HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - April 5, 2017 C-13TM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE:
MEETING DATE:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM
C13
Receive Report Regarding Communication Pertaining to Senate Bill 540 (Roth) —
Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone
April 5, 2017
City Clerk
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Receive report regarding communication pertaining to Senate Bill
540 (Roth) — Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone.
The City received a request for communication from the League of
California Cities regarding SB 540 (Roth). There was a need to send
a letter of support immediately in light of a pending hearing.
SB 540 would streamline the housing approval process by having cities identify Workforce Housing
Opportunity Zones and complete up -front planning focused on workforce and affordable housing in areas
close to jobs and transit and that conform to California's greenhouse gas reduction laws.
The City of Lodi acknowledges that a growing number of Californians are experiencing the trouble of
finding an affordable place to live. Many cities are grappling with this reality; however, in the current
landscape, many affordable housing projects do not "pencil -out" and the authority of cities to enforce
inclusionary housing policies has been weakened by the courts. Contributing to the housing affordability
and supply challenge is the lag in private market housing construction and the elimination of State
affordable -housing funding. Of course, there are also costly and time -intensive, yet critical, project
reviews that can hinder some project developments and reduce affordability. Where appropriate, these
processes should be streamlined.
SB 540 meets this urgent need for affordable housing by requiring 30 percent of units to be available to
moderate -income, 15 percent available to low-income, and 5 percent to very -low-income households. SB
540 also acknowledges the realities facing local governments and the development community by
appropriately streamlining the permit approval process, by requiring up -front planning and environmental
reviews, and clearly identifying all project -specific mitigation measures. After planning completion, a local
government cannot deny projects consistent with the adopted plan and mitigation measures. SB 540
preserves local control and public input while setting the stage for streamlined housing approvals.
The attached letter, signed by the Mayor, was sent out on March 20, 2017. The request for support and
text of the bill are also attached. This report is provided for informational purposes only, pursuant to policy
FISCAL IMPACT: Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
111-klivlaicr&d
J,i ifer M. F aiolo
City Clerk
APPROVED:
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NAAdministration SB 540.doc
CITY COUNCIL
DOUG KUEHNE, Mayor
ALAN NAKANISHI,
Mayor Pro Tempore
MARK CHANDLER
BOB JOHNSON
JOANNE MOUNCE
CITY OF LODI
CITY HALL, 221 WEST PINE STREET
P.O. BOX 3006
LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910
(209) 333-6702 / FAX (209) 333-6807
www.lodi.gov cityclerk@lodi.gov
March 20, 2017
The Honorable Richard D. Roth
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 4034
Sacramento, CA 95814
VIA FAX: 916-651-4931
STEPHEN SCHWABAUER
City Manager
JENNIFER M. FERRAIOLO
City Clerk
JANICE D. MAGDICH
City Attorney
RE: Senate Bill 540 (Roth) — Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone (WHOZ) —
SUPPORT
The City of Lodi is pleased to support your SB 540 (Roth), which would streamline the
housing approval process by having cities identify Workforce Housing Opportunity Zones
and complete up -front planning focused on workforce and affordable housing in areas
close to jobs and transit, and that conform to California's greenhouse gas reduction laws.
The City of Lodi acknowledges that a growing number of Californians are experiencing
the trouble of finding an affordable place to live. Many cities are grappling with this
reality; however, in the current landscape, many affordable housing projects do not
"pencil -out" and the authority of cities to enforce inclusionary housing policies has been
weakened by the courts. Contributing to the housing affordability and supply challenge is
the lag in private market housing construction and the elimination of State affordable -
housing funding. Of course, there are also costly and time -intensive, yet critical, project
reviews that can hinder some project developments and reduce affordability. Where
appropriate, these processes should be streamlined.
SB 540 meets this urgent need for affordable housing by requiring 30 percent of units to
be available to moderate -income, 15 percent available to low-income, and 5 percent to
very -low-income households. SB 540 also acknowledges the realities facing local
governments and the development community by appropriately streamlining the permit
approval process, by requiring up -front planning and environmental reviews, and clearly
identifying all project -specific mitigation measures. After planning completion, a local
government cannot deny projects consistent with the adopted plan and mitigation
measures. SB 540 preserves local control and public input while setting the stage for
streamlined housing approvals.
