HomeMy WebLinkAbout18A Housing Element PresentationPALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL
HOUSING & SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATES
MARCH 10, 2022
Requirements
The Housing Element must be updated on a regular schedule. The 6th Cycle is
from October 15, 2021 to October 15, 2029
The purpose of the Housing Element is to assure that the City facilitates the
development of housing for all economic and social segments within the
community.
State law also requires that the Safety Element be updated with this Housing
Element Update to address updates in fire mapping and flood zones.
Key Challenges
Nearly 7x increase in the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA)
from 2014
Identifying sufficient sites to accommodate RHNA
Addition of ”Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing” (AFFH)
Identify patterns of segregation, combat housing discrimination, and
promote inclusive communities for all residents.
Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA)
RHNA by Income Category*
2022-2029
Units
2014-2021
Units
Extremely Low Income
(Less than 30% of County Median Income)
337 49
Very Low Income
(30-50% of County Median Income)
338 49
Low Income
(50-80% of County Median Income)
460 67
Moderate Income
(80-120% of County Median Income)
461 76
Above Moderate Income
(Over 120% of County Median Income)
1,194 172
Total Units Allocated 2,790 413
* The RHNA is determined by SCAG, based on a complex methodology that takes into
account anticipated local, regional and state-wide population growth, existing need, jobs
growth and other factors.
City must have capacity for 1,135 lower
income units and 461 moderate income
units.
Sites inventory (Table 47) provides for
716 lower income units in projects
currently entitled or in the entitlement
process, and additional capacity for 759
units on vacant sites, for a total of 1,475
units for lower income households.
There is also capacity for 596 moderate
income units.
Available Sites
North City
(Lettered parcels are lower and
moderate income sites; numbered
lots are above moderate income
sites)
5th vs. 6th Cycle
2014 2021
Existing & Future Projects
Looking to the Future
Vacant Land Capacity
North of Frank Sinatra Drive
General Plan Category Total Acres
Density
Range
Potential
Units/
Low Range
Potential
Units/
High Range
Potential Units/
Mid-Range
Conventional Suburban Neighborhood 225.61 3 to 8 677 1,805 1,354
Employment Center 237.75 N/A
Neighborhood Center 10.26 10 to 15 103 154 123
Open Space 10.86 N/A
Public Facility/Institutional 268.59 N/A
Regional Retail 102.22 10 to 15 1,022 1,533 1,227
Small Town Neighborhood 34.60 3 to 10 104 346 208
Suburban Retail Center 0.86 10 to 15 9 13 10
Town Center Neighborhood 1,256.22 7 to 40 8,794 50,249 27,637
TOTAL 2,146.97 10,708 54,100 30,558
Inventory Sites North of Frank Sinatra Total Units Percentage of Total Potential Units
Very Low, Low and Moderate Units in
Inventory 2,030 18.96%3.75%6.64%
Very Low and Low Units in Inventory 1,413 13.20%2.61%4.62%
Policy Direction
Program 1.A
The City shall work with affordable housing developers, non-profit agencies and other stakeholders to implement the following
affordable housing projects for extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households during the planning period.
21 units at Palm Desert 103 (Site E): annually contact the landowner and provide them with current City programs and
incentives for the construction of the remaining units within the project. Meet with the land owner annually, and provide
the requirements of the Development Agreement for the site to encourage its development.
36 units at Arc Village (Site KK): continue to work with Desert ARC and affordable housing developers to secure funding for
these units for developmentally disabled persons. The City will participate in the preparation of applications for State
funding and reinstate funding assistance when an application is prepared. The City will promote the site to developers
through its website, and annually meet with Desert ARC to encourage development.
66 units at Millennium (Site H): the City will continue to work with the developer to process the pending entitlements and
finalize the affordable housing covenants consistent with the existing Development Agreement. The application is
expected to be reviewed by the Planning Commission by March of 2022.
