GENERAL PLAN
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
REPORTING YEAR 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 3 COMPLIANCE WITH OPR GENERAL PLAN GUIDELINES ........................................................... 4
COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN ....................................................................................................................................... 6 GENERAL PLAN PROGRESS ......................................................................................................... ....... 7 3 | P a g e
INTRODUCTION
The City of Anaheim was founded in 1857 and ha s grown from a small 1.8 square-mile farming community to Orange County’s most populous city at approximately 50 square miles. Anaheim’s General Plan was initially adopted in 1963 and its Charter in 1964. The City of Anaheim has placed a high value on making the community a great place to live, work, and visit. The vision, goals, and policies identified in City’s General Plan reflect the need for growth within the City, while also preserving open space and other natural resources. This General Plan Annual Progress Report (GP- APR) documents the City’s progress on impleme nting the General Plan for calendar year 2024 while also forecasting anticipat ed element updates and detai ling compliance with statutory requirements.
While the Anaheim General Plan was last comprehensively updated in 2004, the General Plan is a living document that is often updated to reflect policy changes and statutory requirements. Since 2004, the City of Anaheim has approved approximately 80 General Plan Amendments, 2 updated Housing Elements, and various Mu nicipal Code amendments to advance the vision, goals, and policies of the General Plan. Many of these appr oved General Plan Amendments have increased the capacity and the ability of the market to generate addi tional housing (including adding additional density). In 2024, the Anaheim City Council approved 4 General Plan Amendments, which included updates to the Ci rculation Element, City Bicy cle Master Plan, and Land Use Element.
The City of Anaheim’s General Plan, including a list of General Plan Amendments, is accessible on the City’s website at: https://www.anaheim.net/712/General-Plan.
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COMPLIANCE WITH OPR GENERAL PLAN GUIDELINES
The City of Anaheim comprehensively updated the Anaheim General Plan in May 2004. Since that time, the state has adopted new required elements through dire ct (statute) or indirect means (such as requiring new elements for funding/grant opportunities). The be low table provides a summary of the City’s compliance with OPR’s General Plan Guidelines and indicates which elements are currently being updated.
State
Elements
City Elements Status Notes
Circulation
Circulation
Update in
process
The City’s Circulation Plan was adopted in
2004 and is currently being updated to
accommodate changes in transportation needs,
new technologies, and other projects such as the
City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element. The City
Council is anticipated to review the revised
element in April 2025.
Conservation
Green Element
Compliant
The City is compliant with Conservation
Element requirements.
Environmental
Justice/Air
Quality
Environmental
Justice
Update in
process
In compliance with Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000),
the City is in the process of creating the
Environmental Justice Element. Within the City
of Anaheim, 51 out of 75 census tracts fall
under the designation of a disadvantaged
community. The City Council is anticipated to
review the element in April 2025.
Housing
Housing
Update in
process
The City is currently updating the Housing
Element (6th Cycle). The City received notice
from HCD that the Draft Housing Element was
in substantial conformance with State
requirements and the City Council is anticipated
to review the revised element in April 2025.
Land Use
Land Use
Update in
process
Through the update of the City’s Housing
Element, an update to certain sections of the
Land Use Element will be conducted to allow
for additional housing opportunities. These
sections include the Land Use Plan, Land Use
Implementation Zones, and the residential and
non-residential buildout estimates. The Land
Use Element is otherwise compliant with
element requirements. The City Council is
anticipated to review the revised element in
April 2025.
Noise
Noise
Compliant
The City is compliant with Noise
element requirements.
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Open Space
Green Element
Compliant
The City is compliant with Open Space Element
requirements.
Safety
Safety
Compliant
The City Council adopted the updated Safety
Element on January 10, 2023, which is
compliant with State law requirements and
ensures eligibility for other State funding.
Not required
Public Services and
Facilities Element
The City’s optional Public Services and
Facilities element ensures that equitable,
sustainable, and efficient growth occurs within
the City. This includes addressing level of
service issues related to service providers
(water, sewer, trash, etc.), public safety, and
physical facilities.
