02-07-1995 - General Plan Amend. IV-94-23 Housing Element UpdateJ 1.
TO
FROM
SUBJECT:
Summary:
• City of West Covina
Memorandum
Council
Manager AGENDA
ming Department ITEM NO. A-2
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT IV-94-23 DATE 02-07-95
HO SSING ELEMENT UPDATE
This update to the Housing Element of the General. Plan serves to
bring the Housing Element into compliance with new legislative
requirements, incorporate data from the 1990 Census, analyze the
effectiveness and accomplishments of current housing programs,
and Ito reflect, new programs.
BACKGROUND
The .Housing Element is one of seven General Plan elements mandated .by state
law. The essential goal of the Housing Element is to provide decent, affordable
housing for all economic segments of the . community. The Housing Element
examines the City's housing problems and needs, the opportunities and
constraints related to addressing these needs, and sets forth a program of goals,
policies,' and implementation programs to address as much of the need as
possible.
Of the seven mandated General Plan elements, the state requirements for the
Housing Element are by far the most detailed and extensive. Because of this, a
large majority of the information, and analysis contained in the Housing Element
is included as a result of state requirements.
One of the unique requirements for the Housing Element is that it is to be
reviewed and evaluated as frequently as appropriate, but not less than . once
every five years. The current Housing Element was last revised in March 1990
and covered the prescribed five-year planning period from July 1, 1989 to June
30, 1994.
Another special requirement of the Housing Element is that it must be reviewed
by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) with
respect to its compliance with Housing Element law. The current (1990) Housing
Element was certified by HCD as being in compliance at the time it was reviewed.
The next required revision to the Housing Element was originally due to be
completed by July, 1, 1994. Assembly Bill No: 2172; however, extended the due
date to July 1, 1996. With reforms to the state Housing Element law now being
proposed in the -legislature this .year, the next due date may be further extended
to 1998. With the'next required revision still some time away, the decision was
made to update the City's Housing Element at this time to assure consistency
with. the newly required Redevelopment and Housing Implementation Plan, and
to assure continued compliance -with legislative requirements and certification by
HCD.
The updated Housing Element was prepared for the City by the consulting firm of
Cotton/B.eland/Associates, Inc. In November 1994, Cotton/Beland transmitted
the updated Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and
Community Development (HCD) for review. HCD replied that the draft Housing
Element was dete mined to comply with the State Housing Element law provided
some additional information was included. This information was provided, and on
December 29, 1994, HCD notified thel City that the updated Housing Element was
determined to be in full compliance.
95-0150/C: HOUSELC
1
Housing Element •
February 7. 1995 - Page 2
DISCUSSION
As mentioned, the draft Housing Element represents a focused update of the
current Housing Element. As outlined below, most of the updated material is
informational in nature. Within thelprogram of policies and implementing actions,
.changes are relatively minor andl primarily reflect City housing programs that
have been added or modified since the last update.
Despite the lack of substantial program changes, adopting an updated Housing
Element at this time is worthwhile Viand beneficial. Absent an up-to-date certified
Housing Element, the City is exposed to significant legal challenge on the
adequacy of its General Plan. On the positive side, a certified Housing Element.
allows the City to be in a position l of competitive advantage when applying for a
variety of state and federal housing assistance funds.
i
The draft Housing Element consists of five major subject areas, each of which are
summarized below.
Housing Needs and Resources (Section II)
Through the use of 1990 Census information and other data, this section
provides a statistical summary of the composition of the City's households and
housing stock. This information is beneficial in understanding the nature of the
City's housing situation and the � degree to- which. problems may exist. This
information can also be used as� a basis for best determining how to address
housing issues in the City.
The last portion of this section addresses "Assisted Housing At Risk of
Conversion," a new requirement that was not included in the last update. Many
federal- programs to assist in constructing low- and moderate -income housing.
included requirements calling for 'housing units to remain affordable to targeted
housing groups for a specified period of years. When this period expires, the
housing units become unrestricted and can be rented at market rate levels. This
requirement was adopted to make cities aware of housing projects in their
jurisdictions that have the potential to be lost from the affordable housing stock in
the next ten years, and to address ways in which this might be avoided.
Table 16 on Page II-36 of the draft Housing Element lists five publicly assisted
housing projects within West Covina. Of these, two projects fall within the.
definition of "at risk:" (1) the Covina West Apartments (158 units, all assisted),
and (2) Heritage Park (188 units, l38 assisted). The section concludes by stating
that it is the City's objective to retain all 196 assisted units as low-income housing
through the application of City housing programs.
Housing Needs (Section III)
Table 19 on Page III-2 of the draft Housing Element summarizes in quantified
terms the City's housing needs in' four different areas. Particular note is made of
the projected housing needs labeled ."Household Growth July 1989 - June 1996."
The total figure of 1;150 housing units (broken down into four income categories)
represents the number of addition,al housing units that the City should attempt to
provide. during the planning period to account for its assigned share of the
regional housing need. This number is determined by the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) through the Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) process.
i
The figure of 1,150 additional housing units was determined for the original -1989-
1994 planning period. Since, however, there has not been any attempt to update
these numbers on a regional level, they continue to remain the same for the
extended planning period through 1996.
