The City is in the process of updating the Safety Element of its General Plan as required by Government Code Section 65302and adopting a new Environmental Justice element as required by Government Code Section 65302(h). Those updates are expected to be adopted in 2023.
Huntington Park has seven land use categories that allow residential uses (Table IV-1), allowing a range of housing types and densities from 8.7 units per acre to 400 units per acre. 1 City of Huntington Park, Planning and Zoning Division, http://hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7972/2030-City-ofHuntington-Park-General-Plan---FINAL 2 City of Huntington Park, Planning and Zoning Division, https://www.hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/407 Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Table IV-1
Residential Land Use Designations
Huntington Park General Plan
GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE CATEGORY
ZONING
DESIGNATION
MAXIMUM DENSITY OR
FLOOR AREA RATIO (FAR)
RESIDENTIAL
TYPES PERMITTED
Residential
Low-Density Residential R-L 8.7 units/acre Low-density single-family dwellings, manufactured homes
Medium-Density Residential R-M 17.4 units/acre Medium-density townhouses, small-lot single-family dwellings,
two-and three-family housing
arrangements, low-rise apartment
buildings
High-Density Residential R-H 20 units/acre Apartments and condominiums Senior Housing Overlay R-H, DTSP 225 units/acre Senior housing in high-rise developments, single-room
occupancy (SRO) developments
Single Room Occupancy
Overlay
R-H 400 units/acre SROs
Central Business
District/Residential
C-P, C-N, DTSP
(District A, B, C &
D)
2:1 FAR
4:1 FAR (on Pacific Boulevard)
Multi-family residential
development, mixed-use
development, SROs
Mixed Use Overlay 17.4 units/acre Vertical mixed-use development (ground-floor commercial),
residential development
Source: Huntington Park General Plan, Land Use Element, Table LU-1, pages 22-26 1991.
Specific Plans
The Downtown Specific Plan covers an area of approximately 85 acres in the City of Huntington Park’s Downtown. The Specific Plan divides the downtown area into four districts. Within each district there is a particular vision for future development. Land use and development standards, as well as design guidelines, give direction for each of these districts to achieve the future state envisioned by the community. The four districts are as follows:
1. District A: Mixed-Use Opportunity Sites – Commercial and office on ground floor with residential and office above ground. Maximum height of 84 feet.
2. District B: Mixed Use – Commercial and office on ground floor with residential and office above ground. Maximum height of 60 feet
3. District C: Multi-family residential with the opportunity for commercial on the ground floor as the market prescribes. Maximum building height of 35 to 60 feet.
4. District D: Mixed Use – Fronting Zoe Avenue, commercial on ground floor with residential above; not fronting Zoe Ave, commercial and residential on ground floor with residential above. Maximum building height of 35 feet.
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Zoning Designations
The City regulates the type, location, density, and scale of residential development through the Zoning Code (Title 9 of the Huntington Park Municipal Code) and the Zoning Map. These regulations serve to implement the General Plan and are designed to protect and promote the health, safety, and general welfare of residents. The Zoning Code and Zoning Map set forth residential development standards and review procedures for each zoning district. Table IV-2 summarizes the housing types permitted in each of the Huntington Park zoning districts.
The three zoning districts that allow residential units as a permitted use are as follows:
1) R-L (Low-Density Residential)
2) R-M (Medium-Density Residential)
3) R-H (High-Density District)
Commercial zoning districts that allow residential uses are as follows:
1) C-P (Office-Professional)
2) C-N (Neighborhood-Commercial)
The Downtown Specific Plan allows residential uses in zoning districts established in that plan (zoning district DTSP in the Zoning Code):
1) District A (Gateway)
2) District B (Festival)
3) District C (Neighborhood)
4) District D (Zoe)
The Zoning Code also contains a number of overlay zones,3 which allow for additional uses beyond the base zoning district:
1) Medium Density Overlay Zone
2) Senior Citizen Housing Overlay Zone
3) Single Room Occupancy Overlay Zone
4) Affordable Housing Overlay Zone
3 City of Huntington Park Zoning Code, Section 9-4.502, Overlay zones.
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Table IV-2
Permitted Residential Development by Zoning District
ALLOWED LAND USES ZONING DISTRICT
Residential Use R-L R-M R-H C-P C-N C-G MPD
DTSP
A B C D
Condominiums - - - - - - - C2 C2 C C2
Convalescent Homes - C C C - C - - - - -
Density Bonus/Affordable
Housing
P P P - - - - C2 C2 C C2
Manufactured Housing D D D - - - - - - - -
Multi-Family Dwellings - D D D - D - D2 D2 D D2
Second Dwelling Unit/“Granny”
Housing/Guest House
P - - - - - - - - - -
Senior Citizen/Congregate Care
Housing
- - C - - - - C2 C2 C C2
Single-Family Dwellings P P P - - - - - - C -
Single Room Occupancy
Facilities
- - D - - - - - - C -
Group Homes
6 or less clients P P P - - - - P1 - P P2
7 or more clients C C C - - - - - C2 C C2
Transitional Housing* - D D - - - - - - - -
Supportive Housing* - D D - - - - - - - -
Zero Lot Line/Small Lot
Residential Developments
- D D - - - - - - C -
Emergency Shelters
Up to 30 beds - - - - P - - C - - -
More than 30 beds - - - - C - - C - - -
P=Permitted, D=Development Permit, C=Conditionally Permitted, - = Prohibited (Permit types are discussed in Development Procedures, below) * Note: Assumes transitional and supportive housing is configured as a multi-family residential use, and is therefore subject to a Development Permit.
If such housing were configured as a single-family use, it would be permitted by right within the R-M and R-H zones. 1 Permitted Only Above First Floor on Pacific Boulevard 2 Permitted Only Above First Floor
Development Standards
Development standards can affect the feasibility of development projects, particularly housing that is affordable to lower-income households. The most significant of these standards is density. Higher densities generally result in lower per-unit land costs, thereby reducing overall development cost, although this is not always the case. For example, at some point, higher density may require more expensive construction methods such as parking structures or below-grade garages.
Stakeholders interviewed for this Housing Element Update did not have specific experience developing in Huntington Park, but did have experience with infill development in urban areas and Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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provided input on typical development standards found in areas similar to Huntington Park. Some of the development standards that the City will consider adjusting include:
• Height: The lowest-density type of development that may be viable in Huntington Park (townhomes) typically require a height maximum of at least 35 feet. The City will increase the 30-foot height limit in the C-N district.
• Open Space: Open space requirements are not listed in the tables below and are found in the housing type-specific development standards in the Zoning Code. Developers find that required open space often goes unused, and can constrain their ability to achieve the maximum density allowed. Developers urged careful consideration of open space requirements (particularly common open space) to ensure that the type of open space required is appropriate for the type of development proposed, and suggested increasing park fees and contributing to more public open spaces.
• Minimum Unit Sizes: A minimum unit size requirement can act as a proxy for a minimum standard of quality, but do not allow for much flexibility in the design of projects. Developers consistently reported flexibility as a key to a development’s success. • Prohibition on Ground-Floor Residential uses in the Downtown Specific Plan. In the A, B, and D districts of the Downtown Specific Plan, residential uses are not permitted on the ground floor. The plan is intended to create a mix of uses, and the plan area is an important commercial corridor for the city, but the requirement could prove challenging for residential developers, especially affordable housing developers, to accommodate. The City will explore modifications to this development standard to ensure that the Downtown Specific Plan area is a viable part of the city in which to develop housing.
The City will, during annual reviews of its RHNA progress and outreach to developers, examine these standards as constraints and modify the Zoning Ordinance to modify them if needed to maintain progress toward meeting its RHNA (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates).
Table IV-3 and Table IV-4 summarize the City’s standards for residential development in all zones.
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Table IV-3
Residential Development Standards (Commercial and Residential Zoning Districts) DEVELOPMENT STANDARD R-L R-M R-H C-P** C-N**
Density (du/ac) 8.712 17.424 20 20 20
Min Lot Area (sq. ft.) 5,000* 5,000* 15,000* 5,000 5,000 Lot Width (ft.) 45* 45* 100* 50 50
Lot Depth (ft.) 80* 80* 100* 0 0
Front Setback (ft.) 201 151 101 5 5
Rear Setback (ft.) 10 10 10 0 0
Side Setback (each) 4 feet plus 1 foot
for each story over 1 story
0 0
Side Setback (street) 10 feet plus 1 foot
for each story over 1 story
Min. Unit Size
(sq. ft.)
1,000 850 Studio – 500
1 bedroom – 600
2 bedroom – 750
3 bedroom – 900
150 for each additional bedroom
Lot Coverage
(building footprint)
(%, Max)
45% 55% 65% 1.0 FAR 1.0 FAR
Structure Height
(feet, max)
35, 2 stories 35 45*** 40 30
* Lots created before January 1, 2019 containing no more than one dwelling unit are exempt from the minimum lot size standards. Properties falling under this exemption shall maintain a maximum of one dwelling unit and are subject to compliance with all other applicable development standards.
** C-P and C-N zones allow residential, subject to a Development Permit 1 Garage door setback for single-family uses shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the front property line. *** Building heights may be increased up to 100 feet by the Planning Commission as part of a Development Permit application.
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Table IV-4
Residential Development Standards (Downtown Specific Plan)
DEVELOPMENT
STANDARD A B C D
Density (du/ac) 70 units/acre 70 units/acre 70 units/acre 30 units/acre Floor Area Ratio (FAR) 4.0 FAR (for
mixed use)
4.0 FAR (for
mixed use)
2.0 FAR (for mixed use) 3.0 FAR (for mixed
use)
Min Lot Area (sq. ft.)
Lot Width (feet)
Lot Depth (feet)
Front Setback (feet) 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. (10 ft. for lots fronting Seville) 10 ft.
Rear Setback (feet) 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. (10 ft. for lots fronting Seville) 0 ft.
Side Setback (each) 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft.
Side Setback (street) 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft. 0 ft.
Min Unit Size
Open Space
(common)
100 sf/du 50 sf/du 150 sf/du or 200 sf/du for lots
fronting Seville (100 sf/du may be
met by in-lieu fee)
150 sf/du
Open Space (private) 150 sf/du 100 sf/du 50 sf/du or 200 sf/du for lots fronting Seville (50 sf/du may be satisfied by
offering additional common open
space)
150 sf/du (50 sf/du
may be met by
additional common
space)
Lot Coverage
(building footprint)
(%, Max)
Maximum Building
Height (feet)
84 ft. 60 ft. (35 ft.
min.)
