OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting – August 24, 2021

Planning Commission — Tuesday, August 24, 2021
BodyHuntington Beach, California
SessionPlanning Commission
DateTuesday, August 24, 2021
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

And so I gave my presentation.

0:04

I'd like to call the Planning Commission meeting to order.

0:08

Welcome to the August 24th, 2021 Huntington Beach Planning Commission meeting.

0:14

Well, the Planning Commission welcomes public involvement and free speech.

0:18

It rejects comments from anyone that are discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise not protected speech.

0:25

Those comments will not inform nor be considered by the planning commission, maybe cause for the chair to interrupt the speaker.

0:33

Such comments will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and findings for any matter tonight.

0:40

Thank you.

0:41

I'd like to call on Commissioner Scandura to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:50

Rise.

0:54

Ready, begin.

0:55

I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America.

1:00

And through public stands.

1:12

Thank you.

1:13

May we have roll call, please.

1:15

Commissioner Acosta Galvan present.

1:18

Vice Chair Perkins.

1:19

Here.

1:20

Chair Ray.

1:21

Here.

1:22

Commissioner Scandareth.

1:23

Here.

1:23

Commissioner Rodriguez.

1:25

Here.

1:25

Commissioner Mandick is absent.

1:27

We have a quorum.

1:28

Thank you.

1:30

Now's the time for public comments for items that are not on the agenda this evening.

1:35

Do we have any public comments?

1:37

No one's signed up to speak under public comments.

1:40

Thank you.

1:43

Would it be under the public hearing part or the public comments?

1:46

Is it specifically about the item tonight?

1:49

That'll be coming up shortly then.

1:53

Next on the agenda are public hearing items.

1:56

Our public care item public hearing item is number 21-577.

2:02

Zoning text amendment number 19-004 to amend Section 230.26 of the zoning and subdivision ordinance on affordable housing.

2:14

Staff, may we please have a report staff report presentation.

2:21

Good evening.

2:22

Chair Ray and members of the Planning Commission.

2:26

As you may recall, we had a study session on this topic a couple of weeks ago, and so we are here with uh the actual item for your consideration this evening.

2:35

I did want to mention that our consultant, uh Kathy Head from Kaiser Marston and Associates is in route.

2:42

Uh she has run into severe traffic and is expecting to be a little bit late.

2:47

So she is planning on joining us.

2:49

If there are questions that we cannot answer that we would defer to her, we'll jot them down, and when she gets there, we'll we'll reiterate them to her.

2:56

So I apologize for that inconvenience, but she is on her way.

3:00

Um I did want to address uh a couple of um issues that have come up through some of the correspondence that we've received on this item, as you all have as well.

3:12

I know there's been a lot of correspondence.

3:14

And also addressed that at the last study session, there had been some language that had caused a lot of concern to different folks, and we actually eliminated that language as it was described during the study session.

3:29

That language was not substantial to the ordinance.

3:32

Um it was sort of in the preamble and it didn't cause us any concern to eliminate that.

3:38

So the version that's before you this evening has eliminated that language.

3:42

However, it seems like there are still some concerns that have been raised by the community, um, and primarily three issues.

3:51

Although staff is having a hard time kind of understanding how this ordinance is tied to the concerns that have been raised, but I'm gonna try my best to address them, and I apologize if it feels like I'm getting into some very kind of novice zoning issues, but based on the comments that are coming in, I feel a bit compelled to do a little bit of education.

4:15

So the first issue, there were a number of emails that said no no zoning or rezoning, we're against the rezoning or zoning.

4:26

So I wanted to make it really clear that this ordinance does not propose to zone or rezone any properties in the city.

4:33

So as the commission's well aware, but for the benefit of the public, we have a general plan that has these larger land use designations, and then we have a zoning map that takes those land use designations and breaks them down into a little bit more precise zoning districts where we separate commercial properties from residential properties from industrial properties, and we have development standards that go along with each of those zoning districts.

5:00

And so let's focus on residential because that's what seems to be of concern to the residents.

5:05

So we have different zoning districts that allow residential development.

5:10

Those are all part of our current zoning ordinance and general plan documents.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing█████████████████████████████████████████████61%
Housing and Community Development███████████████21%
Planning and Zoning█████7%
Procedural████6%
Parks and Recreation█2%
Public Engagement█1%
Community Engagement█1%
Economic Development█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntington Beach Planning Commission Meeting – August 24, 2021

The Huntington Beach Planning Commission held a regular meeting on August 24, 2021, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The primary agenda item was a public hearing on Zoning Text Amendment No. 19-004, which updates the city's Affordable Housing Ordinance (Section 230.26). The commission also approved consent calendar items and received a staff report on upcoming planning items. The meeting was broadcast live on HBTV-3 and archived online.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the Planning Commission minutes from July 13, 2021, as submitted (motion by Vice Chair Perkins, second by Commissioner Acosta‑Galvan; all in favor).
  • Approved the Planning Commission minutes from July 27, 2021, as submitted (motion by Commissioner Acosta‑Galvan, second by Commissioner Rodriguez; all in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Pano Fruciakis (Huntington Beach resident) spoke in opposition to the proposed amendment. He expressed concerns that the ordinance would import extreme poverty individuals, exacerbate traffic, and reduce recreational spaces (citing the loss of Wardlow Park and Lamb Elementary School fields). He referenced his campaign for city council (Pono4HB.com).
  • Nicole Dutton was listed as a speaker but left before addressing the commission; no comment was made.
  • Staff noted that prior to the meeting, approximately 198 email comments were received regarding the item. (Note: During deliberation, Commissioner Scandura referenced “about 300 emails,” creating a discrepancy with the staff count of 198.)