95-0150/C: HOUSELCC. DOC/DM
Housing Element
e3
Constraints on
Production (Section IV)
This section discusses both governmental and nongovernmental factors that can
act as constraints to the production' of affordable housing. The purpose of this
analysis is to require cities to recognize and take stock of those conditions that
may be acting as significant impediments to affordable housing production. From
this, analysis, the City may consider opportunities to remove or overcome these
constraints.
Housing Opportunities (Section V)
This section evaluates residential development that has occurred to date and the
potential residential development that could occur through the end of the current
planning period (June 1996). This section is important in addressing one of the
most important, planning requirements of the Housing Element related to the
projected housing needs discussed above under "Housing Needs."
In establishing the City's future housing need of 1,150 total housing units, this
does not mean that the City is obligated to actually construct that many
additional units. I It. does mean that the City is obligated to make available
adequate sites available through appropriate zoning to accommodate at least
1,150 additional:1 housing units during the planning period. Furthermore, the
zoning and development standards must be sufficient to allow the development of
housing affordable to households in the four specified income categories.
The results of this analysis are shown on Table 23 on Page V-7 of the draft
Housing Element. The combination of units built since 1989 and the potential for
new units to be constructed exceeds the RHNA requirements in each of the four
income categories.
Housing Plan (Section VI)
This section provides an overall evaluation of the City's accomplishments under
the current Housing Element by reviewing the progress and appropriateness of
current housing programs. The four areas which serve as measures for this
evaluation are housing affordability, housing accessibility, housing preservation,
and site identification.
This section also addresses the affordable housing requirements of State
Community Redevelopment law. Redevelopment agencies are required to set
aside 20 percent of the tax increment revenues they receive to use these funds
for activities in support of low- and moderate -income housing.
Finally, this section sets forth a revised housing plan consisting of goals, policies,
and implementation actions. It includes programs that have proven to be
successful in the' past and those that are expected to further help in addressing
the needs and concerns identified in the earlier sections. Among- the added
programs are the following:
• Mortgage Debt Reduction Program (Implementing Action 1.7).
•. First -Time Homebuyer Program (Implementing Action 1.8) .
• Mortgage Credit Certificate Program (Implementing Action 1.9)
• Emergency Stelter/Transitional Housing (Implementing Action.2.8)
• Preservation of At -Risk Housing Projects (Implementing Actions 4.1-4.3)
95-0150/C:
Housing Element •
February 7. 1995 - Pa-ge 4
• r r
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council affirm the recommendation of the
Planning Commission by adopting the following resolutions:
A RESOLUTION OF; THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY . OF WEST COVINA, . CALIFORNIA,
CERTIFYING .THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FOR GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT NO. IV-94-23, PURSUANT TO THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF
1970, AS AMENDED
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO.
IV-94-23,.AN UPDATE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT
OF THE WEST CO IINA GENERAL PLAN
Dougl
Prince
REVIEWED AND APPROVED
95-0150/C: HOUSEl-CC. DOC/DM
TO Planning Commission
FROM Planning Department, ..
• City of West Covina +
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. B-1
SUMM GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT IV-94-23 DATE 01-24-95
HOUSING ELEMENT,UPDATE
Summary: This update to the Housing Element of the General Plan serves to
bring the Housing Element into compliance with legislative
requirements, incorporate data from the 1990 Census, analyze the
effectiveness and accomplishments of current housing programs
-_•— — --and to. Fefleet new programs:- _
BACKGROUND
The Housing Element is one of seven General Plan elements mandated by state
law. The essential goal of the Housing Element is to provide decent, affordable
housing for all economic segments of the community. The Housing Element
examines the City's housing problems and needs, the opportunities and
constraints related to addressing these needs, and sets forth a program of goals,
policies, and implementation programs to address as much of the need as
possible.
Of the seven mandated General Plan - elements, the state requirements for the
Housing Element are by far the most detailed and extensive. Because of this, a
large majority of the information and analysis contained in the Hosing Element is
included --as a result -of state requirements:
One of the unique requirements for the- Housing Element is that it is to be
reviewed and evaluated as frequently as- appropriate, but not less than once
every five years. The current Housing Element was last revised in March 1990
and covered the prescribed five-year planning period from July 1, 1989 to June
30, 1994.
The current Housing Element has been certified by the State Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD) as having been determined to be in
compliance with state requirements. The certification had an exception that the
Housing Element needed to include an analysis and program for preserving
assisted housing units deemed to be at risk to conversion to market rate. This
analysis, however, was never completed.
Whereas the next required revision of the Housing Element was originally due.to
be completed by July 1, 1994, Assembly Bill 21.72 extended the planning period
by two years, thus postponing the due date for the next required revision to July
1, 1996. Despite this extension, the decision was made to update the City's
Housing Element at this time to assure consistency with the newly required
Redevelopment and Housing Implementation Plan.
The Redevelopment and Housing Implementation Plan is a requirement of the
Community Redevelopment Law Reform Act of 1993. It is a five-year plan that
must detail the, Redevelopment Agency's strategy for expenditure of housing set -
aside funds and fulfillment of affordable housing requirements. With an adoption
deadline of December 31, 1994, the City's Redevelopment and Housing
Implementation Plan was adopted by the West Covina Redevelopment. Agency
on December 20, 1994. By updating the Housing Element concurrently with the
Redevelopment and Housing Implementation -Plan, it will ensure the development
of a consistent comprehensive City housing strategy that will fulfill the legal
95-0084/110USELEM. RPT/W
Housing Element •
January 24. 1995 - Paae 2 .