50 ft. (70 ft. on the west side of Rita
Avenue and on the east side of Rugby
Avenue)
35 ft. for lots fronting Seville
50 ft.
Zero Lot Line / Small Lot Residential Development Standards Section 9-4.103(2)(R) of the City’s Zoning Code permits zero lot line/small lot developments in the R-H and R-M zoning districts, subject to the approval of a Development Permit by the Community Development Director, to add standards for small lot developments (lots less than 4,000 square feet). The standards act as an alternative to attached housing in multi-family districts. They apply to all small-lot subdivisions, whether the tentative map is designed with single or multiple units per lot (condominium). By providing greater development flexibility and allowing smaller lot sizes, the ordinance facilitates the development and reduces development costs.
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DEVELOPMENT
STANDARD ZERO LOT LINE / SMALL LOT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Minimum Lot Size 3,050 sq. ft.
Access Alleys may be permitted to provide vehicular access Minimum Lot Frontage 30 ft. (20 ft. for lots fronting public street and alley) Front Yard Setbacks 20 ft., garage door setback for single-family uses shall be a minimum of 20 ft. from the front property line
Side Yard Setbacks 5 ft. from side/street right-of-way
Rear Yard Setbacks 5 ft. from rear alley (public right-of-way) Open Space 400 ft. private outdoor open space
Parking 2 spaces in garage; tandem parking may be permitted in garage on parcels without alley access
Development standards not specified in the small lot ordinance are defined by the respective residential zone district the property is located in.
Senior Citizen Housing Overlay Zone Development Standards Section 9-4.502(3) of the Zoning Code establishes modified development standards to facilitate the provision of senior housing (age 55 and over). Senior housing is permitted at densities up to 225 units per gross acre within the Senior Citizen Housing Overlay Zone, or in accordance with the underlying residential density within other zoning districts where the overlay zone is not applied. In addition, a reduced parking ratio of one space for every two guest rooms (units) is allowed. The minimum floor area for each unit is as follows:
Studio: 410 sq. ft.
One-bedroom: 570 sq. ft.
Two-bedroom: 670 sq. ft.
Affordable Housing Overlay and Affordable Housing Development Standards The Affordable Housing Overlay (Zoning Ordinance Section 9-4.502) is intended to facilitate the development of affordable family housing at densities up to 70 dwelling units per acre. Senior housing at a density of 225 units per acre, and single-room occupancy (SRO) facilities at a density of 400 units per acre are also permitted.
Developments in this overlay are required to comply with the Affordable Housing development standards (Municipal Code, Section 2, Ord. 848-NS). A height increase of up to 10 feet above the maximum permitted within the underlying zoning district may be granted. All setbacks shall comply with the minimum setback requirements as set forth within the underlying zoning district. All residential dwelling units within an affordable housing development project, regardless of affordability restriction, shall not differ in appearance and shall be designed to contain all the same amenities, architectural features, and/or any other similar elements. These requirements are intended to decrease barriers to the development of housing.
The City’s code establishes a minimum livable area by number of bedrooms, ranging from 500 square feet for a studio to 900 square feet for a four-bedroom unit. There are state requirements for minimum livable area: bedrooms must be at least 100 square feet of habitable floor space for the first occupant and 50 square feet of habitable floor space for each additional occupant. There Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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are no requirements for overall unit size at the state level.4 A minimum unit size is a constraint to maximizing the number of units in a project, smaller units are typically more affordable to rent, and no minimum unit size provides developers with more flexibility. Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates, would have the City annually examine the minimum unit size requirement and modify if needed to maintain progress toward meeting its RHNA.
Minimum Lot Size Exceptions
The Zoning Code prohibits multiple dwelling units on lots created before January 1, 2019, containing no more than one dwelling unit, and therefore exempt from the minimum lot size standards.
The California HOME Act (Senate Bill 9, 2021) requires a ministerial review process for eligible development of up to two principal dwelling units on a parcel in a single-family residential zone, and a ministerial review process for eligible “urban lot splits,” to create two new parcels for residential uses in a single-family residential zone. This prohibition is inconsistent with the California HOME Act and state ADU law. The City will modify this prohibition to allow multiple dwelling units in compliance with state law (Program 7, Zoning Code Updates).
Off-Street Parking Requirements
The City’s parking requirements for residential uses vary by residential type. Single-family dwellings (detached and attached) require two parking spaces per unit in a garage, plus one parking space for every bedroom after the first two bedrooms and one guest space per unit. Mobile homes require
1.5 parking spaces plus one guest parking space for every three units. Studio units require one space for each unit in a garage, plus guest parking. Multi-family dwellings, condos, and other attached dwellings are required to have two spaces in a garage for each unit plus one space for each bedroom after the first two bedrooms and one uncovered guest parking per unit. Accessory dwelling units are required to have one space in addition to that required for the single-family unit or bedroom but can be exempted per State Law if they meet the criteria in Government Code section 65852.2, subdivisions (d)(1-5) and (j)(10):
1) Accessory dwelling unit is located within one-half mile walking distance of public transit. 2) Accessory dwelling unit is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
3) Accessory dwelling unit is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an accessory structure.
4) When on-street parking permits are required but not offered to the occupant of the accessory dwelling unit.
5) When there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the accessory dwelling unit.
Senior housing projects and Senior Congregate Care Facilities are required to provide 0.5 space for each unit. Extended care facilities are required to provide one space for each two beds the facility is licensed to accommodate. These parking requirements are summarized in Table IV-5. 4 § 370.04. Standards for Decent, Safe, and Sanitary Dwellings Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Table IV-5
Residential Parking Requirements
TYPE OF UNIT MINIMUM PARKING SPACE REQUIRED
Single Family Detached Dwellings 2 spaces within a garage, plus 1 parking space (covered or uncovered) for every bedroom after the first 2 bedrooms, and 1 uncovered guest space for every unit.
Single Family Attached Dwellings 2 spaces within a garage, plus 1 parking space (covered or uncovered) for every bedroom after the first 2 bedrooms, and 1 uncovered guest space for every unit Mobile Homes (in M.H. parks) 1.5 covered spaces, plus 1 uncovered guest space for every 3 units Accessory Dwelling Units 1 off-street parking space in addition to that required for a single-family unit unless exempted per Government Code section 65852.2, subdivisions (d)(1-5) and (j)(10).
Multi-Family Dwellings, Condominiums, and Other Attached Dwellings* Studio 2 covered spaces per unit, plus 1 uncovered guest space for every unit. 1 or More Bedrooms 2 covered spaces per unit, plus 1 parking space (covered or uncovered) for every bedroom after the first 2 bedrooms, plus 1 uncovered guest space for every unit.
Single Room Occupancy 1 space for each 4 guest rooms.
Senior Housing Projects 1 space for each 2 guest rooms.
Senior Congregate Care Facilities 1 space for each 2 guest rooms.
Extended Care Facilities (elderly, skilled nursing
facilities and residential care homes)
1 space for each 2 guest rooms.
Source: Huntington Park Zoning Code, 2019
* Reduced parking is allowed for projects that provide affordable housing pursuant to state Density Bonus law. ** Guest parking shall be provided at a ratio of one space for each four required parking spaces.
With over 19,000 persons per square mile, Huntington Park has one of the highest population densities in the state. Associated with this dense population is a high density of automobiles within the City’s three square-mile jurisdiction. The California Department of Motor Vehicles identified 44,782 registered automobiles, motorcycles, and trailers in the Huntington Park zip code (90255) in 2020, translating to approximately three vehicles per household. The City’s single- and multifamily parking standards of two spaces per unit are established to provide adequate on-site parking to address the needs of Huntington Park’s predominately large family households. During stakeholder outreach for this Housing Element Update, developers found the City’s parking standards to be high. Townhome-style developers reported a typical, marketable parking standard to be two off-street spaces per unit plus one-quarter guest space per unit. Parking requirements also contribute to the high cost of development, and can make it difficult for projects to achieve the maximum density allowed. Therefore, the City has included Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates, in the Housing Element to evaluate its parking standards further and develop strategies to allow reduced parking for new development while not negatively impacting the community.
All or a portion of the off-street parking required by the Zoning Code (Municipal Code Section 9-
3.8) may be waived when the lot or parcel of land involved is located in, or within 500 feet of, the Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP) and is within 500 feet from the nearest point of a public parking lot as measured between the property line of subject parcel or lot to the property line of the public parking lot provided the owner or occupant of the property on which the waiver is to be applied pays to the City an amount to be determined by the Council, to be deposited in the Parking System Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Fund. Upon the payment of the fee to the City Treasurer, the Director shall issue a permit waiving the specified parking spaces. All money given to the City pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be used for the purposes of providing for or facilitating the use of public off-street parking.
Requests to Develop Housing at Densities Lower Than Anticipated in the Sites Inventory
Many factors influence the actual density of a project and can result in significantly lower densities than the maximum density allowed by zoning. There have been no requests to develop housing at densities lower than those anticipated in the sites inventory. The City will establish minimum densities in the Downtown Specific Plan Area of at least 20 units per acre (Program 10), and the Transit Oriented Development Overlay District to be developed with this Housing Element (Program 11) will establish minimum densities of 30 units per acre, to ensure sites in this 6th Cycle Housing Element Sites Inventory are developed at densities to meet realistic capacity assumptions.
Design Guidelines
Design guidelines are intended to communicate the desired qualities and characteristics of development and are intended to promote quality design that is sensitive to its neighborhood context, adjacent structures, and the General Plan’s Urban Design Goals.
Design guidelines are used by staff, the Community Development Director, Commission, and Council in the review of development proposals. Criteria include architectural design and details of structures, site layout, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and compatibility with the surrounding area.
Downtown Specific Plan Design Guidelines
Residential and mixed-use development within the Downtown Specific Plan5 is subject to standards currently found in the Zoning Code as well as additional standards applicable to the Downtown Specific Plan Zones. Such standards are created to ensure residential development within this zone is compatible in architectural design and scale and functions appropriately with the surrounding commercial and mixed-use areas.
Mixed-use developments in the Specific Plan area must comply with the following regulations that may be a constraint to the development of housing due to increased costs associated with implementing these:
• Residential uses shall not occupy first/ground floor space in Districts A and B and along the Zoe Street frontage in District D, except for entrances and lobbies. For projects under 10 units, the required ADA unit may be located at the ground floor in a non-street fronting location for Districts A, B, and D.