For these reasons, the City of Lodi supports your SB 540.
Sincerely,
/4/ Do«9 Riceitwe
Doug Kuehne
Mayor, City of Lodi
cc: Senator Cathleen Galgiani, Fax: (916) 651-4905
Assemblymember Jim Cooper, Fax: (916) 319-2109
Stephen Qualls, squalls@cacities.org
Meg Desmond, League of California Cities
ACTION ALERT!!
SUPPORT SB 540 (Roth) Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone
OPPOSE SB 35 (Wiener) By Right Housing Approvals
The League is supporting a number of important housing measures, including SB 540 (Roth) which would
streamline the housing approval process by conducting all needed environmental reviews and public
engagement on the front end to reduce delays and uncertainty when proposed projects are consistent
with those plans. Ensuring local planning requirements and environmental mitigation measures are
identified early would streamline the approval process to facilitate more housing construction.
The League opposes SB 35 (Wiener) which would pre-empt local discretionary land use authority,
eliminate opportunities for public review, exclude project -level environmental review, and remove local
parking requirements.
SUPPORT
SB 540 (Roth) is supported by the League and aims to streamline housing approvals and construction.
One challenge local developers face is complying with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
which can be a lengthy process that creates delays and uncertainty.
Under SB 540, cities and counties could identify priority housing areas within a community where
enhanced planning, necessary environmental reviews and public engagement would occur at the front
end.
By focusing on workforce and affordable housing in areas close to jobs and transit, the additional
streamlined process would encourage developers to propose projects that address affordable housing
needs and climate protection goals.
Funding to support the up -front planning would come from a revolving state loan fund available to local
governments. Loans would be repaid when development occurs.
Local elected leaders are acutely aware of the severity of California's housing affordability crisis and our
role in fashioning solutions. While numerous factors are contributing to the problem, it is agreed that
more needs to be done to create a path for and incentivize new housing construction. The League
strongly supports SB 540 and believes that it strikes the right balance between streamlining the housing
approval process and protecting environmental review and public participation in local land use
decisions.
OPPOSE
SB 35 (Wiener) pre-empts local discretionary land use approvals of multifamily housing developments
and accessory dwelling units by having all such approvals be considered "ministerial." Under SB 35, a
ministerial permit approval eliminates opportunities for public review, excludes project -level
environmental review, and removes local parking requirements. Eliminating opportunities for public
review of these major development projects goes against the principles of local democracy and public
engagement.
While it may be frustrating for some developers to hear concerns about traffic, parking and other
development impacts, those affected by such projects have a right to be heard. Not having such outlets
will increase public distrust in government.
ACTION #1:
SB 540 (Roth) will likely receive its first hearing in the Senate Transportation & Housing Committee on
March 21, 2017. SB 540 will also go to Governance & Finance and Environmental Quality Committees in
the coming weeks. If you have a Senator on any of these committees, please send in your CITY LETTERS
of SUPPORT and urge their AYE vote on SB 540.
Please send your letter via fax (sample letter attached) or may be sent through the League's Action
Center.
F SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING
Member
District
Party
Room
Phone Pm Fax 111
Allen, Ben
26
D
5072
916 651 4026
916 651 4926
Atkins, Toni 39
D
4072
916 651 4039
916 651 4939
Bates, Patricia 36
R
4048
916 651 4036
916 651 4936
Beall, Jim (Chair) 15
D
2082
916 651 4015
916 651 4915
Cannella, Anthony (Vice -Chair) 12
R
5082
916 651 4012
916 651 4912
Gaines, Ted 1
R
3076
916 651 4001
916 651 4901
McGuire, Mike 2
D
5061
916 651 4002
916 651 4902
Mendoza, Tony 32
D
5100
916 651 4032
916 651 4932
Morrell, Mike 23
R
3056
916 651 4023
916 651 4923
Roth, Richard 31
D
4034
916 651 4031
916 651 4931
Skinner, Nancy 9
D
2059
916 651 4009
916 651 4909
Wieckowski, Bob 10
D
4085
916 651 4010
916 651 4910
(Wiener, Scott I 11
I D
I 4070
I 916 651 4011
916 651 4911
SENATE GOVERNANCE
AND
FINANCE
ir -•
Member I District
I Party
I Room
I Phone
` Fax
Beall, Jim 15
D
2082
916 651 4015
916 651 4915
Hernandez, Ed 22
D
2080
916 651 4022
916 651 4922
Hertzberg, Bob 18
D
4038
916 651 4018
916 651 4918
Lara, Ricardo 33
D
5050
916 651 4033
916 651 4933
McGuire, Mike (Chair) 2
D
5061
916 651 4002
916 651 4902
Moorlach, John 37
R
2048
916 651 4037
916 651 4937
I Nguyen, Janet (Vice -Chair) 34
I R
1 3048
916 651 4034
916 651 4934
SENATE ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY
1
1
Member District
Party
Room
Phone A
L Fax A.
Bates, Patricia 36
R
4048
916 651 4036
916 651 4936
Hill, Jerry 13
D
5035
916 651 4013
916 651 4913
Lara, Ricardo 33
D
5050
916 651 4033
916 651 4933
Skinner, Nancy 9
D
2059
916 651 4009
916 651 4909
Stern, Henry 27
D 3070 916 651 4027
916 651 4927
Stone, Jeff (Vice -Chair) 28
R 4062 916 651 4028
916 651 4928
IWieckowski, Bob (Chair) 1 10 1 D I 4085 1 916 651 4010 1 916 651 4910
ACTION #2:
SB 35 (Wiener) has not been set for its second hearing as of 3/13/17. However, it is likely that it will be
heard by March 22, 2017 in the Governance and Finance Committee. If you have a Senator on this
committee, please send a letter indicating your city's opposition as soon as possible. Send your letters
via fax (sample letter attached) or may be sent through the League's Action Center.
Legislator addresses and fax numbers can be searched online by address.
SUPPORT SB 540 Talking Points:
• We support SB 540 by Senator Richard Roth to streamline the approval process to help kick-start
workforce and affordable housing construction.
• Under SB 540, cities and counties could identify priority housing areas within a community
where enhanced planning, necessary environmental reviews and public engagement would
occur at the front-end.
• Housing developments within these planned areas can proceed in an expedited manner.
Because the local government has fully conducted the necessary environmental reviews, no
additional project -specific environmental reviews shall be needed.
• Importantly, SB 540 helps streamline housing project approvals without compromising local
control or the rights of citizens to participate in local land -use decisions.
• The League is also supporting a long list of legislation that would increase funding for affordable
housing, incentivize local governments to approve housing, and help fund the supporting
infrastructure.
• Many have been critical of local governments for the lack of construction in our communities.
Some of these criticisms are fair, but many ignore the realities of the private housing market,
the limited funding for affordable housing and the conditions that encourage or discourage new
housing development.
• There is much that we can do together this year to create a blueprint to new housing
construction. Our city and the League of California Cities and its other member cities stand
ready to be part of responsible solutions.
OPPOSE SB 35 Talking Points:
• We must oppose SB 35, which would pre-empt local discretionary land use approvals of
multifamily housing developments and accessory dwelling units.
• By having all such approvals "ministerial" actions, SB 35 would allow these housing projects to
proceed despite inadequate criteria, no opportunity for public engagement, no project -level
environmental review, and no ability for cities to impose local parking requirements.
• Eliminating opportunities for public review of these major development projects goes against
the principles of local democracy and public engagement.
• It may be frustrating for some developers to hear concerns about traffic, parking and other
development impacts, those affected by such projects have a right to be heard. Not having such
outlets will increase public distrust in government.
• SB 35 is based on RHNA goals yet RHNA is simply a housing planning goal — not a production
mandate.