•
requirements of Redevelopment and General Plan laws, as well as addressing
the housing needs of -the community.
The proposed updated Housing Element was prepared for the City by the:
consulting firm of Cotton/Beland/Associates, Inc. The draft of the updated
Housing Element was transmitted by Cotton/Beland to the '.State Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a mandatory review. HCD
replied that the draft Housing Element was determined to comply with the State
Housing Element law provided some additional pieces of information were
included. This information was transmitted to HCD, and on December 29, 1994,
HCD notified the City that the updated Housing Element wasp determined to be in
full compliance. .
As mentioned, the draft Housing Element represents a focused update of the
current Housing Element. As outlined below, most of the updated material is
informational in nature. Within the program of policies and implementing actions,
the only changes reflect City housing programs that have been added or modified
since the last update. r
Despite the lack of substantial program changes, adopting an updated Housing
Element at this.time is worthwhile and beneficial. The Housing Element not only
has the most detailed requirements, of any General Plan element, it is also the
only element that requires review and certification by a state agency. Absent an
up-to-date certified Housing Element, the City is exposed to significant legal
challenge on the adequacy of its General Plan. On the positive side, a certified
Housing Element allows the City to be in a position of competitive advantage
when applying for a variety of state and federal housing assistance funds.
The draft. Housing Element consists1of five major subject areas, each of which are
summarized below.
Housing Needs and Resources (Section II)
Through the use of 1990 Censu's information and other data, _ this section
provides a statistical summary of the composition of the City's households and
housing stock. This information is ;beneficial in understanding the nature of the
City's housing situation and the degree to which problems may exist This
information can also be used as a basis for best determining how to address
housing issues.in the City.
The last portion of this section i addresses °Assisted Housing At Risk of
Conversion," a new requirement that was not included in the last update. Under
a number of federal programs.to assist in the construction of low- and moderate -
income housing, requirements were instituted calling the constructed housing
projects to remain affordable to targeted housing groups for a specified period of
years. When this period lapses, the housing units become unrestricted and can
be rented at market rate levels. This requirement was adopted to make cities
aware of housing projects in their jurisdictions that have the potential to be- lost
from the affordable housing stock in the next ten years, and to address ways in
which this might be avoided.
Table .16 on Page II-36 of the draft Housing Element lists a total of five housing
projects in West Covina that fall within the definition of `at risk' The section
indicates that the two projects that have the greatest potential for conversion to
non -low-income use are the Covina West Apartments (158 units) and Heritage
Park (38 units). The section concludes by stating that it is the CiWs objective to
retain all of 196 combined units as non -low-income housing through. the
application of.City housing programs..
95-0084/C: HOU S ELEM. RPT/DM
Housing Element
Aanuary 7d 1 QQ5 _ Pane 3
Housing Needs (
Table 19 on Pago
terms the City's he
the projected hous
The total figure of
represents the nui
provide during th
regional housing
Association of G
Assessment (RHI\
on III)
III-2 of the draft Housing Element summarizes in quantified
ising needs in four different areas. Particular note is made of
ng needs labeled "Household Growth July 1989 June 1996."
1,150 housing units (broken down into four income categories)
fiber of additional housing units that the City should attempt to
i planning period to account for its assigned share of the
eed. This number is determined by the, Southern California
ivernments (SCAG)' through the Regional Housing Needs
k) process.
the €'figure -Of ' ng-un was -determined for the original 1989-
1994 planning period. Since, however, there has not been any attempt to update
these numbers on a regional level, they continue to remain the same for the
extended planning period through 1996.
Constraints on Housing Production (Section IV)
This section discusses both governmental and nongovernmental factors that can
act as constraints to the production of affordable housing. The purpose of this
analysis is to require cities to recognize and take stock of those conditions that
may be acting as significant impediments to affordable housing production. From
this analysis, the City may consider opportunities to, remove or overcome these
constraints.
Housing. Opportunities. (Section V)
This section. evaluates residential development that has occurred to date and the
potential residential development that could occur through the end of the current
planning period (June 1996). This section is important in addressing one of the
most important planning requirements of the Housing Element related to the
eds discussed above under "Housing Needs.
projected housing ne
In establishing thel City's future housing need of 1,150 total housing units, this
does not mean that the City is obligated to actually construct that many
additional units. It does mean that the City is obligated to make available
adequate sites available through. appropriate zoning to accommodate at least
1,150 additional housing units during the planning period. Furthermore, the
zoning and development standards must be sufficient to allow the development of
housing affordable jto households in the four specified income categories.
The results of this analysis are shown -on Table 23 on Page V-7 of the draft
Housing Element. The combination of units built since 1989 and the potential for
new units to be constructed exceeds the RHNA requirements in each of the four
income categories.I
Housing Plan (Section VI)
This section provides an overall evaluation of the City's accomplishments under
the current Housing Element by reviewing the progress and appropriateness of
current housing programs. The four areas which serve as measures for this
evaluation are housing affordability, housing accessibility, housing preservation ,
and site identification.