Not required
Growth Management
Element
This optional element was required for the City
to receive funds for transportation
improvements under Measure M. The element
also implements applicable goals of the Orange
County Congestion Management Plan.
Not required
Economic
Development
Element
The Economic Development Element is not a
State-mandated element, but the City of
Anaheim has long recognized the importance
economic development plans in helping to
ensure the quality of life within its community.
This element is related to the Land Use,
Circulation, Public Services and Facilities, and
Green Elements, and has provided a business-
friendly blueprint that allows small and large
businesses to flourish in Anaheim.
Not required
Community
Design Element
The City’s optional Community Design
Element provides guidance for development in
the City and creates a strong community
identity for a large and diverse area. The City is
currently reviewing this element for guidance in
drafting Objective Design Standards for projects
that are subject to streamlined review.
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COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Environmental Justice
According to the below map generated by CalEPA , the City of Anaheim does contain SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities. As th e City updates the General Plan, the City will comply with updated Environmental Justice requirements. The C ity Council is anticipated to review the new element in April 2025.
SB535 Disadvantaged Communities
Figure: California Climate Investments to Benefit Disadvantaged Communities | CalEPA
Military Lands and Facilities
There are no Military Lands or Facilities within Anaheim city limits.
Consultation with Native American Tribes
The City of Anaheim completes a full tribal consultation process consistent with State law during the approval process for development projects to identify locations that may contain archeological and tribal resources.
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GENERAL PLAN PROGRESS
Project Progress
The City continues to implement the Anaheim General Plan. The below projects demonstrate General Plan progress and provide specific excerpts of goals and policies that are complementary to the projects. This list is not meant to be exhaustive or all inclusive.
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
TO ACCOMMODATE RESIDENTIAL UNITS
The Mill (DEV2023-00042): A General Plan Amendment to amend the underlying General Plan Land Use designation of the project site from Low-Medium Density Residential to Medium Density Residential.
Status: Approved
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
APPROVED IN 2024
The Mill: In November 2024, the City Council approved a General Plan Amendment, Tentative Tract Map, and related environmental document (MND) for the development of 56 for-sale condominium units on a 2.05-acre property. This project included 6 moderate-level affordable units.
Status: Approved
OCVIBE: In October 2024, the City Council approved an amendment to the previously-approved entitlements for the OCVIBE project to allow for the demolition of existing office buildings and construction of up to 750 additional residential units. This amendment would allow for a total of 1,960 to 2,250 residential units, including affordable units, for the project.
Status: Approved
Beach & Lincoln: In 2024, the Planning and Building Director approved the development of 47, 100% affordable units for senior and transitional youth at the southeast corner of Beach Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue.
Status: Approved
General Plan Progress—Goals and Policies for Housing
1. Land Use Element
Goal 2.1: Continue to provide a va riety of quality housing opportunitie s to address the City’s diverse housing needs.
Policy 2.1.1: Facilitate new residential development on vacant and underutilized infill parcels.
Policy 2.1.2: Facilitate new residential development in The Platinum Triangle and Downtown.
Policy 2.1.3: Facilitate the conversion of the City’s underutilized strip co mmercial areas into new housing opportunity sites.
Policy 2.1.4: Encourage a mix of quality housing opportunities in employment-rich and transit accessible locations.
Policy 5.1.2: Facilitate the developm ent of residential land uses in to mixed-use areas to provide a consumer and employment base for commercial and office uses.
Policy 5.1.4: Promote development that is efficient, pedestrian-friend ly, and served by a variety of transportation options.
Goal 6.1: Enhance the quality of life and economic vi tality in Anaheim thr ough strategic infill development and revitalization of existing development.
Goal 7.1: Address the jobs-housing relationship b y developin g housin g near job centers and 8 | P a g e
transportation facilities.
Policy 7.1.3: Promote new residential development within Downtown, The Platinum Triangle, and other mixed-use districts, in accordance with the Land Use Plan.
2. Growth Management Element
Goal 1.1: Provide a balance of housing options and job opportunities throughout the City.
Policy 1.1.4: Facilitate the transition of under utilized mid-block strip commercial development to residential or other appropriate land uses.
Policy 1.4.2: Encourage high density and/or mixed-use development along major transit corridors and/or at transit stops.
