City of Commerce
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 6:00 PM
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Argumedo open Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission at 6:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL
City Councilmembers: Altamirano, Garcia, Lainez, Vice Mayor Argumedo
Absent: Mayor Rebollo
Planning Commissioners: Commissioners Grajeda, Barragan, Gutierrez and Chair Gonzalez
Commissioner Barragan arrived at 6:21 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chair Gonzalez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INVOCATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no individuals wishing to address the City Council on any items on the agenda or within their jurisdiction.
SCHEDULED MATTERS
1. Housing Element Workshop
Acting Director of Economic Development & Planning Viviana Esparza presented consultant Lisa Brownfield to discuss & moderate the Housing Element Workshop via Zoom.
Information gathered from past focus groups was presented that highlighted different housing interests and needs throughout the City. Presentation called attention to possible constraints, and needed resources in order to implement an effective plan of action; it further discussed the need for locating suitable sites.
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City Council Meeting Minutes February 28, 2023
Brief discussion ensued in reference to the City’s compliance with the number of units required and if the completed Rosewood Village project, Modelo project as well as the City’s other housing plans will satisfy the requirements under all income categories. Consultant Veronica advised that the State will be satisfied with the current plans but work is yet to be done to meet the established low and moderate income category.
Resident Maria stated she is happy that the City is looking into various housing options and mentioned that she is aware the County of Los Angeles has rent control; she urged Council to allow more income housing.
City Manager briefly mentioned the City’s current Rent Subsidy programs for seniors and shared that the City is evaluating renter and homebuyer subsidies for the public in the future. City Manager Tapia also advised that the City adopted the Rent Control statute that allows the City to prosecute violators as a Code Enforcement matter; members of the public can report a rent increase that is not within the legal permitted ranges.
Resident Ericka B spoke in support of affordable housing, rent control and stated it is important to consider the location so it does not impact health.
Jazmin from Eastyard Communities for Environmental Justice expressed concern for the lack of rent control and stated it is important to focus on extremely low rents so families have a place to live while landlords continue raising prices.
Joe Chaidez suggested the Council explore existing homes and lots that may have the ability for additional capacity.
Consultant proceeded to document suggestions from City Council, Planning Commissioners and the Public in reference to the major Housing issues in the City, possible challenges that may exist in the City, potential sites, use of current structures/buildings and potential sites.
Councilmembers commented and shared some challenges they consider may exist in the City as well as ideas for possible locations. Councilmembers pointed out there may be a need for remediation and cleanup of various sites that may pose a challenge but offered various locations that can be considered such as locations off Eastern Avenue between Jillson Street and Harbor Boulevard, the Old Dairy site and various hotels off Atlantic Boulevard.
Commissioners expressed their opinion regarding the need for affordable housing City of Commerce Page 2 Printed on 5/23/2023
City Council Meeting Minutes February 28, 2023
for seniors, zoning challenges as well as the need to offer incentives for developers and suggested the City look at the possibility of re-purposing underperforming company buildings and re-zone them as mixed use specifically along Washington Blvd, Eastern Ave and Atlantic Blvd. They suggested the City be creative in looking at buildings like the Alta-Med parking structure that can offer mixed uses and change zoning regulations that may allow developers the ability to design their buildings that can be adapted to various uses in the future.
Consultant Brownfield finalized her presentation and provided a timeline; she stressed the importance of Community feedback and urged the City Council and Planning Commissioners to encourage the public to participate.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
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