This section also addresses the affordable housing requirements of. State
Community Redevelopment law. Redevelopment agencies are required --to set
aside 20 percent of the tax increment revenues they receive to use these funds
for activities in support of low- and moderate -income housing.
9540MC: HOUSELEM. RPT/DM
C
Housing Element •
January 24, 1995 - Pane 4
i
Finally, this section sets forth a revised housing plan consisting of goals, policies,
and implementation- actions. It includes programs that have proven to be
successful in the past and those that are expected to further help in addressing
the needs and concerns identified jin the earlier sections. Among the added
programs are the following:
• Mortgage Debt Reduction Program (Implementing Action 1.7)
• First -Time Homebuyer Program (implementing Action 1.8).
• Mortgage Credit Certificate Program (Implementing Action 1.9)
• Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing (Implementing Action 2.8)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt resolutions
recommending to the City Council i certification of the Negative Declaration of
Environmental Impact and approval of General Plan Amendment IV-94-23,
adopting the updated Housing Element of the West Covina General Plan.
i
I
I
ou s N. Mc Isaac
Pripal Planner
REVIEWED AND APPROVED
95-0084M HOUSELEM.RPT/DM
=TAft OF CALIFORNIA. OUSINESS MWqPORTATION ANO HOUSING AQENCY J
OEPAATMENT OF HOU NG'AND COMMUNITY MvEiOPMENT
O(VISION OF HOUSING POLICY OEVELOPMENT
I•oo T111ttD srRFir. Rw.M 13n WU�TWQA4MCy
r.0 BOX 95mi •I�gti
SACRAMWrC: CA 9415i.z053 DEC 2 ".
(9lij 32j•]I7L PAX (914) 327•:041 9 i�
Oecember 29, 1994
Mr. James S tarb i rd
Pont-#- Fax Note 7871
City
Manager
To\ fQyvlgS tdYip'
S ,,- �T0111
C o 5
City
of West
cojoem G1�,l #e co.
1444
y -Avea
.'a. Garvey Avenue
rmanff
west
Covina, California 91793
(H �
1-,-32,342-71
f1t f CJFox f
d
Dear
Mr. Starbird
RZI Review of the City of West Covinaos Draft Sousing
Element Update
r
Thank you for submitting west C�zTina's draft housing element
update, received for our rsys.aw on November 28, 1994, and
revisions received by facsimile transmission.on December 23, and
December 27, 1994. As you know, we are required to review draft
housing elements and report our findings to the locality pursuant
to Gover=ent Code Section 655a5(b).
West Covina`s draft element update includes the revisions
required by Chapters .1-431, Statutes of 198.9, and Chapter 889,
Statutes of 1991 amending Section 65383 of the Government Code to
require analysis: and program efforta for preserving assisted
housing develommenncs. And, in addition, the housing element
update coacaias a .revised needs assessment and additional housing
programs, such as. the Mortgage Debt Reduction Program, which aids
in the development and preservation of housing affordable to all
income levels. We commend the City•on its efforts to develop a
housing element which complies with State law.
The draft element update and the proposed revisions
submitted by facsimile transmission cn December 23, and 27., 1994,
address • all comments !rant our review ?titter of July 29, 1992, .
review letter. If the element incorporates the proposed
revisions as described in the above mentioned submittals and are
adopted by the City Council, the element will comply with State
housing element law (Article 10.6 of the Government Cade).
To ensure full ccmpliance with the State housing element
law, the City should submit the adopted amendment as soon as
Possible pursuant to Gcvernment Code Section 65585 (g). while
the proposed revision addresses the statuco.ry requirements, the
update twat be adopted and submitted to this Department to be in
full campliance with the law.
Mt. James Starbi011
Page 2
As mentioned previously,.Chapce.= 6.99,. Statutes of 1993,
amended GnvPrnmPnr rode %action -&.l.auciluq the planning
period for all housing .elements by two years. The City of 'Rest
Covina's housing element is ahereEore not due to be updated until
July 1.,. 1996.
We thank Raren A. Warner, Cotcon/Seland/Associates, Inc.,
the City's consultant with providing the information necessary to
ensure that West Covina's housing element update continues to
comply with State law.
In accordance with their requests pursuant to the Public
Records Act, we are forwarding .a copy of t-his letter to the
individuals listed below.
Sincerely,
(ea rol t . Badenhausen
Acting Deputy Director
cc: Karen A. warner, Cotton/Haland/Associatas, Inc.
Jett Collier, Director of Planning, City of Nest Covina
Carlyle W.. Rall, Hall a Phillips Law Fi=
Jonathan Lehrer-Graiwer, Attorney at Law
Fair Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley
Mark Johnson, Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Ana Marie Whitaker, California State University Pomona
Dennis Rockway, Legal Aid Foundation of Long Beach
David Booher, California Housing Council
Josephine Alido, David.fivans. and Associates
Stephanie Knapik, Westside Fair Housing Council
Karen Warner, Cotton/Seland/Associates
Joe Carreras, Southern California Association of Governments
Kathleen.&sikkelacn, Deputy Attorney General
Bob Cervanteso Governor's Of`ice-of Planning and Research
Dwight Hanson, California Building Industry Association
Kerry Harrington Morrison, CA Association of Realtors
Marc Brown, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation
Rob Wiener, California Coalition for Rural Housing
Susan DeSaatis, The Planning Cancer
Dara Schur, western Center an Law and Poverty
! ' 0
PLANNING COMMISSION
RE"SOLUTION NO. 01-95-4273
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING CERTIFICATION OF THE
NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FOR GENERAL
PLAN AMENDMENT NO IV-94-23, PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970, AS AMENDED.
