Handicap accessible parking spaces shall be provided as follows and shall count towards meeting the total parking spaces required:
Table 5.10 Handicap-Accessible Parking Spaces
Total Parking Spaces in the Lot Number of Handicap-Accessible Parking Spaces
1 to 25 1
26 to 50 2
51 to 75 3
76 to 100 4
101 to 150 5
151 to 200 6
201 to 300 7
301 to 400 8
401 to 500 9
501 to 1,000 2% of total
Over 1,000 20 plus 1 space per 100 above 1,000
Although the City has not received requests, nor are there any planning or building department records to cite, regarding requests to change the standards; the City will initiate a review of the Zoning Code standards (Program 4, Zoning Code Review) to identify and change those standards that could result in future limitations on the development of affordable housing.
Specifically, changes will be made to the JADU/ADU section based upon current state law.
Additional review of height requirements, to increase the allowable height of residential structures, will also be considered, in combination with the density increases (Program 27, Increase Zone Densities) proposed as part of this Housing Element update.
From 2015 – 2021 there were 22 building permits issued for new residential units; 15 single family residential; 2 duplexes and 5 ADUs. There were no building permit requests for multifamily projects.
The City approved plans for an 18-unit condominium complex at 21821 Hawaiian Avenue. The project features six buildings with three units each. The units range in size from 1,770-1,893 SF. Each unit has four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The units will be a “for-sale” product. The building and engineering plans are under review.
The City approved plans for a 5-unit attached apartments project at 12329 214th Street. The units are 2,300 SF each and feature 3 bedrooms and 3 ½ bathrooms as well as two-car garages.
The building plans are in plan check.
Plans were approved for a 6-unit single family residential project at 22001 Claretta Street. The homes range in size from 1,360-1,503 SF and include 2-car garages. The homes each have 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The building plans are in plan check.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
To provide incentives for future development of a variety of housing opportunities located throughout the City, the City has included Program 27, Zone District Densities Update, which will provide minimum and maximum densities. The density increases will change the minimum lot sizes, which will also initiate a review of the minimum unit sizes. Program 15, Accessory Dwelling Units, will result in decreases to lot and dwelling unit sizes. Program 27, Zone District Densities Update, also includes eliminating the R-1 10,000 square foot lot size minimum zone district; adding Mixed-Use zone and Industrial Mixed-Use districts with a minimum of 30 units/acre and maximum of 40 units/acres; and including residential uses in the C-2 and C-4 zone districts with a minimum of 30 units/acre and maximum of 40 units/acres respectively. All residential and non-residential zone districts could achieve increased densities with the application of density bonuses. It is anticipated that all of these efforts will result in increasing opportunities for affordable housing development.
In reviewing the City parking requirements, a number of opportunities arise to change the requirements as incentives to encourage affordable housing development. The requirement for two parking spaces in a garage will be reviewed for elimination. Program 15, Accessory Dwelling Units, requires updating the Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit/ Accessory Dwelling unit Ordinance including the elimination of the parking requirement. Additional changes include a combination of reducing and eliminating the guest parking requirement for high density residential and providing flexibility to the parking requirements to provide bicycle and carsharing parking to encourage active mobility.
Permitting and Processing Procedures
Permitting
The Development Code stipulates the residential types permitted, the design and development review process, conditionally permitted, or prohibited in each zone allowing residential uses.
Permitted Uses are those uses allowed without discretionary review, in designated areas, if the project complies with all development standards. Conditional Use Permits (CUP) are approved by the Planning Commission unless appealed to the City Council.
Residential development review and permit processing are necessary steps to ensure that development proceeds in an orderly manner consistent with the policies of the General Plan.
The City permits various residential uses by right in their respective zones, as identified in the previous tables.
Table 5.11 below lists permitted uses in residential zones. The letters in the columns beneath the zone designations mean the following:
P - Permitted as a principal use within the zone.
C - Permitted as a principal or accessory use if a conditional use permit is approved.
M - Permitted as a principal or accessory use if a minor use permit is approved.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
H - Permitted as a home occupation only with an approved home occupation permit.
T - Permitted as a temporary use with an approved temporary use permit.
X - Prohibited in that district unless it is a legally established nonconforming use.
Table 5.11 Uses Permitted in Residential Zones
Single Family Estate
and Single Family
Residential
Medium and
Intermediate
Density
Residential
High
Density
Residential
Mobile
home
Park
Land Use R-1:10,000 and R-1 R-2 and R-3 R-4 MHP
Residential Uses
Accessory dwelling unit, subject to § 18.90.080 P P P X Accessory structures (excluding garages) under 400 sq. ft. P P P P Accessory structures (excluding garages) over 400 sq. ft. X X X X Affordable housing P P P X
Apartment (multi-family rental units) X P P X
Bed and breakfast inns C C C X
Boarding house M M M X
Clustered development X C C X
Community care facility, small (6 or fewer) M M M X
Community care facility, large (7 to 14) X C C X
Condominium (residential) X C C X
Convents/monastery X C C X
Duplex or two-family dwelling X P P X
Employee housing P P P X
Employee quarters (manager, caretaker, or proprietor) X P P P Factory-built housing P P P X
Granny flat M M M X
Guest house M M M X
Guest room P P P X
Licensed group homes P P P X
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Single Family Estate
and Single Family
Residential
Medium and
Intermediate
Density
Residential
High
Density
Residential
Mobile
home
Park
Land Use R-1:10,000 and R-1 R-2 and R-3 R-4 MHP
Lodging houses M M M X
Manufactured housing P P P X
Mobile home X X X C
Mobile home park X X X C
Planned development X C C X
Rooming houses M M M X
Senior housing X C C X
Single family residential P P P X
Single room occupancy***** X P P X
Supportive housing P P P X
Transitional housing P P P X
Youth hostels X C C X
Institutional Uses
Administrative government services X X X X
Adult day care C C X X
Child day care home, small (up to 8 children) * P P P X Child day care home, large (9 to 14 children)*, *** M M M X Churches, convents, monasteries, other religious institutions, and other places of public assembly C C C X
Cultural facilities C C C C
Community care facility (6 or fewer) * M M M X
Community care facility (more than 6) C C C X
Community centers, lodges, social halls X C C C
Congregate care (6 or fewer) M M M X
Congregate care (more than 6) X C C X
Convalescent facility (6 or fewer) M M M X
Convalescent facility (more than 6) C C C X
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Single Family Estate
and Single Family
Residential
Medium and
Intermediate
Density
Residential
High
Density
Residential
Mobile
home
Park
Land Use R-1:10,000 and R-1 R-2 and R-3 R-4 MHP
Educational facilities C C C X
Fire station C C C X
Foster family home (6 or fewer) * M M M X
Foster family home (more than 6) C C C X
Group homes, small* P P P X
Group homes, large* M M M X
Home-based day care (adult and child) * C C C X
Institutional uses (facilities for treatment of aged persons, children, alcoholics, wounded, mentally infirm, etc.) X C C X Libraries C C C X
Museum X X C X
Nursery school C C C C
Nursing home/rest home X C C X
Parks (public) P P P X
Police station C C C X
Public flood control facilities C C C X
Public maintenance facilities X X X X
Public safety services C C C C
Public utilities substation and facilities C C C X
Recreation, non-profit C C C C
Residential care for elderly (6 or fewer) * M M M X
Residential care for elderly (more than 6) X C C X
Schools (preschool, elementary, junior high and high) C C C X Temporary Uses
Contractor's temporary office T T T T
Estate sales** T T T T
Garage sales, yard sales** P P P P
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Single Family Estate
and Single Family
Residential
Medium and
Intermediate
Density
Residential
High
Density
Residential
Mobile
home
Park
Land Use R-1:10,000 and R-1 R-2 and R-3 R-4 MHP
Real estate office (temporary, less than 2 years) T T T T Temporary housing unit T T T T
Other Uses
Agriculture produce stands X X X X
Animal raising or breeding X X X X
Camping and picnic areas X X X X
Central office switching unit C C C C
Containers, subject to § 18.50.060(I) T T T T
Detached garages P P P P
Game courts (basketball, tennis, racquetball, etc.) - private P P P P Gardening shed/storage shed P P P P
Greenhouse M M M X
Kennels X X X X
Parking lot (public)**** C C C C
Parking lot (private)**** X C C X
Patio covers, decks, gazebos P P P P
Photo studio X X X X
Home occupations, subject to § 18.100.070 H H H H
Relocatable buildings M M M X
Satellite dishes and antennas for individual use, subject to §
18.90.010 P P P P
Solar apparatus/solar energy system M M M M
Sun deck P P P P
Swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and cabanas P P P P
Telecommunication towers X X X X
Tree/plant nursery X X X X
Utility company facility C C C C
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Single Family Estate
and Single Family
Residential
Medium and
Intermediate
Density
Residential
High
Density
Residential
Mobile
home
Park
Land Use R-1:10,000 and R-1 R-2 and R-3 R-4 MHP
Utility equipment structure C C C C
Wireless communication facility X X X X
* Subject to regulations of the California Health and Safety Code regarding community care facilities. ** See Section 18.90.150, garage, and yard sales.
*** Requires a home occupation permit.
**** Parking lot must be adjacent to the use it is serving. See Section 18.50.010(L) (parking lots in residential zones). ***** Multiple dwelling structures comprised entirely of SRO units (an SRO development) must have a minimum of 16 such units. In other multiple dwelling structures SRO units shall not comprise more than 20 percent of the total housing units.
In order to assure a variety of housing opportunities and promote the development of affordable housing, the City will be amending the use tables to include the following: second accessory dwelling units as permitted uses (Program 15, Accessory Dwelling Units), single room occupancy units as permitted uses (Program 26, Single Room Occupancy) as permitted uses. The evaluation of permitting is included in the processing section that follows.
Processing
Discretionary permits are required for some residential projects. The Planning Commission can approve most discretionary projects. This process includes the following: an application, Planning Commission hearing, action (approval or denial). The City does have an appeal process if an applicant does not agree with a condition or does not agree with a denial action.
The applicant would then file an appeal, and the project would be considered by the City Council for final action. If the application includes a General Plan amendment or rezone then the project would go to the Planning Commission who makes a recommendation to the City Council, and the City Council is the final hearing body.
Administrative Approvals
The City has a zoning clearance process which is a ministerial, administrative review undertaken by the Community Development Director. The review is to ensure that all proposed new and modified uses and structures that do not require any discretionary actions comply with applicable provisions of the City’s Zoning Code. The review takes approximately two-four weeks. As an example, an application for a two-unit project in the R-1 zone district is approved or denied ministerially, by the Community Development Director. Figure 5.2 below illustrates the administrative approval process.
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5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Figure 5.2 Administrative Approval Process
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5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
The City has design guidelines but does not have a formal design review clearance process.
Compliance with the design guidelines shall be determined by the Community Development Director, however projects may be taken to the Planning Commission for design review. This process takes up to four weeks and has not resulted in any project delays.
Conditional Uses
Some uses may require a Conditional Use Permit. The City recognizes that certain types of land use, due to the nature of the use, require individual review. Such review shall determine whether the type of use proposed, or the location of that use, is compatible with surrounding uses, or through the imposition of development conditions, can be made compatible with surrounding uses. This section establishes procedures for this review.
A. Application. Applications for conditional use permits (CUP) shall be submitted for those uses specified as conditional uses in the applicable zone, as listed in Section
18.40.070 permitted uses in residential zones and Section 18.60.050 permitted uses in nonresidential zones.
1. Only one CUP may be granted for each use. Activities, operations, or land uses that would require multiple CUPs shall be processed as a separate CUP.
2. No general or blanket CUP shall be issued for a development project. Rather, the CUP shall be specific to the use or activity currently proposed on the site, building or portion thereof and will not be applicable to any future use.
3. A proposal that does not comply with an applicable development standard shall require either a minor exception or a variance and shall be processed concurrently with the CUP.
B. Recommendation and decision. Permit processing and approval of a conditional use permit shall follow the procedures shown in Figure E. The Community Development Director shall make recommendations on CUP applications, for consideration and approval, conditional approval, or denial by Planning Commission. The City Council will serve as the appeal body, in accordance with Section 18.100.170 appeals below.
C. Exceptions. Applications for the minor expansion of a structure covered by an existing conditional use permit shall be considered by the Community Development Director. Such minor expansion is limited to 20 percent of the floor area of the existing use or 5,000 square feet, whichever is less. The Community Development Director may approve, approve with additional conditions, or deny the application. Any expansion exceeding this limit shall be considered a new application for a conditional use and shall be subject to review by the Planning Commission, and the required fees and procedures established for a new application.
This exception does not apply to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
D. Required findings. The Planning Commission shall consider applications for a conditional use permit and may, with such conditions as are found necessary, approve the use, provided the use will not jeopardize, adversely affect, endanger, or otherwise constitute a menace to the public health, safety, or general welfare, or be materially detrimental to the property of other City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
persons located in the vicinity of such use. In making such determination, the Planning Commission shall make the following findings:
1. That the proposed conditional use is consistent with the general plan.
2. That the nature, condition, and development of adjacent uses, buildings, and structures have been considered, and the proposed conditional use will not adversely affect or be materially detrimental to the adjacent uses, buildings, or structures, and will be compatible with the character of the surrounding area.
3. That the proposed site is adequate in size and shape to accommodate the yards, walls, fences, parking and loading facilities, landscaping, and other land use development features prescribed in this Zoning Code and required by the Planning Commission or City Council in order to integrate the use with existing and planned uses in the vicinity.
Figure 5.3 below illustrates the Conditional Use Permit Process.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
The process for a Conditional Use Permit, application through one Planning Commission hearing takes approximately three months. This time frame has not posed as a constraint on the development of affordable housing. The City is including a new Program 31, Permit Streamlining, to provide additional opportunities for the development of affordable housing.
Figure 5.3 Conditional Use Permit Process
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
The subdivision of land is regulated by Title 17 of the City of Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code and by the State of California Subdivision Map Act. The City has adopted by reference the Los Angeles County subdivision ordinance which provides requirements for tentative parcel maps and tentative tract maps. The City is nearly built out and the remaining vacant sites are less than one acre. Therefore, land divisions in the City of Hawaiian Gardens generally fall into the lot line adjustment or urban lot split categories. The City has specific requirements for lot line adjustments and urban lot splits. If several lots were consolidated, then a qualifying land division would either be processed as a tentative parcel map or tentative tract map as required in compliance with the Los Angeles County subdivision ordinance and State of California Subdivision Map Act. There have been no requests in either of those categories; therefore, there is no historical or current data. However, given the characteristics of the City and the City’s desire to further affordable housing opportunities, the City is including Program 2, Promote Lot Consolidation, in this Housing Element. If the City was to process a tentative parcel map or tentative tract map, given the City’s timelines for conditional use permits, the process could take approximately three months. The process for lot line adjustments and urban lot splits is approximately one to two months. It is anticipated that a lot consolidation would take approximately one to two months, based on the processing of other entitlements in the City.
The time required to process a project varies greatly from one project to another and is directly related to the size and complexity of the proposal and the number of actions or approvals needed to complete the process. It should be noted that each project does not necessarily have to complete each step in the process (i.e., small scale projects consistent with the General Plan and Zoning designations do not generally require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), General Plan Amendment, Rezone, or Variance). Also, certain review and approval procedures may run concurrently. For example, a review of a multifamily project home would be processed concurrently with the design review, typically taking 3-6 months.
The City also encourages the joint processing of related application for a single project. As an example, a rezone petition may be reviewed in conjunction with the required site plan, tentative tract map, and any necessary variances. Such procedures save time, money, and effort for both the public and private sector. Table 5.12 below identifies the typical processing time most common in the entitlement process.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Table 5.12 Timelines for Permit Procedures
Type of Approval or Permit Typical Processing Time
Ministerial Review 2 weeks
Conditional Use Permit 3 months
Zone Change 3 – 6 months
General Plan Amendment 3-6 months
Site Plan Review 2 weeks
Architectural/Design Review 3 months
Tract Maps 3 months
Parcel Maps 3 months
Initial Environmental Study 1 month
Environmental Impact Report 3-6 months
Other Varies
Source: City of Hawaiian Gardens Building & Planning Departments As noted above the City has a very aggressive schedule for reviewing, processing, and taking action on projects. Because of this, the City’s requirement as noted above, for applications and the associated timelines have not impacted the cost of housing, the supply of housing, timing for development, or approval certainty. The City has included Program 4, Zoning Code Review, which requires a review of the Zoning Code including such reviews of use categories, development standards (including parking), processing, and updates required due to statutory regulations. The City has also included a program to provide permit streamlining, Program 31, Permit Streamlining.
The City has not received any requests to develop housing at densities below those identified in the General Plan Land Use Element and the City’s Zoning Code. Following approval of a planning entitlement, the typical processing time for an applicant to submit a residential building permit (plan check) request has been four to six weeks. Review and issuance of a typical residential building permit request averages 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project. The challenges of meeting the City’s share of the regional housing need has not been hindered by the City’s development application nor building permit processes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, even with closure of some City offices, the City still provided planning and building services, remotely and onsite in accordance with state and federal regulations.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
SB 330 Streamlining
The City’s timelines are consistent with those contained in SB 330 Housing Crisis Act of 2019.
The State law also reduces the time that the City has to approve or disapprove an application under the Permit Streamlining Act. Further, the City is prohibited from downsizing (reducing density) unless an equivalent acreage is upsized (increasing density). The City has not downzoned properties and in fact in this Housing Element with Program 27, Increase Zone District Densities, the City is significantly increasing the densities for the residential zones, including residential development in the C-2 and C-4 zone districts, and creating a new Mixed Use and Industrial Mixed Use zone district allowing residential uses. This Housing Element also includes Program 31, Permit Streamlining, to assure an expedited process.
SB 35
Effective January 1, 2018. If the City does not meet the Regional Housing Needs Assessments (RHNA) a developer can request a streamlined process. Provided the development meets specific state requirements, then the City has: 60 days to approve the project if it contains less than 150 housing units, or 90 days if the project contains more than 150 housing units. SB 35 applies only to the specific income levels not being built for. For example, if a City is building enough market-rate units to meet its RHNA but not enough low-income units, the project can only add low-income units to qualify for quickened approval. According to SCAG the City has not met the RHNA targets and has a remaining unmet need for all income categories. As noted previously, the City is including Program 31, Permit Streamlining, to assure an expedited process.
Local Ordinances that Directly Impact the Cost and Supply of Housing The City of Hawaiian Gardens is surrounded by the incorporated cities of Lakewood, Long Beach, and Cypress. The City does not have the ability to expand the City’s boundaries and has not adopted any growth control policies. The City has imposed no moratoria or prohibitions against multifamily housing developments. From 2015 – 2021 the City issued 15 residential permits for single family homes; five permits for accessory dwelling permits; and permits for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical improvements. The City has not adopted any ordinances pertaining to rent control, short term rentals or crime-free rental housing. The City’s Single Room Occupancy standards could pose a constraint in that the current standards state a minimum of 16 units, it is proposed that this standard be eliminated; therefore the City has included Program 26, Single Room Occupancy.
Currently, there are no residential uses of any type allowed in the C-2 Downtown zone district.
The C-4 General Commercial zone district allows the following residential uses:
• Permitted: employee quarters, single room occupancy, and emergency shelters.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
• Requires a Conditional Use Permit: bed and breakfast inns, boarding house, convents/monastery, and nursing home/resting home. Mixed use projects are allowed as an accessory use, with a minor use permit.
The City is proposing to change the uses in the C-2 and C-4 zone districts, (Program 4, Zoning Code Review and Program 27 Zone District Densities Update); change some commerciallyzoned sites to residentially-zoned sites (Program 28, Rezone Sites), and create a Mixed Use Zone District, (Program 27, Zone District Densities Update).
The City Zoning Code Section 18.90.070 includes the following Density Bonus provisions:
Density bonuses are mandated in part by the State's Density Bonus Law (California Government Code Sections 65915 and 65917) and provide incentives for the development of affordable housing units for very low income, lower income or senior households. This article provides regulations for the development of affordable units for low- and very low-income households, designed to meet the City's housing needs.
A. Project qualification. In accordance with Government Code Section 65915, the City shall grant a density bonus and at least one additional concession or incentive, or a financially equivalent incentive to eligible housing developments, as outlined below:
1. The eligible housing development shall consist of five or more dwelling units.
2. Affordable housing units (as defined in Section 65915(b) of the California Government Code) shall be provided on-site and shall include one or more of the following:
a. At least ten percent of the total units allowed by the maximum permitted density shall be provided at affordable housing costs and occupied by lower-income households. b. At least five percent of the total units allowed by the maximum permitted density shall be provided at affordable housing costs and occupied by very low-income households. c. A senior housing development or mobile home park that limits residency based on age requirements for housing persons 55 years or older.
d. At least ten percent of the total units in a condominium project shall be designated for and occupied by moderate-income households.
e. At least 33 percent of the total units in a condominium conversion project shall be designated for and occupied by low or moderate income households or 15 percent of the units for lower income households, provided the project complies with the requirements in Section 18.90.060 condominiums and condominium conversions.
3. Housing developments consisting of at least 150 units (including the density bonus units) may include housing for senior households where at least one person in each unit is 55 years of age. Housing developments consisting of less than 150 units (including density bonus units) shall limit units for senior households to those with at least one person 62 years of age.
Projects incorporating senior households shall also comply with the Federal Fair Housing City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Amendments Act of 1988 Public Law Section 100-430, 42 USC Section 3601 and the Consent Decree of Department of Justice.
4. The density bonus provision shall not apply to any parcel or project which has previously been granted an increase in density through a general plan amendment, zone change, or other permit to facilitate affordable housing.
B. Density bonus calculation. The increase in density provided to eligible projects shall be in addition to the maximum permitted density authorized under the applicable zone in this Zoning Code or land use designation in the general plan, whichever is less.
1. The density bonus units are not included when determining the number of required affordable units relative to the total project units.
2. When calculating the density bonus or required affordable units, fractions are rounded up to the nearest whole unit.
3. When a density increase of less than 20 percent is requested, no reduction will be granted in the number of affordable units required, and the requirements of subsection A. project qualification shall still be applicable.
4. A housing development that meets the requirements of subsection A. project qualification shall be entitled to a density bonus of 20 percent and one concession or incentive, as outlined in subsection C. additional incentives of this section, except that a condominium conversion (under subsection 2.e.) is allowed a 25 percent density bonus.
5. When the housing development proposes at least 20 percent of the total units for lower income households or at least ten percent for very low income households or at least 20 percent of the total units in a condominium project for moderate-income households, the project shall be entitled to a density bonus and two concessions or additional incentives, as outlined in subsection C. additional incentives, below.
6. When the housing development proposes at least 30 percent of the total units for lower income households or at least 15 percent for very low income households or at least 30 percent of the total units in a condominium project for moderate-income households, the project shall be entitled to a density bonus and three concessions or additional incentives, as outlined in subsection C. additional incentives, below.
7. When the project proposes to provide affordable units in excess of the required units, the density bonus shall be calculated based on a sliding scale, as provided below, up to a maximum of 35 percent.
a. An additional two and one-half percent density bonus for each additional increase of one percent very low-income units above the initial five percent threshold; City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
b. A density increase of one and one-half percent for each additional one percent increase in low-income units above the initial ten percent threshold; and c. A one percent density increase for each one percent increase in moderate income units above the initial ten percent threshold for condominium or planned development projects.
8. The granting of a density bonus shall not be interpreted, in and of itself, to require a general plan amendment, zone change, ordinance amendment, or other discretionary approval.
9. An applicant may donate residentially-zoned land (at least one acre) to the City for the development of affordable housing units for very low-income households equal to and not less than ten percent of the number of units proposed in a residential subdivision, parcel map, or residential development, and not less than 40 affordable housing units. This will entitle the project to a density bonus of 15 percent, up to a maximum of 35 percent, based on one percent increase in density for a corresponding increase in the percent of units for very lowincome households.
10. An applicant that includes a childcare facility as part of the project is entitled to an additional density bonus or incentive that may consist of:
a. An increase in the amount of square feet of residential space that is equal to the floor area of the childcare facility.
b. An additional incentive that contributes to the economic feasibility of the construction of the childcare facility.
c. Provided the following conditions are met:
i. The applicant agrees to and operates the facility for the same length of time that the affordable housing units are restricted to eligible households; and ii. The percentage of children attending the facility and from eligible households in the project is equal to or greater than the percent of restricted affordable housing units.
C. Additional incentives. In addition to the density bonus, the City shall grant one of the following concessions or incentives:
1. A reduction or modification of Zoning Code requirements, site development standards, or architectural design requirements that exceed the minimum building standards approved by the State Building Standards Commission, as provided in Part 25 of Division 13 of the Health and Safety Code. This may include, but is not limited to:
a. Open space. Open space requirements may be reduced if the project is located within 1,000 feet of a public park or revised to allow for roof-top areas to be counted as open space.
b. Parking. The enclosed parking requirements may be provided in an open parking lot.