• Access to residential units shall be from a central lobby which may be located on the first/ground level or one story above. Lobby access shall be restricted to residents only. • Separate access drives and parking facilities shall be provided for residential uses and commercial uses except that residential visitor parking and commercial parking may be shared subject to the approval of the Community Development Director. • Private open space shall be provided for residential uses in a mixed-use project. 5 Downtown Specific Plan, 2008. https://www.hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/320/HP-Downtown-Specific-Plan?bidId= Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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General Plan Urban Design Element
The Urban Design Element of the General Plan includes policies and programs intended to shape the urban design of the city, but the policies are not design guidelines. The 1991 General Plan also contains policies requiring the development of design guidelines, and the City’s 2030 General Plan identified a need for urban design guidelines.6
Many policies related to residential development contain subjective and difficult to apply language such as “improve,” and allows for discretionary review of projects. The existing policies are a constraint to housing development due to the subjective nature of design standards. Until design guidelines are adopted, the lack of city-wide design guidelines is a constraint due to the limited guidance provided by the policies listed above and ability for permits to be reviewed subjectively.
Under Program 8, Development Procedures, the City will adopt objective design standards for qualifying residential and mixed-use development, and citywide objective design guidelines for all residential and mixed-use projects.
Local Ordinances
Density Bonus Ordinance
State Density Bonus Law (Government Code Section 65915-65918) requires the City to provide certain incentives to developers that provide affordable or senior housing. The amount of the density bonus is set on a sliding scale, based upon the percentage of affordable units at each income level, with a maximum density bonus of 50 percent.
Density bonus law also requires that qualifying projects be provided up to three incentives or concessions. The number of required incentives or concessions is based on the percentage of affordable units in the project. An incentive or concession is defined as:
• A reduction in site development standards or a modification of zoning code or architectural design requirements, such as a reduction in setback or minimum square footage requirements;
• Approval of mixed-use zoning; or
• Other regulatory incentives or concessions which actually result in identifiable and financially sufficient cost reductions.
Huntington Park adopted a Density Bonus Ordinance (Municipal Code, 9-3-22) in 2010, which provides incentives or concessions for the production of housing for very low-, low-, and moderateincome and senior households. The City’s ordinance is not consistent with recent changes to state Density Bonus Law, and the City will update the density bonus for consistency with state law (Program 11, Density Bonus and other Affordable Housing Incentives).
Condominium Conversions
The City’s Zoning Code regulates the conversion of rental units to condominiums through a Conditional Use Permit process as a means of managing the undesirable aspects of conversion projects on tenants and the stock of rental housing in the community. Prior to approval of a conversion, the Commission must find the following:
6 Draft 2030 General Plan Land Use & Community Development Element, Policy 14. http://hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7972/2030-City-of-Huntington-Park-General-Plan---FINAL Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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• The project would not adversely affect the supply and availability of rental housing in the City or within a specified area of the City
• At least 25% of the project’s tenants qualify for the purchase of units Additional tenant protections include: (1) direct noticing of the public hearing on the proposed conversion; (2) Minimum 120-day notice to vacate if the conversion is approved; (3) allowance for tenants with children to extend their lease until the end of school year; (4) Tenant right of first purchase; and (5) arrangement for equivalent housing facilities (at the tenant’s expense) for tenants purchasing units but temporarily displaced by renovations.
The City's condominium conversion requirements protect tenants from displacement and do not constrain the development of housing.
Special Needs Housing
Persons with special needs include those in residential care facilities; persons with disabilities; the elderly; farm workers; persons needing emergency shelter or transitional living arrangements; and those living in single room occupancy units. The City’s provisions for these housing types are discussed below.
Transitional and Supportive Housing
State Housing Element law defines transitional housing as “buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that require the termination of assistance and recirculating of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at a predetermined future point in time that shall be no less than six months from the beginning of the assistance” (Government Code Section 65582(j)).
Transitional housing is a type of housing used to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals and families to permanent housing. Residents of transitional housing are usually connected to supportive services designed to assist the homeless in achieving greater economic independence and a permanent, stable living situation. Transitional housing can take several forms, including group quarters with beds, single-family homes, and multifamily apartments; and typically offers case management and support services to help return people to independent living (often six months to two years).
Supportive housing is defined as “housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to an onsite or offsite service that assists the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community” (Government Code Section 65582(g)).
Supportive housing links the provision of housing and social services for the homeless, people with disabilities, and a variety of other special needs populations. Similar to transitional housing, supportive housing can take several forms, including group quarters with beds, single-family homes, and multifamily apartments.
State law (Government Code Section 65583(c)(1)(C)(3)) requires cities and counties to treat transitional housing and supportive housing as a residential use subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone. Supportive housing must also be permitted by right in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, subject to certain standards (Government Code Section 65651(a)).
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The City’s Zoning Code defines Supportive and Transitional Housing (Section 9-1.203) as follows:
“Transitional housing” means temporary housing for a homeless individual or family transitioning to permanent housing for stays of at least six months. “Supportive Housing” shall have the same meaning as transitional housing; however, there is no time limit on the length of stay for supportive housing.
There are two supportive or transitional housing developments in the city: Mosaic Gardens at Huntington Park has a total of 24 beds and Tiki Gardens is a transitional housing project with 35 units for homeless persons.
Supportive and transitional housing configured as a single-family use are permitted by-right in R-M and R-H zoned residential districts with only a ministerial zoning clearance required. Supportive and transitional housing configured as a multi-family use is subject to a development permit in the RM and RH Districts. These facilities are not permitted within the R-L zoned districts. There are no separation requirements for supportive and transitional housing facilities. The City’s regulations are not consistent with state law because supportive and transitional housing are subject to more stringent requirements than single-family dwellings in the same zones. Program 7, Zoning Code Updates, would amend the Zoning Code for consistency with state law.
Emergency Shelters
Government Code Section 65583(a)(4) requires the identification of a zone or zones where emergency shelters are allowed as a permitted use without a conditional use or other discretionary permit. The identified zone or zones shall include sufficient capacity to accommodate the City’s need for emergency shelters and must provide capacity for at least one year-round shelter. Permit processing, development, and management standards for emergency shelters must be objective and facilitate the development of, or conversion to, emergency shelters. Assembly Bill 2339 requires that emergency shelters are allowed in a zone which allows residential uses or zones with available land which is located near amenities and services that serve people experiencing homelessness.
Emergency shelters with up to 30 beds are permitted by right in the Industrial/Manufacturing Planned Development (MPD) zone, and emergency shelters with more than 30 beds are conditionally permitted in the MPD, subject to approval of a CUP. Emergency shelters of any size are also conditionally permitted in the C-G (General-Commercial) zone.7 The MPD zone provides for service, commercial, business, and industrial uses, and extends along several of the City’s major corridors, including Soto, Slauson, Randolph, and Alameda, all of which are located near transit (bus service). Many of these sites are within walking distance of medical services, social services, and groceries. The City’s Land Use Element identifies over 200 acres of MPD-designated land.
While there is little vacant land in the City including within the MPD zone, 178 MPD properties (totaling approximately 68 acres) are either underutilized (defined as improvement to land value ratio below 1.0 and buildings built prior to 1980) or have existing structures that are potentially suitable for conversion to shelter use. Lots range from 100,000 square feet (approximately 2 acres) to approximately 12,000 square feet in the northern areas of Huntington Park. 7 Huntington Park Municipal Code, Section 9-4.202 Allowed uses. https://library.qcode.us/lib/huntington_park_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_9-chapter_4-article_2-9_4_202 Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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According to the 2022 Point in Time Count, there are approximately 282 unsheltered people experiencing homelessness living in Huntington Park. Pursuant to AB 2339, 56,400 square feet (1.3 acres) of land is required to shelter 282 people at a rate of 200 square feet per person. With a limit of 30 beds per shelter, 10 emergency shelters would be needed to accommodate all unsheltered residents.
To ensure there are adequate sites, including vacant sites, close to services, the City’s new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) overlay will permit emergency shelters by right. The TOD overlay district allows for by-right, stand-alone residential and mixed-use development containing a wide variety of commercial establishments, including retail, services, hotels, and motels. The TOD overlay district is applied to sites with a range of parcel sizes and existing uses and offers potential for reuse and development in locations with older structures and lower improvement to land value ratios. The TOD overlay district includes 1.3 acres of vacant land and approximately 23 acres of underutilized land (defined as improvement to land value ratio below 1.0 and buildings built prior to 1980), allows residential projects, and is within walking distance of public transit and medical, social, and/or commercial services.
The Huntington Park Zoning Code defines “emergency shelters” as follows:
“Emergency shelter” means a facility operated by a nonprofit organization providing temporary housing and minimal supportive services for homeless persons for a period of no more than six (6) months.
Standards for emergency shelters are established in Article 20, Emergency Shelters. State law allows for objective standards including:
1. The maximum number of beds or persons permitted to be served nightly by the facility
2. Sufficient parking to accommodate all staff working in the emergency shelter, provided that the standards do not require more parking for emergency shelters than other residential or commercial uses within the same zone
3. The size and location of exterior and interior onsite waiting and client intake areas
4. The provision of onsite management
5. The proximity to other emergency shelters, provided that emergency shelters are not required to be more than 300 feet apart
6. The length of stay
7. Lighting
8. Security during hours that the emergency shelter is in operation Article 20 contains a number of provisions that exceed standards allowed by state law, and several standards that require discretion to apply. The City defers to state law in evaluating proposals for emergency shelters where the Zoning Code is inconsistent with state law. As discussed in the People Experiencing Homelessness (Housing Needs Assessment), Huntington Park has an estimated homeless population of approximately 282 persons, and there are no emergency shelters in the city. As established in the Housing Needs Assessment, there is a gap in local resources to serve the city’s homeless population. The City will amend the Zoning Code to revise standards for emergency shelters for consistency with state law (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates).
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Low Barrier Navigation Centers
Government Code Section 65660 defines a Low Barrier Navigation Center as a “Housing First, lowbarrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing.” “Low barrier” refers to practices to reduce barriers to entry and may include, but not be limited to, allowing partners to share living space, storage of possessions, and pets.