0 •► 101 a irik 0 1 :•►u ► 1 lF.11u•:•
APPLICANT: City of West Covina
LOCATION: Citywide
WHEREAS, the City of West Covina has prepared an updated version of
the Housing Element of the West Covina General Plan and proposes to adopt
this update as an amendment to the General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, upon giving the required notice, did.
on the 24th. day of January 1995, conduct a duly advertised .public hearing as
prescribed by law to consider said General Plan Amendment and environmental
document; and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment is considered a
"project" pursuant to the terms of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA)); and
WHEREAS, an initial study was prepared for said project; and
WHEREAS, based upon the findings of the initial study, it was determined
that the proposed project will not have a significant impact on the environment,
and will not individually or cumulatively have an adverse effect on wildlife
resources, as defined in section 711.2 of the Fish and Game Code; and
WHEREAS, a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact was prepared
for the proposed project pursuant to the requirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of West Covina
does hereby resolve as follows:
1. After receiving and considering all determinations, studies, documents,
and recommendations, as well as other appropriate public comments, the
Planning Commission of the City of West Covina hereby recommends that
the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for General Plan
Amendment No. IV-94-23; and
2. The Secretary is instructed to forward a copy of this Resolution to the City
Engineer and City Council, respectively, for their attention.
95-0090WHENDRES9 DOC/DM
{
Resolution No. 01-95-4 .
General Plan AmendmeMNo IV-94-23
Janua 24, 1995 -Page 2
I HEREBY CERTIFY, that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the planning
Commission of the City of West Covina, at a.regular meeting held on the 24th day
of January, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Melendez, Reiner, Solinger, Zeller, and Chairman
Connolly
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
DATE: January 24, 1995
r-71
Y 4" /...T.. M.•
Edwar �r'nolly, Chairman
PlannWommission
A A0 _
� PLANNING
•mow
COM-W1`:S-SION
RESOLUTION N 0.. 01-95-4274
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY .OF WEST
COVINA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT IV-9423, AN UPDATE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE
WEST. COVINA GENERAL PLAN
NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
APPLICANT: City of West Covina
LOCATION: Citywide
't+
WHEREAS, the City of West Covina hi@tprepared an updated version of
the Housing Element of the West Covina General Plan and proposes to adopt
this update as an amendment to the General Flan; and
WHEREAS, the Planning- Commisr,,ion,,,upon giving the required notice, did
on the 24th day of January 1995, conduct a duly advertised public hearing as
prescribed by law to consider said General PIan�Amendment; and
WHEREAS, studies and investigations .made by this Commission and in its
behalf reveal the following facts: `y
1. Government Code Section 65302(c) .requires all cities to have a Housing
Element as a mandatory element of its rGen;eral Plan
2. Government. Code Section 65588 specifies that each local government
shall review its Housing Element as frequently as appropriate and revise
the Housing Element to reflect the results -of this periodic review.
3:. Upon reviewing its current Housing Element, the City of West Covina
found that the document does not address all current legislative
requirements for Housing Elements, lacks an up-to-date analysis of
housing circumstances and needs based on 1990 Census information,
does not reflect all current housing programs of the City, and would lack
complete consistency with the City's Redevelopment and Housing
Implementation Plan.
4. Based on the results of this review, the City desired to prepare an updated
version of the Housing Element and retained the . services of
Cotton/Beland/Associates to prepare such an updated Housing Element.
5. On November) 28, 1994, the completed draft of the updated Housing
Element was i transmitted to the State Department of Housing and
Community development (HCD) for review pursuant to Government Code
Section 65585(b).
6. On December 29, 1994, HCD provided the City with written notice that it
had determined the draft updated Housing Element to be in compliance
with the State Housing Element law (Article 10.6 of the Government
Code).
95-0093W H ERESO: DOUDM
Resolution No. 01-95-4274
General Plan Amendment NO. IV-94-23
January 24, 1995 - Page 2
7. A .Negative Declaration. of Environmental.:ampact .was ..prepared for the
proposed project pursuant Jo the regtirements of the California
Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Planning Commission of the City of West Covina
does resolve as follows:
1.. On the basis of the evidence presented, both oral and documentary, the
Planning Commission makes the following -findings:
a. Based on written notice from the state Department of Housing and
Community Development and its own` independent review, the 1994
update of the Housing Element complies with the requirements of
the State Housing Element law (Atcfe 10.6 of the Government
Code). r
b. The 1994 update of the Housing EI*ement represents a reasonable,
sound, and responsible plan for meeting the housing needs of the
citizens of the City of West Covina
C. :The 1994 update, of the Houstng Element maintains. internal
-� .emu;
consistency with ,other elements..of the City of West Covina General
Plan.
2. That pursuant to all of the evidence presented, both oral and documentary,
and further based on the findings at bV-6, the Planning Commission
recommends that the City Council approe -General Plan Amendment No
IV-94-23, thereby rescinding the current, -Housing Element of the General
Plan adopted March.26, 1990, and adopting the -updated Housing Element
dated November 1994.
