HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.PLN-12-00291 - Code AmendmentSTAFF REPORT
DATE:
DECEMBER 5, 2012
TO:
PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM:
BRIAN SAEKI, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DIRECTOR
DAVID BLUMENTHAL, SENIOR PLANNER
SUBJECT: PLN-12-00291 (CODE AMENDMENT INITIATION) – A REQUEST TO INITIATE A
CODE AMENDMENT TO UPDATE TH E ZONING CODE TO INCLUDE
PROVISIONS FOR EMER GENCY SHELTERS, TRANS ITIONAL HOUSING, AND
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
CEQA
Pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State of California Code of Regulations, staff has found
that this request is not subject to CEQA since initiation of a Code Amendment does not have the
potential to create an environmental impact. Should the code amendment be initiated, an
environmental assessment will be conducted to analyze impacts of said Code Amendment.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt a minute action, thereby allowing staff
to analyze the proposed Code Amendment and set the matter for public hearing.
CODE AUTHORITY
Staff is making their request pursuant to the provisions of Municipal Code Section 9832.04(a),
which states that an amendment to the Zoning Code can only be initiated by the Planning
Commission or the City Council.
DISCUSSION
Chapter 633, Statutes of 2007 (SB 2), which took effect on January 1, 2008, modified State
Housing Law to require cities to address the critical needs of the homeless. This includes making
provisions for Emergency Shelters, Transitional Hous ing, and Supportive Housing. These types of
housing are defined as:
Emergency Shelter:
Emergency shelter means housing with minimal supportive
services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a
homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter
because of an inability to pay.
Transitional Housing:
Transitional housing and transitional housing development mean
rental housing operated under program requirements that call for the termination of
assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at
some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six months.
PLANNING DIVISION
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
Supportive Housing:
Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target
population and that is linked to onsite or offsite services that assist the supportive housing
resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or
her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community.
Furthermore, as part of the City’s General Plan 2008-2014 Housing Element, the City committed to
updating the Zoning Ordinance for these uses. As such, staff is requesting the Planning
Commission initiate the Code Amendment, thereby allowing staff to analyze the amendment and
set the matter for public hearing.
H:\Community Development\Blumenthal\Projects\ Housing Code Amendment\Staff Report_2012-12-5.doc
Code Amendment Initiation (PLN-12-00291)
December 5, 2012 - Page 2