Tandem parking may be allowed.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
c. Setbacks. The required setbacks for parking and landscaping within a parking area may be reduced, provided that the improvements are not significantly out of character with the surrounding area, do not create a safety hazard; and a suitable alternative design is incorporated as determined by the Community Development Director. d. Density. An additional increase in density above the 20 percent density bonus may be granted.
e. Building height. An increase in the maximum allowable building height may be granted. f. Off-site improvements. City participation in certain off-site improvements required by the development of the project may be proposed pursuant to negotiation and agreement with the City.
2. The developer of the project may propose a reduction or waiver of City-related development fees, City participation in the cost of infrastructure, write-down of land costs, or subsidy of the costs of construction, subject to approval of the City.
3. A mixed use development, in conjunction with a multi-family residential project may be allowed, provided the project will be compatible internally, as well as with existing or planned development in the area where the project will be located.
4. The City may offer an equivalent financial incentive in lieu of granting a density bonus and additional incentive. The value of the equivalent financial incentive shall equal to at least the land cost per unit savings that would result from the density bonus.
5. The City may grant other regulatory incentives or concessions proposed by the developer, which would result in identifiable cost reductions to the project.
6. Provision of incentives shall not be construed to require the City to provide cash transfer payments or other monetary compensation, but may include a reduction or waiver of requirements which the City might otherwise apply as conditions of approval.
7. Provided a written finding based on substantial evidence is made, the City need not grant a concession or incentive that would have a specific adverse impact on the public health and safety or the physical environment or on a parcel that is listed in the California Register of Historic Resources and for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid adverse impacts without rendering the development unaffordable to low, very low, or moderate income households.
D. Requirements for participation. In order for a developer to be eligible for the density bonus and additional incentive or incentives, the following requirements shall be met:
1. Designated affordable units. The developer/property owner shall restrict for the prescribed time period, the number of units by bedroom size, which are designated as affordable housing for target households. A unit shall be counted toward meeting this requirement if it is either City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
vacant and held out for rent/sale at affordable housing costs to lower- and very low-income households or occupied by a senior household, or occupied by and affordable to a lower- or very low-income household (or a moderate-income household for condominium units). Priority shall be given to target households that do not receive other housing subsidies.
2. Similar design. The target units shall be compatible in floor plan, furnishings, and exterior design to other units in the project. Further, the target units shall be reasonably dispersed throughout the development. If the development proposes a phased building plan, a proportionate share of target units shall be constructed during each phase.
3. Affordability restrictions.
a. In accordance with Section 65915(c) of the California Government Code, target units shall remain restricted and affordable for a period of at least 30 years (longer periods may be required by financial assistance, mortgage insurance, or rental subsidy programs) if the project is granted a density bonus and additional incentive or an equivalent financial incentive. Target units shall remain restricted and affordable for a period of at least ten years if the target units are in a condominium project, as defined in Civil Code Section 1351(f).
b. Households occupying target units shall be allowed to complete their leases beyond the term of the affordability restriction or for at least six months after the termination date, unless the property owner provides the tenants with a minimum of 180 days advance notice of the future rent increase and termination of the affordability status of their unit.
4. Rental rates. The rental rate for affordable housing units shall comply with State law, as determined by the household income level and number of members in the household.
5. Sales price.
a. Target units for sale shall be affordable to lower- or very low-income households, as defined by income limits established by the State Department of Housing and Community Development, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 50079.5 and 50105, as they may be amended from time to time.
b. Condominium units shall be affordable to moderate income households. However, upon the resale of the condominium unit, the seller of the unit shall retain the value of the improvements, the down payment and proportionate share of property appreciation. The City shall recapture its initial subsidy and proportionate share of property appreciation, to be used within three years to promote homeownership. This equity-sharing arrangement shall be included in the agreement for the granting of the density bonus, as discussed under subsection D.10. agreement below.
6. Pre-qualification. All target households shall be pre-qualified by the developer or its designee prior to moving into a target unit by process mandated by the City. The prequalification process for lower- and very low-income target households shall certify the income City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
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level of the prospective tenant household and advise the household of affordable housing costs. These standards will be made available to the applicant by the City. The property owner shall not charge the applicant for the initial pre-qualification review. If, after performing the necessary verification, the tenant qualifies as lower- or very low-income household, the City shall issue a certificate to the applicant and the property owner verifying the income level and eligibility to rent or own the unit.
7. Reporting. In May of each year, the developer or designee shall provide the Community Development Department, an accounting of the previous calendar year, including:
a. Total units occupied for any part of the previous year by bedroom size; b. Total units vacant for any part of the previous year by bedroom size; c. Total units occupied by lower-, very low-income and senior households by bedroom size;
d. For each lower- and very low-income target unit, the total monthly housing costs (advertised or paid); and
e. Any other pertinent information deemed appropriate by the City upon approval of the project.
8. Increases in tenant income. Rental housing qualifies as affordable housing despite a temporary noncompliance with this section, if the noncompliance is caused by increases in the incomes of existing tenants and if actions satisfactory to the City are being taken to ensure that all vacancies are filled in accordance with this section until the non-compliance is corrected.
9. Default. Default by the property owner is unlawful and is a misdemeanor. Each unit shall be considered a separate violation. Such violation shall be punishable by a fine, not exceeding $1,000.00, or by imprisonment in the County jail for a period not exceeding six months, or both. In addition, the City shall have the right to prohibit the property owner from leasing any non-target unit which becomes vacant until the owner remedies the default. Until the default is remedied, no such unit shall thereafter be rented until the property owner presents evidence to the Community Development Department, that the prospective tenant qualifies as very lowincome or lower-income household, as required. Additionally, the average monthly default units shown on the audit report for the previous year shall be added to the units to be set aside during the succeeding reporting period.
10. Agreement. The developer shall sign a binding agreement with the City, which sets forth the conditions and guidelines to be met in the implementation of the density bonus requirements and/or any other applicable requirements. These include number of target units, their size, location, terms and conditions of affordability, and production schedule. In addition, the following conditions shall be imposed:
a. The agreement will establish specific compliance standards and remedies available to the City upon failure by the developer to restrict units to target households for the prescribed time period.
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b. The agreement shall be binding on the developers, their heirs, transferees, assigns, successors, administrators, executors, and other representatives and recorded as a restriction on the parcel or parcels on which the units are constructed. c. The developer agrees not to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the project, or any portion thereof, without obtaining the prior written consent of the Community Development Director. Such consent shall be given upon receipt by the developer of reasonable evidence satisfactory to the Community Development Director that the purchaser, or other transferee, has assumed, in writing and in full, the City's requirements and obligations in the agreement.
d. The developer shall grant the City the continuing right of first refusal to purchase or lease any or all of the designated units at fair market value. e. The deeds to the designated units shall contain a covenant that the developer or the developer's successors in interest shall not sell, rent, lease, sublet, assign or otherwise transfer any interests in such unit without the written approval of the City, confirming that the sales price of the units is consistent with the limits established for eligible households.
f. The City shall have the authority to enter into other agreements with the owner, developer or purchasers of the dwelling units as may be necessary to assure that the designated dwelling units are continuously occupied by eligible households.
E. Application procedure.
1. Affordable housing projects proposed under this section shall require approval of a conditional use permit (CUP), as outlined in Section 18.100.090, Conditional Use Permit, of this Zoning Code.
2. In accordance with Section 65915(d) of the California Government Code, the developer shall first submit to the Community Development Department a written proposal for a density bonus and/or residential incentives. The written proposal shall consist of adequate information to reliably estimate the project cost per unit of the proposed development.
3. In addition to the findings of the CUP, the following findings shall be made by the City Council in approving the density bonus:
a. The total number of units is compatible with the existing and planned infrastructure and service facilities serving the site.
b. The developer has demonstrated that the density bonus and adjustment of standards is necessary to make the project economically feasible.
c. The proposed project is compatible with the goals and policies of the general plan and the purpose and intent of this Zoning Code.
F. Development conversions. Conversion of existing developments or structures to housing projects eligible for a density bonus under this section shall follow the regulations outlined in Section 65915.5 of the California Government Code. (Ord. 537 § 1, 2011; Ord. 505 § 2, 2006) City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
This Housing Element includes amendments to existing programs, such as Program 5, State Density Bonus Law, which contributes to land cost reductions. Additionally, this Housing Element includes programs such as Program 26, Single Room Occupancy and Program 4, Zoning Code Review (setback, height, parking, and use standards for low, medium, and highdensity residential projects). Also included are increasing residential densities including adding residential land uses to the commercial and new mixed-use zone districts; all which will contribute to increasing the supply of housing.
Environmental Review
The City conducts environmental reviews for all development projects, consistent with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CEQA requires an environmental analysis for all projects that are not exempt. Projects with potentially significant impacts typically require preparation of either a Mitigated Negative Declaration with special studies, or an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Preparation of these reports adds time and costs to the development review process and may require additional expenses if additional measures are required to mitigate potential environmental impacts.
Some projects are “categorically exempt” from CEQA because they comply with certain thresholds such as limited size or scope or because there is no reasonable possibility that they have the potential to significantly affect the environment. Article 19 of the CEQA Guidelines lists the types of projects that are normally exempt, including replacement or rehabilitation of existing facilities, construction, or conversion of small structures, and minor alterations to existing land. Certain residential projects providing affordable urban, agriculture, or urban infill housing that meets specified acreage, affordability, and unit criteria are also exempt from CEQA by statutory law. The requirements for environmental review apply statewide and are not particular to the City of Hawaiian Gardens alone, so they represent little or no constraints to housing development in the City.
Applicable projects funded with CDBG or other sources of federal funding (depending on the administration of the funding source), are also subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Fees
The City charges fees to process plans submitted for residential projects and to finance the provision of important services needed to accommodate housing and population growth. Fees and exactions are used to finance public facilities, roadways, water and sewer infrastructure, schools, and other community services. Nearly all these fees are assessed through a pro rata share system, based on the magnitude of the project’s impact or the extent of the benefit that will be derived. The fees have not been found to act as a constraint to the development of housing in Hawaiian Gardens.
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5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Fees associated with housing development include the following examples:
Building Permit Fees. The City charges fees for building, electrical, and plumbing permits. The fees for a proposed project depend on the size and complexity of the project and are calculated using the Los Angeles County current fee and multiplied by a factor of 1.30 to cover City administrative expenses (see City of Hawaiian Gardens, Community Development Department-Building and Safety Division, available at https://www.hgcity.org/government/ departments/community-development/buildingsafety-division). Because the City has the same fees as Los Angeles County, and only adds a minor City administrative fee, the building permit fees are not considered to be a constraint on development of affordable housing in the City.
Notice of Substandard Violation Fee. The Notice of Substandard Violation fee is part of the Program 10, Pre-Sale Inspection, whereby the City requires an inspection of the home prior to sale to identify any health and safety code violations. This activity benefits low-income residents in that housing in the City will continually be maintained, be it an ownership or rental unit. The City staff refers property owners to the City Beautification Program (Program 11, City Beautification) which includes financing for interior and exterior improvements.
School Fees. The ABC Unified School District (not the City) charges fees on new residential construction to help meet the cost of capital improvements for and/or expansion of school facilities that are necessary to accommodate increased student enrollment due to new residential development In 2020, the District adopted the following per-unit fees for residential development: single family detached $9,349.00 and for multi-family attached $8,559.00. This fee is charged to residential developers in the City of Hawaiian Gardens and to all other jurisdictions in the District, including Anaheim, Artesia, Bellflower, Buena Park, Cerritos, Cypress, La Mirada, La Palma, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, and Los Angeles unincorporated areas located in the District. The City of Hawaiian Gardens has not established a separate fee or an administrative fee for collecting school fees. School fees are not generally considered to constrain or impair providing affordable housing since all surrounding jurisdictions collect the same fee.
The City’s Amended Resolution No. 035-2018 (effective 4/25/2018) established the permit fees for the City of Hawaiian Gardens. The fees are identified in the Table 5.12 below.
Table 5.13 Permit Fees
Service Costs
Subsidies
A. Description of Service Full Cost Resident
(3)
25% Reduction
Senior
(4)
50% Reduction
Abandonment of Easement $561 -- --
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Service Costs
Subsidies
A. Description of Service Full Cost Resident
(3)
25% Reduction
Senior
(4)
50% Reduction
Abatement Procedure,
(2)
Plus abatement remedies, warrants,
and judgment costs
$617 -- --
Administrative Appeal $442 $332 $221
Administrative Hearing $442 $332 $221
Administrative Review (Conduct at staff level) $248 $186 $124 Amendment of Discretionary Permits $1,067 $800 $534
Annual Inspection $107 -- --
Annual Reinspection $62 -- --
Background Check Actual Cost -- --
Call for Review $442 $332 $221
Categorical Exemption $107 -- --
Change of Address $211
(e)
-- --
Conditional Use Permit $2,126 $1,595 $1,063
Density Bonus $3,113 -- --
Design Review to Planning Commission
(e) $771 $578 $385
Discretionary Appeal $1,155 $566 $578
Document Review $317 -- --
Encroachment Permit (Public Right-of-Way in Residential Areas) (e) $317 $238 $158
Encroachment Permit (Trash Bins Only) $107 $80 $54
Expedited Permits & Reports,
(e)
50% of the original ministerial
permit or report cost
Costs Vary -- --
Film Permit
,(2)
Plus charges from Fire and Sheriff's Departments;
may require deposit
$580 -- --
Final Parcel Map,
(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$1,963 -- --
Final Tract Map
,(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$1,963 -- --
Fish and Game Filing Fee:Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (5) $2,606.75 -- --
Fish and Game Filing Fee: Negative Declaration (ND) and Mitigated Negative
Declaration (MND)
(5) $1,876.75 -- --
General Plan Amendment $4,767 -- --
Growth Capital Fee
4% of
Building
Valuation
Home Occupation Permit $186 $140 $93
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Service Costs
Subsidies
A. Description of Service Full Cost Resident
(3)
25% Reduction
Senior
(4)
50% Reduction
Impound Storage Fees (per day) $220 -- --
Inspection Warrant Actual Cost -- --
Landscape Reviews over 3,000 sq. ft. $987 -- --
Landscape Reviews up to 1,000 sq. ft. $247 $185 $124
Landscape Reviews up to 3,000 sq. ft. $493 -- --
Lien Recording or Lien Removal $194 -- --
Lot Line Adjustment
(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$1,397 -- --
Massage Permit (Operators)
(d)
$1,768
(e)
Massage Permit Annual Renewal
(e) $665
Massage Permit Appeal / Administrative Hearing
(d)
$2,061
(e)
Master Sign Program $2,126 -- --
Minor Exception $655 $491 $328
Minor Use Permit $655 $491 $328
Mitigation Monitoring Program,
(2)
Plus ongoing observation fee $1,060 -- --
Modification of Non-Discretionary Permit $160 -- --
Negative Declaration
(2)
Prepared in-house, plus other necessary
studies and analyses
$1,913 -- --
Notice of Substandard Violation,
(2)
Plus County Recording fee $538 -- --
Parcel Map Waiver/Certificate of Compliance,
(2)
Plus Subdivision
Map Act and LA
County Public Work fees
$1,397 -- --
Permit Extension for Discretionary Permit $1,030 -- --
Permit Extension for Non-Discretionary Permit $125 -- -- Planned Development $2,767 -- --
Plot Plan Reviews over 10,000 sq. ft. Actual Cost -- -- Plot Plan Reviews under 2,000 sq. ft. $371 $278 $186
Plot Plan Reviews up to 10,000 sq. ft. $1,060 -- --
Plot Plan Reviews up to 5,000 sq. ft. $567 -- --
Property Presale Records Report (Condominiums)
(e) $174 $131 $87
Property Presale Records Report (Single Family Residence) $265 $199 $133 Property Presale Records Report (Multi Family Residence) (e) $335 $251 $168
Rental Inspection $88 $66 $44
Resubmissions, 25% of the original permit costs for each successive re-submittal after the third submittal
(e) Costs Vary -- --
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Service Costs
Subsidies
A. Description of Service Full Cost Resident
(3)
25% Reduction
Senior
(4)
50% Reduction
Revocation of Discretionary Permit $567 -- --
Sewer Reconstruction
$0.15 per
gallon per
day of
additional
peak flow
Sign Permit Review (Wall, Pole, and Monument) $125 -- -- Sign Permit Review (Counter Review and Approval)
(c) $76 -- --
Site Inspection $88 $66 $44
Small Project Counter Approval (Fences, Patios, Tenant
Improvements)
(e)
Subject to discretionary review
(2)
Free -- --
Special Use Permit (Business Regulation Permit)
(2)
Plus
background check
$1,633 $1,225 $817
Specific Plan $2,767 -- --
Storm Water Inspection Fee $79 -- --
Storm Water Plan Check Actual Cost -- --
Temporary Sign Permit (Banners)
(a) $25 -- --
Temporary Use Permit $107 -- --
Tentative Parcel Map
(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$3,288 -- --
Tentative Tract Map
(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$3,288 -- --
Tobacco Retailer’s Permit $246
(b)
Variance $1,986 $1,490 $993
Zoning Conformity Report or Rebuild Letter (Commercial) $318 -- -- Zoning Conformity Report or Rebuild Letter (Residential) (e) $233 $175 $116
Zoning Map Change $3,267 -- --
Zoning Ordinance Amendment
(2)
Plus Environmental Review $4,267 -- --
Temporary Use Permit $107 -- --
Tentative Parcel Map
(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$3,288 -- --
Tentative Tract Map
(2)
Plus Subdivision Map Act and LA County
Public Work fees
$3,288 -- --
Tobacco Retailer’s Permit $246
(b)
Planning and Community Development Department
Notes:
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5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
(1) Proposed fee is full-service cost unless otherwise noted. (2) Additional fees or costs may apply.
(3) Subsidized for residents who reside in Hawaiian Gardens (25% reduction of full cost). (4) Subsidized for seniors, age 55 years or older, who reside in Hawaiian Gardens (50% reduction of full cost). (5) As amended by the Department of Fish and Game.
(a) amended Resolution No. 033-2011
(b) amended Resolution No. 021-2012
(c) amended Resolution No. 023-2015
(d) amended Resolution No. 065-2016
(e) amended Resolution No. 035-2018
Table 5.14 below identifies the City’s fees, including the ABC Unified School District.
Table 5.14 Residential Development Fees
Proportion of Fee in Overall Development Cost for a Typical Residential Development Development Cost for a typical unit Single-Family Multifamily Total City estimated fees per unit $9,907.00 $6,075.00
ABC Unified School District Fee $9,349.00 $8,559.00
Total fees per unit $19,256.00 $14,634
Fees based on a single family detached dwelling of 1,800 square feet.
Fees based for a prototypical multifamily project (10 units, 1,100 square feet per unit) Per Assembly Bill 1483 (2019), each local jurisdiction in California is required to make available on its website a current schedule of fees and exactions, imposed by the jurisdiction and by any other special districts, which apply to proposed housing development projects. This information must be presented in a way that makes it clear which fees apply to a particular parcel. The City does not currently have a schedule of fees and exactions available online but provides links to the Los Angeles County fee schedule. Since a lack of clear and readily available information about permit fees and costs can increase the uncertainty and level of effort involved in obtaining approvals for new housing development, posting this information on the City’s website would help to simplify and facilitate housing production. The City is including this information in Program 24, Public Participation.
Although the permit and impact fees increase the cost of housing development and may affect the feasibility of building affordable units, these fees are necessary to recover the cost of staff time to review and process permits and to provide adequate community facilities. The City’s fees are in line with the cost of providing services, there is no city impact fee, no unique parking or open space fees, and the school impact fee is the same fee charged to 14 other jurisdictions in the surrounding area. These fees are not considered to be an undue constraint on the ability to develop affordable housing in the City. In fact, the City has adopted a 25% reduction of the full cost of many of the fees for City residents and a 50% reduction for seniors (55 years and older) who reside in the City.
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On-/Off-Site Improvements
The guidance from HCD indicates:
The element must also describe and analyze the impact of on-and off-site improvement standards including street widths, curb, gutter, and sidewalk requirements, landscaping, circulation improvement requirements and any generally applicable level of service standards or mitigation thresholds.
Developers of residential subdivisions in the City of Hawaiian Gardens are required to construct streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, sewer and water lines, street lighting, and trees located in the public rights-of-way within and adjacent to a subdivision. These facilities are then dedicated to the City, which is responsible for maintenance. On- and off-site improvements add to the total cost of developing housing, but are direct costs associated with the provision of infrastructure and services necessary for public health and safety, including new residents of the subdivision. Because residential development cannot take place without the addition of adequate infrastructure, site improvement requirements are not considered to be a constraint to the development of housing.
Infrastructure Improvements
The City has been successful in acquiring state and federal funding to upgrade roadways and other infrastructure. Notable examples include:
• Safe Routes to Schools Program, which provides pedestrian improvements in the vicinity of the schools located in the City, completed prior to 2018 (SRTS program funds).
• The City applies for funding on a yearly/biennial basis for infrastructure improvements (Federal SRTS funding program has been merged with State funding programs under SB1 and ATP funding).
• HSIP Cycle 8 grants have been awarded by Caltrans for signal hardware improvement for two projects in 2018. One project is for eight (8) signalized intersections along Carson Street ($397.5k) and the other was for four (4) signalized intersections along Norwalk Boulevard ($464.4k). Metro also awarded $40k funding for signal synchronization along Carson Street signals. These projects are scheduled to go out for construction in September 2022.
• Per-capita Grants from State Parks and Recreation department – City applied for and received $186,793 grants to renovate restrooms located at Lee Ware Park at 22300 Wardham Avenue. The project is currently in design phase. • ATP Cycle 6 grants- An application for funding ($370k) for preparing the City’s Bicycle Maser Plan was submitted in June 2022. Upon awarded, the plan will be completed by August 2024.
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• HSIP Cycle 11 grants – The City is preparing the application (to be submitted by September 12, 2022) to implement traffic calming and speed reduction strategies throughout the City focusing on areas identified in the Local Roadway Safety Plan adopted in April 2022. Upon awarded, the improvements will be completed by August 2024.
• The Street Reconstruction Project (FY21-22) is in the final design phase and expected to be in the construction bid stage by September 2022. Construction to be completed by March 2023.
• The Street Reconstruction Project (FY22-23) is in the planning stage and application has been submitted for approval by California’s CalSMART system for SB1 funding.
CDBG funding and Measure R funds are also available for this project. Design phase is expected to start by October 2022, and with construction bid phase by September 2023.
Construction to be completed by March 2024.
• Funding (approx. $370,000) has been awarded from ATP Cycle 6 program budget to prepare City’s Multi-year Comprehensive Bicycle Master Plan. The plan will include a number of bicycle lanes and other bicycle facilities enhancements to be implemented citywide by 2026.
In 2022, the City updated the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Some of the programs are maintenance type projects including slurry seal rehabilitation of existing streets, and some are upgrades including the Carson Beautification Design.
The ability to widen streets to accommodate additional auto volumes is extraordinarily limited.
Most streets are classified and built as two-lane streets with on-street parking. Therefore, site improvement requirements vary depending on the existing condition of each project site. All developed and vacant sites in the City are already served by infrastructure including roads, sewer, water, storm drains, and utilities. There are no septic systems or wells located in the City. The specific requirements for public works improvements, underground utilities, water, sanitation, and streets are described below:
Public Works Improvements: Projects must dedicate land for street widening and construct or repair curb, gutter, sidewalks, pave to the centerline of all streets adjacent to the development parcel if they exceed the valuation level. In addition, developers are responsible for construction or upgrading of sewer and water mains, storm drains, streetlights, fire hydrants, street trees, and street signs. Construction is required concurrent with project development and a performance bond for the construction must be obtained before the issuance of building permits. In certain situations where construction is infeasible, the City may accept an in-lieu fee equal to the cost of construction.
Underground Utilities: The City establishes underground utility districts on a project-by-project basis. SCE plans were approved in October 2021 for undergrounding utilities on Norwalk Boulevard between Tilbury Street and 215th Street.
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Water: The City of Hawaiian Gardens is served by Golden State Water Company (formerly the Southern California Water Company) Region II Central District – Central Basin East Artesia System. Through the project review and building permit processes the Los Angeles Consolidated Fire District (LACFD) requires a water flow test to be conducted for any new development to ensure capacity to support the development. If the test comes back not meeting the minimum threshold, then the developer works with the City on facility upgrades.
Sanitation: Projects that require a new connection to the public sewer must pay a sewer connection fee to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District (CSMD). Permits must be obtained before the issuance of City building permits. The local sewer lines in the City are maintained by CSMD.