3. The Secretary will be instructed to forward=a copy of this resolution to the
City- Engineer and City. Council, respectively, for their attention.
F, HEREBY -CERTIFY, that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the -
Planning Commission of the City -of West Covin�a;at=;a regular meeting held, -on the.
24th day of January. 1995, by the. -following vote.l
AYES: Commissioners Melendez, Reiner, S'olinger, Zeller, and, Chairman
Connolly
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
DATE: January 24, 1995
_ y
95-0093/kHERE80.DOUDM
to
Edward kC09FAly, Chairperson:
Plannin mmission
Collier, Secretary
commission
}J'
11
49
CITY OF WEST COVINA
NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Case Number: General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Project Descri tp ion:. The project entails a comprehensive update of the Housing
Element of the West Covina General Plan. The primary
purposes of the update are to address new state legislative
requirements for housing elements, review and consider
new housing programs and funding sources, and to
incorporate data from the 1990 Census.
project Location and Sponsor: Citywide
City of West Covina
Mitigation Measures: (if any, to avoid potentially significant effects):
None
Findings: 1. This project will not have. a significant effect on the environment.
2. This project will not have, neither individually not cumulatively, an
adverse impact upon fish and wildlife resources..
The proposed project will not have a significant effect on the environment as the
updated Housing Element continues to largely reflect previously adopted housing
goals, policies, and implementation actions. Changes that have been are minor in
nature, mostly to make reference to new or modified housing programs. The policies
of the updated- Housing Element do not propose or . serve as a commitment to the
development of specific housing projects or the development of new housing in any
particular location or area of the City. The updated Housing Element remains
internally consistent with the other elements of the General Plan. Any. future projects
that implement the policies of the updated Housing Element will be subject to separate
environmental review.
Review Period: December 21, 1994 through January 10, 1995
Contact Person: Doug Mclsaac
City of West Covina
Planning Department
P.O. Box 1440
West Covina, CA 91793
Contact Person's Telepfone Number: (818) 814-8422
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV 94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Pane 2
CITY OF WEST COVINA
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT INITIAL STUDY
(To be completed by Lead Agency)
A. BACKGROUND
1. Lead Agency: City of West Covina
2. -bate Prepared:. December 21, 1994
3. Project Title/Case No.: General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
4. Name of Project Sponsor; City of West Covina
14" West Garvey Avenue South
West'Covina, CA 91790
5. Project Description: (Describe nature of the project,. type of anticipated
facilities, size of the project)
The project entails a comprehensive update of the Housing Element of
the. City of West Covina General Plan. The primary purposes of the
update are to address new state legislative requirements for housing
elements, review and consider new housing programs and funding
sources, and to incorporate date from the 1990 Census.
6. Project Location:. _ (Indicate - address 'and/or legal description, including
county, and attach location map)
Citywide
7. Environmental Setting: (Describe the site as it exists prior to the project)
The .City of West Covina is a mature urban area located approximately
20 east of downtown Los Angeles.
•
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Pace 3
On the basis of this initial study checklist and evaluation:
NEGATIVE DECLARATION
1
LX ) I find the proposed project COULD. NOT have a significant effect on the
environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
I find that although the proposed project could have- a significant effect on the
environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because
the, mitigation measures described on an attached sheet have been
added to the. project. A CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE DECLARATION will
be prepared. [See attached condition(s).]
L1 I find the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment,
and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required..
IMPACT ON FISH AND WILDLIFE
LX I I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have, neither individually nor
cumulatively, an adverse effect on fish and wildlife resources. A
CERTIFICATE OF FEE EXEMPTION will be prepared and submitted to the
Office of the Los Angeles County Clerk at the same time as the Notice of
Determination is completed and filed with said Office.
PREPARED BY: Doug Mclsaac TITLE: Principal Planner
TELEPHONE: (818) 814-8422' . DATE: December 21, 1994
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PREPARED OR PROVIDED BY:
(Attach any such information)
f
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV 94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Pace 4
B. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS (Discussion of potential environmental impacts is
required to be on separate sheet.)
YF MAYBE N�
1. Earth. Will- the proposed result in:
a. Unstable earth conditions or in changes in
geologic substructures?
b. Disruptions, displacements, compaction or
overcovering of the soil?
C. Change in topography or ground surface
relief features?
d. The destruction, covering or modification
of any unique geologic or physical
features?
X
X
X
INFORNMEW-161
e. Any increase in wind or water erosion of X
soil, either on or off the site?
f. Change in natural drainage or man-made X
runoff facilities?
g. Exposure of people or property to geologic
hazards such as earthquakes, landslides,
mudslides, ground failure, or similar X
hazards?
2. M. Will the proposal result in:
a. Substantial air emissions or deterioration of X
1
ambient air quality?
f
b. The creation of objectionable odors? X
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Paae 5
YES MAYBE N�
C. Alteration of air movement, moisture or
temperature,. or any change in climate, X
either locally or regionally?
3. Water. Will the proposal result in:
a. Change in absorption rates, • drainage
patterns, or the rate and amount of surface _S__
water runoff?
b. Alterations to the course or flow of flood X
waters?
C. Change in the amount of surface water in
any water body? X
Discharge into surface waters, or in any
.d.
alteration of surface water quality,
including but not limited to. temperature,
X
dissolved oxygen or turbidity?
e.