California law provides that Low Barrier Navigation Center development is a use by right in areas zoned for mixed use and nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses. Therefore, the City cannot impose certain requirements or conditions or other discretionary review procedures. While the City must comply with all California law, the HPMC currently does not identify whether Low Barrier Navigation Center type uses are permitted in mixed-use or nonresidential zones within HPMC Title 9 Chapter 4. Therefore, the City will need to amend its zoning regulations to explicitly allow the development of Low-Barrier Navigation Centers, by right, in residential and mixed-use zones, as well as nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates).
Group Homes
Group homes fill an important need for housing for persons with disabilities. This type of housing may be known as group homes, recovery residences, sober living homes, community care residential facilities, boarding houses, dormitories. Other similar facilities but defined elsewhere in this Housing Element and by state law are regulated differently, and include emergency shelters and supportive and transitional housing. Group homes may or may not provide services which require licensing from the State of California.
Section 1566.3 of the California Health and Safety Code requires group homes which serve six or fewer persons to be considered a residential use of property for purposes of local zoning ordinances. No local agency can impose stricter zoning or building and safety standards on these residential facilities (such as a conditional use permit, zoning variance, or other zoning clearance) than is required of a family dwelling of the same type in the same zone. The Huntington Park Zoning Code permits group homes serving six or fewer persons by right in all residential zones (R-L, R-M, R-H), by right in all districts within the Downtown Specific Plan (Districts A, B, C, and D), and does not subject such facilities to a use permit, building standard, or regulation not otherwise required of residential uses in the same zone.
The Health and Safety Code further states that no local zoning ordinance can include residential facilities which serve six or fewer residents in the definition of a boarding house, rooming house, institution or home for the care of minors, the aged, or the mentally infirm, foster care home, guest home, rest home, sanitarium, mental hygiene home, or other similar term which implies that the residential facility is a business run for profit or differs in any way from a family dwelling.
In compliance with state law, the Zoning Code8 establishes rules for residential care facilities under the definition of “group home:”
“Group home” means a facility providing residential social and personal care for children, the elderly and people with limited ability for self-care, but where medical care is not a major element. Group home includes children’s homes, board and care homes, self-help group 8 Section 9-1.203, Definitions.
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homes. Convalescent homes, nursing homes and similar facilities providing medical care are not included under this definition.9
While the City's regulations meet the minimum standard in state law, Housing Element Law requires a comprehensive analysis of the extent to which local regulations constrain the provision of this type of housing.
The City’s group home regulations for small facilities are consistent with state law. Regarding large group homes (serving more than six people), the City, like many jurisdictions, requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approved by the Planning Commission for large group homes, with no distinctions for licensed or unlicensed facilities. The Zoning Code requires a CUP for large group homes in R-L, R-M, and R-H districts and Districts A, B, C, and D in the Downtown Specific Plan.
Refer to Permits and Procedures for a listing of the City’s required CUP findings. The CUP requirement for large group homes is intended to regulate provisions such as adequate housing, amenities, and staffing. The City does not impose any spacing requirements between group homes or other special needs facilities and does not impose any occupancy standards for unrelated adults which differ from those for families. However, a CUP adds cost, time, and discretion to any project, which poses a constraint to development of group homes, which is also a fair housing issue.
According to guidance from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), “local policies that require all group homes with more than six residents to obtain conditional use or other permits inappropriately turn state laws designed to remove constraints on small, licensed group homes into constraints on the many other group homes that do not require state licenses.”10 HCD recommends the following guidelines for establishing local regulations on large group homes:
• Group homes that operate as single-family residences and that do not provide licensable services should be allowed in single-family neighborhoods, subject only to the generally applicable, nondiscriminatory health, safety, and zoning laws that apply to all single-family residences.
• Group homes that operate as single-family residences and that provide licensable services to six or fewer residents should be allowed in single-family neighborhoods, subject only to the generally applicable, nondiscriminatory health, safety, and zoning laws that apply to all single-family residences.
• Group homes operating as single-family residences that provide licensable services to more than six residents may be subject to conditional use or other discretionary approval processes. Local governments must still provide flexible and efficient reasonable accommodations in these permitting processes. This means that some requests for exceptions to permitting processes should be resolved through reasonable accommodation procedures instead of conditional use procedures.
Through Program 7, the City will amend the Zoning Code to remove constraints for group homes by:
9 Section 9-1.203 defines convalescent home as “a licensed facility which provides bed and ambulatory care for patients with post-operative convalescent, chronic illness and persons unable to care for themselves; but not including alcoholics, drug addicts or persons with mental or contagious diseases or afflictions. (Includes ‘Nursing Home’ and ‘Rest Home’).” 10 State of California Department of Housing and Community Development, Group Home Technical Advisory, page 25. https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-community/group-home-technical-advisory-2022.pdf Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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• Revising the definition of Group Homes to distinguish between licensed and unlicensed facilities;
• Revising allowed land uses in single-family neighborhoods to allow larger, unlicensed facilities;
• Revising the conditional use permit requirement for large group homes to apply only to licensed facilities;
• Ensure that conditions of approval for large facilities requiring a CUP are objective and transparent; and
• Allow use of the Reasonable Accommodation procedure to except large, licensed facilities from the CUP requirement.
Definition of Family
California court rulings state that defining a family does not serve any legitimate or useful objective or purpose recognized under the zoning and land planning powers of the city, and therefore violates rights of privacy under the California Constitution. A zoning ordinance also cannot regulate residency by discrimination between biologically related and unrelated persons.
In response to these court rulings, the City of Huntington Park has adopted the following definition of “family” within the Zoning Ordinance:
“Family” means one or more persons occupying a premise and living as a single non-profit housekeeping unit, as distinguished from a group occupying a boarding or lodging house, hotel, club or similar dwelling for group use. A family shall not include a fraternal, religious, social or business group. A family shall be deemed to include domestic help employed by the family.
Public comments expressed concern that the inclusion of “non-profit” in the City’s definition of “family” could constrain the development of group homes and residential care facilities. The City will commit to removing references to “non-profit” in the definition of “family” (Program 7).
Housing for Persons with Disabilities / Reasonable Accommodations The federal Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act require that cities and counties provide reasonable accommodation where such accommodation may be necessary to afford individuals with disabilities equal housing opportunities. Cities and counties must also consider requests for accommodations related to housing for people with disabilities and provide the accommodation when it is determined to be “reasonable” based on fair housing laws and the case law interpreting the statutes.
Reasonable accommodation is one of the tools intended to further housing opportunities for people with disabilities. These accommodations can mean local jurisdictions making modifications or exceptions in their zoning laws and other land-use regulations when such accommodations may be necessary to afford disabled persons an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling. For example, it may be a reasonable accommodation to waive a setback requirement so that a paved path of travel can be provided to residents with mobility impairments.
Reasonable accommodation enables developers and providers of housing for people with disabilities a means of requesting from the local government flexibility in the application of land use and zoning regulations or, in some instances, even a waiver of certain restrictions or requirements because it is necessary to achieve equal access to housing.
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The City of Huntington Park has adopted a “Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance” included in Section 9-3.1901 of the City of Huntington Park Municipal Code. The stated purpose is to provide individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodation in regulations and procedures to ensure equal access to housing, and to facilitate the development of housing.
The Community Development Director may approve improvements as long as a number of findings have been made:
1. The request for reasonable accommodation must be used by an individual with a disability protected under fair housing laws;
2. The requested accommodation is necessary to make housing available to an individual with a disability protected under fair housing laws;
3. The requested accommodation would not impose an undue financial or administrative burden on the City; and
4. The requested accommodation would not require a fundamental alteration in the nature of the City’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
A reasonable accommodation cannot waive a requirement for an entitlement (e.g., Conditional Use Permit, Development Permit, General Plan Amendment, Zoning Amendment, Subdivision Map) when otherwise required or result in approval of uses otherwise prohibited by the City’s land use and zoning regulations. As discussed in the Group Homes, above, state guidelines advise allowing the reasonable accommodation procedure to be used to except certain group homes or residential care facilities from a conditional use permit requirement. Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates, commits to allowing the use of the reasonable accommodation procedure for this purpose.
The Planning Commission has the authority to review and decide upon requests for reasonable accommodation when it involves any encroachments into any required setback area, results in building size increase above what is allowed in the applicable zoning district concerning height, lot coverage, and floor area ratio maximums, or whenever a reduction in required parking is requested.
If the application for reasonable accommodation is referred to or reviewed by the Planning Commission, a decision to approve, approve with conditions, or deny the application shall be rendered within fifteen working days after the close of the public hearing, based on the findings set forth in Section 9-3.1908. During the last housing cycle, there were no reasonable accommodation requests. A public hearing can introduce delays and subjectivity into the decision process. Program 7 commits to removing the requirement for a public hearing before the Planning Commission.
There is a $55 fee to process a Reasonable Accommodation.11 As discussed in Special Needs Populations (Housing Needs Assessment), people living with disabilities tend to be lower income and often on fixed incomes and/or public assistance. A fee is a constraint to the ability of persons with disabilities to access housing that meets their needs. Program 7 commits the City to amending the Zoning Code to remove this fee to increase fair housing opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Employee and Farmworker Housing
The Employee Housing Act (Division 13, Part 1 of the Health and Safety Code) requires employee housing for six or fewer employees to be allowed wherever single-family homes are allowed. Health 11 Master Fee Schedule for FY 2018-19
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and Safety Code Section 17021.6 precludes a local government from requiring a conditional use permit, zoning variance, and/ or other zoning clearance for certain agricultural employee housing.
The Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code, Section 17000 et seq.) requires employee housing for six or fewer employees to be treated as a single-family structure and permitted in the same manner as other dwellings of the same type in the same zone. Section 17021.6 requires employee housing consisting of no more than 12 units or 36 beds to be permitted in the same manner as other agricultural uses in the same zone.
According to recent Census estimates, about 182 Huntington Park residents were employed in agricultural, forestry, fishing, and hunting, and 132 of those were employed full-time in these industries. The City has no agricultural zoning districts or allowed agricultural uses. The Zoning Code does not define employee housing or contain specific provisions for employee housing. The City will revise the Zoning Code to comply with the Employee Housing Act, including adding provisions that would allow employee housing in all residential zones (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates).
Single Room Occupancy Facilities
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residences are small, one-room units (generally 100-250 sq. ft.) occupied by a single individual and may have shared or private kitchen and bathroom facilities.