• This proposal undermines basic democracy and the ability of local citizens to have a voice in the
shape of development in our communities.
• Mention recent projects your community has approved and how community input and design
review may have made them better.
• Explain how your community will react to being cut out of the public process on these
developments.
• Mention the status of your community's General Plan. Has it been recently updated, or does it
contain sufficient detail to ensure that projects proposed in a by right format will meet
community standards?
SENATE BILL No. 540
Introduced by Senator Roth
February 16, 2017
An act to add Article 10.10 (commencing with Section 65620) to
Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code, relating to
land use.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 540, as introduced, Roth. Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone.
The Planning and Zoning Law requires a city or county to adopt a
general plan for land use development within its boundaries that
includes, among other things, a housing element. Existing law provides
for various reforms and incentives intended to facilitate and expedite
the construction of affordable housing.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a lead
agency, as defined, to prepare, or cause to be prepared and certify the
completion of, an environmental impact report (EIR) on a project that
it proposes to carry out or approve that may have a significant effect
on the environment or to adopt a negative declaration if it finds that the
project will not have that effect. CEQA also requires a lead agency to
prepare a mitigated negative declaration for a project that may have a
significant effect on the environment if revisions in the project would
avoid or mitigate that effect and there is no substantial evidence that
the project, as revised, would have a significant effect on the
environment.
This bill would authorize a local government, as defined, to establish
a Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone by preparing an EIR pursuant
to CEQA and adopting a specific plan that is required to include text
and a diagram or diagrams containing specified information. The bill
would require a local government that proposes to adopt a Workforce
99
SB 540 — 2 —
Housing Opportunity Zone to hold public hearings on the specific plan.
The bill would authorize a local government, after a specific plan is
adopted and the zone is formed, to impose a specific plan fee upon all
persons seeking governmental approvals within the zone. The bill would
require a local government to comply with certain requirements when
amending the specific plan for the zone, including seeking a new EIR.
The bill would require a local government to notify the county auditor
within 60 days after establishing a zone, and to notify the county auditor
of the number of housing units added to the zone, as provided. The bill
would authorize a local government to apply for a no -interest loan from
the Office of Planning and Research to support its efforts to develop a
specific plan and accompanying EIR within the zone. The bill would
require the Office of Planning and Research, by July 1, 2018, to develop
a process whereby a local government may apply for a loan of that
nature. The bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would authorize
a transfer from the Controller to the Governor's Office of Planning and
Research for purposes of establishing this loan program.
The bill would prohibit a local government, for a period of 5 years
after the plan is adopted, from denying any development that is proposed
within the area of the zone if that development satisfies certain criteria,
unless the local government makes certain findings. The bill would
provide that, after the zone is adopted, a lead agency is not required to
prepare an EIR or negative declaration for a housing development that
occurs within the zone if specified criteria are met. The bill would
require a local government to approve, or disapprove, a housing
development located within the zone within 60 days after the application
for that development is deemed complete.
The Planning and Zoning Law requires a planning agency, after a
legislative body has adopted all or part of a general plan, to provide an
annual report to the legislative body, the Office of Planning and
Research, and the Depai tuient of Housing and Community Development
on the status of the general plan and progress in meeting the
community's share of regional housing needs.
This bill would require a local government that has formed a
Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone to include within this report the
number of housing units approved within a zone that complies with
specified criteria.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State -mandated local program: no.
99
— 3 — SB 540
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
1 SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
2 following:
3 (a) Increasing the supply of affordable housing requires a
4 commitment by both the state and local government agencies.
5 Local government agencies can make this commitment by setting
6 the land use stage for development of workforce housing through
7 advanced planning and environmental review. The state can make
8 this commitment by contributing financial assistance for advanced
9 planning and matching local agencies' financial contributions to
10 promote and encourage affordable housing.