3. Community Design Element
Goal 1.1: Create an aesthetically pleasing and unified community a ppearance within the context of distinct districts and neighborhoods.
Policy 3.1.3: Require new and infill development to be of compatible scale, materials, and massing as existing development.
Policy 3.1.11: Encourage a variety of architectural style, massing, fl oor plans, façade treatment and elevations to create visual interest.
Goal 4.1: Multiple-family housing is attractively designed and scaled to complement the neighborhood and provides visual interest through varied architectural detailing.
4. Economic Development Element
Goal 6.3: Create major, mixed-use regional center in The Platinum Triangle providing employment, shopping, entertainment, and housing for residents, employees, and visitors.
Policy 6.3.3: Introduce large-scale resi dential development to provide a market for growing retail and office uses in the area.
Policy 6.4.3: Encourage mixed-use development incorporating ground-floor retail and high quality architecture that is consistent with the historic nature of the area.
OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS
APPROVED OR COMPLETED IN 2024
Gypsum Canyon Cemetery: In July 2024, the City Council approved a new 282-acre cemetery in Gypsum Canyon for Veterans and the general public. The cemetery will preserve the natural open space and ridgelines in the canyon, which previously a llowed for residential units by The Irvine Land Company.
Related Goals/Policies:
Land Use Goal 8.1: Preserve natural, scenic and recreational resources; continue to en sure residential neighborhoods are safe, well-maintained, places to liv e; and continue to provide necessary community services and facilities.
Land Use Policy 8.1.1: Encourage the preservation of scenic vistas and views through Green Element Policies and Zoning Code development standards.
Green Element Goal 2.1: Preserve views of ridge lines, natural open space and other scenic vistas wherever possible.
DisneylandForward: In April 2024, the City Council approved the DisneylandForward project, which will allow for the continued, long-te rm growth of The Disneyland Reso rt. This project permitted the transfer of uses (theme park, en tertainment, hotel, parking) perm itted under the previously approved Disneyland Resort Project to othe r Disney Properties in the Disn eyland Resort Specific Plan and Anaheim Resort Specific Plan areas. This project included amendments to the City’s General Plan Land Use Element, Circulation Element, and City’s Bicycle Master Plan.
Related Goals/Policies:
Land Use Goal 5.1: Create and enhance dynamic, iden tifiable places for th e benefit of Anaheim residents, emplo
yees, and visitors.
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Land Use Policy 5.1.4: Promote devel opment that is efficient, pede strian-friendly, and served by a variety of transportation options
Pixar Place Hotel: In 2024, the previous 489-room Paradise Pier Hotel was re-themed to the Pixar Place Hotel. The re-theming included a façade remodel, interior enhancement, and an expansion of an outdoor dining patio for a new restaurant.
Related Goals/Policies:
Land Use Goal 5.1: Create and enhance dynamic, iden tifiable places for th e benefit of Anaheim residents, employees, and visitors.
Land Use Policy 9.1.5: Maintain an d enforce development standards and Community Design Element policies and
guidelines that promote high quality development.
Hotel Acquisitions: The City Council authorized the acquisition of two motels, the Rainbow Inn Motel (831 S. Beach Boulevard) and Kettle Motor Hotel (1760 S. Lincoln Avenue). These sites will eventually feature affordable housing units by way of new construction or conversions of the existing hotel(s).
Related Goals/Policies:
Economic Development Goal 5.1: Expand housing opportunities for a ll economic segments of the community.
Growth Management Goal 1.1: Provide a balance of housing options and job opportunities throughout the City.
Growth Management Policy 1.3.1: Encourage development of vacant and underutilized infill sites where public services and infrastructure are available or can be efficientl y accommodated.
EV Charging: The City Council approved funds for the c onstruction of new EV charging stations throughout the City to be available for public use.
Related Goals/Policies:
Green Element Goal 12.1: Continue to be a county l eader in the use of elect ric and alternative fuel vehicles.
Green Element Goal 13.1: Expand citizen and busin ess outreach programs relating to policies that improve air quality.
Public Services and Facilities Po licy 3.1.3: Encourage the developm ent and use of renewable energy resources.
