2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-P006
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVE ZONING CODE AMENDMENT, P2024-0237-ZCA, THAT AMENDS CULVER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE (CCMC) CHAPTER 15.10, SUBDIVISIONS; CCMC SECTION 17.400.040, CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS; CCMC SECTION 17.700.010, DEFINITIONS; AND ADOPTS MAP STANDARDS AND SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION DESIGN STANDARDS. (Zoning Code Amendment, P2024-0237-ZCA)
WHEREAS, Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC), Chapter 15.10 (Subdivision Ordinance or the "ordinance") was added to the CCMC in 1965, and has remained largely unchanged, with updates over time adding standards for vesting tentative maps, park dedication, and tentative map distribution; and WHEREAS, it is important to periodically review the ordinance for potential constraints to development or conflicts with the California State Subdivision Map Act (State Subdivision Law); and WHEREAS, the City of Culver City 2045 General Plan Land Use and Housing Elements establishes goals and programs that encourage and support updating the ordinance; and WHEREAS, in Spring of 2022, the City Council directed staff to include a Subdivision Ordinance Update in the FY 2022-2023 budget process to formally initiate and fund the effort; and WHEREAS , in late 2023, the City of Culver City engaged Rincon Consultants Inc. to draft the ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the State of California has adopted Senate Bill 684 (SB 684), as later amended by SB 1123, which aims to streamline approvals for homes in infill developments of 10 or fewer lots and 10 or fewer residential units in multi-family zones b y amending the Subdivision Map Act (SMA), the California law that regulates the creation and im provement of subdivisions and lot splits; and WHEREAS, the State of California has adopted Senate Bill 450 (SB 45 0), which amends the requirements of SB 9; and
WHEREAS , the State of California has adopted Senate Bill 347 (SB 347), which amen ds the Subdivision Map Act to include the leasing of a parcel of land or any portion of the land in conjunction February 26, 2025 Page 1 2025-P0 06
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
with a hydrogen fueling station or an electric vehicle charging station as exempt from the requirements of the SMA; and
WHEREAS, on December 21, 2023 a virtual outreach meeting was held with interested parties that included local developers and architects to discuss the proposed subdivision updates and provide initial feedback and comment; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2024, a virtual outreach meeting was held with city staff from Current Planning, Building Safety, and Public Works to discuss state legislation and updates to the subdivision procedures; and
WHEREAS, on April 24, 2024, a Planning Commission Workshop was held to gather input from the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, on August 7, 2024, a second virtual outreach meeting was held with interested parties to discuss the draft Subdivision Ordinance; and WHERAS, City staff is proposing ordinance language that will: (1) comply with State Subdivision Law as more specifically stated above; (2) facilitate residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments by streamlining the subdivision process; (3) provide opportunities for affordable housing production when a subdivision is involved; and (4) implement small lot subdivision procedures and standards; and which reflects the input from the public, staff, and the Planning Commission as expressed in the outreach efforts described above; and
WHEREAS, the ordinance only proposes minor amendments to the Parkland Dedication or Payment of In Lieu Fee section of the Subdivision Ordinance as parkland dedications and fees are being studied and may be comprehensively updated at a later date; and WHEREAS, to implement the proposed Project, approval of the following is required:
1. Zoning Code Am endment P2024-0237-ZCA: an amend m ent to the Culver C ity Mu nicip al Code , specifically, Chapter 15 .10, Subdivisions, Section 17 . 700.0 10, De finitions, a nd S ection
17.400.04 0 , Condominium Conversions, to facilitate streamlined review of qu alifying parcel or trac t maps for housing and mixed -use developments; and
February 26, 2025 Page 2 2025- P00 6
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
2. Ado ption of Small Lot Subdivision Design and Ma p Standards: an amendment to adopt new small lot design and map standards as part of the Citywide Objective Design Standards document; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEOA), the Planning Commission recommends the City Council certify an Initial Study and adopt Negative Declaration, finding that there is no substantial evidence, in light of the whole record before the agency, that the project will have a significant effect on the environment; and WHEREAS, on February 26, 2025, after conducting a duly noticed public hearing on the subject application, including full consideration of the staff report, environmental information and all testimony presented, the Planning Commission, by a vote of 3 to Q., recommended the City Council approve Zoning Code Amendment, P2024-0237-ZCA, as set forth herein below.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Pursuant to the foregoing recitations and the provisions of the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC), the following findings are hereby made:
Zoning Code Amendment P2024-0237-ZCA
As outlined in CCMC Title 17, Section 17.620.030, the following required findings for General Plan and Zoning Code Map Amendments are hereby made:
1. The proposed amendment ensures and maintains internal consistency with the goals, policies, and strategies of all elements of the General Plan, and, in the case of a Zoning Code amendment, will not create any inconsistencies with this Title.