Streets: The 2010 General Plan Circulation Element identifies the City’s circulation system, including the following streets and their respective classification:
• Major Arterial: Carson Street and Norwalk Avenue. These streets perpendicularly intersect at the general center of Hawaiian Gardens. The majority of commercial and industrial uses are located along these arterials. Due to the build out nature of these areas, development of affordable housing along these corridors will have minimal improvements. These areas are proposed to be rezoned to allow residential uses in the C-2 and C-4 zones and the creation of a Mixed-Use zone district to permit residential uses. Program 28, Rezone Sites, and Program 4, Zoning Code Review.
Other Major Arterials are Pioneer Boulevard, and Bloomfield Boulevard. • Secondary Arterial: Norwalk Boulevard north of Carson Street • Collector: Pioneer Boulevard south of Carson Street, 214th street west of Norwalk Boulevard, 215th Street west of Elaine Avenue, Elaine Avenue north of 215th Street, Civic Center Drive (219th Street) west of North Boulevard, 221st Street east of North Boulevard, Juan Avenue north of 223rd Street, and Hawaiian Avenue • Local: neighborhood streets
Developers are required to widen streets where physically possible in accordance with the General Plan Circulation Element recommendations below:
• Major Arterial, 6 lanes, right-of-way width 108 feet
• Major Arterial, 4 lanes, right-of-way width 100 feet
• Secondary Arterial with center divider, 4 lanes, right-of-way width 80 feet with 64 feet of roadway curb to curb. Two travel lanes in each direction, center divider. • Secondary Arterial without center divider, 4 lanes. Two travel lanes in each direction, no center divider. Parking lanes or bicycle lanes would typically be provided. • Local Streets, two lanes, right-of-way width 60 feet, roadway width 40 feet. Some local streets may have a right-of-way width between 50 and 60 feet, with two travel lanes, parking lanes, sidewalk, and parkway.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
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The major difference between divided and undivided Secondary Arterials is that the vehicle carrying capacity for a divided facility is higher than for an undivided facility. Most of the roadways designated as Secondary roadways in the City of Hawaiian Gardens have been improved to provide some form of center roadway divider for left turn channelization.
The required street width construction for a typical subdivision would most likely range from a 60-foot right-of-way for local streets up to 108-foot right-of-way for an arterial. Flexibility on street widths can be allowed with a specific project application taking into consideration the potential impacts of the project and existing conditions. This Element includes an amendment to Program 21, Infrastructure Availability, as follows: The City will review changing the local street right-of-way width from 40 to 36 feet. Although the majority of the arterials and collectors are currently built out, where opportunities arise for improvements the City will consider reduction in street widths, while still providing for bicycle lanes. In addition, the City will establish specific procedures and require that priority is given to developments with units affordable to lower-income households.
Sidewalks are provided on all arterial roadways and on the vast majority of residential streets.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens circulation system has been designed to ensure that adequate facilities are provided for pedestrian circulation, especially in the vicinity of schools, parks, major retail facilities, and other locations with high levels of pedestrian activity.
The General Plan Circulation Element also includes a plan for incorporating bicycle facilities as part of the City’s overall circulation network. Bicycle lanes and bicycle routes are provided on a few of the roadways within the City of Hawaiian Gardens. Most city bikeways are Class II and Class III. In addition to the City’s on-street bike system, the Coyote Creek Bikeway provides a regional trail system for avid bicycle enthusiasts. Depending on the scope of the development project and existing conditions, bicycle facilities could also be required as part of the street improvements.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens is well-served by public transit systems. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTS), the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Long Beach Transit (LBT), all operate routes that extend into or through the City of Hawaiian Gardens. LACMTA buses provide a connection to Metrolink service in Fullerton. LBT buses provide connections to the Metro C Line in Norwalk and the Metro A Line in Long Beach. All buses are ADA accessible, and many have bicycle racks.
Because most of the City’s circulation system is complete, maintenance and improvements to older roadways has not been a constraint on development. This is because development is not required to extend roadways from undeveloped properties as the only vacant undeveloped properties are a few parcels less than an acre in size and exist on fully-improved streets.
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5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Housing For Persons With Disabilities
As noted in the Special Needs section of the Housing Needs Assessment Report, persons with disabilities have several housing needs related to accessibility of dwelling units; access to transportation; employment, and commercial services, and alternative living arrangements that include on-site or nearby supportive services.
The City ensures that new housing developments comply with California building standards (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) and federal requirements for accessibility.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens Zoning Code Section 18.100.190 describes the City’s Reasonable Accommodations procedures. The City provides a procedure to request reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities seeking equal access to housing under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Federal Fair Housing Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (also known as the Acts) in the application of zoning laws and other land use regulations, policies, and procedures.
The Community Development Director shall make a written decision within 45 days and either approve, approve with conditions and/or modifications, or deny a request for reasonable accommodation in compliance with the factors/findings below. If the request is affiliated with a larger project, other entitlements, then the request is bundled with the entitlements and proceeds to the appropriate decision-making body (Planning Commission or City Council).
This expedites the request process, rather than making someone wait until the other entitlements are granted, and then waiting for the accommodation request to process. The written decision to approve or deny a request for reasonable accommodation shall be consistent with the Acts and shall be based on consideration of all of the following factors/findings:
1. Whether the housing subject of the request will be used by an individual defined as disabled under the Acts;
2. Whether the request for reasonable accommodation is necessary to make specific housing available to an individual with a disability under the Acts;
3. Whether the requested reasonable accommodation would impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the City;
4. Whether the requested reasonable accommodation would require a fundamental alteration in the nature of a City program or law, including but not limited to land use and zoning;
5. Potential impact on surrounding uses;
6. Physical attributes of the property and structures; and
7. The availability of alternative reasonable accommodations that may provide an equivalent level of benefit.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Program 17, Disability Access, includes the City’s requirement to continue to monitor requests, the factors/findings and update as necessary to provide reasonable accommodations.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
5.3 NON-GOVERNMENTAL RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
Production cost factors such as land acquisition and improvement, construction material and labor, financing, overhead costs, and fees, are market constraints which impact the affordability of housing. Conversely, the region is rich in non-profit entities who specialize in maintaining affordable and/or senior-friendly housing (see Table 2.12 above).
Land Cost / Construction Cost
The cost of housing in Hawaiian Gardens has increased in the last few years as land values, construction costs, and finance charges continue to increase. The diminishing supply of land available for residential construction has driven land and housing costs upward. The City typically has little control over the market fluctuations that affect housing costs. “Land values across the U.S. rose on average 8% in 2021, which is an increase over 2020 rates. This trend will affect the overall cost of developing new housing units in the City and the State in general.
Land, construction, and financing costs represent the most significant nongovernmental constraints in the production of housing for most income groups in Hawaiian Gardens. Land costs in this City are generally high due to high demand and the limited supply found in an established city in the Los Angeles metropolitan region.
Construction costs include both “hard” and “soft” costs such as labor and materials (hard), and soft costs such as architectural and engineering services, development fees, construction financing, and insurance.
Over the past eighty years, the City of Hawaiian Gardens has experienced limited vacant land sales.
This 6th Cycle Housing Element includes the following programs, detailed in Section 7, that are proposed to minimize, where feasible, the nongovernmental constraints impacting housing in the City of Hawaiian Gardens: Program 1, Adequate Sites; Program 2, Promote Lot Consolidation; and Program 3, Affordable Housing Incentives.
Availability Of Financing
An inventory of local lending institutions revealed that loans are available in the area to qualified clients.
Housing Crisis
Residential vacancy rates and the location of the City within the Los Angeles basin are two market constraints that affect the affordability of housing. As Los Angeles development areas continue to expand, Hawaiian Gardens and the surrounding cities are becoming an increasingly convenient area in which to live. Housing prices will continue to rise due to this demand. If land values, construction costs, and interest rates continue to increase in the longterm, the cost of all new housing will rise accordingly.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
5. RESOURCES AND CONSTRAINTS
As indicated above, the City has no control over the market fluctuations that may affect housing costs because market conditions result from a complex interplay of national economic policies and general economic conditions. Inflation in the cost of goods and especially housing means that many families find themselves unable to afford suitable housing. The lack of sufficient income causes more working people to share the cost of a home. As a result, overcrowding is common, and the housing choice of many households is severely restricted.
This situation is further aggravated in periods of high unemployment as experienced in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the threats of eviction of tenants and foreclosure on mortgaged properties.
City Housing Division Services
The Hawaiian Gardens Housing Division of the Community Development Department administers a wide variety of housing programs that contribute to the quality of life, economic viability, and sustainability of Hawaiian Garden’s neighborhoods. The Housing Division is responsible for the overall management and oversight of the City Beautification Program, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, and various other housing activities. The Division’s webpage contains links to private and non-profit organizations, local and regional agencies, state agencies, and federal agencies to assist residents in exercising their rights to fair housing (see City of Hawaiian Gardens, Housing Division, available at https://www.hgcity.org/government/departments/community-development/housing-division (accessed February 1, 2023)).
Non-profit Housing Resources
The Fair Housing Foundation (FHF) in neighboring Long Beach serves cities throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The FHF is a non-profit organization established in 1964 and is dedicated to eliminating discrimination in housing and promoting equal access to housing choices for everyone. FHF engages in activities including outreach and education, testing and investigation, and counteracting and eliminating discriminatory housing practices in both Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The Fair Housing Foundation is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency and also offers Rental Counseling.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
6 EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
The City of Hawaiian Gardens’ prior Housing Element was adopted and certified by HCD in 2015. The City must assess the effectiveness of its existing housing goals, policies, and programs (adopted in the 2013-2021 Housing Element). Since 2010, the City experienced a slight reduction in population.
Hawaiian Gardens estimated RHNA allocation for 2013-2021 was 129 units. The estimated RHNA allocation for 2021-2029 is 432 units. The unaccommodated 2013-2021 allocation of 101 units was rolled over and was added to the 2021-2029 allocation of 331 units because HCD found that the City did not make adequate sites available to accommodate the 2013-2021 allocation. This resulted in the total allocation of 432 units.
The 2021-2029 Housing Element includes an inventory of vacant and underutilized land. The City is proposing to increase the densities in the residential zones, and rezone sites to high density residential and mixed use. The City is also proposing to allow two accessory dwelling units provided one has a recorded affordable housing covenant. Another action the City is taking is to allow garage conversions, and review development standards such as decreasing the front yard setbacks.
Between 2015-2021, the City issued four building permits for single family homes and five permits for accessory dwelling units.
In the period from 2013-2021, the City provided funding for 48 rehabilitation projects.
The City successfully continued to provide updated infrastructure with the Safe Routes To Schools program, and state and federal funding for roadway improvements.
The City continued to adjust the Building Department and Code Enforcement procedures to be in compliance with changing Federal and State COVID-19 regulations, while still maintaining high levels of service for the community.
In 2021, there were 121 active Section 8 vouchers managed by the City.
Due to Federal and State mandated COVID-19 restrictions, the City continued the food distribution program by distributing food to families, either at the designated site, or direct delivery to a home; depending on the restrictions at the time.
The goals and policies adopted in the City’s 2010 General Plan and included in the 2013-2021 Housing Element are appropriate to carry forward to the 2021-2020 planning period. A list of the goals and policies is included in Chapter 7. The program evaluation is included in this Chapter.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
The evaluation included the accomplishments of each program against the objectives established in the 2013-2021 Housing Element, explains any discrepancy in program achievements, and recommends programmatic changes for inclusion in the 2021-2029 Housing Element. The status of each action item and the effectiveness of implementing that item are discussed in Table 6.1.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
Table 6.1 Evaluation of 2013-2021 Housing Element Programs 2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
1. Land Use Element
Implementation
This program implements the Land Use Element policies on the vacant, underutilized, and mixed-use development sites.
The Land Use Element (LUE) was adopted on January 26,
2010. The sites identified in the Sites Inventory and Analysis are the same as described in the 2008-2014 Housing
Element. The Land Use Element has not been amended
since January 2010.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: General Fund (GF)
Ongoing, was monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year).
Although sites were identified, monitoring showed that there was very little growth or activity within the city during this period.
One identified site at 12329 214th Street has an approved 5-unit apartment project. The second site has an approved 18-unit condominium project at 21821 Hawaiian Avenue.
With no changes made to the LUE staff noted that the addition of mixed-use as a permitted use rather than as a new land use category was not effective.
Modify.
This program has been modified:
Renamed Program 1 Adequate Sites. Update.
Statutory regulations.
2022.
A General Plan Update (GPU) will include
Mixed-Use as a new category in the LUE.
2. Lot Consolidation Incentives The City will play an active role in facilitating lot consolidation, particularly as it relates to parcels listed in the Sites Inventory and Analysis. For example, the City will work with non-profit developers and owners of small sites to identify and consolidate parcels to facilitate the development of housing affordable to lower-income households. The lot consolidation procedure will also be posted on the City’s website and discussed with developers during the
preliminary review team process. Lot consolidation requests will be processed ministerially. Incentives offered for lot consolidation could include allowing higher densities for larger parcels once consolidated, flexibility in development standards, expedited processing, rounding up to the next unit when fractions are involved, fee waivers or deferrals as related to consolidation.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
Lot consolidation was monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year).
The CDD sought partners by attending conferences and discussing lotconsolidation opportunities and procedures with potential developers; however, CDD representatives did not receive any developer interest in lot consolidation for the parcels listed in the sites inventory.
Existing uses and current ownership lack of interest in consolidation or selling to a developer are impediments to lot consolidation.
Staffing issues were also identified as an impediment. The City does not have an economic development director or staff with experience in real estate transactions; this impaired the outreach efforts.
Although some incentives were discussed with potential developers, none was officially implemented in the code update.
Modify.
The City feels this program could be effective,
but it needs to be modified. It has been renamed
Program 2 Promote Lot Consolidation.
Changes will update Statutory regulations to
increase density, reduce development standard
requirements and add specific incentives. Staff
will be assigned to increase developer contact.
2024
3. Mixed Use Incentives Mixed use incentives are intended to encourage such development on the vacant and underutilized C-4 General Commercial lots located along Carson Street and to provide housing at a density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
On a case-by-case basis, the incentives could include the following:
• expedited processing through the Minor Use
Permit process;
• density bonuses;
• fee waivers;
• small housing unit sizes in the form of SROs and
efficiency units as defined by the Zoning Code;
• reduced/shared parking;
• relaxation of enclosed parking requirements;
• increased heights and reduced setbacks through
the minor exception process.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
The program was monitored annually in the GP update. No mixed-use development occurred.
The C-4 zone district amendment to allow multi-family residential uses at 20 du/ac was not completed.
Mixed use was added as a permitted use but proved not to be effective as no developers submitted applications for mixed-use projects.
Lot consolidation was likewise not effective. Existing uses on adjacent underutilized lots impede lot consolidation and there are not enough vacant lots to meet the City’s housing needs.
The city needs to reach out to existing owners to put together marketing material for those areas where the existing uses are most amenable to change.
Creating new mixed-use districts with increased density, reduced development standards, and added incentives should advance lot consolidation.
Modify.
City will modify this program completely and
rename it Program 3 Affordable Housing
Incentives. The GPU will include incentives for
all affordable projects, not just those in the C-4
zone district.
Mixed-Use will be added as a LUE zone district
in the GPU and ZCU.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
4. No Net Loss To ensure adequate sites are available throughout the planning period to meet the City’s RHNA, the City will
annually update an inventory that details the amount, type, and size of vacant and underutilized parcels to assist
developers in identifying land suitable for residential development.
The City will also report on the number of extremely low, very low-, low- and moderate-income units constructed
annually. If the inventory indicates a shortage of available sites; the City will rezone sufficient sites to accommodate the City's RHNA.
To ensure sufficient residential capacity is maintained to accommodate the City's RHNA, the City will develop and
implement a formal ongoing (project-by-project) evaluation procedure pursuant to Government Code Section 65863.
Should an approval of development result in a reduction of capacity below the residential capacity needed to
accommodate the remaining need for lower income
households, the City will identify and zone sufficient sites to accommodate the shortfall.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
This program was implemented on an ongoing basis throughout the planning period.
The City has kept records for vacant and underutilized parcels and evaluates capacity on a project-by-project basis.
The city recognizes that there has been a lack of an increase in inventory for all categories and there is a need for rezoning sites, reducing development regulations, and increasing densities to accommodate additional inventory.
HG amended its ADU ordinance both in 2019 and 2022 (Assembly Bill 2299 and Senate Bill 1069) in 2018 and _ Senate Bill 330 in 2019 to revise the application process and fees to make it easier to apply and be approved.
The City is seeing an increase in applications for ADU units. Although only 6 building permits were issued for ADU units, during the period from 2019 to 2021, after the ordinance update, 15 new applications were received. Three are counted in the new units and an additional 10 have been approved with two units being upgraded to meet the state law and code requirements.
The city will continue to update the ADU requirements within the development code to comply with State law.
Modify.
The City will modify the program completely and
combine it with Program 1 Adequate Sites.
2023
This program will continue as modified in the HE
Update, and pursuant to new State law, will
incorporate
provisions to promote ADUs that provide
affordable rents to lowand moderate-income households.
New densities and regulations are included in
this HE which will accommodate the RHNA
requirements.
The updated ADU ordinance is increasing
inventory. The new ADU ordinance provides
additional opportunities for disadvantaged and
lower-income households.
5. Zoning Code Amendments to
Provide a Variety of Housing
Types
The City has completed draft Zoning Code amendments to
provide for a variety of housing types. The amendments will be considered and approved by the City Council
concurrently with or soon after adoption of the 2013-2021 Housing Element. The amendments include definitions for:
Single Room Occupancy Housing
Employee/Farm Employee Housing
Transitional and Supportive Housing
Timeframe: 2013-2021
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
Title 18 Zoning Code now includes definitions for:
Employee housing
Single room occupancy housing
Transitional housing
Supportive housing
Farmworker housing was not included in the Employee housing definition, nor as a stand-alone definition because Hawaiian Gardens is situated in a densely developed urban area and is not near agriculturalproduction areas of the State.
There was little growth in this area that could be determined by new development and without a permit-tracking process additions to existing housing are not formally counted in the City’s inventory. However, the Code changes add a variety of housing types and create more opportunities for extremely low, very low-, low- and moderate-income units.
Modify.
Renamed Program 5 (now Program 4); this will
be addressed in the Zoning Code Review.
Will modify in updated HE.
2024
6. Maximum Density The City will proactively encourage and facilitate the construction of housing on the vacant, underutilized, and mixed-use sites at the maximum densities permitted. In the event a development application on a specific lot is
submitted to the CDD for less than the maximum density, the Director will encourage the applicant to construct
housing at the maximum density.
If the applicant wants to proceed at a density lower than the maximum density, then the City will identify a lot(s)/site(s) to replace the lower density with higher density housing. The higher density replacement lot/site could be accomplished through a re-zoning (R-3 to R-4), a density bonus or other means.
Timeframe: 2013-2021
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
The city adheres to the state requirements for the density bonus program and has one apartment project currently proceeding through the entitlement phase using the program for reduced parking by providing two low-income units.
No other projects have applied for the density bonus program.
An 18-unit condominium project was approved in 2019 but was stalled due to pandemic issues. The project is currently in building plan check and when constructed will increase housing availability for abovemoderate-income residents.
Modify.
Renamed Program 6 (now Program 5) State
Density Bonus Law Update. Statutory
regulations.
The Zoning Code will be amended to comply
with State Density Bonus Law.
2024
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
7. Section 8 Rental Assistance The Housing Authority annually receives from HUD about $860,000 for purposes of providing rental assistance
payments. These funds together with a General Fund
contribution provide the financial resources for program administration and rental assistance payments.
Timeframe: 2013-2021
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: HUD funding and GF
Ongoing, was monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year). 112 active vouchers were managed by the City in 2021 which is consistent with previous years.
The program has been effective, and the City continues to encourage eligible persons to participate in the HACoLA Section 8 rental assistance program. Handouts and contact information are regularly provided to requestors, and program links are provided on the City’s website.
Continue.
Program 7 (now Program 6) Section 8 Rental
Assistance.
2022
This program remains appropriate to the
updated Housing Element and will be continued.
8. Nonprofit Housing
Partnership
The City will continue to implement a Nonprofit Partnership Program in order to promote housing for low- and moderateincome households. The City will identify experienced nonprofit housing developers by:
1) contacting surrounding HOME participating jurisdictions to identify CHDOs (CDD housing development organizations); 2) contacting surrounding cities to identify nonprofit
developers of recently constructed affordable housing
developments and
3) contacting the Los Angeles Community Development
Commission to identify special needs housing developers.
The City will transmit a survey to the nonprofit developers to determine the kinds of affordable housing projects they believe could be implemented in the City. The nonprofits would be asked to identify the sources they intend to apply for and the assistance that could be provided by the City.
Timeframe: 2015 or within two years of
Housing Element adoption.
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
The City contacted surrounding cities for input on identifying non-profit developers providing affordable housing projects and has created a list of organizations and developers to reach out to. The city has not effectively engaged any additional organizations but has recently received additional organizations to reach out too.
The CDD Housing Division met with the Resident Advisory Board in 2015 and again in 2021 to obtain input on how to improve the Section 8 Program. Board members indicated that they were pleased with the current policies and goals of the Section 8 Program and did not recommend any changes.
The city is changing the application parameters to be more inclusive of applicants not currently living within the city.
Continue.
Program 8 (now Program 7) Nonprofit Housing
Partnership.
2022.
New development standards will make this
program more implementable.
9. Extremely Low-Income
Housing (ELI)
The needs of extremely low-income households are
addressed within the framework of the programs
administered by the City and Hawaiian Gardens Housing
Authority. Each of these entities addresses the needs of lowand moderate-income households, including extremely lowincome households.
The City will work with the Harbor Regional Center to
implement an outreach program that informs families within Hawaiian Gardens about housing and services available for persons with developmental disabilities. The program could include the development of an informational brochure,
including information on services on the City’s website, and providing housing-related training for individuals/families through workshops. The City also will work with the Harbor Regional Center to identify funding sources that can address the housing needs of developmentally disabled persons.
Timeframe:
2015 or within two years of Housing Element
adoption.
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
The City continued working with the Housing Rights Center to provide fair housing counseling, discrimination investigation, and education services to all City residents, including landlords and tenants participating in the Public Housing Authority (PHA) Section 8 Program.
The PHA also made available the guidebook, California Tenants – a Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities to all its residents.
Flyers are available in the City Hall lobby describing all the programs and benefits. A list of referral agencies has been prepared and is available for anyone who needs assistance at City Hall, the library and City recreation centers.
This program has been very well received and is effective in providing information, however it has not been effective in finding additional funding resources.
Continue.
Program 9 (now Program 8) Extremely LowIncome Housing. 2022
This program remains appropriate to the
updated Housing Element with modifications.
10. Zoning Code Amendments
to Remove Governmental
Constraints
Definitions - of the Zoning Code will be updated to add a Licensed Group Home definition. The provisions of the
California Health & Safety Code will guide the contents of the definition.
Section 18.40.070A – Uses Permitted in the Residential
Zones – will be updated to list the zones in which Licensed Group Homes will be permitted.
Timeframe:
2013-2014 or within six months of Housing
Element adoption.
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
Title 18 Zoning Code now includes a definition for:
Licensed group home
Title 18 Zoning Code was amended to include Licensed group home as a permitted use in all residential zone districts except the Mobile Home Park zone district. This effectively permits group homes, but the city has not received any applications. More than half of residential properties in the city is rental property (65%), limiting the availability for group home agencies to purchase property.
Modify.
Combine with Program 4, Zoning Code Review.
2022
This program remains appropriate to the
updated Housing Element and will be continued
with additional measures to remove
governmental restraints.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
11. Housing Code Enforcement The City will continue to implement – during the 2013-2021 planning period -- a Housing Code
Enforcement Program. The program is implemented
primarily on a complaint basis. The City staff inspects the properties and notices are given to the property owners having code violations. The latter may include violations of the Fire, Building, and Zoning Codes, the State Vehicle Code, and the State and County Public Health Codes. This Program warns homeowners against converting a garage to a room addition without appropriate building permits.
Timeframe:
Ongoing
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF & CDBG funding
The city’s security bar removal program has been very effective.
Additionally, the presale permits program ensures that homes are brought up to current code standards prior to being sold.
The City’s building department ensures that all projects meet the state ADA requirements for accessibility during the building permit process which includes the special needs community. Additionally, the city’s Housing division has worked with the Fair Housing Network to identify complaints and open a path to their resolution. This is an ongoing program which staff feels has been effective in requiring landlords to take care of any reported issues.
Over the 8-year period more than 3,300 code cases were reviewed with a greater than 90% completion rate.
A new Beautification sub-program was added to work with owners of illegal ADUs to make the permitting process easier.
Continue.
Program 11 (now Program 9) Code
Enforcement
This program remains appropriate to the
updated Housing Element and will be continued
with additional measures to remove additional
governmental restraints.
