opportunity areas described in this Housing Element have been assigned a targeted acreage,
and a targeted number of new housing units (see following implementing Policy Action statements).
Collectively, these targets must meet the unmet RHNA need as required by s-State law. It is expected there
may be deviations from the targets with future implementing zoning actions. New opportunity sites may
be identified, and other sites may be deemed oww44leunsuitable. or densities may be modified, all
based on new information received over time. The City may adopt future zoning strategies that are more
or less than the identified targets in this Housing Element provided the total unmet RHNA need by income
category is accommodated within state -defined deadlines. If future zoning strategies deviate from the
targets expressed in this Housing Element but still meet the requirement to identify adequate sites to
accommodate unmet RHNA need, no amendment to the Housing Element would be required and
deviations of any magnitude may be considered subject to the City Council's review and approval in
consultation with the Community.
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L .......... 1.... '1!1] ] ......Ir
espse+�Y�s+-rv,_ �dA- 1..
EQ4�"a'{sl'+',vwv1+�--s1'7�ei+sr6v�A
c..........L.QF 2Q;14 I,..ri n•n Mwllai. ,.. .. i,.r (`hn r•n• Cnrri wr. A']] . 4 9 i 4n.,6 n nlnn.:nn
Ia
For alI Rezone Policy Actions 1A to 1F, Pursuant to Government Code 65583.2, subdivisions (h) & (i),
which rezone sites to accommodate the City's shortfall in satisfying the RHNA, the City commits to
the following;
■ permit owner -occupied and rental multifamily uses by -right for developments in which
20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower -income house holds.By-right
means local government review must not require a CUP, planned unit development
permit, or other discretionary review or approval,
• accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
■ require a minimum densityof 20 units per acre; and
■ at least 50 percent of the lower -income need must be accommodated on sites
designated
• for residential use onlyor on sites zonedfor mixed uses that accommodate all of the
very low and low-income housing need, if those sites:
o allow 140 percent residential use, and
o require residential use occupy 5U percent of the total floor area of a mixed -
use project.
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Jim Mosher inquired about what would happen at the end of Phase 2 if the DA was not amended
and if the City has a mechanism for refunding overcharges, and questioned the current assessment
that determined the current refund size.
The applicant clarified that they have not been overcharged and that excess fee credits are available
for the park construction costs.
Assistant City Attorney Summerhill clarified that the unused park fee credits could be applied towards
Phase 2, as allowed by DA.
Chair Rosene closed the public hearing.
No comments were received from the Commissioners.
Motion made by Commissioner Langford and seconded by Commissioner Barto to approve the staff
recommendation.
AYES:
Barto, Ellmore, Langford, Lowrey, Rosene, and Salene
NOES:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
ABSENT:
Harris
ITEM NO. 4 AMENDMENT TO THE 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT (PA2022-0245)
Site Location: Citywide
Summary:
A narrowly focused amendment to the City's adopted and certified 61h Cycle Housing
Element that would revise portions of Section 3 (Housing Constraints, Resources, and
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing) and Section 4 (Housing Plan) to change the narrative
and implementing actions to remove the requirement for a vote of the electorate pursuant to
Charter Section 423.
Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct a public hearing;
2. Find that all significant environmental concerns for the City's Housing Element and its
implantation have been addressed in a previously certified environmental document
(Housing Element Implementation Program Environmental Impact Report [PEIR] — State
Clearinghouse Number 2023060699); and
3. Adopt Resolution No. PC2024-019 recommending the City Council's adoption of the
Amendment.
Planning Manager Zdeba used a presentation to review the Housing Element's background, the July
23, 2024, City Council actions and direction received, the narrowly focused amendment for the
Housing Element, results of the California Department of Housing and Community Development
(HCD) review, and next steps.
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In reply to Commissioner Ellmore's question, Assistant City Attorney Summerhill stated that the City
Council had already determined that no vote is required, and it is unlikely the Council would change
direction on the matter. She noted the Planning Commission's recommendation on this matter is
largely a procedural step that is required by the code. She noted that the 6th Cycle Housing Element
has been adopted and certified and the one defining feature is whether a vote would be required.
There were no ex parte communications among the Commissioners.
Chair Rosene opened the public hearing.
Jim Mosher stated that, although he is an appointed member of the City's General Plan Advisory
Committee (GPAC), he would only be expressing his personal opposition to this change to the
Housing Element. He expressed his belief that the Council has been deceitful about the Housing
Element Plan and thought the voters have a right to weigh in on it.
Chair Rosene closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Lowrey expressed concern for overriding a public vote within the City Charter and did
not see the overriding factors from the State.
In response, Assistant City Attorney Summerhill noted a lawsuit has been filed against the City on
this matter and that Commissioner Lowrey's concern would be resolved as part of the litigation.
Additionally, she clarified that the amendment for consideration is to eliminate the specific policy
action requirement set forth in the Housing Element. Commissioner Lowrey expressed his discomfort
with the amendment.
Motion made by Chair Rosene and seconded by Secretary Salene to approve the staff
recommendation.
AYES: Barto, Ellmore, Langford, Rosene, and Salene
NOES: Lowrey
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Harris
VIII. STAFF AND COMMISSIONER ITEMS
ITEM NO. 5 MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION - None
ITEM NO. 6 REPORT BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OR REQUEST FOR
MATTERS WHICH A PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER WOULD LIKE PLACED
ON A FUTURE AGENDA
Deputy Community Development Director Murillo noted that the September 19 Planning Commission
meeting is canceled, and the next meeting will be on October 3 to address two variances and one
conditional use permit for a restaurant with a parking waiver.
ITEM NO. 7 REQUESTS FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES
Secretary Salene requested an excused absence for October 3.
IX. ADJOURNMENT — With no further business, Chair Rosene adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
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Attachment J
Planning Commission Staff Report
(This document is available at the following link due to bulk:
https://ecros.newportbeachca.gov/WEB/DocView.aspx?id=3054184&dbid=0&repo=CNB)
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