Sidewalk Removal and Replacement: The Public Works Department continued the removal and replacement of arterial sidewalks at various locations throughout the City.
Related Goals/Policies:
Circulation Goal 3.1: Provide a well-maintained street system.
Circulation Policy 3.1.3: Prioritize maintenance and reconstruction projects.
Circulation Goal 8.1: Protect and encourage pedestrian travel.
Circulation Policy 8.1.1: Encourage a nd improve pedestrian facilities that link development to the circulation network and that serve as a transition between other modes of travel.
Park Improvements: Various parks throughout the community received improvements to the play structures and other recreational activities including new play equipment at Little People’s Park and the construction of a new park named Center Greens located in downtown was completed.
Related Goals/Policies:
Economic Development Policy 2.1.4: Continue to provide civic uses—parks, libraries, and community centers— which provide key services for residents.
Green Element Goal 18.1: Provide sufficient indoor and outdoor park, recreation, and community service opportunities for existing and future residents and employees.
Green Element Policy 19.1.1: Provide a wide variety of recreational facilities, in both active and passive areas of parks, to satisfy diverse needs and activities.
Green Element Polic
y 19.1.2: Desi gn and redesi gn parks to reflect the latest recreational features, 10 | P a g e
responsive to population trends and community needs.
FY 2024-2025 City Budget: The City’s approved budget includes funding for the enhancement and development of City parks, expa nsion of public library hours, f unding for new police officers and firefighters, tree trimming in public rights-of-way and City-owned property, and various Capital Improvement Projects including replacement of sidewalks, coordination of traffic signals Citywide, and improved landscaping.
Related Goals/Policies:
Circulation Policy 1.1.8: Continue Capital Improvement Program funding processes for transportation improvement based on the most rece nt level of service and traffic accident data to balance safety, mobility, and access.
Noise Element Policy 2.1.4: Maintain roadways so that the paving is in good condition to reduce noise- generating cracks, bumps, and potholes.
Public Services and Facilities Goal 1.1: Provide sufficient staffing, equipment, and facilities to ensure effective fire protection, emerge ncy medical and rescue services, permitting and fire inspection, and hazardous material response services that keep pace with growth.
Public Service and Facilities Polic y 1.1.1: Maintain adequate resources to enable the Fire Department to meet response time standards, keep pace with
growth, and provide high levels of service.
Code Streamlining and Online Plan Review: The Planning Department continues to conduct an annual review of the Zoning Code to ensure that all Code requirements are compliant with State law and proposes changes to certain Code requirements to ensure consistency throughout all City documents. In 2024, the City updated the Code for recent changes to State law in relation to ADUs, as well as modified some of the zoning requirements to streamline housing development. The Building Department has also expanded and updated the online permitting system, allowing applicants to submit additional plans online (previously only solar and small residential projects) and have staff review a nd provide comments electronically.
Related Goals/Policies:
Economic Development Element Polic y 1.3.2: Continue to enhance us er-friendly perm it assistance activities.
Economic Development Element Poli cy 1.3.3: Periodically review and update Zoning Code provisions to address the latest development trends.
FEMA Community Rating System: In fall 2024, staff submitted re-verification documentation of the City’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) Program to FEMA. This program allows property owners to receive a reduction in flood insurance if the City maintains a certain rating based on community programs, outreach, Code requirements, review of development plans in the Special Flood Hazard Areas, maintenance of flood channels, etc.
Related Goals/Policies:
Green Element Policy 7.1.1: Ensure compliance with Federal Clean Water Act requirements for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) pe rmits, including devel oping and requiring the development of WQMPs for all new development and significant redevelopment in the City.
Green Element Policy 7.1.6: Provide public educati on information and outreac h materials regarding proper materials handling practices to assist residents and businesses in complying with surface water quality regulations and to increase awareness of pot ential impacts to the e nvironment resulting from improper containment or disposal practices.
Safety Element Policy 3.1.2: Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Safety Element Policy 3.1.4: Encourage properties prone to flooding or creating new flooding conditions to incorporate flood safe desi
gn elements and appropriate setbacks to reduce flood damage potential.