12. Pre-Sale Inspection This program requires an inspection report prior to the sale of residential and commercial property. Through this
program, the City will inspect the property, review pertinent City records, and issue a disclosure report that will identify the property, its zone classification, authorized uses, discretionary approvals such as variances and conditional use permits, and any special restrictions applicable to the property. In addition, the report will identify the results of the visual inspection, including but not limited to, major land use violations, unpermitted additions, modifications, or
alterations.
The owner or agent of the property must correct the noted violations. Upon correction, the CD Director will issue a Certificate of Correction.
Timeframe:
2013-2014 or within six months of Housing
Element adoption.
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF, CDBG funding
This program is ongoing, is monitored monthly and annually with reports going to the City Council
The application is available by request at the counter, by email, and by a download from the City’s website.
This program has been very effective in making sure that homes meet city standards prior to sale.
In the 8-year period from 2013 to 2021 approximately 400 presale inspection reports were completed ensuring that structures met code and health and safety standards.
Continue.
Program 12 (now Program 10) Pre-Sale
Inspection
2022
This program remains appropriate to the
updated Housing Element as it will continue to
identify health and safety issues prior to sale of
any property.
13. Housing Rehabilitation This program includes grants and deferred housing rehabilitation loans to lower-income households.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: CDBG funding
This program is ongoing and is monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year).
Since 2014, 20 units have been successfully assisted through this program. It is well-received and there is a waiting list of over 100 applicants for assistance.
The program has been effective as Since 2014, 20 units have been successfully assisted. However, there have been ongoing issues with staffing for implementation and issues with selected contractors. The program was put on hold due to the pandemic so there was little done in 20/21. An RFP was put out in 2022 to select a new construction team and implementation will resume.
In 2020 the City initiated a security bar removal program and completed 10 of these projects which were updated with improved security.
Modify.
Combine with Program 14 (now Program 11)
City Beautification.
2023
This program remains appropriate to the
updated Housing Element as it will continue to
provide assistance for housing improvements.
Additional funding sources are being
investigated to address the waiting list
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
14. City Beautification The program serves to eliminate the appearance of blight, enhance the City of Hawaiian Gardens neighborhoods,
increase property values, and bring properties into
compliance with the Municipal Code. The program provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 to residentially zoned and utilized properties, including mobile homes, containing up to two residential units for the cost of exterior
improvements.
Timeframe: 2013-2021
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF and the Public
Housing Authority.
This program is ongoing and is reviewed monthly and monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year).
This program also includes a security bar removal program wherein residents can have their security bars on windows removed and replaced with security cameras or other security enhancements.
The program is very effective. From 2013-2021 there were more than 48 rehabilitation projects that were completed. In 2020 the City initiated a security bar removal program and completed 10 of these projects.
Approximately 25 mobile homes received financial grants through the Beautification Program.
The City proposes to continue and expand this program. There is a very long waiting list of applicants. Additional funding sources are being investigated to increase the number of grants available per year.
Modify.
This program remains appropriate and will be
modified as Program 11, City Beautification. (It
will include Housing Rehabilitation and Mobile
Home Park Preservation Programs and will also
include researching other grant opportunities for
additional funding sources).
2023-2024
15. Fair Housing Services The City’s Fair Housing Services Program will continue to promote fair housing through its participation in the County’s CDBG Program. The City, in cooperation with the County
and the Fair Housing Foundation (FHF), will continue to make available fair housing services to its residents. The FHF offers the following services: anti-discrimination, outreach and education, general housing (counsels tenants, landlords, and housing providers on their rights and
responsibilities).
The City will provide flyers on the Foundation’s programs and services, booklets on Landlord/Tenant laws and rights, and will make available City offices for fair housing
workshops.
Timeframe: 2013-2021
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: CDBG funding
Since 2014, the City has used CDBG funds for Code Enforcement, Single-unit Housing Rehabilitation Program, Business Assistance Program, Senior Activities Program, and Food Distribution Program.
The program has met with much success and proven instrumental in assisting those who lost work or suffered during the Covid-19 crisis. It is ongoing and provides assistance to homeless, low income, seniors, and those in need.
The city conducts hot meal and food distribution every week. There are several programs which are well-attended and usually have lines and waiting lists. Every Wednesday there is a drive-through food distribution event at City Hall. The food is provided through Food Finders (https://www.foodfinders.org/). It is open to all residents. Hot lunches are provided Monday through Friday to senior residents; due to Covid19 social distancing constraints, lunch service is limited to 40 residents but will eventually be expanded to over 100. There are two application programs for those with disabilities. One provides hot meals daily and one provides a week’s worth of frozen meals once a week. All programs are supported with city funds.
The city’s Senior Center serves the senior population within the city and offers programs and classes as well as information and staff assistance.
The programs offered are well-attended and full-time staff are constantly busy assisting the senior population.
The City currently works with the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA). Members of the Department of Mental Health visit Hawaiian Gardens every Thursday to reach out to the homeless, to offer temporary sheltering at a regional shelter which services Hawaiian Gardens’ homeless. However, most decline temporary shelter and they cannot be forced to enter a shelter.
In 2020 the City adopted the Public Housing Agency 5 Year and Annual Plan.
The City continued working with the Housing Rights Center to provide fair housing counseling, discrimination/investigation, and education services to all City residents, including landlords and tenants participating in the PHA’s Section 8 Program. The PHA also made available the guide California Tenants – a Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords Right and Responsibilities to all its residents.
Modify.
Combine with Program 16, Fair Housing
Information.
Renamed to Program 12, Fair Housing.
2022
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
16. Fair Housing Information The Housing Division of the CDD provides links to the following fair housing resources:
• U. S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD)
• Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity (HUD)
• Fair Housing Foundation
• Housing Rights Center
• National Fair Housing Advocate
• Legal Aid Foundation
• A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlord
Rights and Responsibilities
The Housing Division will add the following resource to its links:
• California Department of Fair Employment and
Housing (https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/)
To continue its efforts at disseminating fair housing
information, the Housing Division of the CDD Development Department will transmit to on-site resident apartment
managers the following important documents:
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity, Joint Statement of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development and Department
of Justice, Reasonable Accommodations Under
the Fair Housing Act (May 17, 2004)
• U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity, Joint Statement of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development and Department
of Justice, Reasonable Modifications Under the
Fair Housing Act (March 5, 2008)
Timeframe: 2014 or approximately six months
after Housing Element adoption
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
While the City has made advances in the areas of special needs housing, including ensuring fair housing for
members of the community with special needs, the City’s outreach and enforcement capacities are limited. The City will therefore address these issues from a regulatory
standpoint, but also strengthen partnerships with outside organizations to provide and protect housing for
households with special needs.
The City’s Website CDD Housing Division includes links to private and non-profit organizations, local and regional agencies, state agencies, and federal agencies.
The city refers fair housing complaints to the Housing Rights Center and advertises fair housing services and information through the city newsletter, on the city website, and local papers and informs all city employees of the available services for referral. Flyers are available in the city hall lobby describing all the programs and benefits. A list of referral agencies has been prepared and is available for anyone who needs assistance at City Hall, the library, and City recreation centers.
Information for persons with disabilities, including developmental disabilities, programs are featured on the city website on a rotating basis. The information is also available at City locations throughout the city such as the library, safety center, and recreation centers.
Modify.
For the 2021 to 2029 HE the City will modify this
program and combine it with Program 15 Fair
Housing Services and the combined Programs
15 and 16 to new Program 12, Fair Housing.
*The City will continue to work with the Housing
Rights Center to provide fair housing
counseling, discrimination/investigation, and
education services to all residents, including
landlords and tenants participating in the Public
Housing Authority’s Section 8 Program.
2021-29
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
2013-2021 Program Implementation/Progress Continue/Modify/Delete
17. Preservation of “At Risk”
Affordable Housing
Developments
• As a resource for preservation, the CDD
Development Department will implement the
following technical assistance activities during the
2013-2021 time period:
• Evaluation of the legal and procedural framework
for preservation of at-risk units.
• Determination of the feasibility of an entity
acquiring and preserving the units at risk of
conversion.
• Analysis of Federal, State, and local financial
incentives available to deter the conversion and
assist with the acquisition and preservation of
units at risk of conversion.
• Estimates of the amounts local funding resources
that could be dedicated to housing preservation,
including Section 8 rental assistance funds and
the Los Angeles County Community Development
Commission HOME funds.
• Maintain an inventory of qualified nonprofit
housing organizations, meet with nonprofit
housing corporations. In the event that the Section
8 rental assistance contracts are not renewed, the
City will implement a program to facilitate the
preservation of the affordable rental housing.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF, and program funding
Ongoing, is monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year).
The City’s CDD Housing Division continues to evaluate, analyze, and seek funding to preserve at risk units. The city monitors the status of any HUD notices every three months as described but has not had any notices of intent to convert units to market rate.
The City’s Website CDD Housing Division includes links to private and non-profit organizations, local and regional agencies, state agencies, and federal agencies.
The Section 8 program continues serving City residents.
Several conversion projects are ongoing, and the city is working with the applicants to continue the income and rental rate of the existing tenant to the new properties.
Modify.
Rename Program 17 (now 13), At-Risk Housing
Preservation.
2022
The city will continue to monitor and work with
the available affordable housing entities and
ensure that any at risk units are identified and
assisted.
18. Mobile Home Park
Preservation
The City has a Mobile Home Park Zone that has been
applied to two parks. Chapter 18.40.060 states the purpose of this zone:
The purpose of the mobile home park zone (MHP) zone is to preserve existing mobile home park sites, consistent with the city’s goals of accommodating alternative housing types.
Through this zoning, the City preserves affordable housing.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF and Grant funding
Ongoing, is monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year). In Hawaiian Gardens, a manufactured/ factory-built house is a singlefamily detached dwelling unit and is treated as such. The mobile home housing program has proved successful at providing a low to moderate income housing option within the city and will continue to be supported.
Mobile homes are included in the beautification program for grant funding for housing improvements. Grant funding is ongoing throughout the next cycle.
Modify.
Combine with Program 11, City Beautification.
2024
19. General Plan Energy
Conservation
• Develop an educational outreach program that
provides the CDD with useful information
regarding energy efficiency and conservation.
• Consider expanding the residential rehabilitation
program to include improvements that promote
energy conservation.
• Revise the Zoning Code to include guidelines to
support energy efficient residential and
nonresidential design.
• Revise the Zoning Code to include green building
guidelines for new residential and nonresidential
development.
Timeframe: 2013
Responsibility: CDD
Funding Source: GF
Ongoing, is monitored annually (coinciding with the fiscal year).
The City continues to review energy conservation improvements as part of the rehabilitation program.
Title 18, Zoning Code, includes a section on nonresidential design.
Title 15, Buildings and Construction, includes a section on small residential rooftop solar energy system.
Title 6, Health and Safety, includes references to green building standards code.
Title 13, Utilities, references green roofs.
Title 18, Zoning Code, pending amendment for green building guidelines.
Modify.
Renamed Program 19 (now Program 14),
Energy Conservation.
Update: incorporate information on energy
conservation in Program 11, City Beautification.
New: Program 16, Consistency with the General
Plan
2024
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021- 2029 Housing Element
6. EVALUATION OF THE PREVIOUS HOUSING ELEMENT
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
7. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS,
AND QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
This section of the City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element addresses the State's housing element requirements for a "statement of the community goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the maintenance, preservation, improvement, and development of housing." The goals, policies, and programs identified in this Housing Element serve to support the State of California’s overarching goal of providing, “decent housing and a suitable living environment for every California” (Government Code Section 65580). The programs have been reviewed, in relationship to the General Plan, updated analysis, and state housing laws, and modified accordingly.
The housing goals, policies, and programs that follow were created for the purpose of meeting the housing needs of the City throughout the 2021-2029 planning period given the limitations imposed by current, economic circumstances; social conditions; budget constraints; and available local, State, and federal funding.
7.1 HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS
The City's housing goals have been developed to respond to the key housing related issues facing the City. The City of Hawaiian Gardens adopted the City’s General Plan in 2010, stating that the City’s Housing Element goals were established for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing in the City. The following list are the goals, with respective policies, that the City adopted for the 5th cycle Housing Element. The City will continue to apply these goals and policies for the 6th Cycle Housing Element as a guide for implementation of the City’s continued, modified, and new housing programs, to provide a variety of housing opportunities for all residents. Following the Goals and Policies, list is a description of the continued, modified, and new programs.
6th Cycle Goals and Policies
Goal 1. Accommodate housing needs of all income groups as quantified by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
Policies:
1A. Implement the Land Use Element and Zoning Code to achieve adequate housing sites.
1B. Facilitate the construction of the maximum feasible number of housing units for all income groups.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
1C. Encourage the development of mixed-use housing opportunities in the General
1D. Commercial land use designation on sites with a minimum lot size of 1 acre.
Goal 2. Provide housing affordable to extremely low-, very low, low- and moderateincome households.
Policies
2A. Continue to implement land use regulations that facilitate meeting affordable housing needs.
2B. Continue to pursue the development of an affordable housing development. 2C. Provide rental assistance to extremely low-, very low, and low- income households through programs administered by the Hawaiian Gardens Housing Authority.
Goal 3. Remove existing governmental constraints to the maintenance, preservation, improvement, and development of housing.
Policy
3A. Approve Zoning Code amendments as they are needed in order to comply with State law.
Goals 4, 5. 4. Achieve a housing stock free of substandard dwelling units;
5. Conserve and improve the existing stock of affordable housing.
Policies
4, 5A. Continue to support a Housing Code Enforcement Program to help maintain the physical condition of housing.
4, 5B. Continue to support a Housing Rehabilitation Program subject to funding availability.
4, 5C. Continue to implement the City Beautification Program subject to funding availability.
Goal 6. Attain a housing market with “fair housing choice,” – the ability of persons of similar income levels regardless of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income or other arbitrary factor to have available to them the same housing choices.
Policies
6A. Continue to promote fair housing opportunities through the City’s participation in the County’s Community Development Block Grant Program.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
6B. Promote fair housing through the provision of information and referral services to residents who need help in filing housing discrimination complaints.
Goal 7. Preserve the existing supply of affordable housing that is financially assisted by City, County, and State or Federal governments.
Policies
7A. Monitor and protect the supply of affordable housing. 7B. Ensure the long-term affordability of future affordable housing developments.
Goal 8. Achieve reductions in energy consumption.
Policies
8A. Educate residents regarding the need for energy conservation. 8B. Encourage the use of passive solar design for new projects. 8C. Encourage the use of green building techniques and sustainable building practices.
Housing Programs – Continued, Modified, And New
Following the evaluation of the 5th Cycle Housing Element programs, the City proposes to continue many of the programs due to their community success and support. Additionally, a number of programs have been modified to be combined with similar programs, and or, include additional information. Finally, in response to community needs, analysis from this Housing Element, and statutory regulations, the City is proposing several new programs. Table 7.1 provides a list of the programs, followed by a description of each respective program.
Table 7.1 6th Cycle Housing Element Programs
Program Program Name Responsible
Department Completion Date
Continued and Modified 2013-2021 Programs – Now included as Programs in 2021-2029 1 Adequate Sites Community
Development 2023
2 Promote Lot Consolidation Community
Development 2024
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Program Program Name Responsible
Department Completion Date
3 Affordable Housing Incentives Community
Development 2024
4 Zoning Code Review Community
Development
2023 Statutory
Regulations, Other
amendments within 3
years of 6th Cycle
Housing Element adoption
5 State Density Bonus Law Community
Development 2024
6 Section 8 Rental Assistance Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
7 Nonprofit Housing Partnership Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
8 Extremely Low-Income Housing Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
9 Code Enforcement Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
10 Pre-Sale Inspection Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
11 City Beautification Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
12 Fair Housing Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
13 At-Risk Housing Preservation Community
Development 2022
14 Energy Conservation Community
Development 2024
15 Accessory Dwelling Units Community
Development
Within 6 months of 6th
Cycle Housing Element
adoption
16 Consistency with the General Plan Community
Development 2022
New Programs 2021-2029
17 Disability Access Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
18 Emergency, Transitional, and
Supportive
Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
19 Food Distribution Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
20 Housing Conditions Survey Community
Development 2023
21 Infrastructure Availability Community
Development 2024
22 Low Barrier Navigation Centers Community
Development 2023
23 Persons with Special Needs Community
Development 2024, 2025
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Program Program Name Responsible
Department Completion Date
24 Public Participation Community
Development Each year 2021-2029
25 Replacement Housing Community
Development 2024
26 Single Room Occupancy Community
Development 2023
27 Increase Zone District Densities Community
Development
Within 3 years of 6th
Cycle Housing Element
adoption
28 Rezone Sites Community
Development
Within 3 years of 6th
Cycle Housing Element
adoption
29 Garage Conversions Community
Development 2023
30 Cottage/Carriage Dwelling Units Community
Development 2024
31 Permit Streamlining Community
Development 2024
32 Place based mobility and strategies Community
Development 2024
33 Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Community
Development 2023
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
7.2 Program Descriptions
Program 1: Adequate Sites
The City will prepare an annual monitoring report for vacant and underutilized sites. This report shall identify any changes to use, potential environmental concerns, and site development that occurs in each fiscal year beginning in 2021/2022 through 2029. The City will maintain an inventory of available sites for residential development and provide it to prospective residential developers upon request.
Government Code §65863 states that no jurisdiction shall “reduce, or require, or permit the reduction of, the residential density for any parcel to, or allow development of any parcel at, a lower residential density, than projected” for sites identified in the Housing Element sites inventory unless the jurisdiction makes written findings that the reduction is consistent with the General Plan, and that the remaining sites identified in the Housing Element are adequate to accommodate the jurisdiction’s need. The City will evaluate residential development proposals for consistency with statutory requirements, and the City’s General Plan goals and policies as they relate to the housing needs of the community.
Time Frame: Each fiscal year beginning in 2021/2022 through 2029. Responsibility:
Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 2: Promote Lot Consolidation
The City will play an active role in facilitating lot consolidation. The City will work with the development community and property owners to develop information that will assist with consolidating lots. Lot consolidation requests will be processed ministerially. The lot consolidation procedure will be posted on the City’s website and discussed with developers during the preliminary review team process. Beginning in 2024, the City will establish development incentives including a list of potential consolidation sites, provide assistance with compliance with the state’s Subdivision Map Act requirements, fee reductions, ADA compliance, infrastructure support, allowing higher densities for larger parcels once consolidated, and flexibility in development standards. Staff will be assigned to increase developer contact.
Time Frame: Beginning in 2023 through 2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 3: Affordable Housing Incentives
As part of the City’s efforts to provide a variety of affordable housing throughout the community, the City shall annually prepare a list of updated incentives for developers. These incentives include amending the Zoning Code to allow residential uses in the C-2 and C-4 zone districts and establishing a new Mixed-Use zone district with minimum residential density of 30 dwelling units per acre and maximum residential density of 40 dwelling units per acre.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
With density bonuses, densities would increase. Additional incentives include expedited processing; fee waivers; reduced/shared parking; relaxation of enclosed parking requirements; and increased heights and reduced setbacks. The General Plan Update will include incentives for all affordable projects. Mixed use zoning will be added. The City will also provide technical assistance and information to interested affordable housing developers and post (at the Planning Department and on the City website) the Housing Element Sites Inventory table that identifies residential development sites and a technical assistance memo on the use of the State’s Density Bonus provisions.
Time Frame: 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 4: Zoning Code Review
The City shall review the Zoning Code and complete the required amendments including the following:
• Change mixed use from a use category to a zone district and • Adopt an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance.;
• Non-residential zone districts (C-2, C-4) to permit multifamily residential uses as permitted uses;
• Review and update definitions section of Municipal Code, for definitions that include housing related terminology including family. The definition will be changed to: Family means one or more persons living together in a dwelling unit, with common access to, and common use of all living, kitchen, and eating areas within the dwelling unit; employee/farming, elimination of “granny flat” term, garage conversion, accessory dwelling unit, and other terminology pursuant to statutory regulations; parking standards entitlement process for residential care facilities with seven or more persons; parking standards for all uses; development standards including setbacks; guidelines to support energy efficient residential and nonresidential design, green building guidelines for new residential and nonresidential development; open space requirements, and preservation of the mobile home park zone.
Time Frame: Any required statutory regulation amendments shall be completed in 2023. Other amendments shall be completed within three years of adoption of this 6th Cycle Housing Element. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 5: State Density Bonus Law Update
The City shall review the City’s density bonus standards and amend the Zoning Code as necessary to comply with State Density Bonus Law. The City will implement the State’s density bonus laws.
Time Frame: Any required amendments shall be completed in 2023 - 2024. Responsibility:
Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Program 6: Section 8 Rental Assistance
The City Housing Authority will continue to provide rental assistance to City residents through the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Housing. Funding: HUD funding and City General Fund.
Program 7: Non-Profit Housing Partnership.
The City will continue to implement a Non-profit Partnership Program in order to promote housing for low- and moderate-income households. The City will maintain a list of non-profit housing developers and continue to communicate with non-profit housing developers to identify affordable housing sites in the City as well as expedited permit processing, density bonuses, incentives, and funding.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Housing. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 8: Extremely Low-Income Housing
The City will work with the Harbor Regional Center to implement an outreach program that informs families within Hawaiian Gardens on housing, funding, and services available for extremely low-income households, including persons with disabilities.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Housing. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 9: Code Enforcement
The City will continue to implement the Code Enforcement Program. The program is implemented primarily on a complaint basis, and also includes Pre-Sale Inspections. City staff will inspect the properties prior to sale and provide notices to property owners having code violations. Violations may include violations of the Fire, Building, and Zoning Codes, the State Vehicle Code, and the State and County Public Health Codes. This program will also continue to educate homeowners against converting and allowing the conversion of a garage to a room addition; promote and encourage the security bar removal program; work with homeowners of illegal accessory dwelling units to make permitting and code compliance easier; and provide information on accessibility compliance. Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility:
Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund. Program 10: Pre-Sale Inspection
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
This program requires an inspection report prior to the sale of residential and commercial property. Through this program, the City inspects the property and pertinent City records and issues a disclosure report that: will identify the property, its zone classification, authorized uses, discretionary approvals such as variances and conditional use permits, and any special restrictions applicable to the property. In addition, the report will identify the results of the visual inspection, including but not limited to, major land use violations, unpermitted additions, modifications, or alterations.
The owner or agent of the property must correct the noted violations. Upon correction of the violations, the Community Development Director issues a Certificate of Correction.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Code Enforcement. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 11: City Beautification
The City’s housing rehabilitation program is called the City Beautification program and serves to assist all income households in the elimination of blight, address building code and zoning violations, enhance the City of Hawaiian Gardens neighborhoods, and bring properties into compliance with the Municipal Code. The program currently provides financial assistance of up to $10,000 to residentially zoned and utilized properties, containing up to two residential units for the cost of exterior improvements. Condominiums and mobile homes may participate in the program. Two grants are awarded totaling $25,000 each for homes in severe condition. The contractor must be in good standing with the California State Contractor License Board to perform construction work as identified by the City. The contractor is responsible for obtaining all applicable City building permits, zoning clearances, and following health and safety regulations.
The program shall be expanded to provide additional information for the following: energy efficiency and conservation and illegal accessory dwelling unit permitting and code compliance.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department.
Funding: City General Fund and CDBG funding.
Program 12: Fair Housing
The City’s Fair Housing Services Program will continue to promote fair housing through its participation in the federally funded Housing Choice Voucher/ Section 8 Program. The City will also continue to work with the Housing Rights Center and Stay Housed LA to provide fair housing counseling, discrimination/investigation, and education services to all City residents, including landlords and tenants participating in the Public Housing Authority’s Section 8 Program.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department.
Funding: City General Fund. Program 14: Energy Conservation The City will develop an educational outreach program that provides the community with useful information regarding energy efficiency and conservation. The City will consider the following:
expanding the residential rehabilitation program to include improvements that promote energy conservation, revising the Zoning Code (also included in Program 4, Zoning Code Review) to include guidelines to support energy efficient residential and nonresidential design, and to include green building guidelines for new residential and nonresidential development.
Time Frame: 2025. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Building/Planning.
Funding: City General Fund.
Program 15: Accessory Dwelling Units
The City will update the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) requirements within the Zoning Code, and update the Ordinance, to comply with State statutory requirements. The City will review preparing an ordinance with regulations and standards allowing two detached ADU’s per premises, if at least one of the ADU’s is deed restricted for affordable to very low, low, or moderate-income households. The City will further review development standards and make amendments as necessary to provide incentives and promote development of attached or detached accessory dwelling units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households.
Review could include exploring and pursuing available state funding, fee reductions, preapproved plans, and homeowner/applicant assistance tools.
Time Frame: 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Planning.
Funding: City General Fund.
