REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Jennifer Villasenor, Director of Community Development
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Villasenor
Subject:
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Adopt Resolution No. 2026-25 to Approve General Plan Amendment No. 21-003 (2021-2029 Housing Element Update)
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Statement of Issue:
Transmitted for City Council consideration is General Plan Amendment (GPA) No. 21-003, which updates the Housing Element of the General Plan for the 2021-2029 planning period (6th cycle). The proposed 6th cycle Housing Element Update substantially complies with state housing element law.
Financial Impact:
The City has recently been ordered by the Court to pay $10,000/month in penalties retroactive to January 1, 2025, totaling $170,000 through the end of May 2026. The City presently faces additional penalties of $50,000/month until a substantially compliant Housing Element is approved by the City Council. The California Attorney General is actively seeking an additional amount of up to $100,000/month in penalties in court proceedings that could occur in August 2026. The penalties are being sought against the City until a substantially compliant housing element is approved by the Council.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Find that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirement for GPA No. 21-003 is satisfied based on court orders in the People of California ex rel. Rob Bonta v. City of Huntington Beach, San Diego Superior Court Case No. 30-2023-01312235-CU-WM-CJC that include, as provided by Government Code section 65759, that CEQA does not apply to the City's actions that are necessary to comply with the orders of the court.
B) Approve General Plan Amendment No. 21-003 (Housing Element Update) and adopt City Council Resolution No. 2026-25, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach approving General Plan Amendment No. 21-003 (2021-20...
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