Alteration of the direction or rate of flow of
ground waters?
X
f.
Change in the quantity of ground waters,
either.. through direct additions or -
withdrawals, or through interception of an
r X
aquifer by cuts or excavations?
g:
Substantial reduction in the amount of
water otherwise available for public water
X
supplies?
h.
Exposure of people or property to water
related hazards such as flooding?
X
4. plant Life. Will the proposal result in:
a. Change in the diversity of species, or
number of any species of plants (including X
trees, shrubs, grass, and crops)?
b. Reduction of the number of any unique,
rare, or endangered species of plants? X
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Paae 6
YES MAYBE NO
C. Introduction of new species of plants into
an area, or in a barrier to the normal
replenishment of existing species? X
d. Reduction in acreage of any agricultural
crop?
5. Animal Life. Will the proposal result in:
a. Change in the diversity of species, or
numbers of any species of. animals (birds,
mammals, reptiles, or insects)?
b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique,
rare or endangered species of animals?
C. Introduction of new species of animals into
an area, or result in a barrier to the
migration or movement of animals?
d. Deterioration to existing wildlife habitats?
6. Noise. Will the proposal result in:
a. Increases in existing noise levels?
X
X
X
b. Exposure of people to severe noise levels? X
7. Light and Glare. Will the proposal produce new
light or glare?
8. Land Use. Will the proposal result in a substantial
alteration of the present or planned land use of an
area?
9. Natural Resources. Will the proposal result in:
a. Increase- in the rate of use of any natural
resources?
X
X
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV 94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Page 7
b. Substantial depletion of any nonrenewable
natural resource?
YES MAYBEN�
X.
10. Risk of Ugset. Does the proposal involve a risk of
an Iexplosion or the release of hazardous
substances (including, but not limited to, oil,
pesticides, chemicals or radiation) in the event of X
an accident or upset conditions?
11, Pogulation.. Will the proposal alter the location,
distribution, density, or growth rate of the human
population of an area? . X
12. rousing. Will the proposal affect existing
housing or create a demand for additional
housing?
13. Transportation/Circulation.
Will, the proposal -
result in:
a.
Generation of substantial additional'
vehicular movement?
X
b.
Effects on existing parking facilities, or
demand for new parking?
X
C.
Substantial impact upon existing
transportation systems?
d.
Alterations to present patterns of
circulation or movement of people and/or
goods?
e.
Alterations to waterborne, rail or air traffic?
X
f.
Increase in traffic hazards to motor
vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians?
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV 94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Page 8
14. Public Services. Will the. proposal have an effect
upon, or result in a need for new or altered
governmental services in any of the following
areas:
a. Fire protection?
b. Police protection?
C. Schools?
d. Parks or other recreational facilities?
YES MAYBE
X
X
e.. Maintenance or public. facilities, including X
roads?
f. Other governmental services? _X
15. Energy. Will the proposal result in:
a. Use of substantial amounts of fuel or
energy?
b. Substantial increase in. demand upon
existing. sources of energy, or require the
development of new sources of energy? X
1 G. Utilities. Will the proposal result in a need for
new systems, or substantial alterations to the
following utilities:
a. Power or natural gas? X
b. Communications systems?
C. Water? . X
Negative. Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21, 1994 - Paae 9
d. Sewer or septic tanks?
I
e. Storm water drainage?
YES MAYBE NO
X
X
f. Solid waste and disposal? X
17. Human Health... Will the proposal result in:
a. Creation of any health hazard or potential
health hazard (excluding mental health)? X
b. Exposure of people to potential health
hazards? X
18. Aesthetics. Will the proposal result in the
obstruction of any scenic vista or view open to
the public, or. will the proposal result in the
creation of an aesthetically offensive site: open to
X
public view?
19. Recreation. Will the proposal result in an .impact
upon the quality or quantity of existing
recreational opportunities?
X
20. Cultural Resources.
a. Will the proposal result in the alteration of
or the destruction of a prehistoric or
X
historic archaeological site?
b. Will the proposal result in adverse physical
or aesthetic effects to a prehistoric or
historic. building, structure, or object?
X
C. Does the proposal have the potential to
cause a physical change which .would
affect. unique ethnic cultural values? X
d. Will the proposal restrict existing religious
or sacred uses within the potential impact
area? X
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21, 1994 Paae 10
21. Mandatory Rndinas of Sianifican
a: Does the project have the potential to
degrade the quality of the. environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, reduce the number or
restrict the range of a rare or endangered
plant or animal .or eliminate important
examples of the major periods of California
history or prehistory?
b. Does the project have the potential to
achieve short-term, to the disadvantage of
long-term, environmental goals? W short-
term impact on the environment is one
which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive
period of time while long-term impacts will
endure well into the future.)
C. Does the project have impacts which are
individually limited, but cumulatively
considerable? (A project . may impact on
two or more separate resources where the
impact on each resource is relatively small,
but where the effect of the total of those
impacts.on the environment is significant.)
d. Does . the project have environmental
effects which will cause substantial
adverse effects on human beings, either
directly or indirectly?