Program 16: Consistency with the General Plan
The City shall conduct a comprehensive review as part of its General Plan implementation to achieve consistency with other General Plan elements, policies, programs, and community goals to reflect the policy direction contained in other parts of the General Plan. As portions of the General Plan are amended in the future, this Housing Element will be reviewed to ensure that internal consistency is maintained. Similarly, as the Zoning Code is amended to increase densities and add a new mixed use zone, the General Plan will be reviewed for any required amendments to maintain consistency.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Planning. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 17: Disability Access
The City currently requires new development to comply with State disability access standards and the 2022 Los Angeles County Building Code. The City shall continue to enforce the City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, the City Zoning Code includes reasonable accommodations procedures. The City will continue to monitor requests and make findings and update the code as necessary to provide reasonable accommodations.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department.
Funding: City General Fund.
Program 18: Emergency, Transitional, and Supportive Housing The City will continue to monitor the inventory of sites appropriate to accommodate transitional housing and supportive housing and will work with the appropriate organizations to ensure the needs of homeless and extremely low-income residents are met. The City’s Public Safety Department will partner with the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA), who visits the City weekly, to reach out to the homeless and offer temporary sheltering at a regional shelter which serves the City’s homeless.
The City will initiate rezoning and code changes in order to comply with AB 2339 (Weiner). The City will identify residential and mixed-use zones as well as Downtown Commercial and Light Industrial zones where emergency shelters will be permitted ministerially (not just any zone).
The City will draft objective standards and analyze each of the standards that it adopts from the statutory list as a potential constraint on housing for all income levels. The definition of “emergency shelter” will be revised to include “other interim interventions” beyond those enumerated in the statute. Only certain types of sites count (vacancy, proximity to services are factors) and, throughout the cycle, the City must maintain sufficient sites in its inventory to meet its shelter needs (the statute now provides a method of calculating default shelter capacity for sites).
The City will work to obtain grant funds to provide beds for homeless individuals. The City will work on creating partnerships with other cities and non-profit organizations to find beds for the homeless.
Time Frame: 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Planning, Housing. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 19: Food Distribution
The City will continue to provide the City’s food distribution program on a weekly basis. The City will also refer residents to the Hawaiian Gardens Food Bank and St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church who also provide food distribution. The City shall assist public and non-profit agencies which provide support services to special needs populations (the homeless, the elderly, single-parent households, etc.).
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Recreation and Community Services Department. Funding: City General Fund.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Program 20: Housing Conditions Survey
The City shall complete a Housing Conditions Survey to identify the number of units in need of rehabilitation and replacement.
Time Frame: The Survey shall be completed in 2024-2026. Responsibility: Community Development Department, Planning/Housing. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 21: Infrastructure Availability
The City shall continue to work with the Golden State Water Company to identify and coordinate water services and with Los Angeles County to coordinate sewer services. The City will review new development to determine levels of infrastructure needed to ensure appropriate levels of water, sewer, circulation, storm drainage, and other utilities’ are available and have capacity.
Time Frame: 2022-2029. Responsibility: Community Development and Public Works Departments. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 22: Low Barrier Navigation Centers
The City shall review the City’s non-residential zones and amend the permitted uses sections of the appropriate zone districts to include low barrier navigation centers, in compliance with statutory requirements. Low barrier navigation centers shall be a use by-right in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including the commercial zones.
Time Frame: 2025. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 23: Persons with Special Needs
The City shall seek state and federal monies, as funding becomes available, in support of housing construction and rehabilitation targeted for persons with special needs. The City shall provide regulatory incentives, such as expedited permit processing and fee waivers and deferrals, to projects targeted for persons with special needs including physical and developmental disabilities, seniors, large families, female-headed households, farmworkers, and the homeless The City shall reach out annually to developers of supportive housing to encourage development of projects targeted for persons with special needs. The City shall continue working with the Housing Rights Center in implementing the outreach program informing families within the City of housing and services available for persons with special needs. Information will be made available on the City’s website, at City Hall, and other sites deemed appropriate by the City that are accessible to persons with special needs.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department.
Funding: City General Fund.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Program 24: Public Participation
The City encourages community participation in all City programs. Residents have a number of opportunities to access information and keep updated on community events and public hearings, accessing informational brochures, and learning of City activities including: the City’s website, City newsletter, postings at City Hall, Library, Safety Center, Senior Center, social media, and Recreation Centers. The City also advertises hearings, as well as other City programs, in the local newspaper (Los Cerritos Community Newspaper).and in the City newsletter.
Information is provided in English and Spanish, and in Korean when applicable. A Spanish interpreter is also available during public hearings to facilitate communication between individuals who only speak Spanish. Brochures at City Hall are available in both English and Spanish. Spanish-speaking employees also facilitate the dissemination of information regarding City programs. The City shall utilize the local newspaper (Los Cerritos Community News) to post notices and utilize the City’s website to encourage residents to attend City Council and Planning Commission meetings. This will allow the City to get more input into its programs and tailor them to meet the needs expressed by residents. In accordance with Assembly Bill 1483, the City will post the current schedule of fees and exactions on the City’s website in 2022.
Time Frame: Ongoing 2021-2029. Responsibility: Community Development Department.
Funding: City General Fund.
Program 25: Replacement Housing
Pursuant to California Government Code, Section 65583.2, replacement units are required for all sites identified in the site inventory when any new development (residential, mixed-use, or non-residential) occurs on a site that has been occupied by or restricted for the use of lowerincome households at any time during the previous five years. Replacement requirements are set forth in Government Code Section 65915 (c)(3). This requirement applies to non-vacant sites and vacant sites with previous residential uses that have been vacated or demolished.
The City shall prepare a Replacement Unit program, and amend the Zoning Code as required, in compliance with statutory requirements.
Time Frame: 2024. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 26: Single Room Occupancy
The City will review and amend the Zoning Code to include consideration of single room occupancy units in conjunction with a multifamily project and a mixed-use with a residential component project, in nonresidential zone districts.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Time Frame: 2023. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 27: Zone District Densities Update
To address a shortfall and un-accommodated need for housing units, the City will eliminate the Single-Family Estates (R1 10,000 square foot lot minimum) zone district and replace it with the R-1 Single Family Residential zone district and add a Mixed-Use zone district. Further, the City will adopt new density standards to increase allowable minimum and maximum densities for residential and nonresidential zone districts, including a new mixed-use zone district. Table 7.1 shows the respective density increases to be adopted:
Table 7.1 Proposed Residential Densities
Zoning Current Density Proposed Minimum
Density
Proposed Maximum
Density
R-1 Single Family
Residential 7.2 units/acre 7.2 units/acre 10 units/acre R-2 Medium Density
Residential 17.4 units/acre 17.4 units/acre 23 units/acre R-3 Intermediate
Residential 18.9 units/acre 18.9 units/acre 25 units/acre R-4 High Density
Residential 23.5 units/acre 23.5 units/acre 31 units/acre C-2 Downtown
Commercial (New Mixed
Use)
Residential not
allowed N/A 30 units/acre
C-4 General
Commercial
Residential not
allowed 30 units/acre 40 units/acre
Mixed Use (new) N/A 30 units/acre 40 units/acre
Industrial Mixed Use (new) N/A 30 units/acre 40 units/acre For all zone districts, densities could be increased with a density bonus.
Time Frame: 2023. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 28: Rezone Sites
The City shall rezone the sites identified in the sites inventory, as needed to accommodate the RHNA requirements.
Time Frame: By October 15, 2023. Responsibility: Community Development Department.
Funding: City General Fund.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
Program 29: Garage Conversions – See Program 15
Program 30: Cottage/Carriage Dwelling Units
The City will review and amend the Zoning Code to include Cottage/Carriage Dwelling Units.
The City will establish a Cottage/Carriage Dwelling Unit ordinance including but not limited to the following: permitted use in residential zones, processed ministerially, design review administrative process, four to eight units per parcel, number of units determined by floor area ratio rather than density (units/acre), common open space, one-two story units, parking one space per unit, parking allowed in set aside area not necessarily at each unit (carriage unit above parking space), and reduced setbacks.
Time Frame: 2024. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 31: Permit Streamlining
The City will continue to operate expedited permit processing for affordable housing projects, including projects that qualify for density bonuses (in compliance with SB 35 and SB 330). The City will advertise the expedited permit process on the City’s website and circulate a notice with the Building Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce.
Time Frame: 2023. Responsibility: Community Development Department. Funding: City General Fund.
Program 32: Place-Based Mobility and Strategies Program The City will complete a bike lane study to develop a citywide Master Plan and determine the locations of future bike lanes. The City was awarded a grant of $370,000 in order to complete this study.
Time Frame: 2023 – 2024. Responsibility: Public Works Department. Funding: Caltrans – 2023 Active Transportation Program.
Program 33: Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
The City will initiate an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance which will assist the City in the creation of affordable housing units for residents of the City of Hawaiian Gardens. The purpose of this ordinance to encourage developers to include affordable housing units as part of their project as well as create a fund that the City can use to close funding gaps on future affordable housing developments.
7.2 PROPOSED QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES FOR 2021-2029
Local jurisdictions are required under section 65583 of the California Government Code to propose quantified housing objectives and seek to meet them through Housing Element goals, City of Hawaiian Gardens 2021-2029 Housing Element
4. HOUSING GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND
QUANTIFIED OBJECTIVES
policies, and programs. The quantified objectives do not represent a ceiling on development, but rather set a target goal for the jurisdiction to achieve based on needs, resources, or constraints.
The quantified objectives are provided in Table 7.2 for the new construction (new units), rehabilitation (existing units), and conservation/preservation (at-risk units) of affordable and special needs housing units and or households, as a result of implementation of the actions set forth in the Goals, Policies, and Programs sections of this Housing Element.
Table 7.2 Proposed Quantified Objectives for 2021-2029
Income Category New
Construction Rehabilitation Conservation/Preservation
Extremely Low/
Very low 206 8 8
Moderate 46 8 8
Above Moderate 180 8 8
TOTALS 432 24 24
Source: City of Hawaiian Gardens Community Development Department APN Sq ft total Acres, total Sq ft 30% Acres 30%
DU min at
40 du/acre Rounded Up
Total Min
DU/site Sq ft 60% Acres 60%
DU max at
40 du/acre Rounded Up
Total Max
DU/site Affordability Level
Site A 7065-001-001 12,197 0.28 3,659.10 0.08 3.36 4 7,318.20 0.17 6.72 7 SW Corner of Norwalk Blvd. & 7065-001-002 9,579 0.22 2,873.70 0.07 2.64 3 5,747.40 0.13 5.28 6 Centralia 7065-001-003 10,498 0.24 3,149.40 0.07 2.89 3 6,298.80 0.14 5.78 6 7065-001-015 118,239 2.71 35,471.70 0.81 32.57 33 70,943.40 1.63 65.15 66 7065-001-016 136,343 3.13 40,902.90 0.94 37.56 38 81,805.80 1.88 75.12 76 7065-001-017 42,698 0.98 12,809.40 0.29 11.76 12 25,618.80 0.59 23.53 24 Extremely Low (EL) /Very Low (VL) 7065-001-027 6,094 0.14 1,828.20 0.04 1.68 2 3,656.40 0.08 3.36 4 Above Moderate (AM) 7065-001-032 142,441 3.27 42,732.30 0.98 39.24 40 85,464.60 1.96 78.48 79 7065-001-033 116,560 2.68 34,968.00 0.80 32.11 33 69,936.00 1.61 64.22 65 78 EL/VL 7065-001-034 48,000 1.10 14,400.00 0.33 13.22 14 28,800.00 0.66 26.45 27 114 AM 7065-001-035 40,071 0.92 12,021.30 0.28 11.04 11 24,042.60 0.55 22.08 22 7065-003-037 15,290 0.35 4,587.00 0.11 4.21 5 9,174.00 0.21 8.42 9 7065-003-013 12,632 0.29 3,789.60 0.09 3.48 4 7,579.20 0.17 6.96 7 7065-003-014 8,276 0.19 2,482.80 0.06 2.28 3 4,965.60 0.11 4.56 5 7065-003-015 20,909 0.48 6,272.70 0.14 5.76 6 12,545.40 0.29 11.52 12 7065-003-038 29,190 0.67 8,757.00 0.20 8.04 8 17,514.00 0.40 16.08 16 Totals 682,720 15.67 204,816.00 4.70 188.08 219 219 461,410.20 10.59 423.70 431 431 Site B 7066-017-127 25,182 0.58 7,554.60 0.17 6.94 7 15,109.20 0.35 13.87 14 NW Corner of Carson St. & 7066-017-128 6,370 0.15 1,911.00 0.04 1.75 2 3,822.00 0.09 3.51 4 Moderate Claretta 7066-017-129 24,830 0.57 7,449.00 0.17 6.84 7 14,898.00 0.34 13.68 14 16 Totals 56,382 1.29 16,914.60 0.39 15.53 16 16 33,829.20 0.78 31.06 32 32 Site C 7066-013-046 23,858 0.55 7,157.40 0.16 6.57 7 14,314.80 0.33 13.14 14 North Side of Carson St & 7066-013-057 73,181 1.68 21,954.30 0.50 20.16 21 43,908.60 1.01 40.32 41 Moderate Hawaiian Ave 7066-013-913 25,000 0.57 7,500.00 0.17 6.89 7 15,000.00 0.34 13.77 14 30 Totals 122,039 2.80 36,611.70 0.84 33.62 35 35 73,223.40 1.68 67.24 69 69 Site D 7066-013-058 60,548 1.39 18,164.40 0.42 16.68 17 36,328.80 0.83 33.36 34 NW Corner of Carson St. & 7066-013-059 17,894 0.41 5,368.20 0.12 4.93 5 10,736.40 0.25 9.86 10 Bloomfield 7066-013-060 119,790 2.75 35,937.00 0.83 33.00 33 71,874.00 1.65 66.00 66 7066-013-061 24,089 0.55 7,226.70 0.17 6.64 7 14,453.40 0.33 13.27 14 Extremely Low/Very Low 7066-013-062 14,810 0.34 4,443.00 0.10 4.08 4 8,886.00 0.20 8.16 9 Above Moderate 7066-013-063 25,260 0.58 7,578.00 0.17 6.96 7 15,156.00 0.35 13.92 14 78 EL/VL 7066-013-064 51,836 1.19 15,550.80 0.36 14.28 15 31,101.60 0.71 28.56 29 15 AM 7066-013-065 17,964 0.41 5,389.20 0.12 4.95 5 10,778.40 0.25 9.90 10 . Totals 332,191 7.63 99,657.30 2.29 91.51 93 93 199,314.60 4.58 183.03 186 186 Site E 7065-007-146 364,162 8.36 109,248.60 2.51 100.32 101 218,497.20 5.02 200.64 201 Extremely Low/Very Low E. End of Casino Totals 364,162 8.36 109,248.60 2.51 100.32 101 101 218,497.20 5.02 200.64 201 201 Above Moderate Parking Lot 73.49 50 EL/VL; 51 AM
Total Minimum and Maximum Units 464 919
1 See explanatory notes on next page
Appendix A - Dwelling Unit Capacity of Mixed-Use Opportunity Sites1 Column Definitions
DU: Dwelling Unit
APN: Los Angeles County Assessor Information Number (AIN); APN is the formerly-used acronym for "Assessors Parcel Number" and is used here because it is a familiar term.
Sq Ft Total: Parcel area in useable square feet
Acres, Total: Parcel area in acres
Sq. ft. 30%: 30% of parcel area in square feet
Acres, 30%: 30% of parcel area in acres, used to set minimum development potential at 40 du/acre density (e.g. if 30% of a parcel's area is 0.08 acre, its development potential at 40 du/acre is 40 x 0.08 = 3.36).
DU Min: The minimum number of units that could be developed on a parcel at 40 du/acre, using 30% of parcel area as a baseline (Cell formula: Acres 30% x 40).
Rounded UP: Fractions above 0.099 are rounded up to the next whole number.
Total Min
du/site: The minimum number of units that could be developed on the aggregated parcels, expressed as the sum of the rounded-up number of units on each parcel Sq. ft., 60%: 60% of parcel area in square feet
Acres, 60%: 60% of parcel area in acres, used to set the maximum feasible development potential ((e.g. if 60% of a parcel's area is 0.17 acre, its development potential at 40 du/acre is 40 x 0.17 = 7) DU Max: The maximum number of units that could be built on any parcel at 40 du/acre, using 60% of parcel area as a baseline.(Cell formula: Acres 60% x 40) Total Max
du/site: The maximum number of units that could be developed on the aggregated parcels, expressed as the sum of the rounded-up number of units on each parcel Notes
1. 30% of lot area is used to set a floor for the minimum number of units that could be developed at a density of 40 du/acre on any parcel.
2. 60% of lot area is used to estimate the maximum number of units that would be feasible to develop on any parcel, rather than 100% of lot area, to accommodate development standards such as height limits, required parking or common area. For example, although a parcel is in a zone that permits a density of 40 du/acre, it may not be economically or physically feasible to construct that many units on a particular site when standards limit building height or the number of stories, and require that some lot area be reserved for non-structural uses.
Appendix B
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
Assessment of Fair Housing
An analysis of fair housing is required pursuant to AB 686. California jurisdictions are required to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH) through meaningful actions that, taken together, address significant disparities in housing needs and in access to opportunity for all groups protected by State and Federal law by:
• Replacing segregated living patterns with integrated and balanced living patterns; • Transforming racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty into areas of opportunity (without displacement); and
• Fostering and maintaining compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws.
Meaningful actions include those that will promote fair housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income tenants and tenants of affordable housing, including subsidized housing (Government Code § 8899.50 (a)(1)).
This analysis includes five housing issue areas:
1. Fair housing enforcement and outreach capacity;
2. Segregation and integration;
3. Racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty;
4. Access to opportunity; and
5. Disproportionate housing needs within the jurisdiction, including displacement risk.
Fair Housing Enforcement and Capacity
The City of Hawaiian Gardens refers fair housing complaints to the Housing Rights Center (HRC). HRC is the nation’s largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing and promoting fair housing. HRC’s mission is to actively support and promote freedom of residence through education, advocacy, and litigation, to the end that all persons have the opportunity to secure the housing they desire and can afford, without regard to their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, familial status, marital status, disability, ancestry, age, source of income or other characteristics protected by law. HCD’s AFFH viewer indicates that Hawaiian Gardens has a very low incidence of fair housing related cases – less than 0.5 cases per 1,000 residents from 2013-2021 (See California Housing and Community Development Department, AFFH Data and Mapping Resources, available at https://affh-dataresources-cahcd.hub.arcgis.com/ (accessed February 13, 2023). Occasionally, the City receives a phone call or email regarding a fair housing issue and staff refers the individual to HRC.
One reason for the small number of fair housing complaints in Hawaiian Gardens is the ethnic homogeneity of the community which provides fewer opportunities for housing discrimination.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
2 Another reason may be the high level of non-English speakers and persons with low educational levels (or recent immigrants) who are not aware of fair housing protections in California. According to the American Community Survey (ACS), 5-Year Estimates Data Profile, 3,122 individuals in the City (about 22% of the population) are foreign-born and have not been naturalized as US citizens. Because of this fact, they may be afraid to file complaints against the landlords, realtors, or other people in positions of power.
Housing Element Program #12, , identifies the actions that the City will take to address fair housing enforcement. These specific actions are as follows as related to its Housing Choice Voucher Program:
• Update all pre-application forms to provide the applicant an opportunity to attest eligibility for any of the four (4) preferences related to local preferences. • Update the pre-application forms and all forms or notices sent to applicants to include notice about applicants’ right to request a reasonable accommodation, including alternative community methods for person with impaired hearing or speech or any other disability that might affect communication methods of the applicant. • Prepare a Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Accommodation Request form for applicants and participants.
• Establish a plan to incentivize landlords within Hawaiian Gardens to rent to participants of the Housing Choice Voucher program. The Outreach Plan will include affirmative efforts to establish a relationship with landlords and property owners in Hawaiian Gardens, affirmative outreach to landlords with accessible features and accessible units, and establishing regular contact, and scheduling follow-up with landlords and property owners.
• City and Recipients to participate in fair housing training.
Segregation and Integration
According to HCD’s AFFH guidance, segregation means “a condition in which there is a high concentration of persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or having a disability or a type of disability in a particular geographic area when compared to a boarder geographic status.” Integration means a condition in which there is not a concentration of any type of persons.
The population of Hawaiian Gardens has a high degree of racial uniformity. There are few differences in the ethnic or economic makeup between neighborhoods within Hawaiian Gardens – Hawaiian Gardens is comprised of 80.1% of Hispanic or Latino origin (of any race).
According to HCD’s AFFH Data Viewer, all Census tracts within the City feature a strong Hispanic or Latino origin.
The majority of Census tracts within the Southeast Los Angeles region also feature a strong Latino majority. Directly north of Hawaiian Gardens there is a strong Hispanic or Latino majority. South of Hawaiian Gardens the majority population features a strong White origin.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
3 According to the ACS, almost 20% of households experience poverty. According to the ACS 50-year data, salaries in Southeast Los Angeles range from under $30,000 to $125,000. In 2018, a single individual under 65 was considered in poverty with a money income below $13,064 per year while the threshold for a family consisting of two adults and two children was $24,46. According to the HUD Guidelines for 2022, the median family income in Los Angeles County is $91,100. The median income is $66,578 in Hawaiian Gardens.
According to 2010-2014 ACS 5-Year data from HCD’s AFFH Data Viewer, two (2) census tracts contain about 10-20% of residents who are disabled. Based upon the 2014-2018 ACS 5- Year data, the City of Hawaiian Garden’s population is approximately 20% disabled.
Based on HUD’s Low to Moderate Income Population Census Tract Data from the AFFH Data Viewer, Census tracts in the City of Hawaiian Gardens feature a population that is 75-100% low and moderate income. Based on the same data within the region, 25-50% of the population consist of low- and moderate- income households.
Racially and Ethnically Concentrated Areas of Poverty
Racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty, also known as R/ECAPs, must meet the following definitions: 1) The area must have a non-white population of 50% or more and 2) The area must have 40% or more of the population living below the federal poverty line, or those where the poverty rate is three times the average poverty rate in the metropolitan area, whichever is less.
Based upon HUD’s R/ECAP data from HCD’s AFFH Data Viewer, there are two census tracts, 5552.11 and 5551.02 where 30-40% of the residents are below the poverty line and a nonwhite population of 40% to greater than 80%. These two census tracts qualify as R/ECAP.
The other two census tracts, 5552.12 and 5551.04 are 41-60% non-white. Census tract 5552.12’s population is 30-40% below the poverty level. Census tract 5551.04’s population is less than 10% below the poverty level. These two tracts do not qualify as R/ECAP.
Access to Opportunity
Access to opportunity is a concept to approximate place-based characteristics linked to critical life outcomes. Access to opportunity often times means both improving the quality of life for residents of low-income communities, as well as supporting mobility and access to “high resource” neighborhoods. This encompasses education, employment, economic development, safe and decent housing, low rates of violent crime, transportation, and other opportunities including recreation and food and healthy environments.
Education. There are three schools in the City of Hawaiian Gardens: Hawaiian Gardens Elementary, Furgeson Elementary, and Fedde Middle School. The schools are public and serve grades K-8 and part of the ABC School District. According to Great Schools, the schools located within Hawaiian Garden’s borders have an average rating of 4/10, which is below City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
4 average. In comparison, the neighboring cities of Cerritos, Los Alamitos, and Cypress have schools with above average rates.
Access to Employment and Mobility. Many of the jobs throughout the region are blue collar jobs. The blue collar jobs offered in the region are a great match for the skill-set of the region’s population as well as the population in Hawaiian Gardens. SCAG forecast show that the share of regional jobs within a 30-minute commute (18%) is less than the regional average (27%).
Because of Hawaiian Gardens’ small size (1-square mile), most protected groups do not live anywhere specific within the City of Hawaiian Gardens, as almost all residents fall under a protected class and live throughout the City. Most of the City’s protected groups experience the same difficulties in access to jobs within the region.
Jobs located in Hawaiian Gardens are relatively easy for residents to access. Jobs within the larger region are not as easy to access, especially by residents who do not have access to a car and who use public transit. According to SCAG’s profile of Hawaiian Gardens, in 2018, 71% percent of Hawaiian Gardens residents drove alone to work; 13% used carpools and 4% took public transportation and 11% walked or used other means to commute to work. Of the total number of commuters, 10% spent more than one hour traveling to work. Travel by carpool decreased by 11%. Between 2000 and 2018, there was a 2% decrease in commute time.