SROs are rented on a weekly to monthly basis, typically without rental deposit, and can provide an entry point into the housing market for extremely low-income individuals, formerly homeless, and disabled persons. The City’s General Plan and Zoning establish an SRO Overlay District, permitting SROs up to 440 units/acre, as well as permitting SROs in the Pacific Paseo District at densities of 70 units/acre, and in the High-Density Residential District at 20 units/acre.
The City has adopted standards to regulate the development and operation of SROs, established in Article 13 of the City’s zoning code. A number of these standards are subjective or do not apply to other multifamily developments pose constraints to the development of SROs, including but not limited to:
• SROs shall not be located within 250 feet of a parcel which has a school for children, adult bookstore or theater, bar or liquor store; and existing motels, hotels or apartments shall not be permitted to convert to SROs;
• SROs shall be located within one-quarter mile of a bus stop or transit station; • The design of a SRO project shall coordinate with and complement the existing architectural style and standards of the surrounding land uses. If a design theme has been established in the proposed area, the theme should be reflected in the design and scale of the SRO project; and
• A permanent, continuously available temporary parking/loading area shall be provided adjacent to the main entrance; and
• A cap on the number of SRO units citywide
Minimum amenities listed in Section 9-3.102(10) are intended to ensure a minimum standard of quality of life for residents, but some may increase the cost of development or conversion and are in excess of those that apply to other multifamily development types, including intercom systems, key card doors, furnishings, and security monitoring.
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The City recognizes that SROs can play an important role in addressing the range of housing needs in Huntington Park and are particularly suitable for extremely low-income small households and individuals transitioning out of homelessness. To further facilitate the provision of SROs, Program 7 will eliminate the current requirement for a Conditional Use Permit and approve SROs through a Development Permit process, modify subjective standards or those listed above that do not apply to other multifamily developments, remove the prohibition on the conversion of existing hotels, motels, or apartments to SROs, and evaluate the cap on SRO units citywide. The proposed TOD Overlay (Action 10-5) will allow SROs by-right.
Accessory Dwelling Units (Secondary Dwelling Units)
Huntington Park’s Zoning Code (Section 9-1.203) defines second dwelling units as follows:
“Second dwelling unit” means a dwelling unit located on the same lot as the primary singlefamily dwelling, which the second unit is either attached to, or detached from, and which provides complete, independent living facilities for no more than two (2) persons. A second unit shall include permanent living facilities, including permanent but separate provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation and shall contain a full bath, a kitchen and not more than one bedroom.
State law requires jurisdictions to provide for the establishment of second units (called “accessory dwelling units” or ADUs in state law) in residential zones, and limits the discretion a jurisdiction may apply to such uses. The City provides for second units in the R-L zone district, but the ordinance currently requires a CUP and two covered parking spaces. The City’s standards require a minimum 6,500 square foot lot size for a second unit, and minimum parcel width of 50 feet and depth of 80 feet. The size of the additional unit shall not exceed 30 percent of the existing living area of the main dwelling for an attached second unit, or 750 square feet for a detached unit. These provisions are inconsistent with state ADU law.
Until the City revises its ordinance consistent with state law, the City processes ADU applications consistent with state requirements. The City will update the second unit ordinance to bring it into compliance with state law (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates).
Mobile Homes / Manufactured Housing
Manufactured housing and mobile homes can be an affordable housing option for low- and moderate-income households. A mobile home or manufactured home is defined as a structure which is transportable in one or more sections, is eight feet or more in body width, or 40 feet or more in body length, in the traveling mode, or, when erected onsite, is 320 or more square feet.12 Mobile homes are defined as being constructed prior to June 15, 1976, while a manufactured home is constructed on or after the same date.
Government Code Section 65852.3 requires manufactured homes to be allowed on permanent foundations wherever single-family homes are allowed, and subject to the same development standards to which a conventional single-family residential dwelling is subject. State law precludes local governments from prohibiting the installation of mobile homes on permanent foundations on single-family lots. It also declares a mobile home park to be a permitted land use on any land 12 Health and Safety Code Sections 18007 to 18008
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planned and zoned for residential use and prohibits requiring the average density in a new mobile home park to be less than that permitted by the Municipal Code.
The Zoning Code defines mobile homes and manufactured housing as follows:
“Manufactured housing” means single-family detached housing that is built to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974. Includes mobile homes. “Mobile home” means a transportable, factory-built home, designed to be used as a year-round residential dwelling and built prior to the enactment of the Federal Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974.
Huntington Park permits manufactured housing on permanent foundations in all residential zone districts, subject to a Development Permit. A Development Permit requires review by the Community Development Director to ensure compatibility of the manufactured home with surrounding uses (see a description of the Development Permit process, below). The City has adopted the following development standards to govern the installation of mobile and manufactured homes:
1. Homes shall have a minimum eave projection of 2 feet on at least 2 opposite sides, with at least 1 foot on any one side;
2. Roofs must have a minimum pitch of 1:4 and shall be constructed of non-reflective/nonmetallic roofing material;
3. Exterior siding shall be non-reflective/non-metallic and shall be installed from the ground up to the roof; and
4. Homes shall have a minimum width of 20 feet, unless part of any approved modular style.
Under the Municipal Code, single-family dwellings are not subject to the requirement to obtain a Development Permit. The City will amend its Zoning Ordinance to allow manufactured homes as a use by right in all residential zones. The City will amend the Zoning Code to remove the Development Permit requirement for the installation of a manufactured homes (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates).
Permits and Procedures
The evaluation and review process required by the City contributes to the cost of housing in that holding costs incurred by developers are ultimately manifested in the unit’s selling price.
In Huntington Park, projects are governed by just three levels of decision-making bodies: the Community Development Director, Planning Commission, and City Council.
Pre-Application Conference
For all discretionary entitlements, staff recommends that a Preliminary Review (per Section 9-2.103, Pre-application conference) be submitted. The Preliminary Review allows staff to comprehensively review the proposal and work with the applicant to resolve any issues prior to the formal application submittal. Additionally, staff provides the applicant with a recommendation and conditions of approval that will be recommended to the Planning Commission, allowing the applicant the opportunity to work with staff and decide whether to move forward. The initial staff review in the Preliminary Review Process is 30 to 45 days. Once revised plans are re-submitted, the second Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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review is an additional two weeks and the applicant is provided with staff’s recommendation and conditions during this review.
Development Permit
The City utilizes a Development Permit as its process for site plan review. The purpose of the Development Review is to “protect the integrity and character of the residential, commercial, and industrial areas of the City and ensure consistency with the General Plan” (Huntington Park Municipal Code, Section 9-2.1001). In practice, the Development Permit process allows other departments to review and comment on projects, and ensure that the project includes required infrastructure improvements. Development Permits are approved with conditions and can be referred to the Planning Commission for review, but they may also be approved administratively.
Approval of all Development Permits are subject to the following findings (Section 9-2.1007):
1. The proposed development is one permitted within the subject zoning district and complies with all of the applicable provisions of this Code, including prescribed development/site standards;
2. The proposed development is consistent with the General Plan;
3. The proposed development would be harmonious and compatible with existing and planned future developments within the zoning district and general area, as well as with the land uses presently on the subject property;
4. The approval of the Development Permit for the proposed project is in compliance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the City’s Guidelines;
5. The subject site is physically suitable for the type and density/intensity of use being proposed;
6. There are adequate provisions for public access, water, sanitation and public utilities and services to ensure that the proposed development would not be detrimental to public health, safety and general welfare; and
7. The design, location, size and operating characteristics of the proposed development would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City.
A number of the required findings are subjective in nature (findings 3, 5, and 7, above). The subjective nature of those findings can be considered constraints to housing development in that they do not specify concrete, quantitative data by which a determination on a project’s consistency with the required findings can be made. These findings alone may increase the likelihood that a project is required to be reviewed by decision makers in hearing, leading to a protracted review process and potentially a denial based on interpretation. Because Development Permits are recognized by the City to be the most appropriate mechanism for reviewing housing development proposals, eliminating subjectivity will remove constraints to the development of housing (Program 7, Action 7-2).
Conditional Use Permits
Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) are used for activities or uses that may affect the surrounding environment in ways that cannot be determined prior to proposal at a particular location. All CUPs require approval by the Planning Commission. Multifamily projects in residential zones require a Major Development Permit, described above, whereas projects in commercial and mixed-use districts require a Conditional Use Permit.
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An application for a Conditional Use Permit is deemed complete when an application form and environmental checklist is submitted. The City’s Environmental Information Form13 serves as the initial study under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Commission must make the following findings to approve the project:
1. The proposed use is conditionally permitted within, and would not impair the integrity and character of, the subject zoning district and complies with all of the applicable provisions of this Code;
2. The proposed use is consistent with the General Plan;
3. The approval of the Conditional Use Permit for the proposed use is in compliance with the requirements of CEQA and the City’s Guidelines;
4. The design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the proposed use are compatible with the existing and planned future land uses within the general area in which the proposed use is to be located and will not create significant noise, traffic or other conditions or situations that may be objectionable or detrimental to other permitted uses operating nearby or adverse to the public interest, health, safety, convenience or welfare of the City;
5. The subject site is physically suitable for the type and density/intensity of use being proposed; and
6. There are adequate provisions for public access, water, sanitation, and public utilities and services to ensure that the proposed use would not be detrimental to public health and safety.
The City recognizes that the Development Permit is a more appropriate tool to ensure the compatibility of residential uses within commercial districts than a Conditional Use Permit, which focuses on the use rather than the design. Therefore, the Housing Element includes Program 7 to modify the required entitlement from a CUP to a Development Permit for multi-family residential projects in the C-P, C-N, and DTSP zones and SROs in any zone.