YES MAYBE NO
X
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 - Paae 11
C. DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION
(Attach additional sheets if necessary)
EXPLANATION OF RESPONSES
EARTH, AIR, WATER, PLANT LIFE, ANIMAL LIFE, NOISE,
LIGHT AND GLARE, LAND USE, NATURAL RESOURCES,
RISK OF UPSET, TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION,
ENERGY, UTILITIES, HUMAN HEALTH, AESTHETICS,
RECREATION, CULTURAL RESOURCES,
MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Milo
The Housing Element is a policy document that establishes an overall
program intended to provide suitable housing for all economic segments
of the community. The policies of the Housing Element do not propose
or serve as a commitment to the development of specific housing
projects or the development of housing in any particular location or area
of the City. Furthermore, the current update of the Housing Element
proposes only minor revisions to existing policies and implementing
actions, mostly to make reference to new or modified housing programs.
Consequently, the updated Housing Element will not create any
environmental impacts in the areas listed above.
POPULATION
11. While the policies and implementing actions of the updated Housing
Element will not serve to directly create any new housing or increase
in population, said policies and actions may create the possibility for
such in the future. Any such future housing projects, however, will
be subject to separate environmental review.
HOUSING
MAYBE
12. While the policies and implementing actions of the updated Housing
Element will not serve to directly create any new housing, said
policies and actions may create the possibility for such in the. future..
Any such future housing projects, however, will be subject to
separate environmental review.
PUBLIC SERVICES
MAYBE
14. a.-f. While the policies and implementing actions of the updated Housing
Element will not directly serve to create any new housing or the need
for associated public services, said policies and actions may create
y
.w
I
Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact
General Plan Amendment No. IV-94-23
Housing Element Update
December 21. 1994 -*Pane 12
the possibility for such in the future. Any such future housing
projects, however, will be subject to separate environmental review.
SOURCES CONSULTED
1. City of West Covina General Plan.
2. City of West Covina Draft Housing Element (November 1994).
(Space below foose of County Clerk only)
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE
1210,N. Azusa Canyon Road
West Covina, CA 91790
�/03. �-, 8 : 5-16- C / 7d
RECEIVED
JAN 17 1995
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
CITY OF WEST COVINA
PROOF OF PUBLICATION
(2015.5 C.C.P.)
STATE OF CALIFORNIA Proof of Publication of
County of Los Angeles
I am a citizen of the United States, and a resident
of the county aforesaid; I am over the age of
eighteen years, and not a party to or interested
in the above -entitled matter. I am the principal
clerk of the printer of SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE,
a newspaper of general circulation printed and
published daily in the City of West Covina, County
of Los Angeles, and which newspaper has been
adjudged a newspaper of general circulation
by the Superior Court of the County of
Los Angeles, State of California, on the
date of September 10, 1957, Case Number
684891. The notice, of which the annexed
is a true printed copy, has been published
in each regular and entire issue of said
newspaper and not in any supplement thereof
on the following dates, to wit:
1/13/95
I declare, under penalty of perjury that the
foregoing is true and correct.
Executed at West Covina, LA Co. California
this _day of .TANi1IARY 19-9-5.
i
Signature
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PURSUANT TO THE LAW AND IN
CONFORMANCE WITH THE MUNICIPAL
CODE YOU ARE INVITED TOCOMMENTATA
PUBLIC HEARING OF THE WEST COVINA
PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING AN.
UPDATE TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF.
THE CITY OF WEST-COVINA GENERAL
PLAN
GENERAL`PLAIV AMENDMENT NO. IV-94-23
NEGATIV:E'-.ECLARAT10N :..;OF
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, ,.�a;;;;
APPLICANT:'City of West Covina
LOCATION.' Citywide ,; r
A comprehensive-updote"to`:the,;Housing'
E lement of the City of West Covina General. Plan.-:
The primary: purposes,of the update are to.
address, new, state, ie9islative f4uirements for,-,
housing 'elements, °,to;,;review.°existing `and ;
sources,,anaoInec'o4.rpu-ratlih:
euvin,,, ,
u�n
Cens,,11
th In accordancwi9uidelines.';and
procedures-�pu„rsuant to5the„Cal,ifornia;
Environrhental,Qudlity Act;:6 A) of 1970, as
amended ::a: NEGATIVE :DECLARATION OF..,
ENVIRONMENTALi":IMP,A(-T fibs.been
prepared indicating that: the proied' could not l
have a "significanteffect on the environment.'A 1
copy of, ahe 'Negotive Declaration.. of
Environmental Impact is on file in the Planning
Department and the Regional Library for
examination:
THE PUBLIC HEARINGWILLBEHELDAT
WEST COVINA CITY HALL
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS -.LEVEL ONE
PLACE: 1444 West Garvey Avenue South.' -
DATE: Tuesday, January 24, 1995
TIME: 7:00 P.m_ -
Members of ,fhe public are invited to make
written statements prior to the public hearing
and verbal presentations at the public hearing.,
If, in the future, you wish to challenge the
action taken on the request, you may be limited to
raising only those issues which You (or someone
else) raised orally at this public hearing or in
written correspondence received by the City at or
before the hearing.
If you have any questions, we urge You to
contact' Doug Mclsoac of the Planning
Department at '(818) 814-8422. Only through.
citizen participation can your government build a_
better City.
BY ORDER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
Publish: Jan. 13, 1995
San Gabriel Val ley TribuneAd' No.9281