11 (b) Providing incentives for local agencies to create Workforce
12 Housing Opportunity Zones in areas that need additional housing
13 close to employment centers and available transit supports the
14 attainment of the state's housing and greenhouse gas reduction
15 goals. Limitations on the amount of property tax revenues produced
16 by housing, particularly affordable housing, mean there is often
17 an imbalance between the revenue produced and the cost of
18 infrastructure and services needed by the housing.
19 (c) Providing additional certainty in the housing development
20 approval process requires advanced planning, which, among other
21 elements, identifies standards and criteria by which development
22 will proceed and standards for the mitigation of the environmental
23 impacts of the housing development. The purpose of creating a
24 Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone is to conduct this type of
25 advanced planning, so that housing and other development within
26 the zone can proceed on the affected parcels in an expedited
27 manner. A state -administered revolving loan fund will support
28 these advanced planning efforts.
29 SEC. 2. Article 10.10 (commencing with Section 65620) is
30 added to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government
31 Code, to read:
32
33 Article 10.10. Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone
34
35 65620. For purposes of this article, the following terms shall
36 have the following meanings:
37 (a) "Housing development" or "development" means new or
38 substantially rehabilitated residential dwelling units constructed
99
SB 540 — 4 —
1 within a Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone. A residential
2 project may include commercial development limited to the first
3 floor of the structure and occupying not more than 50 percent of
4 the square foot area of the structure in which it is located.
5 (b) "Local government" means city, county, or city and county.
6 (c) "Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone" or "zone" means
7 an area of contiguous or noncontiguous parcels identified on a city
8 or county's inventory of land suitable for residential development
9 pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 65583
10 established pursuant to Section 65621. Development within a zone
11 must be consistent with the general use designation, density,
12 building intensity, and applicable policies specified for the area in
13 either a sustainable communities strategy or an alternative planning
14 strategy, for which the State Air Resources Board, pursuant to
15 subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section
16 65080, has accepted a metropolitan planning organization's
17 determination that the sustainable communities strategy or the
18 alternative planning strategy would, if implemented, achieve the
19 greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
20 65621. (a) A local government may establish a Workforce
21 Housing Opportunity Zone by preparing an environmental impact
22 report pursuant to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21155)
23 of the Public Resources Code to identify and mitigate, to the extent
24 feasible, environmental impacts resulting from the establishment
25 of that zone, and by adopting a specific plan that shall include text
26 and a diagram or diagrams that specify all of the following in
27 detail:
28 (1) The distribution and location of a minimum of 100 units to
29 a maximum of 1,500 residential dwelling units. If a local
30 government whose regional housing needs allocation is less than
31 one hundred units chooses to establish a Workforce Housing
32 Opportunity Zone, then it shall include its entire allocation in the
33 zone.
34 (2) The proposed distribution, location, and extent and intensity
35 of major components of public and private transportation, sewage,
36 water, drainage, solid waste, disposal, energy, and other essential
37 facilities needed to support the construction of the residential
38 dwelling units. Essential facilities may include improvements
39 needed to K-12 schools that serve areas within the zone.
99
— 5 — SB 540
1 (3) The following mitigation measures that will apply to all
2 development constructed within the zone in addition to any and
3 all mitigation measures identified in the environmental impact
4 report prepared for the specific plan:
5 (A) Traffic mitigation measures.
6 (B) Water quality and other public utility mitigation measures,
7 including sewage, drainage, solid waste disposal, and energy.
8 (C) Natural resource protection mitigation measures.
9 (4) Density ranges for multifamily housing for which the
10 minimum densities shall not be less than those deemed appropriate
11 to accommodate housing for lower income households as set forth
12 in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section
13 65583.2, and a density range for single-family attached or detached
14 housing for which minimum densities shall not be less than 10
15 units to the acre. A density range shall provide the minimum
16 dwelling units per acre and the maximum dwelling units per acre.
17 (5) Uniformly applied development policies or standards that
18 will apply to all development constructed within the zone, including
19 parking ordinances, public access requirements, grading ordinances,
20 hillside development ordinances, flood plain ordinances, habitat
21 or conservation ordinances, view protection ordinances, and
22 requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
23 (6) The manner in which funding will be provided for the
24 infrastructure and services necessary for the development within
25 the zone, which may include an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing
26 District or a Community Revitalization and Investment Authority.
27 (7) Design review standards.