Administrative Variances
When residential development projects propose to deviate significantly from applicable codes, a zone variance is required. The City does offer a waiver of development standards for variances deviating less than ten percent from the Code, referred to as a “Minor Variance.” Minor Variances are minor adjustments from the standards and granted only when, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, the strict application of this Code denies the property of privileges enjoyed by other property located nearby and in an identical zoning district. Minor Variances do not require a public hearing or notice and may be granted by the Community Development Director. The Director shall record the decision in writing and shall recite the findings upon which the decision is based, in compliance with state law (Government Code Section 65906 or as this section may be amended/replaced from time to time). The Director may instead defer action and refer the application to the Commission for a decision. The Director may approve and/or modify an application in whole or in part, with or without conditions, only if all of the following findings are made:
13 City of Huntington Park, Environmental Assessment Checklist, http://hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/267/Environmental-Assessment-Checklist Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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1. That there are special circumstances applicable to the property, including location, shape, size, surroundings or topography so that the strict application of this Code denies the property of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under identical zoning district classification;
2. That granting the Minor Variance is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right possessed by other property in the same vicinity and zoning district and unavailable to the property for which the Minor Variance is sought;
3. That granting the Minor Variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity and zoning district in which the property is located;
4. That granting the Minor Variance does not constitute a special privilege inconsistent with the limitations upon other property in the vicinity and zoning district in which the property is located;
5. That granting the Minor Variance does not result in an adjustment which would exceed ten (10) percent of the standard(s) being modified or allow use or activity which is not otherwise expressly authorized by the regulations governing the subject parcel; and
6. That granting the Minor Variance will not be inconsistent with the General Plan.
Design Review
The City’s Design Review procedures and requirements are outlined in Article 18 of the Zoning Code. The Design Review process is explicitly a discretionary process. The following project types are required to undergo Design Review:
1. New structure(s)/development and related plans which require a Development Permit except as exempted in Section 9-2.1804;
2. Additions and exterior modifications to existing structures that require a Development Permit except as exempted in Section 9-2.1804;
3. Planned Sign Programs (9-3.1206); and
4. Other public or private improvement projects as determined by the Council, Commission or Director.
The required findings are as follows:
1. The proposed development is consistent with all applicable provisions of this Code and other applicable City codes, ordinances and General Plan goals;
2. The general design considerations, including the character, scale and quality of design are consistent with the purpose/intent of this Article and any adopted design guidelines;
3. The architectural design of structures and their materials and colors are visually compatible with surrounding development. Design elements (e.g., screening of equipment, exterior lighting, signs, awnings, etc.) have been incorporated into the project to further ensure its compatibility with the character and uses of adjacent development, and/or between the different types of uses in a mixed use development;
4. The location and configuration of structures are compatible with their sites and with surrounding sites and structures and do not unnecessarily block views from other structures or dominate their surroundings;
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5. The general landscape design, including the location, type, size, color, texture and coverage of plant materials, provisions for irrigation, maintenance and protection of landscape elements have been considered to ensure visual relief, to complement structures and to provide an attractive environment;
6. The design and layout of the proposed project will not interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring development (existing and future), will not result in vehicular or pedestrian hazards and will lead to a reduction in opportunities for crime;
7. The interior and exterior building design and/or site layout, including on-site parking, has been designed and integrated to ensure the intended use will best serve the potential users or patrons of the site; and
8. Special requirements or standards have been adequately incorporated, when applicable, into the site or building design (e.g., transportation demand management improvements, mitigation measures, utilities, American Disabilities Act regulations, density bonus requirements, open space, historic preservation, etc.).
The Community Development Director is responsible for conducting design review. If Planning Commission or City Council approval is required for the project’s other entitlements, the Director’s recommendations are forwarded to the appropriate review body. Because the City’s Design Review process is conducted administratively, the process doesn’t constrain the development of housing by adding additional hearings to a project’s review.
However, the discretionary nature of the Design Review process is a constraint to the development of housing, even if it is conducted administratively. Discretionary processes were universally cited by developers as causing delays, increasing uncertainty, and increasing costs. Discretionary review processes may also complicate the use of CEQA exemptions for infill development that would otherwise be available. Program 8, Development Procedures, contains provisions to limit discretion in the review of housing development applications, and would apply to the Design Review process.
Processing Timeframes
The Permit Streamlining Act governs the processing time for planning applications, although an applicant can waive these time limits. The length of processing time depends on the scale and complexity of the project and the knowledge, expertise, and ability of the development team and their ability to prepare plans in accordance with City requirements, make timely submissions (and resubmissions), and revise plans based on feedback received.
Huntington Square (Case No. 2021-05) at 6101 State Street would subdivide one lot into two, build 48 residential units on one lot and nine affordable units on the second lot in the C-G zone. The application was submitted on May 26, 2021, and a Planning Commission meeting was scheduled for June 30, 2021. This project had many entitlements, including a General Plan Amendment, Zoning Ordinance Amendment, Tentative Parcel Map, and Density Bonus along with the Development Permit. Timelines for processing any discretionary permit would be similar. A complex commercial project at 2901/2909 East Slauson Avenue and 5731/5795 Bickett Street involving site cleanup, demolition of three buildings, renovation of an existing building, and development of two new commercial buildings14 was approved in three months (application submitted September 14, 14 Case No. 2020-05 CUP/DP
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2020, and approved on December 9, 2020), Processing timelines are reasonable and do not delay a project; therefore, processing timeframes are not a constraint.
Due to staffing shortages, the average time for processing Building Plan Checks has been four to six months. This is considered a constraint. The City will hire more staff to conduct Plan Check (Program 8, Development Procedures). The City will implement changes to its Minor Development Permit requirements to improve the timeline for processing (Program 7, Zoning Ordinance Updates) and will identify inter-departmental constraints to timely processing throughout the planning period (Program 8).
Senate Bill 330
The Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330) aims to expedite and increase certainty in the development process with changes to the Housing Accountability Act and Permit Streamlining Act. The City doesn’t currently have procedures to implement SB 330 but will develop checklist and application materials (Program 8, Development Procedures).
SB 35 (2017), Streamlined Approval Process
Pursuant to Government Code Section 65913.4, jurisdictions that have not met their allocated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers are required to streamline certain proposed developments that include affordable units. As of June of 2019, Huntington Park had insufficient progress towards its Above Moderate Income RHNA and therefore, under SB 35, is required to approve proposed developments with at least 10 percent affordable units with a ministerial permit.15 The City will develop objective design standards and procedures for implementing SB 35 (Program 8, Development Procedures).
Fees
Development is subject to a variety of fees and exactions to process permits and provide necessary services and facilities as allowed by state law. These fees can be a constraint to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing because the additional costs borne by developers contribute to overall increased housing unit cost. However, fees are necessary to maintain adequate planning services and other public services and facilities in the city.
There are two types of fees imposed on new development: planning fees that fund direct services for processing the necessary permits for a project (i.e., application fees for a zone change or variance, building permits, plan check, etc.), and development impact fees which are used to fund physical infrastructure (such as sewerage facilities, schools, parks, etc.). When developers of housing refer to fees as impediments to housing construction, they are generally referring to both types of fees.
The City periodically evaluates the actual cost of processing development permits when revising its fee schedule. The last fee schedule update was adopted in 2018.
Planning Fees
Planning fees for residential development increase depending on the complexity of the entitlement requested. For example, if an applicant proposes a new single-family home or ADU, a Minor 15 SB 35 Statewide Determination Summary, https://www.hcd.ca.gov/community-development/housingelement/docs/sb35_statewidedeterminationsummary.pdf Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Development Permit fee will be required in the amount of $412 along with the $5,000 Parkland Fee.
The total costs for multiple family projects increase by the amount of a Major Development Permit fee of $1,875 per project. The project cost also varies as different entitlements may be requested, including Variances, General Plan Amendments, Tentative Tract/Parcel Maps, Development Agreements, and Environmental Assessments. Planning fees are listed in Table IV-6.
Table IV-6
Planning Fees
TYPE OF REQUEST FEE
Minor Development Permit $412
Major Development Permit $1,875
Preliminary Plan Reviews (1st & 2nd) $930
Development Permit Amendment $1,951
Conditional Use Permit, Variance $4,972
Zone Change $5,616
General Plan Amendment $6,387
Tentative Tract Map $2,644
Tentative Parcel Map $2,644
Development Agreement $3,789
Environmental Assessment
Categorical Exemption $285
Negative Declaration $1,179
Mitigated Negative Declaration $1,622
Environmental Impact Report Consultant Fee plus 25% Admin Fee Quimby/Park Development Fees Reference HPMC
Section 9-3.1602
Publicly Visible Art Fee 1% of construction valuation
Building and Safety Plan Check Based on Building Valuation Building and Safety Permit Fees Based on Building Valuation Source: City of Huntington Park, Master Fee Schedule 2018 Development Impact Fees
Residential developers are required to provide and/or fund infrastructure to serve their projects.
Developers of single- and multifamily residential projects are required to pay development impact fees to fund capital improvements for parks and public safety services proportional to the demands placed on these services by the project. Developers are also required to provide the infrastructure necessary for utility connections to the project, including water, electricity, and sewer, as well as funding their portion of any off-site system expansions or upgrades that are necessary to serve the project. For larger projects requiring environmental review, developers are responsible for funding any infrastructure improvements required to mitigate project impacts and have not been previously identified as part of a capital improvement program covered by the development impact fees.
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Publicly Visible Art Program
In 2001, the City established a Publicly Visible Art program to improve and enhance the quality of life for individuals living, working, and visiting the City. Balanced development of cultural and artistic resources preserves and improves the quality of the urban environment and increases property values. All new residential developments of two or more units, public and institutional buildings, and all commercial and industrial development projects with a construction value of $100,000 are subject to the program and are required to provide publicly visible art as part of their project, such as sculptures, murals, or fountains. Alternatively, projects can contribute one percent of the construction valuation of their project to the City Art Fund. The City’s Art Ordinance exempts affordable and senior housing units from the calculation of construction valuation.
Parkland Fees
The City adopted parkland dedication and/or in-lieu parkland (“Quimby”) fees on residential development in 2004. Any new residential development of one unit or more, and any addition of one or more units to an existing residential property, is subject to the park dedication requirement.
While the parkland standard under the Quimby Act is for three acres of parks per 1,000 population, Huntington Park is severely park deficient with only 0.74 acres of parks per 1,000 residents. The parkland dedication and/or fee requirement intends to require developers to pay a share of the costs for development of new and rehabilitation of existing park and recreation facilities to serve the residents of the development. The City’s Parkland Ordinance exempts affordable and senior housing units from the fee calculation.
Recognizing that fees charged under the formula in Municipal Code Section 9-3.1602 pose an undue economic hardship and constraining development, in 2007, the City adopted Resolution 2007-12, establishing a per-unit flat fee of $5,000. This amount is lower than the fee determined through implementation of the formula and does not constrain housing development while still contributing to park development and maintenance.
Implications for Housing Development
Because the City does not have a robust history of multifamily development, there is a shortage of data on which this Housing Element can evaluate the impact of fees.