The proposed Subdivision Ordinance creates standards and processes in support of the goals and po licies in the Genera l Plan Housing Element. These provisions advance the following Objectives and Measures. Objective 2 - Housing Supply: The ordinance with streamlined approvals and creation of a small lot subdivision process expands opportunities for developing a variety of housing types such as townhomes and small fee simple lots, as well as condominiums in mixe d use developments. Objective 3- Housing Affordability: As noted above , the ordinance facilitates creation of a diverse range of rental and ownership housing op portunities that are comp atible with the needs of all socioe conomic se gments of the comm unity. Measure 4.J- Zoning Code Review and Amendments to Address Constraints to Housing Production: The ordinance amends the City's Subdivision code, removing potential constraints to housing production, by creating administrative approvals for maps involving 25 or less units.
Februa ry 26, 2025 Page 3 2025-P006
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
The proposed Subdivision Ordinance supports goals and policies in the General Plan Land Use Element. Goal LU-2 - Housing opportunity and equality: As noted above the ordinance with streamlined approvals and creation of a small lot subdivision process will result in a diverse range of housing options. Goal LU-3.3 - Development standards review program: This goals calls for evaluation and modification of existing development standards that prevent development on small sites. The ordinance furthers this goals with creation of ministerial review of maps and a small lot subdivision process with reduced lot area standards. Goal LU-11.2- Diversity of housing types: as noted above the ordinance will encourage a variety of housing types to equitably serve varying household types. Implementation Action IA.LU-8 - Increased housing on smaller mixed use sites:
This Action call for updating the Zoning Code to allow up to 10 units per parcel on smaller mixed use sites. Such development involving subdivisions will be allowed under the new ordinance.
2. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City.
The proposed subdivision ordinance amendments are not anticipated to result in a detrimental impact to public health, safety, or welfare. Any future development associated with new subdivisions subject to these amendments would have to comply with all applicable development standards in the zoning code. In addition, all new subdivisions would also have to be in strict adherence to the latest City building, life and safety codes, which ensure that future inhabitants of structures within the subdivisions and surrounding land uses are protected from any potential impact to public health, safety, and welfare.
3. The proposed amendment is in compliance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
An Initial Study and Negative Declaration (IS/ND) was prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to the provision of CEQA Guidelines Section 15072, the City circulated a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration to State, regional, and local agen cies, and members of the pub lic. The IS/ND provides details and discussion, based on the environmental checklist, determining there will be no potential significant environmental effects.
SECTI ON 2. Pursuant to the foregoing recitations and findings, the Planning C ommission of the City of Culver City, California, hereby recommends the City Coun cil approve Subdivision O rdinance Update, Z oning C ode Amendment P2024-0237- ZCA, replacing the current Subdivision Ordinance in its entirety, making the definition of "Subdivision" consistent in both the Subdivision Ordinance and Title 17, Zoning, moving the Condominium Conversion Section of the Title 17, Zoning to the Subdivision Ordinance , and adopt Small Lot Subdivision Standards subject to: the proposed C ode Amen dments set forth in Exhibit A, and the Small Lot Subdivision Standards in Exhibit B, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
Ill
Ill
Februa ry 26, 2025 Page4 2025-P006
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13
14 15
16 17
18 19
20 21
22 23
24 25
26 27
28 29
APPROVED and ADOPTED this 26 day of February, 2025.
AND REILMAN - CHAIRPERSON
PLANNING COMMISSION
CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
DELCAMPO,SECRETARY
February 26, 2025 Page 5 2025-P006