Transit is available in the City, and most, if not all residents of the City of Hawaiian Gardens live within ½ mile of a bus stop. Long Beach Transit (LBT) goes through Hawaiian Gardens and goes south as far as Seal Beach. LBT provides service to downtown Long Beach which is a hub for accessing other routes, particularly the LA Metro light-rail lines. LA Metro buses go from Hawaiian Gardens to Los Angeles. The Orange County Transportation Authority OCTA provides services south to Seal Beach and east to the Village at Orange. Despite the access to transit routes, however, the timing (headways) for most stops in Hawaiian Gardens is generally every 30-50 minutes, although some lines have peak-hour headways of 15-20 minutes. When transit is infrequent, and when more than one transfer may be required to reach a destination, transit use can obstruct access to opportunity rather than enable it.
In Los Angeles, there are Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 bike lanes. According to SCAG, between 2012 and 2016, the number of bike lanes increased 36%. Hawaiian Gardens has a Class 2 bike lane on Civic Center Drive between Pioneer Boulevard and Norwalk Boulevard. The City received a grant from the California Active Transportation Program through CalTrans of approximately $370,000 to complete a bike lane study to determine the locations of future bike lanes.
Hawaiian Gardens is densely populated and there are limited open spaces where residents can exercise. This factor may contribute to Hawaiian Garden’s higher percentage of obesity (32.4%) and lower physical activity minutes (36.2%) when compared to Los Angeles County.
Program 32, Place-Based Mobility and Strategies Program, will implement recommended Class 3 local street bikeways and recommend short-term bicycle parking within the City during its 6th cycle.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
5 Protected groups who reside in the City have adequate access to transportation options including disabled residents. The City of Hawaiian Gardens offers free curb-to-curb service through its Dial-A-Ride program, Monday – Friday from 8:15 am to 3:00 pm. Vans feature an ADA wheelchair lift.
Hawaiian Gardens is also served by Access Services, a local public entity, is the Los Angeles County Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (“CTSA”) and administers the Los Angeles County Coordinated Paratransit Plan (“Plan”) on behalf of the County’s 46 public fixed route operators (i.e., bus and rail). Pursuant to the Plan, Access facilitates the provision of complementary ADA paratransit services to certain persons with disabilities as required by 42 U.S.C. §12143 under the name “Access Paratransit.”
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically, vans or mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also shared taxis and jitneys are important providers as a form of transportation.
Complementary ADA paratransit is a federally mandated civil right for persons with disabilities who cannot ride the accessible public fixed route buses and trains . The maximum cost is $3.50 per ride and the service runs from 4:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. daily.
Table 1 shows disability by age group:
Table 1
Age Group Disabled Population Total Population Percentage Disabled <5 years 0 992 0%
5-7 years 7 2,720 0%
18-34 years 8 3,861 0%
35-64 years 112 5,103 2%
65-74 years 79 872 9%
75 years + 208 634 33%
Total 414 14,182 3%
The highest percentage of disabled individuals are those 75 years plus. In this category, 33% of this population is considered disabled in Hawaiian Gardens. A majority of disabled individuals are between the ages of 35 and 75 years and older.
Housing Stock. The highest percentage of Hawaiian Gardens’ housing stock was built between 1950-1959. In the Southern California Association of Government region, most units were built between 1970-1979 than any other period. Homes show signs of dilapidation and needs include house painting, stucco repair, facia board replacement and painting, new roofs.
Other needs may exist as it pertains to plumbing and electrical issues.
According to CalEnviroScreen 3.0 map, the City of Hawaiian Gardens experiences a pollution burden in the 51-81% percentile, which means the area has an overall pollution burden higher City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
6 than up to 50% of other communities within California. The pollution burden lessens the further south, east, and west one moves from Hawaiian Gardens.
The City of Hawaiian Garden’s Environmental Justice Element will be updated after approval of the 6th Cycle Housing Element. As part of the City’s Section 8 program, the City complies with the Fair Housing Act regarding non-discrimination. In addition, the City adheres to Title VI and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implementing regulations at 24 C.F.R. part 1. HUD’s Title VI regulations provide that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance from HUD.
Disproportionate Housing Needs and Displacement Risk
Disproportionate housing needs refers to a condition in which there are significant disparities in the proportion of members of a protected class experiencing a category of housing need when compared to the proportion of members of any other relevant groups, or the total population experiencing the category of housing need in the applicable geographic area. For purposes of this definition, categories of housing need are based on such factors as cost burden and severe cost burden, overcrowding, homelessness, and substandard housing conditions.
Cost burden refers to the number of households for which housing cost burden is greater than 30% of their income. Severe cost burden refers to the number of households for which housing cost burden is greater than 50% of their income. According to SCAG Pre-Certified Data, 30% of homeowners (520 households) spend 30% or more on mortgage costs. Owner households make up 41.7% of Hawaiian Gardens.
Based upon SCAG Pre-Certified Date, among Hawaiian Gardens, 57% of households (2,247 households) spend 30% or more of gross income on housing cost. Additionally, 39% of renter households (869) spend 50% or more of gross income on housing costs. In comparison, 29% spend fifty percent or more in the SCAG region.
Within the Southeast Los Angeles region, most Census tracts feature high percentages of cost burdened renter households, like the City of Hawaiian Gardens. The percentage of cost burdened renter household decrease further South into Los Alamitos and Long Beach.
Overcrowding is defined as households having more than 1.01 to 1.5 persons per room.
Severe overcrowding is defined as households have more than 1.51 persons per room. There are four (4) census tracts in Hawaiian Gardens: 5551.02, 5551.04, 5552.11, and 5552.12.
Table 2 below shows the percentage of housing units with overcrowding and severely overcrowding that exists in Hawaiian Gardens.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
7 Table 2
Census Tract Overcrowding Severe Overcrowding
5551.02 15% N/A
5551.04 7% N/A
5552.11 24% N/A
5552.12 27% 8%
Substandard housing problems include: 1) Lacking a complete kitchen, 2) lacking complete plumbing, 3) severe overcrowding, and 4) severe cost-burden. According to ACS and CHAS data included in HCD’s AFFH Data Viewer, 40-60% of households in Hawaiian Gardens face any of the four severe housing problems. This issue is less severe, North, South, East, and West of Hawaiian Gardens.
Homelessness is an issue throughout the region. The City of Hawaiian Gardens has a relatively small homeless problem compared to Los Angeles County. There are approximately 29 unsheltered homeless individuals in the city according to Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority who does a count each year. Within Service Planning Area (SPA) 7, the total unhoused count in 2020 was 4,586.
Displacement is defined as any involuntary household move caused by landlord action or market changes. Based upon UC Berkley’s and University of Toronto’s Urban Displacement Program, the census tracts in Hawaiian Gardens are not susceptible to displacement. Even so, HE Program 9, HG Code Enforcement, prioritizes working in partnership with property owners and tenants to avoid displacement. In cases of unpermitted units, the City will work with property owners and tenants to identify repairs on unsafe and unsightly units. In the event that tenants must be removed, and a unit declared uninhabitable, the City will assist them in finding temporary housing or refer them to Stay Housing LA which will connect them to a caseworker who will connect them to affordable housing or transitional housing.
Program 12, Tenants’ Rights Program, in this HEU prioritizes its services to renters to ensure that access to legal counsel and eviction protection services (through Housing Rights Center or Stay Housed LA) is available to help mitigate the threat of eviction. By connecting tenants to legal services, HG residents will be better equipped to defend themselves against landlord harassment and unfair evictions.
Site Inventory
The HEU identifies nine sites for housing (Chapter 4). Of this total, there are four sites with 30- 40% of residents below the poverty level. There is one site with 20-30% of its residents below the poverty line. The development of housing at these sites will assist with improving the physical environment of the neighborhood.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
8 Contributing Factors to Fair Housing Issues
Table 3 below describes the key fair housing issues and contributing factor identified in the AFFH analysis and relates the City’s meaningful actions and commitments described in the Goals and Policies, Sites Inventory (Appendix A) and Housing Programs Detail (Chapter 7) of this Housing Element.
Table 3 - Contributing Factors to Fair Housing Issues
Identified Fair Housing
Issues Key Contributing Factors Meaningful Actions
Displacement risk for
residents due to economic
pressures.
Limited affordable ownership
and rental options.
The HEU prioritizes housing affordability. Goal #2 reads “Provide housing affordable to extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households”.
The HEU provides the following programs to assist with
displacement:
• Program 2: Promote Lot Consolidation
• Program 3: Affordable Housing Incentives for
developers.
• Program 6: Section 8 Rental assistance.
Disproportionate access to
services.
Predominate Hispanic
Spanish-speaking population.
Low education levels. Almost
40% have less than a high
school diploma.
The HEU prioritizes access to all. Goal #6 reads, “Attain a housing market with “fair housing choice” meaning the ability of person of similar income levels regardless of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income or other arbitrary factors to have
available to them the same housing choice”.
The HEU provides the following programs to assist with
access to services and to continue bilingual programs for all City services and community:
• Program 24: Public Participation
Lack of a variety in housing
types to meet a range of
needs and incomes.
Low vacancy rates overall,
reducing options to move to
appropriately sized housing.
The HEU prioritizes access to all kinds of housing needs.
Goal #1 reads, accommodate housing needs of all
income groups as outlined by the Regional Housing
Needs Assessment.
The HEU proposes the review of development standards
and mixed-use development:
• Program 4: Zoning Code Review
• Program 27: Increase Zone District Densities
• Program 28: Rezone Sites
• Encourage construction of ADUs:
• Program 15: Accessory Dwelling Units
• Program 29: Garage Conversions.
High Cost Burdens
Supply constraints and
general lack of affordable
housing in Southern California
and lack of affordable housing
in Hawaiian Gardens
The HEU prioritizes housing affordability. Goal #2 reads “Provide housing affordable to extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-income households”.
The HEU provides the following programs to address
affordability.
City of Hawaiian Gardens 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Appendix B – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
9 Identified Fair Housing
Issues Key Contributing Factors Meaningful Actions
• Program 2: Promote Lot Consolidation
• Program 3: Affordable Housing Incentives for
developers.
• Program 6: Section 8 Rental assistance.
Low level of fair housing
complaints among all
communities in the Southeast
Los Angeles Region
Perceived fear among
undocumented individuals
Non-English speakers
Low education
The HEU prioritizes access to all. Goal #6 reads, “Attain a housing market with “fair housing choice” meaning the ability of person of similar income levels regardless of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income or other arbitrary factors to have
available to them the same housing choice”.
The HEU provides the following programs to assist with
access to services and to continue multilingual programs for all City services and community:
• Program 24: Public Participation
1 Appendix C
Community Survey & Results
The City of Hawaiian Gardens encourages and solicits, the participation of the community and other local agencies in identifying the successes, challenges, problem areas, deficiencies, and or housing constraints, restrictions, and other areas of concern in the City. The survey will help to pinpoint some community areas of concern and can potentially lead to the formulation of housing policy goals and objectives for the City of Hawaiian Gardens.
In this summary the results of both the English and the Spanish versions of the questions are outlined:
1. Do you live and/or work in the City of Hawaiian Gardens? City of Hawaiian Gardens 6
th Cycle Housing Element Update
Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
2 a. The results of this question in both the English and Spanish survey indicate that over 75% of the participants in this survey live in Hawaiian Gardens but their job is located somewhere else while in looking at the English survey an interesting result to note is the next 16 percent actually work in Hawaiian Gardens but live somewhere else.
2. Do you own a business in the City of Hawaiian Gardens? a. In looking at the result of this question it seems the majority (83% for English and 100% for the Spanish Survey) of participants do not own a business in the city of Hawaiian Gardens.
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th Cycle Housing Element Update
Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
3 3. Are you a member of a community civic organization? a. In taking a look at the results of both the English and Spanish surveys most participants are not a member of a community civic organization (at 92% for English and 100% for Spanish)
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
4 4. If yes to question #4, please describe the nature of your organization.
5. What is your organization’s size?
6. Do you currently own or rent your residence?
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th Cycle Housing Element Update
Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
5 In taking a closer look at these results it seems in the English survey that most of the participants (67%) own their residence where in the Spanish survey the results show the participant rents their residence in the city of Hawaiian Gardens.
7. Do you think that the range of housing options currently available in Hawaiian Gardens meets the needs of the community?
a. The results of the question in both the English and Spanish survey suggest that the majority of the participants believe that the range of housing options available in Hawaiian Gardens do not meet the needs of the community.
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
6 8. In your opinion, what type(s) of additional housing are most needed in the City of Hawaiian Gardens? (Select all that apply)
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
7 a. In looking at the results in regards to both English and Spanish surveys when it comes to the type of housing that is most needed in the city of Hawaiian Gardens the participants are equally split between the different types of housing with the most focusing on Single family housing, Duplex/attached housing and Senior Housing.
9. Describe the housing stock in the City of Hawaiian Gardens (Select all that apply):
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
8 a. In looking at the results, 44% of the English survey participants picked diverse, and coming in second at 22% was affordable where the Spanish survey was split between diverse and other.
10. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Provide more housing for all income levels.
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
9 11. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Promote housing affordable to working families.
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10 12. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Build more Single-Family Housing
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
11 13. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Build more Multi-family housing (apartments, condos, etc. a.
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
12 14. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Rehabilitate existing housing
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
13 15. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Create mixed-use (commercial/retail/office and residential projects to bring different land uses closer together).
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
14 16. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? Provide more housing for the disabled.
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15 17. How important are the following housing priorities to you and your household? How do you feel about Fair Housing?
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16 18. In a built-out community like Hawaiian Gardens, what strategies should the City apply or pursue to ensure affordable fair housing for its residents? a. In studying the responses from this question of the English survey the most frequent answer given were affordability and promoting home ownership in regards to the number one strategies the city should apply or pursue to ensure affordable fair housing for its residents.
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
17 19. In your opinion, what is the most pressing housing need(s) for the City of Hawaiian Gardens right now?
a. In studying the results, the most frequently suggested response in stating what the most pressing housing needs is for the City of Hawaiian Gardens is affordable housing.
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Appendix C - Community Survey & Results
18 Conclusions
In conclusion, the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update Survey completed for the city of Hawaiian Gardens allowed us to infer from this small sample size of participants that of the majority of the people who live in the city, they own their residence, but do not own their own business. In looking at both surveys most of the participants are not a member of a community civic organization.
The majority of both survey’s participants agreed that the current range of housing options in the city of Hawaiian Gardens do not meet the needs of the community and all types of housing are needed to provide even more diverse, and affordable options for all residents.
As seen in the graphs above for questions 11-17 the majority of the participants for both surveys thought the housing priorities mentioned were either very important or they did know not know (specifically question 14 – 17) if it was to their households. The strategies to pursue fair housing or even deciding on the most pressing needs for the city were all over the place but mainly focused around affordable housing, and promoting home ownership to reduce the number of renters as “there are too many of them within the city.” Overall, in total there were 13 participants who took part in both surveys over a one-month period. This survey should be extended to the same time period as the last ones conducted and marketed more to be able to collect a larger sample size of participants to have better data that can be extrapolated to the whole city of Hawaiian Gardens.
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CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST FORM AND INITIAL STUDY FOR A
NEGATIVE DECLARATION
PROJECT INFORMATION
1. Project Title:
2021 Housing Element Update to the Hawaiian Gardens General Plan
2. State Clearinghouse Number:
3. Lead Agency Name and Address:
City of Hawaiian Gardens
21815 Pioneer Boulevard
Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716
https://www.hgcity.org
4. Contact Person, Phone, Email:
Ernesto Marquez
City Manager
City of Hawaiian Gardens
[email protected]
5. Project Location:
Citywide
6. Property Owner:
Not Applicable
7. Project Sponsor's Name and Address:
City of Hawaiian Gardens
8. General Plan Designation:
Not Applicable
9. Zoning:
Not Applicable
Attachment C
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10. Purpose and Authority
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that all State and local agencies consider the environmental consequences of projects over which they have discretionary authority through documentation, analysis, and review.
This document is an Initial Study and Negative Declaration (Initial Study/Negative Declaration, or “IS/ND”) for the 6 th Cycle (2021-2019) Housing Element Update (proposed Housing Element Update or “ proposed HE Update”) to the Hawaiian Gardens’ General Plan (General Plan) for the 2010 to 2020 period. The City Council of the City of Hawaiian Gardens certified the Program Environmental Impact Report for the General Plan and adopted the General Plan in January 2010. The purpose of this document is to evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed HE Update which consists of the 2021 update to the Housing Element.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens is the Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is responsible for preparing and adopting this document.
This Initial Study/Negative Declaration has been prepared in conformance with CEQA (California Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.), California CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, § 15000 et seq.), and the rules, regulations, and procedures for implementation of CEQA, as adopted by the City of Hawaiian Gardens.
11. Documents Incorporated by Reference
The discussion in this document incorporates by reference the General Plan Program EIR (GPPEIR – State Clearinghouse #2008011004 ), the 2020 General Plan Update , and all technical studies prepared for the analysis of the proposed HE Update as listed below. The GPPEIR and accompanying staff reports and Resolution are available for public review at the City of Hawaiian Gardens City Hall. References in this document to the GPPEIR are online; all other references are in footnotes, with internet links when appropriate.
12. Intended Uses of This Initial Study/Negative Declaration The City of Hawaiian Gardens, as the Lead Agency for the proposed HE Update, will use this Initial Study/Negative Declaration in considering whether to approve the Housing Element Update and associated discretionary actions.
This document will also provide environmental information to other agencies affected by the proposed project, or which are likely to have an interest in the proposed project. Various State and Federal agencies exercise control over certain aspects. The various public, private, and political agencies and jurisdictions with a particular interest in the proposed project, may include but are not limited to the following:
• California Air Resources Board (CARB)
• California Department of Housing and Community Development • California Department of Toxic Substances Control
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• California Emergency Management Agency
• California Energy Commission
• California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
• California Office of Emergency Services
• California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQB) • County of Los Angeles Library
• County of Los Angeles Public Works
• County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County
• Golden State Water Company
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• Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
• Los Angeles County Fire Department
• Los Angeles County Health Department
• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority
• Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
• South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
• Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD) • ABC Unified School District
13. Project Description:
The proposed project includes the following actions:
1. Adoption of the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update for the 2021-2029 period (“ the proposed Housing Element Update”)
2. Amendment of the General Plan to add the proposed Housing Element Update The Housing Element is one of the seven (7) required elements of the General Plan. State Housing Element law mandates that local governments plan to meet the existing and projected housing needs of all segments of the population and to be consistent with all parts of the General Plan. The 6th Cycle Housing Element Update covers the time period from October 15, 2021 to October 15, 2029, an eight-year period. It includes extensive background information on demographics, population, employment, and housing to establish housing needs. The City’s prior Housing Element was adopted in 2013.
State law requires every updated Housing Element be submitted to California’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) Department to ensure compliance with the minimum requirements. This “certification” process is unique to the Housing Element versus the other required elements. State law requires that the Housing Element include the following:
-Analysis of the City’s population, household, and employment base, and the characteristics of the housing stock -Summary of the present and projected housing needs of the City’s households - Review of potential constraints to meeting the City’s identified housing needs - Evaluation of opportunities that will further the development of new housing -Community outreach plan
-Statement of the Housing Plan to address identified housing needs -Analysis on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
This is the first Housing Element cycle to implement the requirements of Assembly Bill 686. As of January 1, 2019, AB 686 extends the obligation to affirmatively further fair housing to all public agencies in California, to combat discrimination, overcome patterns of segregation, foster inclusive communities, and free barrier to that restrict access to opportunity based on protected status.
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The Housing Element Update does not propose specific housing development projects. It is a planning, policy, and program document that provides for future housing construction and improved housing conditions. These future actions are expected to result in direct changes to the physical environment of the City of Hawaiian Gardens.
Although potential development sites are identified in the Housing Element Update, particularly vacant and underutilized lots, they are included to help realize future housing production goals.
Adoption of the proposed HE Update alone does not directly result in development of residential units, but future housing development is expected. As specific projects are proposed, project review against Federal, State, and local rules and regulations, including compliance with the Municipal Code and the California Environmental Quality Act will be undertaken. Future proposed HE Update impacts will be evaluated on a project- by-project basis given specific site boundaries and environments. Appropriate environmental review documentation and public participation would be a part of those future proposed projects. Mitigation measures would be adopted to reduce any significant impacts, if identified.
HOUSING NEEDS
Each city and county in California have a legal obligation to respond to its “fair share” of the projected future housing need in the region in which it is located. For Hawaiian Gardens, the regional housing need is determined by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). SCAG has identified a total of 331 housing units for Hawaiian Gardens Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). The units are broken down by average monthly income (AMI) as: 61 very low-income (50 percent of AMI or less), 44 low-income units (50 to 80 percent of AMI), 46 moderate-income units (80 to 120 percent of AMI), and 180 above moderate-income units (120 percent of AMI or greater). The jurisdiction must show that it has adequate land inventory and sites to meet its RHNA obligations for each income category.
Hawaiian Gardens RHNA 6th Cycle, October 2021 to October 2029 Affordability Category Number of Units Percentage of Total Very Low-Income 61 18.4%
Low-Income 44 13.3%
Moderate-Income 46 13.9%
Above Moderate-Income 180 54.4%
TOTAL 331 100.0%
Source: Table 2.5, proposed HE Update
The primary goals of the RHNA numbers are to act as targets for jurisdictions to achieve during the planning period.
HAWAIIAN GARDENS GENERAL PLAN
The Hawaiian Gardens General Plan was adopted in January 2010.
Hawaiian Gardens Land Use Forecasts: 2020
Scenario Number of Dwelling Units Population
Baseline 3,616 14,337
Buildout (2020) 4,110 17,000
Source: Table 2-4, Hawaiian Gardens General Plan
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The General Plan projects an increase in the number of residential units from 3,616, at the time the General Plan was prepared, to 4,110 by 2020. This is an increase of 494 units or 12%. Most of the residential growth is projected in the Medium Density Residential category at 17 Dwelling Units per Acre.
POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS
Hawaiian Gardens is primarily a residential community, with most of the city zoned for medium density residential (R-2) housing. The General Plan states that approximately 99 percent of the city is built-out. According to the US Census, the 2020 population of Hawaiian Gardens is 13,953, a decline of over 2% from the 2010 Census when the city had a population of 14,254. The 2020 Hispanic/Latino population of the city is 79.8%. The age 5-20 group experienced a population decline from 2000-2018 while the age 55 plus group experienced a population increase in the same period and as a result student enrolment has decreased.
Because of the actual population decrease, the projection of 17,000 persons in 2020 was not realized. The city spans 0.97 square miles with a population density of 14,717 people per square mile. The average household income in Hawaiian Gardens is $57,733 with a poverty rate of 23.90%. The median rental cost is $1,403 per month, and the median house value is $363,500.
The number of housing units in 2018 was 3,719. The average household size is 4.21 persons per household and the average family size is 4.52 persons per family. Based on various estimates of the number of housing units in the City today, the projections in the General Plan of 4,110 units by 2020 was not realized. According to the General Plan, 56.6 percent of the housing stock was built in the 1950s and 1960s. The housing stock in the City is made up of 46.9% single family detached units and 58.4% of all housing units in the City are rental units. According to City building permit records, between 2015 and 2021, 28 net new residential units were constructed.
LAND AND SITES INVENTORY
The State requires that a Housing Element identify how much housing can be constructed to accommodate the community’s RHNA and that the inventory of land must be site specific to help determine the appropriate zoning, development standards, and infrastructure capacity to accommodate new construction. Appropriate sites can include vacant, underutilized sites, and sites that can be re-zoned for residential use.
The Housing Element includes a list of parcels of interest (Table 4.2) that could accommodate housing. The City’s current inventory of vacant land and parcels of interest consists of 3.79 acres. At the existing highest density, a total of 89 units can be developed to serve the very low- and low-income categories resulting in a deficiency of 117 very low-income and low-income housing for the current planning yar (2021-2029). A City Council briefing on November 5, 2021, was held to discuss various deficiencies in meeting housing needs. Some of the short-term recommendations include establishing residential overlay zones along commercial corridors. Long term recommendations included an update to the 2010 General Plan to allow for higher densities.
GOALS AND PROGRAMS
The proposed Housing Element Update includes a list of goals, available programs, and regulations to provide housing in all income categories. It described federal and State resources for particularly low-income housing. At the local level, a review of zoning districts throughout the city is being considered to provide for low-income units.
The following goal areas have been defined in the Housing Element Update:
• Housing Element Goal 1: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will improve the housing supply and the choice of housing opportunities through private investment and, where necessary, through public action and financing.
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• Housing Element Goal 2: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will promote affordable housing and shelter for all economic segments of the community.
