*Kennedy
COMMISSION'
June 6, 2023 www.kennedycommission.org
17701 Cowan Ave., Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
949 250 0909
Mayor Strickland and Councilmembers
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main St.
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
RE: Item 27 - Submitted by Council Member McKeon - Decertification of Beach Edinger Corridor Specific Plan Environmental Impact Report
Mayor Strickland and Councilmembers:
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad-based coalition of residents and community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $30,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been successful in partnering and working with Orange County jurisdictions to create effective housing and land-use policies that have led to the new construction of homes affordable to lower-income working families.
As the Council considers item 27, The Kennedy Commission urges the Council to not move forward with the proposed consideration to decertify the Beach Edinger Corridor Specific Plan (BESCSP) Environmental Impact Report. If the city moves forward with decertifying the BESCSP EIR it will cause greater uncertainty in creating affordable housing opportunities in Huntington Beach. The BECSP current standards, development capacity and environmental review adopted is a critical part of providing housing opportunities and consistency in the city's General Plan, Housing Element, and overall planning.
Again, we remind the city of the critical need for affordable housing in the City of Huntington Beach and request that the city not continue to undermine affordable housing planning and opportunities.
The shortage of affordable housing in Huntington Beach is in large part due to the City's noncompliance with Housing Element commitments, programs and general housing laws and requirements. We ask the city to do the following:
- We request that the city not decertify the BECSP EIR and create further uncertainty in development.
- We request the city work with residents and community organizations on further analysis of the feasibility and capacity of sites and programs that will facilitate affordable housing.
- To provide housing in a more balanced manner, the Commission recommends that the city comply with state housing laws and that the city adopt its 2021-2029 Housing Element in an effort to expAPd afardaks, housing opportunities in Huntington Beach.
COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date:_ 6/6/23
Agenda Item No. 27(23-497)
*Kennedy
COMMISSION
The Housing Element should include robust and effective housing programs and should identify adequate affordable housing sites to address affordable housing requirements on the production of the lower-income segments. We request that the city prioritize the creation of affordable homes for extremely low-, very low-, and low-income households to truly address housing needs not being addressed by the housing market in Huntington The Commission looks forward to partnering with the city to increase housing opportunities for lower-income residents in Huntington Beach. Please keep us informed of any updates and meetings regarding strategies to increase the affordable homes for lower-income households in the city. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
cc: Ms. Megan Kirkeby, Acting Deputy Director, Housing Policy Development, CA HCD Ms. Melinda Coy, Proactive Accountability Chief, CA HCD