Program 8 would commit the City to analyze fees on a regular basis. There are existing state laws dictating how cities may calculate development fees and establishing a schedule for updates, but the City will also conduct analysis of fees and regular outreach as part of Program 8, Development Procedures, to determine what constraints still exist that may prevent the City from meeting its RHNA obligations.
The Housing Plan also has a number of actions to reduce fees. Program 2 would reduce fees for ADUs, and Program 10 would provide fee waivers or deferrals for lot consolidation.
Based on the analysis below, multifamily and single-family development per-unit fees costs are comparable, and do not pose a constraint to development.
Multifamily Development
Huntington Square (6101 State Street), approved in August 2021 (Ordinance No. 2021-02), is a 48- unit affordable housing development. The project required a General Plan and Zoning Map amendment, a tentative Parcel Map, and a Major Development Permit. Typical multifamily Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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development for a site that is zoned for residential development would require only a Major Development Permit.
The project had an estimated total development cost of $27,437,069, of which fees, permits, and studies made up $416,250, or about two percent of the total development cost. The amount of fees per unit was $8,671.
Single-Family Development
A typical new single-family dwelling is required to obtain a Major Development Permit. The development permit application includes environmental review, other administrative fees, and parkland fees, for a total cost of $8,310.
Off-Site Improvements
Developers of projects that will include streets are required to install the curbs, gutters, sidewalks, utility systems, and landscaping. These facilities are typically subject to the City’s street design standards and comply with HUD accessibility guidelines. The City uses a standard 30-foot curb-tocurb width requirement within a 54-foot right-of-way for local residential streets. Collector streets are 40 feet curb-to-curb, within a 60 to 66-foot right-of-way. Developers are responsible for installing all improvements and utilities necessary for the private driveways pursuant to City standards.
Building Codes
State law prohibits the imposition of building standards that are not necessitated by local geographic, climatic, or topographic conditions and requires that local governments making changes or modifications in building standards must report such changes to the Department of Housing and Community Development and file an expressed finding that the change is needed.
The City’s building codes are based upon the California Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes. These are the minimum necessary to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. No additional regulations have been imposed by the City that would unnecessarily add to housing costs.
Non-Governmental Constraints
Environmental Constraints
Huntington Park is a completely urbanized community, and no natural habitat remains in the city.
No mineral resources are known to exist. Environmental constraints that are present in the city are described below.
Seismic Hazards
There are no active or potentially active earthquake faults known to traverse the City of Huntington Park, thus, no ground rupture hazards are expected in the City. The City is, however, located within a seismically active region and is subject to ground shaking hazards associated with earthquake events in the region. Seismicity, in the Los Angeles area historically has been defined by earthquake events along the Newport Inglewood, San Fernando, San Jacinto, and San Andreas faults. Other faults of concern in the area include the Whittier fault, the Elysian Park Thrust, and the Santa Monica-Hollywood fault. The major faults in the Southern California region are described below.
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• The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone is located approximately nine miles west of the City. The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake occurred on the Newport-Inglewood fault. A maximum credible earthquake of Magnitude 6.8 on the Newport-Inglewood fault has the potential of generating horizontal peak ground accelerations of about 0.2 to 0.3 in the area. Groundshaking could last approximately 22 seconds, with seismic Mercalli intensity values of VII to VIII. This type of earthquake would be particularly damaging to older low-rise structures located within the City.
• The Palos Verdes Hills Fault, located 20 miles to the southwest of the City and is considered to be an active fault based on late Pleistocene and Holocene age displacements that have been interpreted along offshore segments of the fault in the San Pedro shelf. The fault is considered to be capable of generating a maximum credible earthquake of Magnitude 7.0 that would cause seismic intensities in the IX to X range. The Palos Verdes fault could result in greater damage than that anticipated from an earthquake on the San Andreas fault due to its proximity.
• The Sierra Madre Fault Zone is located approximately 15 miles northeast of the City at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and forms a prominent 50-mile long east-west structural zone on the south side of the San Gabriel Mountains. The Sierra Madre fault system was responsible for the uplift of the San Gabriel Mountains by faulting in response to tectonic compression.
• The Whittier-Elsinore Fault Zone is located along the southern base of the Puente Hills approximately nine miles east of the City of Huntington Park. This northwest-trending fault extends from the Whittier Narrows area continuing southeast across the Santa Ana River, past Lake Elsinore, into western Imperial County and then continuing on into Mexico. This fault is expected to be capable of generating a Magnitude 6.6 earthquake. • The Santa Monica-Malibu Coast Fault System is an east-west trending fault system located along the southern margin of the western Santa Monica Mountains and into Santa Monica Bay. The nearest fault trace is located approximately 22 miles to the west of the City.
Although there has been very little seismic activity along this fault system, the Malibu Coast fault segment has been characterized as active based on displaced soils. This displacement was estimated to have occurred about five thousand years ago. • The San Andreas Fault Zone is located approximately 37 miles to the north and northeast of the of the City at its nearest point. This fault zone extends from the Gulf of California continuing northward to the Cape Mendocino area where it continues northward along the ocean floor. The total length of the San Andreas Fault Zone is approximately 750 miles. The length of the fault and its active seismic history indicates that it has a very high potential for large-scale movement in the near future (Magnitude 8.0). • The San Jacinto Fault Zone, located approximately 44 miles to the northeast of the City, is part of the San Andreas Fault System. The two fault strands separate near the San Gabriel Mountains, where the San Jacinto fault extends southeastward to form the southwestern boundary of the San Jacinto Mountains and the San Timoteo Badlands. This fault is thought capable of generating a maximum credible earthquake of magnitude 7.0. Strong ground shaking from this earthquake would last about 25 seconds, with MM intensity values in the VIII to IX range.
• The Elysian Park Blind Thrust Fault is exposed for approximately two miles at Elysian Park but is not exposed over the rest of its trace toward the east. (Blind thrust faults are low-angle or low-lying faults occurring generally 5 to 15 kilometers below the ground surface which have no surface manifestation.) The Elysian Blind Thrust is located approximately five miles Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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from the City of Huntington Park at its nearest point. The Elysian Park Fault was the source of the magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Whittier in 1987. This fault is thought to be capable of generating earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 to 7.6 and would result in intense groundshaking in the entire Los Angeles basin. • The Torrance-Wilmington Fault is a newly postulated, blind thrust fault and fold system located under the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Although this fault system is not well defined, it is estimated that if one of the segments ruptures, an earthquake of Magnitude 5.0 to 7.5, would occur.
Most injuries and property damage from a major earthquake impacting the City will be caused by strong ground motion, especially structural damage to buildings. The developed areas of Huntington Park consist mostly of low density and medium density residential zones. Less extensive areas are devoted to low-rise commercial development. Low-rise buildings (less than three stories) common in the City are more likely to be damaged by a near-field earthquake, such as one occurring on the Newport-Inglewood fault or the Hollywood fault.
The wood-frame construction used in the residential and some commercial development in the City generally performs well during earthquakes. These buildings may experience significant structural and nonstructural damage, but rarely collapse. However, a trend in wood-frame construction in recent years, in particular in housing construction, has been the split level and irregular floor plans.
Earthquake intensities of VIII in the Mercalli Scale may cause torsional racking of the foundation and wall elements of irregular structures. Single-family residences built before the 1952 Building Code was implemented are more likely to slip off their foundations as a result of strong ground motion associated with nearby earthquakes. Mobile homes are also susceptible to slipping off their foundation.
All future development projects will be required to conform to applicable development standards governing seismic safety. Adherence to applicable regulations and policies will ensure future development does not result in any significant adverse impact.
Landslides and Erosion
A study of earthquake hazards by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that a majority of the City has a moderate to high potential for liquefaction (Figure IV-1). According to the USGS, liquefaction is the process by which water-saturated sediment temporarily loses strength and acts as a fluid. Essentially, liquefaction is the process by which the ground soil loses strength due to an increase in water pressure following seismic activity. Structures constructed on soils that liquefy may sink or topple over as the soil loses its bearing strength. Areas containing shallow groundwater within 30 feet or less of the ground surface are susceptible to liquefaction hazards during seismic shaking. The General Plan Health & Safety Element Policy 2 requires a review of soils and geologic conditions in areas with liquefaction potential.
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Figure IV-1 Areas In The City of Huntington Park Subject to Potential Liquefaction The City of Huntington Park has a relatively flat topography, and hazards associated with slope instability, erosion, and landslides are considered unlikely. Because of the City’s level topography, there are no landslide hazards in the City or the surrounding area.
Flood, Tsunami and Sea Level Rise Related Hazards
The City is located approximately 14 miles to the north of the Pacific Ocean and will not be exposed to the effects of a tsunami. In addition, there are no surface bodies of water located in the City; therefore, the risk of being impacted by a seiche is non-existent. A seiche occurs when two waves traveling in opposite directions collide, creating a larger standing wave.
A review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance map obtained from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, indicated that the City is located in Zone X. This flood zone has an annual probability of flooding of less than 0.2% and represents areas outside the 500-year flood plain. Thus, properties located in Zone X are not located within a 100- year flood plain.
The City of Huntington Park is located within the inundation paths of the Hansen and Sepulveda Dams. Large areas downstream of the Hansen and Sepulveda Dams, including the City of Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Huntington Park, are at risk of inundation in the event of dam failure. The Hansen and Sepulveda Dams are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and were constructed primarily for flood control. The flood hazards associated with dam failure will affect most areas south of the dams.
The General Plan Health & Safety Element, Policy 8 requires local drainage-related improvements to be implemented as part of new development approvals.
Wildfire
There are no open grass areas in or around the City which present brush fire or wildfire hazards in the City of Huntington Park. The major risk involves structural fires associated with older buildings in the City which may not be consistent with the more recent and stringent fire safety codes and regulations. Furthermore, industrial uses may also be considered to have a greater risk for fire due to the higher potential for use of flammable, explosive, and hazardous materials. The industrial uses in Huntington Park are located within the western and northern portions of the City.