• Housing Element Goal 3: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will support and provide incentives for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the existing housing stock. • Housing Element Goal 4: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will encourage development of a viable urban community consistent with orderly growth and environmental conservation to provide suitable living environments, with access to employment, community facilities, and services. • Housing Element Goal 5: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will promote equal access and opportunity to housing regardless of race, religion, sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, or color. • Housing Element Goal 6: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will identify and address significant discrepancies in housing needs and in access to housing opportunities. • Housing Element Goal 7: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will identify and replace segregated living patterns with truly integrated and balanced living patterns
• Housing Element Goal 8: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will identify and transform racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty (R/ECAP) into areas of opportunity. • Housing Element Goal 9: The City of Hawaiian Gardens will foster and maintain compliance with civil rights and fair housing laws.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
The City of Hawaiian Gardens has been able to proceed with community outreach effort surrounding the preparation of the proposed Housing Element Update considering restrictions due to Covid-19. Outreach was conducted in English, Spanish, and Korean languages, and include workshops, stakeholder interviews, and staff consultations, to the extent feasible given public health regulations, as follows:
• August 25, 2021 – Planning Commission Workshop on the proposed Housing Element Update • October 19, 2021 – focused stakeholder interviews (6 community members) • August 29, 2021, to September 15, 2021 - Community Outreach Survey • December 15, 2021 – Joint Planning Commission/City Council meeting • March 23, 2022 – Planning Commission meeting
In addition, printed and online information about the proposed Housing Element Update was made available and posted in public facilities.
Survey responses included issues surrounding affordable housing, Section 8 housing, homelessness, gentrification/displacement, use of vacant and underutilized properties for housing, city regulatory height restrictions, parking, density bonus, homeownership, and high rental rates.
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14. Discretionary Action
Discretionary actions required for approval of the 6th cycle Housing Element Update include approval by the Planning Commission, adoption by the City Council, certification by the State Department of Housing and Community Development, completion of CEQA review, and amendment to the Hawaiian Gardens General Plan to add the HE Update.
14. Surrounding Land Uses and Setting
Hawaiian Gardens is one of the Gateway cities of the southeast area of Los Angeles County. Considered an industrial powerhouse, this southeast sub-region of the County provides one out of every seven jobs in Southern California. Hawaiian Gardens generally serves as a residential base for the region with half of the residents working in nearby cities with a large employment base such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Irvine.
Hawaiian Gardens is regionally accessible from Interstate 605 (San Gabriel River Freeway), which is located to the immediate west of the City. Also, the Carson Street off ramp is located at the western entrance to the City. The City is also regionally accessible from the Interstate 405 (Long Beach Freeway) located to the south, and Highway 91 to the north. The City of Long Beach lies directly to the west and south, along with the City of Lakewood to the north, and the Orange County City of Cypress to the east. Refer to Exhibit 1 for the regional location.
The General Plan describes the City of Hawaiian Gardens as a largely built-out urban community within Los Angeles County and is one of the smallest cities in the County based on population and size. The City incorporated in 1964 and at that time, more than 80 percent of the land area was developed. The northern portion of the city includes an industrial area, the central portion includes commercial uses along Carson Street and the southern portion is largely residential. Hawaiian Gardens is home to 14,254 residents according to the 2020 Census and is one of the most densely populated communities in Los Angeles County.
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ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:
The environmental factors checked below would be potentially affected by this project, involving at least one impact that is a “Potentially Significant Impact,” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages. ☐ Aesthetics ☐
Agriculture/Forestry
Resources ☐ Air Quality
☐ Biological Resources ☐ Cultural Resources ☐ Energy
☐ Geology/Soils ☐ Greenhouse Gas Emissions ☐
Hazards and Hazardous
Materials
☐ Hydrology/Water Quality ☐ Land Use/Planning ☐ Mineral Resources ☐ Noise ☐ Population/Housing ☐ Public Services
☐ Recreation ☐ Transportation ☐ Tribal Cultural Resources ☐ Utilities/Service Systems ☐ Wildfire ☐
Mandatory Findings of
Significance
DETERMINATION
On the basis of this initial evaluation:
☐ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
☐ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions in the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. ☐ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
☐ I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “potentially significant unless mitigated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect 1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and 2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. ☒ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potentially significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
Signature Date
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EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
1. A brief explanation is required for all answers except “No Impact” answers that are adequately supported by the information sources a lead agency cites in the parentheses following each question. A “No Impact” answer is adequately supported if the referenced information sources show that the impact simply does not apply to projects like the one involved (e.g., the project falls outside a fault rupture zone). A “No Impact” answer should be explained where it is based on project-specific factors, as well as general standards (e.g., the project would not expose sensitive receptors to pollutants, based on a project-specific screening analysis).
2. All answers must take account of the whole action involved, including off-site as well as onsite, cumulative as well as project-level, indirect as well as direct, and construction as well as operational impacts.
3. Once the lead agency has determined that a particular physical impact may occur, then the checklist answers must indicate whether the impact is potentially significant, less than significant with mitigation, or less than significant. “Potentially Significant Impact” is appropriate if there is substantial evidence that an effect may be significant. If there are one or more “Potentially Significant Impact” entries when the determination is made, an EIR is required.
4. “Negative Declaration: Less Than Significant With Mitigation Incorporated” applies where the incorporation of mitigation measures has reduced an effect from “Potentially Significant Impact” to a “Less Than Significant Impact.” The lead agency must describe the mitigation measures, and briefly explain how they reduce the effect to a less than significant level.
5. Earlier analyses may be used where, pursuant to the tiering, program EIR, or other CEQA process, an effect has been adequately analyzed in an earlier EIR or negative declaration. § 15063(c)(3)(D). In this case, a brief discussion should identify the following:
a) Earlier Analyses Used. Identify and state where they are available for review. b) Impacts Adequately Addressed. Identify which effects from the above checklist were within the scope of and adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and state whether such effects were addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis. c) Mitigation Measures. For effects that are “Less than Significant with Mitigation Measures Incorporated,” describe the mitigation measures which were incorporated or refined from the earlier document and the extent to which they address site-specific conditions for the project.
6. Lead agencies are encouraged to incorporate into the checklist references to information sources for potential impacts (e.g., general plans, zoning ordinances). Reference to a previously prepared or outside document should, where appropriate, include a reference to the page or pages where the statement is substantiated.
7. Supporting Information Sources: A source list should be attached, and other sources used or individuals contacted should be cited in the discussion.
8. This is only a suggested form, and lead agencies are free to use different formats; however, lead agencies should normally address the questions from this checklist that are relevant to a project’s environmental effects in whatever format is selected.
9. The explanation of each issue should identify:
a) The significance criteria or threshold, if any, used to evaluate each question; and b) the mitigation measure identified, if any, to reduce the impact to less than significant.
I. AESTHETICS
Except as provided in Public Resources Code § 21099(d) (which prohibits a significance determination regarding aesthetics impacts for transit-oriented infill projects within transit priority areas), City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
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Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ b) Substantially damage scenic resources, including,
but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and
historic buildings within a state scenic highway?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the
existing visual character or quality of public views
of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are
those that are experienced from publicly accessible
vantage points.) If the project is in an urbanized
area, would the project conflict with applicable
zoning and other regulations governing scenic
quality?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Create a new source of substantial light or glare
that would adversely affect day or nighttime views
in the area?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
a, b) No Impact. The proposed HE Update would not affect scenic vistas or scenic resources, because none exist within the city or its surroundings. The City of Hawaiian Gardens General Plan concluded that there are no scenic resources or scenic highways in the city. As such, no impacts will occur. c) No Impact. The proposed HE Update covers an urbanized area and is consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan for scenic quality. As such, no impacts will occur. d) No Impact. The proposed HE Update is not anticipated to create substantial new light and glare affecting day or night-time views. Exterior lighting is regulated by Section 18.50.050 of the Municipal Code, which requires light fixtures to be shielded so that the emitted light does not negatively impact existing residential uses. This requirement would be applied during the project application review and building plan-check process. As such, no impacts will occur.
II. AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES.
In determining whether impacts to agricultural resources are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to the California Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment Model (1997) prepared by the California Dept. of Conservation as an optional model to use in assessing impacts on agriculture and farmland. In determining whether impacts to forest resources, including timberland, are significant environmental effects, lead agencies may refer to information compiled by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the state’s inventory of forest land, including the Forest and Range Assessment Project and the Forest Legacy Assessment project; and forest carbon measurement methodology provided in Forest Protocols adopted by the California Air Resources Board.
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the maps
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
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Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Act contract? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code §
12220(g)), timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code § 4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as
defined by Government Code § 51104(g))?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed HE Update would not affect farmland or forest land because the City is located entirely within an urbanized environment. The General Plan does not include agriculture and forestry resources, the City is not within a farmland area, not zoned for agricultural use, does not have land under Williamson Act contracts, and no forestlands are within the City. Since there are no agricultural or forest resources in the City of Hawaiian Gardens, no impacts to such resources will occur.
III. AIR QUALITY
Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality management district or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the following determinations.
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is nonattainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-12
Background and Regulatory Setting
The City is located within the South Coast Air Basin. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) has jurisdictional and regulatory authority within the Air Basin and is responsible for the region’s Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), which sets forth regulations and various control measures to reduce air pollution and bring the region into compliance with federal Clean Air Act (CAA) and California Clean Air Act (CCAA) standards by various target years. The 2016 AQMP includes control measures for both stationary and mobile sources of air pollutants; the control measures are further codified into Rules or set forth as policies for jurisdictions within the Air Basin. Rules set specific limits for emissions from various stationary sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints, solvents, and consumer products. Limits on airborne “fugitive” dust from construction and particulates from diesel engines are also set forth and enforceable. To measure ongoing AQMP progress, the SCAQMD monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the Air Basin, and has enforcement authority over a four-county area (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). See the SCAQMD website, http://www.aqmd.gov/, for comprehensive information regarding the AQMP and the SCAQMD’s overall responsibilities.
As of 2020, the South Coast Air Basin is considered to be in “non-attainment” for three criteria pollutants: ozone; particulate matter(PM10); and respirable particulate matter (PM2.5) (See SCAQMD National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), available at http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/clean-air-plans/air-quality-management-plans/naaqs-caaqsfeb2016.pdf?sfvrsn=14 (accessed August 14, 2020). To moderate the effects of public and private development projects on non-attainment, the SCAQMD sets regional and local emissions significance thresholds for CEQA compliance for reactive organic gases/ozone precursors (ROG), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), PM10 and PM2.5 (see Tables AQ-1 and AQ-2 below for threshold values). Generally, if a project’s construction and operational emissions do not exceed these thresholds, they are assumed to be “less-than-significant;” moreover, if the estimated emissions exceed thresholds but can be reduced to below thresholds by applying mitigation measures, emissions levels may be deemed less than significant with mitigation incorporated The SCAQMD’s local, or “localized,” emissions thresholds are a means of assessing NOx, CO, PM10 and PM2.5 emission concentration at various distances from emission sources at projects that occupy less than five acres in area (see http://www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/ceqa/air-quality-analysis-handbook/localizedsignificance-thresholds (accessed August 12, 2020)). These thresholds consider the baseline (ambient) pollutant concentrations for 38 source receptor areas within the South Coast basin, and assign threshold values based on distances from the pollution source to the nearest sensitive receptor, e.g. 25m, 50m, 100m, 200m and 500m (82’, 164’, 328’, 656’, and 1640’).
Calculating localized emission concentration is most critical when there are sensitive receptors nearby (homes, hospitals, schools, etc.) and when a project involves a significant grading and excavation construction phase where heavy non-road equipment is used, such as graders, excavators or other diesel-powered machines.
AQMP implementation also encompasses the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and Transportation Control Measures (RTP/SCS). SCAG develops the RTP/SCS every four years. The RTP/SCS is a long-range regional transportation plan that provides for the development and integrated management and operation of transportation systems and facilities that will function as an intermodal transportation network for the SCAG region. The RTP/SCS also outlines land use growth strategies that provide for more integrated land use and transportation planning, and that maximize transportation investments to achieve the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regional greenhouse-gas (GHG)- reduction targets.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-13
SCAG also develops the biennial Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP). The FTIP is a multimodal program of capital improvement projects to be implemented over a six-year period. The FTIP implements the programs and projects in the RTP/SCS, which must be consistent with achieving air quality goals.
Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. The proposed HE Update would in part help accomplish buildout under the General Plan. As such, the proposed HE Update could contribute to the population growth in the City in excess of the 2016 RTP/SCS growth forecasts. Impacts associated with AQMP inconsistency could result. Since no specific project development is proposed as a part of the Housing Element Update, no impacts are anticipated. b) No Impact. Future projects and construction work could generate air pollutants from equipment/vehicle exhaust, paint, solvents, and dust, including the criteria pollutants listed in the discussion above, specifically particulate matter (PM10), fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3). Heavy equipment would generate carbon monoxide (CO), reactive organic gases (ROG), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). Future project operational air pollutants would be generated directly from passenger vehicles and freight trucks, and indirectly from building heating, cooling, and periodic re-application of structure and parking lot coatings. Future projects are expected to be below both local and regional significance thresholds and are not expected to result in a considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant. Future projects proposed under the Housing Element Update will be evaluated for pollutants.
Because the HE Update does not include specific project proposals, no impacts will occur. c) No Impact. Construction resulting from future development consistent with the Housing Element Update may expose “sensitive receptors” to excessive concentrations of the short-term pollutants described in III(b) as explained below. Sensitive receptors are those individuals or land uses which are particularly sensitive to air pollution - the very young, the elderly and those suffering from certain illnesses or respiratory disabilities. Outdoor exercisers are also considered sensitive receptors due to their increased breathing rates. Land uses characterized as sensitive receptors include homes, medical facilities, rest homes, convalescent care facilities, schools, day care centers, parks, and recreational areas. Residents of homes and long-term care facilities may be subject to both long-term/chronic and acute exposures to poor air quality, whereas park users are primarily at risk from acute exposure to air quality. Future projects are expected to conform with standards and rules regarding pollutants. Because the HE Update does not include specific project proposals, no impacts will occur. d) No Impact. Implementation of the General Plan would not result in significant odor impacts to sensitive receptors. The proposed HE Update provides for increased housing development; however, such land uses are generally not odor-generating. Although residential construction could expose workers and nearby residents to temporary odors from construction equipment engine exhaust and asphalt application, those effects would be short-term and standards and SCAQMD rules to reduce construction impacts would apply. Because the HE Update does not propose residential development, no impacts will occur.
IV. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES.
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a
candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-14
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, regulations or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with
established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede of native wildlife nursery sites?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat
conservation plan?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The General Plan notes that the City of Hawaiian Gardens is nearly completely developed with urban land uses. There are no expansive open space areas, natural features or sensitive natural plant communities, or riparian habitats for which to consider conservation. The Coyote Creek Channel traverses the eastern portion of the city. However, this regional channel is concrete-lined and the natural Coyote Creek channel has been disturbed. Open space areas in the city consist of parks, school playfields, grassy and landscaped lots in residential areas, and landscaping included in parkways, medians, private sites, and residential yards. Typical vegetation in the city includes nonnative and ornamental plant species for landscaping, including palm trees, eucalyptus trees, and shrubs. The are no wildlife corridors in the city. There are no native wildlife nursery sites within the city, or any known sites adjacent to the City. The City does not have a tree preservation policy or ordinance and there are no oak trees within Hawaiian Gardens. Consequently, there would be no impacts from adoption of the Housing Element and Zoning Code amendments. There are no Habitat Conservation Plans, Natural Conservation Community Plans, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plans within the city.
Consequently, there would be no impact to potential conflict with such plans. Because the Housing Element Update is not a physical development project, it does not have the potential to interfere with the movement of fish or wildlife. Any future residential development proposals would be considered separate projects under CEQA and would undergo individual environmental review as they are proposed. Any needed mitigation measures would be identified at that time. Therefore, there would be no impact to wildlife corridors, fish or wildlife movement, or wildlife nursery sites from Housing Element adoption.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-15
V. CULTURAL RESOURCES
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to § 15064.5? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to § 15064.5? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Disturb any human remains, including those interred
outside of dedicated cemeteries? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact:. The Hawaiian Garden General Plan indicates that there are no designated cultural sites and resources in the city. An up-to-date historic resource inventory of the city has not been conducted. Adoption of the proposed Housing Element Update would not directly affect historic resources, archeological resources, if they exist in the city, because it would not authorize or permit any specific development project. Future projects as a result of the proposed HE Update would be subject to environmental review once project specifics are known and proposed and any potential resources would be identified. There are no cemeteries in the city. As such, no impacts will occur.
VI. ENERGY
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Result in potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or
operation?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The General Plan addresses energy under its Conservation Element. The proposed HE Update is intended to facilitate housing development and rehabilitation at all income levels with a target of 331 residential units within the 2019 horizon period. Adoption of the Housing Element Update would not directly affect energy consumption or conflict with a local plan, because it would not authorize or permit a specific development project.
Future projects as a result of the HE Update would be subject to environmental mitigation measures would serve to mitigate any impacts. As such, no impacts would occur.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-16
VII. GEOLOGY AND SOILS
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated
on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault
Zoning Map, issued by the State Geologist for the area
or based on other substantial evidence of a known
fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special
Publication 42.
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ iv. Landslides? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ c) Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and
potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 18-1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial
direct or indirect risks to life or property?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
e) Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of
wastewater?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
f) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
a) No Impact. The City of Hawaiian Gardens is located in the southeastern part of Los Angeles County, and is an urbanized community situated on the Los Angeles Coastal Plain. Abundant evidence of seismic activity in California is found in 200 years of records since a strong earthquake near the Santa Ana River in Orange County was reported in 1769. Of the thousands of earthquakes felt in California that have occurred during the last 200 years, three were great earthquakes over 7.75 Richter Magnitude; 13 were major earthquakes with Magnitude 7.0 to 7.7, such as Loma Prieta-San Francisco (1989), Arvin-Tehachapi (1952), and El Centro (1940). Over 60 were moderate shocks, of Magnitude 6.0 to 6.9, such as Santa Barbara (1925), Long Beach (1933), San Fernando (1971), and Whittier Narrows (1988). About 200 earthquakes of Magnitude 4.0 to 5.9 occur within California every 10 years. The State of California has an area of approximately 156,000 square miles. The Landers/Big Bear (1992), Magnitude 7.5/6.6 earthquake was felt over 60,000 square miles. Loma Prieta-San Francisco (1989), Magnitude 7.1 earthquake was felt over 54,000 square miles, the Arvin-Tehachapi (1952), Magnitude 7.7 earthquake was felt over 160,000 square miles, and the San Francisco (1906), Magnitude 8.3 earthquake was felt over 375,000 square miles.
From historical seismic activity in the state, it can be concluded that no part of California is immune from City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-17
earthquake damage. There are three faults near the City of Hawaiian Gardens, the Norwalk Fault (four miles to the northeast); the Newport-Inglewood Fault (five miles to the southwest); and the Los Alamitos Fault (approximately two miles from the City). There are no active faults within the City. There are no Alquist-Priolo Fault Hazard Zones within the City of Hawaiian Gardens; therefore, no impacts will occur.
All properties within the City are subject to strong seismic ground shaking, as are all properties located within Southern California. Any future construction related to infill development of sites identified by the Housing Element will be reviewed by the City’s Building Department as part of the City’s routine plan check procedures and in accordance with Mitigation Measure GEO-1 of the General Plan Program EIR.
Mitigation Measure GEO-1 requires a Geologic Study be prepared for new development that specifies the measures necessary to mitigate impacts related to liquefaction and expansion, if any. Furthermore, Mitigation Measure GEO-2 requires applicants of future development projects to comply with each of the recommendations detailed in the Geotechnical Study, and other such measure(s) as the City deems necessary to adequately mitigate potential seismic and geotechnical hazards. Continued implementation of Mitigation Measures GEO-1 and GEO-2 will ensure that future site development is adequately designed and constructed to withstand seismic related ground shaking. The proposed Housing Element and Zoning Code amendments would not affect existing geological conditions or the City’s existing plan check and construction permitting procedures to ensure that new construction is seismically safe. Thus, they have no effect involving seismic ground shaking. The entire City of Hawaiian Gardens is subject to liquefaction, according to the General Plan Program EIR. Liquefaction is a hazard associated with intense ground shaking. During seismic events, the earth accelerates and soils can destabilize, particularly when sufficient water is present in the soil. The destabilized soil and water can mix, resulting in liquefaction. The proposed Housing Element is consistent with the Land Use Element and does not increase or decrease the number of residential sites that could be developed. The Zoning Code amendments do not add or subtract from the residential sites identified by the General Plan. Future infill development would need to comply with plan check procedures and requirements for a Geologic Study. Adoption of the Housing Element and Zoning code amendments would have no impact involving liquefaction hazards. Hawaiian Gardens is located on relatively flat topography and is not located adjacent to steep slopes or areas that would otherwise be subject to landslides, debris flow, and/or rockfall. Therefore, damage from landslides and other mass movements is not anticipated within the city. As such, no impacts will occur. b) No Impact. The soils present within the city are sand, silt, and clay silt soils, which have a high erodibility potential. However, the city is approximately 99 percent built-out and is considered fully urbanized.
Therefore, conditions that contribute to substantial soil erosion or loss of topsoil are not present within the City. The potential infill development that could result in the exposure of surficial soils during demolition grading activities and that could result in wind or rain-based erosion already is permitted by the General Plan. The adoption of the Housing Element Update would have no effect on existing ground conditions or the City’s erosion control measures as required by Section J110 (Erosion Control) of the CBC and Sections 6.47.060 and 6.47.090 (Urban Storm Runoff Control, Construction Sites and Best Management Practices (BMPs)) of the Municipal Code; therefore, no adverse effects involving loss of topsoil or soil erosion would occur.
c) No Impact. The conditions favorable for hazards such as landslides or subsidence/collapse are not present in the City. Therefore, the adoption of the Housing Element Update would have no impact involving landslides, subsidence or other forms of ground collapse. d) No Impact. The soils present within the city are sand, silt, and clay silt soils, which have a high expansion potential. The future infill development that could be located on expansive soil, creating substantial risk to life or property already is permitted by the General Plan. The adoption of the Housing Element and Zoning Code amendments does not increase or decrease the number or location of residential sites. Any future construction related to infill development of properties will be reviewed by the City’s Building City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-18
Department as part of the City’s routine plan check procedures and in accordance with Mitigation Measure GEO-1 of the General Plan Program EIR. Mitigation Measure GEO-1 requires a Geologic Study be prepared for new development that specifies the measures necessary to mitigate impacts related to liquefaction and expansion, if any. No impacts will result. e) No Impact. Hawaiian Gardens is 99 percent (99%) developed and has an existing wastewater disposal infrastructure. The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County own, operate, and maintain trunk sewer lines for the regional conveyance and treatment of wastewater. The city owns and is responsible for operation and maintenance of the local sewer lines. The proposed Housing Element Update does not involve land uses that depend upon or would require the use of septic tanks or other subsurface wastewater disposal systems. No impacts would occur.
f) No Impact. The General Plan indicates that while discovery of paleontological resources is unlikely where sites have been previously developed, if a site will be subject to additional excavation, the potential for discovering previously unknown resources exists. Future development projects resulting from the proposed HE Update would be evaluated against the amount of excavation. Future projects as a result of the proposed HE Update would be subject to environmental review. Because the HE Update does not propose any development, no impacts will occur.
VIII. GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the
environment?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of
greenhouse gases?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Background and Regulatory Setting
The General Plan provides background into the current state of understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, their contribution to global climate change, the regulatory setting, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) draft 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan’s guidance for countering GHG emissions. The GPPEIR estimated the City’s current and projected emissions and set forth all General Plan 2040 policies that would collectively reduce emissions, but ultimately concluded that despite the City’s best efforts, emissions resulting from General Plan buildout would likely exceed the CARB GHG-reduction goals, and that impacts were significant and unavoidable (GPPEIR p. 11-31, Table 11-4, p 11-24). Still, individual development projects’ emissions still must be estimated and, to the extent feasible, mitigated so that the City approaches CARB goals.
To date, the City has not established a quantified GHG emissions threshold for individual projects, and the SCAQMD’s recommended thresholds as discussed in the GPPEIR (GPPEIR p. 11-22) have not been adopted by that agency. However, since the GPPEIR was certified, the CARB’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping plan was finalized and adopted. It sets forth a “reference scenario” as a baseline for measuring how much GHG emissions can be reduced in several economic sectors. This scenario illustrates the level of GHG emissions that would be generated statewide through 2030 under existing policies and programs, but without any further action to reduce GHGs, i.e. what would be generated by doing “business as usual” without efforts to reduce emissions. This level is estimated to be approximately 400 million metric tons (MMTs) of carbon dioxide City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-19
equivalents (CO2e) from all sources in 2030. The CARB’s statewide 2030 target level of emissions is approximately 260 MMTs. The Scoping Plan estimates that the change from 1990 levels in the residential and commercial sectors must be from 44 MMT of CO2e to 38-40 MMT of CO2e by 2030, a four to eight percent reduction. Where a project can demonstrate consistency with this percentage reduction, a finding of “less than significant” may be appropriate.
