PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Jennifer Villasenor, Director of Community Development
BY: Joanna Cortez, Senior Planner
SUBJECT:
title
ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 23-002 (ZONING UPDATE - CITYWIDE)
REQUEST:
Zoning code maintenance and update.
LOCATION:
Citywide
body
APPLICANT:
City of Huntington Beach, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
STUDY SESSION OVERVIEW:
The purpose of the Study Session is to introduce the proposed project to the Planning Commission and general public. Unlike a public hearing, a Study Session is less formal and provides an opportunity for the Planning Commission to familiarize themselves with the project, provide feedback, and ask questions. No formal action/vote on the proposed project will occur at the Study Session. In terms of format, staff will provide a presentation to go over the background of the project. Following the presentations, the Commission may ask questions and/or provide feedback to staff. Members of the public may provide feedback during the public comment period at the onset of the meeting or direct comments and feedback to staff and the Commission in writing via planning.commission@surfcity-hb.org <mailto:planning.commission@surfcity-hb.org>.
PROJECT PROPOSAL:
Zoning Text Amendment No. 23-002 is a request to update certain sections of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO) as well as the Beach and Edinger Corridors Specific Plan (BECSP). The last comprehensive HBZSO update occurred in 2019 while the last BECSP update occurred last year. It is considered a “best management practice” for cities to complete periodic updates such as this.
The purpose of this update is an ongoing effort to address common clarifications and issues that arise through the day-to-day operations and interactions of staff, residents, and business owners. In some cases, it can be as simple as clarifying a definition; in other cases, proposed amendments address emerging technologies such as tandem car lifts which are not contemplated under the current zoning code. In the case of the BECSP update, the proposed amendment will provide flexibility for certain street improvements to property and businesses owners. The proposed zoning text amendment will amend the following chapters:
• Chapter 203 (Definitions)
• Chapter 210 (Residential Districts)
• Chapter 211 (C Commercial Districts)
• Chapter 212 (I Industrial Districts)
• Chapter 218 (M Mixed-Use Transit Center District)
• Chapter 230 (Site Standards)
• Chapter 231 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Provisions)
• Chapter 241 (Conditional Use Permits and Variances - Temporary Use Permits-Waiver of Development Standards)
• BECSP - Section 2.5: Street Regulations
For ease of reference, a summary matrix providing a comparison between the current code sections and the proposed changes is included (Attachment No. 1). Legislative drafts of each complete chapter are also provided (Attachment No. 2). In the legislative drafts, bold and underlined indicates new text; strikeout indicates removal of text.
CEQA:
Zoning Text Amendment No. 23-002 is categorically exempt pursuant to City Council Resolution No. 4501, Class 20, which supplements the California Environmental Quality Act.
PLANNING:
The intent of this Study Session report is to introduce the changes proposed with this amendment request. The Planning Commission is scheduled to consider action on this item in a public hearing at the next regular meeting; the staff report will include additional amendment details, analysis, and staff recommendations.
The findings for the Planning Commission to consider when analyzing the project are:
• The amendment’s overall conformance with the goals and policies of the General Plan;
• In the case of a general land use provision, the change proposed is compatible with the uses authorized in, and the standards prescribed for, the zoning district for which it is proposed;
• A community need is demonstrated for the change proposed; and
• Its adoption will be in conformity with public convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.
PUBLIC HEARING DATE:
The tentative Planning Commission public hearing date for this project is February 27, 2024. Subsequent to the Planning Commission public hearing, a public hearing will be scheduled for the City Council to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations on the legislative amendments.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Matrix of Changes
2. Legislative Draft