Policy Direction
Program 1.B
The City shall pursue the planning and implementation of the following projects for extremely low, very low, low and moderate
income households during the planning period. The City will utilize public-private partnerships, grants and third party funding
for these projects, and density bonus incentives.
240 units at Millennium City Site (Site C): the City shall enforce the terms of its existing agreement with the developer of
this project, including maintaining project schedules and expediting processing of applications. A minimum of 15% of the
units will be reserved for extremely low income residents. Entitlement applications are expected in 2022, financing will be
secured in 2023. and construction is expected in 2024.
28 units at Sagecrest Apartments (Site LL): the City will complete the RFP process in 2022, and establish an agreement with
the successful developer for construction of the units by 2025. A minimum of 15% of the units shall be reserved for
extremely low income residents. The DDA for the project includes a requirement that the units be built by 2024.
269 units at Gerald Ford, west of Portola (Site B): the City will maintain the schedule established in the existing agreement
with the developer, participate in funding applications, and participate in the funding through the existing land sale
agreement, to reach completion of construction by 2024. The project was approved by the Planning Commission in July of
2021. The developer is actively involved in securing CDLAC/TCAC and other funding, and expects to begin construction in
2023.
Policy Direction
Program 1.C
The City shall encourage and facilitate the development by private parties of the following projects for extremely
low, very low, low and moderate income units:
200 units at Key Largo (Site A): the City will continue to work with the land owner in the completion of
entitlement applications for the site, including the provision of Density Bonus incentives, fee waivers and
other incentives as appropriate. The City will meet with the developer annually, and encourage the
completion of the Specific Plan by December of 2024, and construction beginning in January of 2026.
78 units at the Sands (Site DD): the City will maintain contact with the land owner and participate in funding
efforts as the developer applies for TCAC and other funds for the project. The City will process the pending
application amendments by June of 2022, and assist in the preparation of funding applications by March of
2023, and construction beginning by June of 2024.
The City will offer incentives, including Density Bonus, fee waivers and reduced building permit fees for those
projects including a minimum of 15% of units affordable to extremely low income households.
.
Policy Direction
Program 1.G
The City shall establish a pilot program to encourage development of ADUs and JADUs that are
dedicated as affordable units and made available for rent to low-income households for at least
30 years. The City program could include an incentive such as floor area bonus for the property
owner; reductions in building plan check fees, and/or inspection fees.
Policy Direction
Program 8.A
The City shall maintain the Housing Overlay District to include flexible development standards,
density bonuses, design criteria, and parking reductions for the development of a wide variety
of housing products which provide a minimum of 20% of all units at income-restricted rents, or
at least one unit for smaller residential projects, and to eliminate the public hearing
requirements and waive City plan check/inspection fees and potentially other fees. The
Accessory Dwelling Unit standards shall be maintained consistent with State law in the Zoning
Ordinance.
Safety Element
•Changes are limited due to the City’s relatively new General Plan.
•Updates to FEMA flood zone mapping required.
•Updates to include State and Local Responsibility Zones, particularly Very High
Severity Zones (small area in the southwest corner of the City).
•Additional reference and support of the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Recommendation
Waive further reading and adopt City Council Resolution No.2022-______
adopting an MND in accordance with the CEQA,and approval of Case No.
GPA 21-0002,amending the City’s Housing Element and Safety Element
of the General Plan in accordance with the California Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD)guidelines.
Background
2020: The City started updating its Housing Element.
January through March, 2021: Public workshops and study sessions were held and the Element was available for review.
April 8, 2021: First draft of the Housing Element submitted.
June 7, 2021: Comments received from HCD.
September, 2021 Joint Study Session and second draft available for public review.
September 27, 2021: Amendments made and Element resubmitted.
November 15, 2021: Safety Element submitted to State Department of Conservation and Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Comments received from HCD on November 24, 2021.
December 10, 2021: Approval of Safety Element by Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Amendments submitted for informal review on December 28 and January 3.