28 (b) Before beginning the formal environmental evaluation of
29 the specific plan, the planning commission and the legislative body
30 of the local government shall each hold a public hearing to hear
31 oral, and receive written, comments about a draft of the specific
32 plan. There shall be a minimum of 30 days between the public
33 hearings. The planning commission may recommend modifications
34 of the draft to the legislative body. At the conclusion of the public
35 hearing, the legislative body of the local government shall direct
36 that formal environmental evaluation of the specific plan proceed
37 in accordance with the modified draft.
38 (c) (1) If the local government has a planning commission
39 authorized by local ordinance or resolution to review and
40 recommend action on a proposed general plan, the commission
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SB 540 — 6 —
1 shall hold at least one public hearing before approving a
2 recommendation on the adoption of a specific plan pursuant to this
3 subdivision. The local government shall provide the notice of the
4 hearing pursuant to Section 65090 and paragraphs (1) and (3) of
5 subdivision (a) of Section 65091.
6 (2) The legislative body of the local government shall hold at
7 least two public hearings to consider the planning commission's
8 recommendation and any and all public testimony. There shall be
9 a minimum of 30 days between the public hearings to allow
10 sufficient time to modify the plan in response to the public
11 testimony as directed by the legislative body. The local government
12 shall provide the notice of the hearing pursuant to Section 65090
13 and paragraphs (1) and (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 65091.
14 (d) The local government shall provide notice of the public
15 hearings required by subdivisions (b) and (c) pursuant to Section
16 65091, including notice to owners of real property within the zone
17 and each owner of real property within 300 feet of the real property
18 within the zone.
19 (e) The legislative body of the local government, after adopting
20 the plan, may impose a specific plan fee upon persons seeking
21 government approvals within a zone. The fees shall be established
22 to defray the cost of preparation, adoption, and administration of
23 the plan, including costs incurred pursuant to Division 13
24 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code.
25 As nearly as can be estimated, the fee charged shall be a prorated
26 amount in accordance with the applicant's relative benefit derived
27 from the plan. The local government shall use the fees to offset its
28 costs and to reimburse funds borrowed from the Office of Planning
29 and Research pursuant to Section 65624.
30 65622. (a) (1) Before a date that is no later than five years
31 from the date the specific plan is adopted pursuant to subdivision
32 (b) or when the specific plan is amended pursuant to this
33 subdivision, a local government shall complete the analysis
34 required by Section 15162 of Chapter 3 of Division 6 of Title 14
35 of the California Code of Regulations and shall consider whether
36 any amendments are required to the specific plan for the zone. The
37 local government shall amend the specific plan to take into account
38 new information about a physical condition on a parcel within the
39 zone that affects the development capacity of the parcel pursuant
40 to the specific plan.
99
— 7 — SB 540
1 (2) The local government shall hold a public hearing noticed in
2 accordance with the requirements of Section 65091 to consider
3 amendments and readoption of the specific plan. The amendment
4 or readoption of the specific plan shall begin a new five-year period
5 for purposes of Section 65623.
6 (b) (1) Within 60 days of adopting a plan pursuant to Section
7 65621, a local government shall notify the county auditor that it
8 has established a Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone.
9 (2) Beginning on April 1, 2018, and thereafter on August 1 and
10 April 1 of each fiscal year, the local government shall notify the
11 county auditor of the number of housing units approved within the
12 zone that comply with the criteria in subdivision (b) of Section
13 65623.
14 65623. (a) For a period of five years from the adoption of the
15 specific plan pursuant to Section 65621, a local government may
16 not deny a development that satisfies all of the criteria listed in
17 paragraphs (3) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 65621
18 in effect at the time the application for the development is deemed
19 complete, unless the local government finds, based upon substantial
20 evidence in the record of the public hearing on the project, that a
21 physical condition on the site of the development that was not
22 known and could not have been known with reasonable
23 investigation at the time the specific plan was prepared would have
24 a specific, adverse impact upon the public health or safety, and
25 there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the
26 specific adverse impact without rendering the development
27 unaffordable to low-, moderate-, and middle-income households.
