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CC - Report on Grants Received for the General Plan Update.
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Meeting Date: August 9, 2021
Contact Person/Dept: Ashley Hefner Hoang/CDD
Phone Number: (310) 253-5744
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date: N/A
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/04/2021), Notify Me - General Plan Update (08/04/2021)
Department Approval: Sol Blumenfeld, Community Development Director (07/21/2021)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council receive a report on grants received for the General Plan Update.
BACKGROUND/ DISCUSSION
At the July 12, 2021, City Council meeting Mayor Fisch requested staff update the City Council on the General Plan Update (GPU) Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant. Information on the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) and Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) Planning Grants Program (PGP) grants related to the GPU is also included.
LEAP Grant
On February 8, 2021, City Council approved receiving a LEAP grant award for $150,000 from HCD to assist in the preparation and adoption of planning documents and process improvements that accelerate housing production and facilitate compliance with the implementation of the Sixth Cycle of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). Specifically, to support new and expanded housing production along the Sepulveda Boulevard commercial corridor. The consultants have started work on the LEAP grant tasks, shown in Attachment 1. The anticipated end dates for LEAP tasks range from September through November 2021, the results of which will be integrated into the GPU and presented to City Council.
REAP Grant
HCD awarded the Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG), in coordination with the Southern California Council of Governments (SCAG), with a REAP grant to accelerate housing production and have a positive effect on housing supply by increasing housing planning and meeting the sixth cycle regional housing needs assessment (RHNA). WSCCOG represents the City of Culver City, and anticipates starting work on the REAP grant tasks in August, shown in Attachment 2.
The anticipated end dates for REAP tasks range from June 2022 to June 2023. WSCCOG staff and their consultant will be providing on-call technical assistance to cities to implement any desired regulatory amendments based on the REAP project findings. For example, the City could amend the Housing Element if the REAP report recommends any new housing production policy best practices, similar to the way the City Council’s Housing Element Guiding Principles 8 and 9, shown in Attachment 3 have informed the Housing Element.
SB 2 PGP Grant
On September 14, 2020, City Council approved receiving a PGP grant award for $160,000 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), $82,500 to cover the cost of the Housing Element tasks, shown in Attachment 4. The Draft Housing Element was reviewed by the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) on July 22 and the Housing Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Planning Commission on July 28 before the mandated 60-day HCD review period. The Draft was posted online July 19, 2021 for public input through October 1. A summary of comments received, the list of those comments, and how the Draft was adjusted based on comments will be prepared along with the Final Housing Element for Planning Commission recommendation in November and City Council adoption in December.
General Funds encumbered for the GPU offset by the grant were reallocated to include enhanced community engagement and recovery efforts in response to COVID-19, including more GPAC and TAC meetings, existing conditions videos and surveys, an online storybank, a volunteer communications network, and economic recovery strategy and resiliency recommendations. The balance of the PGP funds is for the City’s work on an Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program for low/moderate-income and homeless households managed through the Community Development Department Housing Division.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2021-08-09_ATT_LEAP Grant Scope
2. 2021-08-09_ATT_REAP Grant Scope
3. 2021-08-09_ATT_Housing Element Guiding Principles
4. 2021-08-09_ATT_SB 2 PGP scope
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Receive a report on grants received for the General Plan Update.