JUNE 15 2026
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
ITEM NO. 3
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION NO. 2026-00022
Location: Citywide
Request: A City-initiated General Plan Amendment to
update the General Plan Land Use Element (including an
amendment to Table LU-2), and amendments to Title 18
(Zoning) of the Anaheim Municipal Code (Code)
amending Chapters 18.04 (Single-Family Residential
Zones), 18.06 (Multiple-Family Residential Zones), 18.08 (Commercial Zones), 18.10 (Industrial Zone), 18.12
(Mixed-Use Zone), 18.14 (Public and Special-Purpose
Zones), 18.16 (Regulatory Permits), 18.20 (Platinum
Triangle Mixed Use (PTMU) Overlay Zone), 18.22
(Brookhurst Commercial Corridor (BCC) Overlay Zone),
18.36 (Types of Uses), 18.38 (Supplemental Use
Regulations), 18.39 (Multiple-Family and Mixed-Use
Objective Design Standards), 18.42 (Parking and
Loading), 18.52 (Affordable Housing), and 18.92
(Definitions); 18.108 (Festival Specific Plan No. 90-1 (SP 90-1)), 18.112 (Mountain Park Specific Plan No. 90-4 (SP 90-4)), , 18.120 (Anaheim Canyon Specific Plan No. 2015- 1 (SP 2015-1)), 18.122 (Beach Boulevard Specific Plan
No. 2017-1 (SP2017-1)), and other related provisions of the Zoning Code. The proposed amendments are to
comply with changes in State law and implement the Sixth Cycle Housing Element.
Environmental Determination: The Planning
Commission will consider whether the proposed action is exempt from the requirements to prepare additional
environmental documentation per California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section
15061(b)(3).
Recommended City Council
approval and approved
Resolution No. PC2026-015.
MOTION: (Lieberman/Tran-
Martin)
VOTE: 5-0
Chairperson Walker and
Commissioners Castro, Kelly,
Lieberman, and Tran-Martin
voted yes.
Commissioners Abdulrahman
and Perez were absent.
Project Planner:
Christine Nguyen
[email protected]
Christine Nguyen provided a summary of the staff report and described the proposed Housing Element implementation actions required to maintain consistency with state housing law and fulfill commitments in the City’s certified Sixth Cycle Housing Element.
She stated that the Housing Element was adopted by the City Council in 2025 and found by the California Department of Housing and Community Development to be in compliance with State Housing Element law.
JUNE 15 2026
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
She described proposed amendments related to Senate Bill 4 (SB 4), replacement housing requirements, residential use definitions, group home regulations, and emergency shelter regulations. She stated that the amendments would establish standards and procedures for eligible affordable housing on religious institution and nonprofit college properties, formalize replacement of housing requirements, clarify definitions related to household living arrangements and supportive housing, update operational and parking standards for group homes and sober living homes, and revise emergency shelter standards to comply with recent state legislation.
Ms. Nguyen also described a targeted amendment to the General Plan Land Use Element that would reduce the minimum density in the Mixed-Use High land use designation from 30 dwelling units per acre to 20 dwelling units per acre, while retaining the maximum density of 60 dwelling units per acre and the existing maximum floor area ratio for nonresidential uses. She stated that the amendment would provide additional flexibility for housing projects and site configurations while continuing to support residential development consistent with the intent of the designation. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission recommend City Council approval.
Chair Walker opened the public hearing and invited Commissioner questions.
Commissioner Lieberman asked when the Sixth Cycle Housing Element was approved and whether the proposed amendments were required by new state law or were intended to address prior commitments.
Ms. Nguyen confirmed that the Sixth Cycle Housing Element was approved in June 2025 and stated that the proposed amendments implement programs identified in the Housing Element.
Commissioner Lieberman asked for clarification regarding replacement housing requirements.
Ms. Nguyen explained that the City already applies replacement housing requirements to housing development projects involving demolition of existing residential units, particularly where affordability restrictions apply, and that replacement units may be provided on site or in another housing project.
Commissioner Kelly asked about the proposed changes related to sober living homes and community care facilities.
Ms. Nguyen stated that staff reviewed regulations from other Orange County cities and that the proposed amendments would clarify building and fire code compliance requirements, align parking requirements for smaller facilities with residential standards, and clarify the types of services that may qualify as a legitimate recovery program for sober living homes.
JUNE 15 2026
PLANNING COMMISSION [DRAFT] MINUTES
Chair Walker asked for clarification regarding community care facilities and licensing requirements.
Ms. Nguyen and Deputy Planning and Building Director, Joanne Hwang, explained the distinction between licensed and unlicensed facilities, noting that licensed facilities are regulated by the State based on the services provided, while unlicensed facilities are subject to separate City requirements.
Ms. Hwang stated that the proposed amendments primarily address unlicensed facilities.
Chair Walker asked whether there were any public comments. The Secretary stated that there were none. Chair Walker closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Kelly asked whether sober living homes are required to be licensed and whether different standards apply to community care facilities and sober living homes.
Ms. Hwang explained that licensing depends on how the facility is operated and whether services requiring a State license are provided. She stated that unlicensed community care facilities and sober living homes are subject to similar City regulations, but sober living homes have additional requirements based on the population served.
Commissioner Lieberman made a motion to recommend City Council approval.
Vice Chair Tran-Martin seconded the motion.
Motion carried by a vote of 5-0.