28 As used in this subdivision, "specific, adverse impact" means a
29 significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on
30 objective, identified written public health or safety standards,
31 policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application
32 was deemed complete.
33 (b) After the adoption of the zone pursuant to Section 65621, a
34 lead agency is not required to prepare an environmental impact
35 report or negative environmental declaration for a housing
36 development that satisfies all of the following criteria:
37 (1) The development is located on land within a Workforce
38 Housing Opportunity Zone.
39 (2) The development is consistent with the plan adopted pursuant
40 to subdivision (a) of Section 65621, including the density ranges
99
SB 540 — 8 —
1 established pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section
2 65621. If a development is not consistent with the elements and
3 standards in the plan, then the provisions of this section shall not
4 apply and the city or county shall consider the application as it
5 would an application for development that is not within the zone,
6 including the preparation of an environmental impact report or a
7 negative declaration for the housing development.
8 (3) At least 30 percent of the total units constructed or
9 substantially rehabilitated in the zone will be sold or rented to
10 persons and families of moderate income, as defined by Section
11 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, or persons and families of
12 middle income, as defined in Section 65008; at least 15 percent
13 of the total units constructed or substantially rehabilitated in the
14 zone will be sold or rented to lower income households, as defined
15 by Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code; and at least 5
16 percent of the total units constructed or substantially rehabilitated
17 in the zone will be restricted for a term of 55 years for very low
18 income households, as defined by Section 50105 of the Health and
19 Safety Code.
20 The developer shall provide sufficient legal commitments to
21 ensure continued availability of units for very low, low-income,
22 moderate-, or middle-income households in accordance with the
23 provisions of this subdivision for 55 years for rental units and 45
24 years for owner -occupied units.
25 (4) The development has incorporated each of the mitigation
26 measures adopted pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of
27 Section 65621 and deemed applicable by the city, county, or city
28 and county.
29 (5) The development has incorporated each of the uniformly
30 applied development standards adopted pursuant to paragraph (5)
31 of subdivision (a) of Section 65621 and deemed applicable by the
32 city, county, or city and county.
33 (6) The development complies with the design review standards
34 adopted pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section
35 65621 and deemed applicable by the city, county, or city and
36 county.
37 (7) The development has incorporated each of the mitigation
38 measures adopted as part of the environmental impact report for
39 the specific plan and deemed applicable by the city, county or city
40 and county.
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1 (c) A local government shall approve or disapprove a housing
2 development proposed within the zone that is consistent with the
3 plan within 90 days of the date the application is deemed complete
4 pursuant to the Permit Streamlining Act (Chapter 4.5 (commencing
5 with Section 65920)).
6 65624. (a) On or before July 1, 2018, the Office of Planning
7 and Research shall establish a process pursuant to which a city,
8 county, or city and county may submit an application to receive a
9 no -interest loan to support its efforts to develop a specific plan
10 and accompanying environmental impact report within a Workforce
11 Housing Opportunity Zone established pursuant to this article.
12 (b) A local government shall explain as part of its application,
13 to the satisfaction of the Office of Planning and Research, the
14 source of funding that will be used to repay the loan. A local
15 government may include as one source of funding a fee imposed
16 on a developer within the zone as provided in subdivision (e) of
17 Section 65621.
18 65625. A local government shall include within its annual
19 report provided pursuant to Section 65400 the number of housing
20 units approved within a zone that comply with the criteria in
21 subdivision (b) of Section 65623 during the previous fiscal year.
22 SEC. 3. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, moneys shall
23 be disbursed from the Controller to the Governor's Office of
24 Planning and Research to be used to issue loans to support the
25 development of specific plans and environmental analyses for
26 housing development within a Workforce Housing Opportunity
27 Zone pursuant to Article 10.10 (commencing with Section 65621)
28 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the Government Code.
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