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are emitted by both natural processes and human activities. Of these gases, carbon dioxide (C02) and methane (CH4) are emitted in the greatest quantities from human activities. Emissions of C02 are largely by-products of fossil fuel combustion, whereas CH 4 results from off-gassing associated with agricultural practices and landfills. Man-made GHGs, many of which have greater heat-absorption potential than C02, include fluorinated gases and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Different types of GHGs have varying global warming potentials (GWPs). The GWP of a GHG is the potential of a gas or aerosol to trap heat in the atmosphere over a specified timescale, generally 100 years. Because GHGs absorb different amounts of heat, a common reference gas (C02) is used to relate the amount of heat absorbed to the amount of the gas emissions, referred to as "carbon dioxide equivalent" (C02 E),and is the amount of a GHG emitted multiplied by its GWP.
The Housing Element identifies a variety of potential housing sites, including mixed-use sites. Mixed-use development is one of strategies identified in the Housing Element to meet the City's residential growth need (Program #3-Mixed Use Incentives). This type of development is seen as a potential way to reduce greenhouse gases, as it places people near jobs, retail and other services, and promotes the use of alternative transportation and pedestrian linkages. The Housing Element also addresses energy conservation (Program #19) which encourages the use of green building techniques and sustainable building practices in new residential and nonresidential development.
Nonetheless, since the Housing Element is a policy document, and not a specific development proposal, it would not contribute to greenhouse gases. Any future proposal to develop the residential sites identified in the Housing Element would be considered a separate project under CEQA and greenhouse gas impacts would be identified on a site-specific basis and mitigated as necessary. Therefore, the Housing Element adoption would have no impact on greenhouse gases.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-20
IX. HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through the routine transport, use, or
disposal of hazardous materials?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Create a significant hazard to the public or the
environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and
accident conditions involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within onequarter mile of an existing or proposed school? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Be located on a site which is included on a list of hazardous materials sites compiled pursuant to Government Code §
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
e) For a project located within an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
f) Impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
g) Expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury or death involving wildland fires?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The Housing Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies and programs to meet the existing and projected housing needs of the City. While residential uses do not commonly generate, emit or transport substantial hazardous materials, new residences would likely increase the amount of household hazardous waste generated in the city. The adoption of the Housing Element would not authorize any new kinds of land uses or any new or more dangerous processes that involve use, transport, storage, generation or disposal of hazardous substances or wastes. All land uses that would be permitted because of the proposed changes were anticipated by the General Plan and the General Plan Program EIR. No impacts are anticipated. As a specific development project is proposed, any potential impacts related to hazardous materials would be analyzed under CEQA in conjunction with the approval of a particular project, and any necessary mitigation measures identified at that time. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element and Zoning Code amendments would have no impact.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-21
No portions of the City are located within an airport land use plan, or in the vicinity of an airport or airstrip. The closest airport is the Long Beach Airport, about five miles west of Hawaiian Gardens. Therefore, there would be no impact upon adoption of the Housing Element and Zoning Code amendments. The Housing Element is a policy document that does not include any specific development proposal. As specific development projects are proposed, they would be analyzed under separate CEQA review to ensure that they do not conflict with emergency plans. Any impacts would be assessed at that time. Therefore, there would be no impact with adoption of the Housing Element and Zoning Code amendments.
The City of Hawaiian Gardens Emergency Operations Plan addresses the City’s planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies. Hazardous material incident is addressed in this plan. The proposed Zoning Code amendments and Housing Element would not authorize or facilitate any roadway modifications that could interfere with the City’s Emergency Operations Plan. No Impact will occur.
No portions of the City of Hawaiian Gardens are classified as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the City General Plan (2010). Compliance with the provisions and building standards required by the City of Hawaiian Gardens, Los Angeles County Fire Code/Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the California Building Code would be required of future residential development proposals, and fire hazard safety would be analyzed on a site-specific basis as future projects are proposed. Being a policy document, and not a development proposal, the Housing Element's adoption would result in no impact with regard to loss involving wildland fires. The same also is true of the Zoning Code amendments. As such, no impact will occur.
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Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-22
X. HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or ground water quality?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the
project may impede sustainable groundwater management
of the basin?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious
surfaces, in a manner which would:
i. Result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or offsite? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ii. Substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding onor off-site? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
iii. Create or contribute runoff water which would
exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater
drainage systems or provide substantial additional
sources of polluted runoff; or
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
iv. Impede or redirect flood flows? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
e) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management
plan?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. Water sources in the area include a blend of groundwater pumped from the Central Groundwater Basin and imported water from the Colorado River and the Bay Delta in Northern California (40 percent imported and purchased water, 60 percent water pumped from ground wells). Water service in Hawaiian Gardens is provided by the Golden State Water Company (formerly the Southern California Water Company) Region II Central District – Central Basin East Artesia System. The Central District – Central Basin East Artesia System serves approximately 19,600 customers in the communities of Artesia, Norwalk, Hawaiian Gardens, and portions of Cerritos, South Gate, and Lakewood. The City of Hawaiian Gardens lies within the Golden State Water Company Artesia System and Customer Service Area (Artesia CSA). The City of Hawaiian Gardens is supplied by four active wells, including Centralia 3 and 4, Juan and Halbrite. The Centralia and Juan wells pump to reservoirs and are then re-pumped to the system. The southern portion of the Artesia System is a relatively new system (most of it was constructed in the 1950’s and 1960’s) and, consequently, it has relatively few main leaks.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-23
Any future development on vacant land could increase the amount of impervious surfaces, resulting in an increase in runoff and the potential for storm water quality impacts. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Waste Management Division, monitors the quality of storm water runoff from various locations.
The Housing Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies, and programs to meet the existing and projected housing needs of the City. The Housing Element does not include changing any existing land use designations or zoning to allow residential uses, nor does it include any specific development proposals. Any potential impacts related to storm water runoff, water quality, groundwater, or drainage for individual projects would be assessed separately under CEQA, on a site-specific level, as development is proposed. Any needed mitigation measures would be identified at that time, including compliance with the City's NPDES permit.
The Housing Element, then, would result in no impact to storm water quality, runoff, groundwater or drainage.
The Zoning Code amendments add diversity to the potential new housing supply but do not increase and decrease the numbers of housing units permitted by the General Plan and Zoning Code.
Flooding occurs when climate, geology, and hydrology combine to create conditions where water flows outside its natural course. The nearest major waterways to Hawaiian Gardens are the San Gabriel River, located one mile to the west, and the Coyote Creek, traversing the City’s eastern boundary. The San Gabriel River is a concretelined channel, designed to contain a 100-year flood event. Hawaiian Gardens is located outside the 500-year floodplain, which indicates that the City has less than a 0.9 percent probability of flooding annually. No impacts would occur in this regard.
The City's Building Code addresses requirements for development in floodways and other flood hazard areas. The Housing Element does not include changing any land use designations or zoning to allow residential uses, nor does it include any specific development proposals; therefore, no new residential areas of the City would be brought within floodways or flood hazard areas. Any potential impacts related to flooding from possible future residential development described in the Housing Element would be analyzed separately under CEQA as the projects are proposed. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element would result in no impact. The Zoning Code amendments add diversity to the potential new housing supply but do not increase and decrease the numbers of housing units permitted by the General Plan and Zoning Code. No impacts would occur in this regard.
Tsunamis are impulsively generated water waves that can cause damage to shoreline areas. A seiche is an oscillation wave within an enclosed water body. The City is not near the ocean or adjacent to a large water body, and so is not subject to tsunami hazards. As residential development projects are proposed in the future, site specific analysis, including CEQA analysis, would occur and any potential seiche hazards assessed and mitigated at that time. Adoption of the Housing Element, a policy document, however, would cause no impact with regard to hazards from a seiche or tsunami or mudflow. The Zoning Code amendments add diversity to the potential new housing supply but do not increase and decrease the numbers of housing units permitted by the General Plan and Zoning Code. As such, no impacts will occur.
XI. LAND USE AND PLANNING
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Physically divide an established community? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental
effect?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-24
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The City of Hawaiian Gardens is essentially a built-out community with well-established residential neighborhoods. A large portion of the remaining vacant lands are restricted to open space uses. The City plans on fulfilling its RHNA with a variety of methods, including: vacant sites located in residential zones; underutilized sites and other areas where mixed uses are allowed. Adoption of the Housing Element Update would not physically divide an established community since the Housing Element does not propose any land use changes or rezoning of land for residential uses, nor does it involve any specific development proposal. The Housing Element includes policies aimed at preserving and enhancing the quality of residential neighborhoods (Goal LU-2 and associated policies). Any future proposal for residential development would be analyzed specifically according to CEQA, separate from this document. Therefore, there would be no impact with adoption of the Housing Element. As such, no impacts will occur. The Housing Element is consistent with the other elements of the General Plan (2010), as well as the City's Municipal Code. In particular, the Housing Element supports many of the goals and policies in the Land Use Element of the General Plan, including those listed below. ➢ LU-2.1 Encourage land assembly and small lot consolidation for proposed residential projects with contiguous parcels.
➢ LU-2.3 Require multi-family developments to incorporate site design features, including, but not limited to, open space, landscaping, communal courtyards, and outdoor furniture. ➢ LU-2.4 Require the design of all residential development to utilize notches, balconies, roof lines, open space, setbacks, landscaping and other architectural accents that add visual interest to buildings and streetscape and avoid monotonous, flat facades.
➢ LU-2.5 Require all new residential development to provide adequate landscaping. ➢ LU-2.6 Require residential development to provide direct and convenient access to abutting sidewalks. ➢ LU-2.7 Develop design criteria for residential development on narrow lots to improve the visual quality of these developments from the public street.
The Housing Element is consistent with the zoning districts and allowed densities identified in Title 18 Zoning of the Municipal Code, and no change in zoning or General Plan land use designations is proposed in the Housing Element. As future residential development projects are proposed, they would be analyzed on a site-and projectspecific level for consistency with the provisions of the General Plan and Municipal Code, and other applicable plans and policies. Adoption of the Housing Element, a policy document, would result in no impact to plan, policy, or regulation consistency.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-25
XII. MINERAL RESOURCES
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be a value to the region and the
residents of the state?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local
general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. No significant mineral deposits are known to exist within the City of Hawaiian Gardens (General Plan, 2010). The Housing Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies and programs to meet the existing and projected housing needs of the city but does not propose any specific development project. As a specific development project is proposed in the future, any potential impacts related to mineral resources onsite would be analyzed under CEQA in conjunction with the approval of a particular project, and any necessary mitigation measures identified at that time. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element Update would have no impact on mineral resources.
XIII. NOISE
Would the project result in:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Generation of a substantial temporary or permanent
increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Generation of excessive ground-borne vibration or groundborne noise levels? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. Sound is technically described in terms of loudness (amplitude), frequency (pitch), and time pattern.
The standard unit of sound amplitude is the decibel (dB). Decibels are based on a logarithmic scale that describes sound pressure levels. The pitch of sound is related to the frequency of the pressure vibration. The human ear is not equally sensitive to sound at all frequencies; therefore, a special frequency-dependent rating scale has been City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-26
devised to relate noise to human sensitivity. The A-weighted decibel (dBA) provides this compensation by discriminating against frequencies in a manner approximating the sensitivity of the human ear. The temporal nature of sound may be described in terms of its pattern of time, level, continuity, fluctuation, impulsiveness and intermittency. Noise is typically described as unwanted, excessive, and bothersome sound. There are several different methods to measure sound in a given period of time. These noise measurement methods include the Community Noise Equivalency Level (CNEL), the Equivalent Sound Level (Leq), and the Day/Night Average Sound Level (Ldn). CNEL is a noise rating scale for land use compatibility assessment. CNEL is a 24-hour, time-weighted annual average noise level. The CNEL reading represents the average of 24 hourly readings of equivalent levels (known as Leq) based on an A-weighted decibel. Additionally, community noise receptors are more sensitive to unwanted noise intrusion during the evening and at night, thus, State law requires that, for planning purposes, an artificial dB increment be added to quiet noise levels in a 24-hour noise descriptor. Adjustments are +5 dBA for the evening, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and +10 dBA for the night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Motor vehicles are a major source of continuous noise. The San Gabriel River freeway (I-605) runs along the western boundary of the city and carries appreciable volumes of both truck and commuter traffic. Other primary arterials, including Carson Street, Norwalk Boulevard and Pioneer Boulevard also experience high average daily traffic levels. Most noise in the City derives from motor vehicles traveling along the San Gabriel (605) Freeway.
Motor vehicle noise is of concern, as it is characterized by a high number of individual events that often create a sustained noise level, and due to its proximity to noise sensitive land uses. The General Plan defines noise sensitive land uses as those that have associated indoor and/or outdoor human activities that may be subject to stress and/or significant interference from noise produced by community sound sources. Such human activity typically occurs daily for continuous periods of 24 hours or is of such a nature that noise is significantly disruptive to activities that occur for short periods. The General Plan considers noise sensitive receptors to include schools, parks, hospitals and residences.
Hawaiian Gardens has an identified RHNA of 331 units for the 2021-2029 planning period. The Housing Element illustrates that, under current General Plan land use and zoning designations, the City has an estimated additional capacity for 189 residential units that can be developed on vacant and underutilized sites. None of these sites are located along the freeway corridor.
The city is not located within an Airport Land Use Plan or within the vicinity of an airport or airstrip. The nearest airport is the Long Beach Airport, located about five miles west of Hawaiian Gardens. The nearest airfield, the Los Alamitos Army Airfield, is located approximately 3.4 miles south of the city. The city is not within the 65 dBA CNEL noise contour of either the Long Beach Airport or the Los Alamitos Army Airfield. Therefore, there would be no impact from adoption of the Housing Element
The Housing Element is a policy document and does not identify any specific development projects. As development projects are proposed, they would be analyzed separately under CEQA a part of project specific environmental review. The site-specific noise conditions, including temporary increases in noise levels due to construction and possible ground borne vibrations, would be assessed at that time. Any needed mitigation measures would be identified during the individual project or plan review, including compliance with the General Plan Noise Element. As such, adoption of the Housing Element would result in no impact to noise.
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Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-27
XIV. POPULATION AND HOUSING
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through
extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing
elsewhere?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed Housing Element will not allow for increases in housing density or total dwelling units beyond those previously analyzed under the General Plan. The proposed HE Update does not involve any changes to roadways or other infrastructure that support growth. Thus, the HE Update will not induce growth.
The proposed Housing Element would not authorize the demolition of any housing or businesses and would not facilitate displacement of people or housing. Services to assist people who are temporarily displaced would be enhanced through emergency shelters. No impact with r regard to housing displacement or displacement of persons will result.
XV. PUBLIC SERVICES
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered
governmental facilities, need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to
maintain acceptable service ratios, response times, or
other performance objectives for any of the public
services:
i. Fire protection? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
ii. Police protection? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
iii. Schools? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
iv. Parks? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
v. Other public facilities? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-28
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. Public services in Hawaiian Gardens are provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD), ABC Unified School District, and the City's Human Services Department (Parks and Recreation). The General Plan includes goals and policies to ensure that adequate public services are available to meet the City's residences and businesses. In particular, these include:
➢ Goal OS-1 (Open Space Element): Enhance and improve existing parks and recreational facilities that continue to meet the needs of the community.
➢ Goal S-1(Safety Element): Prioritize public safety in the community to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors.
➢ Goal S-2 (Safety Element): Strive to reduce the potential for criminal activity through appropriate urban design measures.
➢ Goal S-3 (Safety Element): Minimize the risk to public health, safety, and welfare from potential natural and man-made hazards.
➢ Goal S-4 (Safety Element): Provide protection for all residents from hazardous materials and the hazards associated with the transport of those materials.
➢ Goal LU-1: Provide opportunity for continued revitalization of a balanced community. ➢ Goal LU-2: Preserve and enhance residential neighborhoods in Hawaiian Gardens. ➢ Goal LU-6: Create visually prominent public spaces in Hawaiian Gardens. ➢ Goal LU-7: Ensure the compatibility of land uses in close proximity to residential areas and public facilities.
The Housing Element addresses the City's residential growth needs, or Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), for 331 units for the 2021-2029 planning period. The Housing Element also illustrates that, under current General Plan and zoning designations, the City has an estimated additional capacity for 189 residential units that can be developed on vacant and underutilized sites. No land use or zoning designation changes are required as part of the Housing Element. As individual development projects are proposed in the future, the specific environmental effects of the future developments, including impacts on public services, would be evaluated pursuant to CEQA. Any needed mitigation measures would be identified at that time in order to ensure adequate public services. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element would result in no impact.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-29
XVI. RECREATION
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Would the project increase the use of existing
neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Does the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the
environment?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The City of Hawaiian Gardens recognizes that open space and recreational amenities are significant factors in the community’s quality of life. Open space is a vital and integral component that greatly contributes to a community’s well-being. Open space can be any area that provides relief through passive and active natural and recreational areas.
Several key issues will continue to have an impact on the City’s ability to maintain and expand recreation facilities and services in the future. Infill development in the City is expected to continue, and increased population will require a full range of services, including those related to parks and recreation. Although the City is highly urbanized, opportunities lie in existing systems to provide residents with more open spaces and recreational opportunities.
Any future proposal for residential development discussed in the Housing Element would be analyzed separately under CEQA as part of project specific environmental review. The impacts on existing parks/recreational facilities or impacts from new or expanded facilities would be assessed at that time. Any needed mitigation measures would be identified during the individual project or plan review. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element, a policy document, would result in no impact.
XVII. TRANSPORTATION
Note: Except as provided in CEQA Guidelines § 15064.3(b)(2) (regarding roadway capacity projects), a project's effect on automobile delay shall not constitute a significant environmental impact. See 14 CCR § 15064.3.
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy
addressing the circulation system, including transit,
roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines § 15064.3, subdivision (b) (Criteria for Analyzing Transportation
Impacts)?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-30
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
c) Substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment)?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Result in inadequate emergency access? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The City's existing street network includes arterial, collector, and local streets, as well as the San Gabriel (605) Freeway. The City of Hawaiian Gardens is a small city in southeast Los Angeles County and is one of the Gateway Cities. The City is surrounded on the south and east sides by the City of Long Beach, with the City of Lakewood to the north, and the City of Cypress on the east. Many of the arterial roadways through the City of Hawaiian Gardens extend beyond the city boundaries into neighboring cities. Circulation issues and travel patterns, likewise, extend beyond the Hawaiian Gardens city limits. The land use decisions and traffic patterns in these other jurisdictions have the potential to affect the quality of traffic flow and mobility in the City of Hawaiian Gardens, and conversely, traffic conditions and decisions made by the City of Hawaiian Gardens can affect its neighbors. Impacts to the City’s circulation system resulting from land use decisions and circulation system improvements in adjacent jurisdictions were considered during the course of the General Plan update.
While the City of Hawaiian Gardens is generally fully developed, some parcels are still vacant, or are underdeveloped and have the potential for further development. The Housing Element of the General Plan quantifies the potential development on these vacant or underutilized parcels. The capacity of the vacant and underutilized parcels is estimated to be 189 housing units.
The City’s Circulation Element of the General Plan sets forth goals to address the City’s circulation needs including:
Goal CIR-1: To provide a safe and efficient regionally-oriented transportation system designed to channel nonlocal traffic and trucks onto the major arterial street system and discourage encroachment into community areas or residential neighborhoods.
The Housing Element is a policy document that includes goals, policies and programs to meet the existing and projected housing needs of the City. The Housing Element identifies policies and potential sites to accommodate all new housing developments within existing residential areas, and does not call for land use or zoning designation changes. The Housing Element does not include any specific development proposal. Any potential impacts related to increases in the existing traffic load, level of service standards, hazards due to design features, emergency access and parking capacity would be analyzed as future residential projects are proposed and are subject to separate CEQA review. Any needed mitigation measures or conditions of approval would be identified during the individual project or plan review. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element would result in no impact.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-31
XVIII. TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code § 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native
American tribe, and that is:
i. Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code §
5020.1(k), or
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
ii. A resource determined by the lead agency, in its
discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to
be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in
subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code § 5024.1. In
applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of
Public Resource Code § 5024.1, the lead agency shall
consider the significance of the resource to a
California Native American tribe.
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The proposed HE Update would not likely affect a tribal cultural resource eligible for listing, depending on the degree of excavation. The potential for discovering previously unknown resources exists because future projects would likely involve excavation particularly if underground parking garages are included. Future projects will undergo environmental study and review and may include mitigation to reduce impacts to less than significant levels. The proposed HE Update would not affect a known tribal resource, because there are no known prehistoric sites or Tribal Cultural Resources in the City. Still, there is potential for discovering buried resources, including human remains during the excavation phase of construction. Future development City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-32
projects will be subject to environmental review, and mitigation measures may be applied to reduce impacts to less than significant levels. As such, no impacts will occur.
XIX. UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
Would the project: Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water
drainage, electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the construction or
relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development
during normal, dry, and multiple dry years?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider, which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Generate solid waste in excess of state or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
e) Comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ Impact Discussion:
No Impact. Water service in Hawaiian Gardens is provided by the Golden State Water Company (formerly the Southern California Water Company) Region II Central District – Central Basin East Artesia System. Solid waste disposal services for the City are provided by Consolidated Disposal Services. Waste from the City is taken to the Bel Art Transfer Station in Long Beach, with final disposal at Chiquita Canyon Disposal Facility; a 592-acre facility located in Valencia, north of Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Waste Management Division, monitors the quality of storm water runoff from various locations. The City's General Plan includes goals and policies to ensure that adequate utility systems are available to meet the needs of the City's residences and businesses. This includes:
➢ Goal LU-7 (Land Use Element): Ensure the compatibility of land uses in close proximity to residential areas and public facilities;
➢ Goal CAP-1 (Capital Improvements Element): Provide adequate facilities and services of roads, sewer, water, and storm drain infrastructure
➢ Goal CAP-4 (Capital Improvements Element): Improve the welfare of the community by ensuring infrastructure and services meet existing and future demand.
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-33
➢ Goal CON-1 (Conservation Element): Conserve energy resources through energy efficiency and available technologies.
The Housing Element Update is a policy document that includes goals, policies and programs to meet the existing and projected housing needs of the City. The Housing Element Update identifies policies and potential sites to accommodate all new housing within existing residential and specific plan areas, and does not call for land use or zoning designation changes. The Housing Element does not include any specific development projects. The specific environmental effects to utility and service systems of future residential development that may be proposed in the Housing Element policies and programs would be evaluated as individual project proposals or plans are submitted and CEQA review conducted. Any needed mitigation measures would be identified at that time.
Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element would result in no impact. As such no impacts will occur.
XX. WILDFIRE
If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
b) Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors,
exacerbate wildfire risks, and thereby expose project
occupants to pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
d) Expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslope or downstream flooding or landslides, as a
result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Impact Discussion:
No Impact. The City of Hawaiian Gardens is not in or near a state responsibility area and does not contain land classified as a very high fire severity zone. The General Plan notes that the City is nearly completely developed and is not adjacent to wildlands. No impacts will occur.
XXI. MANDATORY FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
a) Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
City of Hawaiian Gardens Housing Element Update
Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration Page IS-34
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less Than
Significant with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community,
substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or
prehistory?
b) Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively
considerable” means that the incremental effects of a
project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects.) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
c) Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
Discussion:
No Impact. As described throughout this document, the Housing Element is one of the elements of Hawaiian Gardens' General Plan, and must be updated pursuant to California Government Code Section 65588 for the 2021- 2029 planning period. The Housing Element identifies and assesses projected housing needs and provides an inventory of constraints and resources relevant to meeting these needs.
The City's RHNA for the eight-year projection period is 331 units. The Housing Element illustrates that, under current General Plan land use designations and zoning, the City has an estimated additional capacity for 189 residential units that can be developed on vacant and underutilized sites where residential use is currently allowed. No land use or zoning designation changes are required as part of the Housing Element. The Housing Element does not include any specific development proposal for residential units. All environmental effects of future residential development would be evaluated as individual project proposals or plans are submitted to the City for consideration, pursuant to CEQA. Therefore, adoption of the Housing Element would not degrade the quality of the environment, result in cumulatively considerable impacts or cause substantial adverse effects on human beings.
The Zoning Code amendments are text amendments in order to ensure compliance with State law. The amendments will provide an opportunity to diversity the future housing supply but will not increase or decrease the numbers of housing units permitted by the General Plan. In addition, the housing types identified by the Zoning Code amendments – which are required by State law – would need to meet the development standards of the respective zones. All environmental effects of future residential development would be evaluated as individual project proposals or plans are submitted to the City for consideration, pursuant to CEQA. Therefore, adoption of the Zoning Code amendments would not degrade the quality of the environment, result in cumulatively considerable impacts or cause substantial adverse effects on human beings.