Discussion Items

Zoning Text Amendment No. 19-004 (Affordable Housing Ordinance Update)

  • Staff Presentation: Deputy Director Jennifer Villasenor and Planning Manager Jane James presented the update. They emphasized that the amendment does not rezone any properties, does not mandate high‑density development, and is not a state requirement. The existing ordinance has been in place since 2005 (with city policy since the 1990s). The update is intended to “clean up” the ordinance and better address low‑income housing needs, particularly for rental units. Key changes include:
    • Clarifying that affordable rental units must serve lower‑income households (very low, low, and extremely low) and ownership units must serve moderate‑income households.
    • Expanding options for developers: on‑site provision, off‑site production (with a 15% requirement), off‑site acquisition/rehab (including motel conversions), land dedication (20% requirement, new option), and a revised in‑lieu fee (INLU) payment option (ownership projects of any size, rental projects up to 100 units).
    • Adding definitions, deletion of an outdated section, and minor clarifications (e.g., ADUs do not satisfy the requirement).
  • Consultant Kathy Head (Kaiser Marston Associates) provided additional context, explaining that moderate‑income for‑sale units are more financially viable, and that the program balances housing production with developer feasibility.
  • Commissioner Questions and Discussion:
    • Commissioner Scandura asked about state mandates; staff clarified the ordinance is a local tool, not state‑required.
    • Vice Chair Perkins sought assurance that the amendment does not promote high density; staff confirmed it applies to all new housing with three or more units, regardless of density.
    • Commissioner Acosta‑Galvan confirmed no rezoning or mandatory building.
    • Chair Ray proposed a wording change in Section A1 from “low” to “lower” for consistency with state definitions; staff accepted the friendly amendment.
    • Vice Chair Perkins inquired about a geographic limit for off‑site affordable housing; staff explained that a specific distance was not included to retain flexibility, but the code includes language to prevent over‑concentration.
    • Commissioner Scandura questioned the expanded INLU fee thresholds, expressing concern that it would encourage fee payments over on‑site construction.
  • Public Hearing: Opened and closed with one speaker (Pano Fruciakis) opposing, and one speaker absent.
  • Commission Deliberation:
    • Vice Chair Perkins and Commissioners Rodriguez and Acosta‑Galvan expressed support, noting the update is a necessary clean‑up and does not change zoning or density. Rodriguez highlighted that deed‑restricted housing benefits families, veterans, and seniors.
    • Chair Ray voted against the motion, objecting specifically to the expanded INLU fee option (unlimited for ownership, up to 100 for rental), arguing it weakens incentives for on‑site affordable housing.
    • Commissioner Scandura supported the ordinance, noting the public’s concerns were based on misinformation and that affordable housing supports the local workforce and economy.

Key Outcomes

  • Vote: Motion to recommend approval of Zoning Text Amendment No. 19‑004 (with the friendly amendment) passed 4–1.
    • Ayes: Commissioners Scandura, Perkins, Rodriguez, Acosta‑Galvan.
    • Nay: Chair Ray.
  • The amendment will be forwarded to the City Council for final consideration (automatic under Section 247.12 of the Zoning Ordinance).
  • The commission also approved the consent calendar (two sets of minutes) unanimously.
  • Staff announced upcoming items: a study session on cannabis (September 7 City Council) and the Geisler residential school site study session and Killarney’s roof deck public hearing (September 14 Planning Commission).
  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM; the next regular meeting is September 14, 2021.

Meeting Transcript

And so I gave my presentation. I'd like to call the Planning Commission meeting to order. Welcome to the August 24th, 2021 Huntington Beach Planning Commission meeting. Well, the Planning Commission welcomes public involvement and free speech. It rejects comments from anyone that are discriminatory, defamatory, or otherwise not protected speech. Those comments will not inform nor be considered by the planning commission, maybe cause for the chair to interrupt the speaker. Such comments will not be consented to or otherwise adopted by the planning commission in its discussions and findings for any matter tonight. Thank you. I'd like to call on Commissioner Scandura to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rise. Ready, begin. I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America. And through public stands. Thank you. May we have roll call, please. Commissioner Acosta Galvan present. Vice Chair Perkins. Here. Chair Ray. Here. Commissioner Scandareth. Here. Commissioner Rodriguez. Here. Commissioner Mandick is absent. We have a quorum. Thank you. Now's the time for public comments for items that are not on the agenda this evening. Do we have any public comments? No one's signed up to speak under public comments. Thank you. Would it be under the public hearing part or the public comments? Is it specifically about the item tonight? That'll be coming up shortly then. Next on the agenda are public hearing items. Our public care item public hearing item is number 21-577. Zoning text amendment number 19-004 to amend Section 230.26 of the zoning and subdivision ordinance on affordable housing. Staff, may we please have a report staff report presentation. Good evening. Chair Ray and members of the Planning Commission. As you may recall, we had a study session on this topic a couple of weeks ago, and so we are here with uh the actual item for your consideration this evening. I did want to mention that our consultant, uh Kathy Head from Kaiser Marston and Associates is in route. Uh she has run into severe traffic and is expecting to be a little bit late. So she is planning on joining us. If there are questions that we cannot answer that we would defer to her, we'll jot them down, and when she gets there, we'll we'll reiterate them to her. So I apologize for that inconvenience, but she is on her way. Um I did want to address uh a couple of um issues that have come up through some of the correspondence that we've received on this item, as you all have as well. I know there's been a lot of correspondence. And also addressed that at the last study session, there had been some language that had caused a lot of concern to different folks, and we actually eliminated that language as it was described during the study session. That language was not substantial to the ordinance.

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