The City of Huntington Park contracts with the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) for fire protection and emergency services. Fire stations are located in the City of the Huntington Park and the surrounding area to meet the demand for fire protection in the area. The LACFD has a service area covering over 22,000 square miles. There are 235 fire stations throughout the County which respond to approximately 200,000 calls per year. The City of Huntington Park has access to all the resources and facilities of the County Fire Department. Thus, other fire stations may respond to a fire in the City of Huntington Park, if the need arises. The Los Angeles County Fire Department operates two fire stations in the City: Fire Station 164, located at 6301 South Santa Fe Avenue, serves as the area’s battalion headquarters (Huntington Park is serviced by Los Angeles County Fire Department-Battalion 13); and Fire Station 165, located at 3255 Saturn Avenue. Response time county-wide is under five minutes.
Noise
Noise is generally defined as unwanted sound. The decibel (dB) scale (a logarithmic loudness scale) is most often used to quantify sound levels or intensity. There are three weighted scales (A, B and C) used in conjunction with the dB scale. Each sub-scale is used for a different purpose and provides specific information. The A and B scales are more accurate and objective representations of sound pressure levels than the C scale. However, since the human ear is not equally sensitive to all frequencies within the entire noise spectrum, noise measurements are weighted more heavily within those frequencies that correspond to human sensitivity using an A-weighting (referred to as dBA). The human ear can detect changes in sound levels of between 3 and 5 dBA under normal ambient conditions. Changes of less than 3 dBA are noticeable to some people under extremely quiet conditions while changes of less than 1 dBA are only discernable by few people under controlled, extremely quiet conditions.
The City of Huntington Park Municipal Code also regulates noise levels in the City by referencing the Los Angeles County Noise Control Ordinance. The Code makes it unlawful for any person to make or cause any loud, unnecessary, and unusual noise which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal sensitiveness residing in the area.
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Hazardous Materials
All businesses that handle hazardous materials are required by various Federal, State, and local agencies to submit a business plan to their local administering agency (the reportable quantities are 50 or more gallons of a liquid, 500 pounds or more or a solid, or 200 cubic feet or more of a gas at standard temperature and pressure; quantities for acutely hazardous materials vary according to the substance).
The primary concern associated with the release of a hazardous material relates to the public health risks of exposure. Toxic gases are a primary concern, since a gaseous toxic plume is more difficult to contain than a solid or liquid spill and a gas can impact a larger segment of the population in a shorter time span. Releases of hazardous materials may also occur during a natural disaster, such as during an earthquake. Improperly stored containers of hazardous substances may overturn or break, pipelines may rupture, and storage tanks may fail. Containers may also explode when subjected to high temperatures, such as those generated by a fire. If two or more chemicals which are reactive when combined come in contact as a result of a spill, the hazard may be compounded.
The Uniform Fire Code includes criteria designed to minimize the risk of an accident. These guidelines are to be followed when storing, using, or transporting hazardous materials, and include secondary containment of substances, segregation of chemicals to reduce reactivity during a release, sprinkler and alarm systems, monitoring, venting and auto shutoff equipment, and treatment requirements for toxic gas releases.
The city has a long history of industrial activity and still currently has a number of active industrial uses, leading to current and historical soil contamination issues. A declining local industrial economy means that much of the city’s industrial land will redevelop as residential development.
The Housing Element Sites Inventory identifies many sites meeting this criteria. A summary of those issues known at the time of this Housing Element follow.
Active Uses
According to the Envirofacts Database, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently regulating 127 facilities in the City. These uses range from plating/manufacturing; foundries; pharmacies; auto repair shops; dry cleaners; copy and printing companies; light industrial; hardware stores; and gasoline service stations. The EPA identifies these uses as being handlers and/or consumers of hazardous materials.
Historical Uses and Cleanup Sites
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) indicates through its Hazardous Waste and Substances Site list that there is one use that is currently undergoing state remedial action through the Site Cleanup Program. Furthermore, additional sites engaged in cleanup activities, or that have completed remediation are identified by the State Water Resources Control Board’s GeoTracker database. The GeoTracker database also identifies other facilities presently undergoing DTSC regulation. The facilities include Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUSTs), military cleanup sites, permitted USTs, and active operations utilizing hazardous materials or generating hazardous waste.
Roadways
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addition, the railroad lines that serve the area occasionally transport hazardous materials. Trains travelling on the SPRR railroad line parallel to Randolph Street; on the UPRR line along the east side; and on the Alameda Corridor also carry hazardous cargoes. The City has no jurisdiction or control over the transport of hazardous materials on freeways and railroads. The California Highway Patrol is in charge of spills that occur on the local freeways along with Caltrans.
Residential Pollution Burdens
As previously indicated in Chapter II, CalEnviroScreen is a mapping tool that helps identify California communities that are most affected by many sources of pollution and where people are often especially vulnerable to pollution’s effects.
The Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan contains a number of policies and programs to mitigate and reduce the impacts of pollution on residents of Huntington Park. This Housing Element also contains programs (Program 3, Safe and Sanitary Homes, and Program 4, Home Rehabilitation) to assist residents to retrofit homes with air filtration and other improvements to lessen the in-home pollution burden.
Implications for the Housing Element Sites Inventory
The City is largely built out, leaving industrial sites to provide the highest opportunity for redevelopment without increasing displacement risk. The sites in the City’s Sites Inventory in the Slauson/Long Beach and Pacific/Randolph planned transit station areas have high pollution exposure. In the Slauson/Long Beach station area, some opportunity sites contain active manufacturing and other industrial land uses. All residential development sites will have to undergo Phase I Environmental Site Analyses (see Policy 4.7), leading to a Phase 2 and/or 3 analyses if necessary. Soil remediation measures may be required.
Project design is an important tool that can decrease residents' exposure to pollution. Program 14, Comprehensive Planning Updates, includes Action 14-3, Open Space Planning, which will increase the City’s tree canopy to improve air quality. Action 8-4 will establish citywide design standards that will include building design provisions to orient buildings away from sources of pollution and require indoor air filtration to improve indoor air quality.
To encourage redevelopment, the new Transit-Oriented Development Ordinance (Program 10, Action 10-5) establishes clear, objective design standards and streamlined, administrative approval of qualifying projects. The City will also pursue funding to assist with site cleanup and provide incentives for the transition from industrial to residential uses (Program 10, Adequate Housing Sites). The City will mitigate indoor air pollution by implementation of Program 3, Safe and Sanitary Homes.
Federal and State Environmental Regulations
Federal and state regulations require an environmental review of proposed discretionary projects that do not fall within specified exemptions outlined in CEQA Statute and Guidelines (e.g., subdivision maps, development of large sites, use permits, etc.). The cost of complying with environmental regulations can add costs to development. However, these regulations help preserve the environment and ensure environmental quality for Huntington Park residents.
Regional plans and programs related to public safety included the State Seismic Hazards Mapping Act, CEQA Statute and Guidelines, California Noise Insulation Standards (Title 24), and the Federal Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Program. Pursuant to CEQA, nearly all residential development that requires a discretionary action also requires environmental review concurrent with the approval process. The preparation, review, and certification of CEQA documents may add time to the development process.
Pursuant to State law, the City developed and adopted a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP)16 in 2004. Under FEMA regulations, the City’s LHMP is expired. Updating the LHMP will be an implementation program in the City’s updated Safety Element, which was in progress at the time of publishing this Housing Element (Program 3, Safe and Sanitary Homes).
Infrastructure Constraints
As discussed under Development Fees and Improvement Requirements, the City requires developers to provide on-site and off-site improvements necessary to serve their projects.
Dedication of land or in-lieu fees may also be required of a project for rights-of-way, transit facilities, recreational facilities, and school sites, consistent with the Subdivision Map Act.
Additionally, the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) contains a schedule of public improvements, including streets and other public works projects to facilitate the continued buildout of the City’s General Plan. The CIP helps to ensure that the construction of public improvements is coordinated with development. As a result of these policies, any infrastructure constraints which currently exist must be fully mitigated and financed as growth occurs.
Because the city is mostly built out, most infrastructure is in place where development is contemplated by the Sites Inventory. Some infrastructure is aging and will need replacing, and the capacity of many of the systems managed by entities other than the City are unknown. This lack of information is a constraint to development, and the City will remedy this primarily though completion of Program 14, Comprehensive Planning Updates, in which the City commits to updating its General Plan with current population projections and, in particular, updating the Public Facilities Element to establish a comprehensive plan for infrastructure sufficient to support new development in the city.
Wastewater
The City of Huntington Park Public Works Department maintains the City’s sewer system. Sewage generated by the City is conveyed to regional sewage treatment facilities maintained and operated by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District. Wastewater collected by the LACSD is conveyed to the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant located at 24501 Figueroa Street in Carson. This treatment plant provides primary and secondary treatment for approximately 280 million gallons per day (mgd) and has a total permitted capacity of 400 mgd. Thus, a remaining capacity of 120 mgd is available for future development in the region.
The City will update its General Plan, including its Public Facilities Element, to identify deficiencies in the physical infrastructure and establish a comprehensive plan for improvement and ensuring adequate capacity in the system to accommodate development anticipated by the Housing Element (Program 14, Comprehensive Planning Updates).
16 City of Huntington Park Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, 2004. https://www.hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4366/City-of-Huntington-Park-Natural-Hazards-Mitigation-Plan Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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Water
The City of Huntington Park is served by four water companies, which obtain their supply of water from two sources: groundwater from local wells and water supplied by the Metropolitan Water District. The four water companies are discussed in more detail in Section IV, Resources.
Government Code Section 65589.7 requires cities and counties to work with water and sewer services to adopt written policies and procedures that grant a priority for service hook-ups to developments that help meet the community’s share of the regional need for lower-income housing.
The City’s Public Works Department currently hooks up water and sewer services to projects with permits without special priorities, requirements, or conditions for specific project types. The City will work closely with local water and sewer providers to adequately serve and prioritize qualified lower-income, single- and multi-family development (Program 9). Additionally, the 2020 Urban Water Management Plan identified local and regional projects intended to increase water supply and increase opportunities for water recycling.
Storm Water Drainage
The County Flood Control District provides flood control for the city and physical infrastructure is in fairly good condition. Development proposals are assessed for drainage impacts and required facilities. With these existing facilities and review procedures in place, the City’s flood control system is not expected to limit development during the planning period.
Dry Utilities
Southern California Edison is responsible for supplying electricity to the city and surrounding areas.
Other dry utilities such as natural gas, telephone and data services, and cable television are serviced by contracted providers within the city. Providers include, without limitation, SoCalGas, AT&T, and Spectrum.
Market Constraints
Various factors not under the control of the government also affect the cost, supply, and distribution of housing. These factors include land cost, construction costs, and availability of financing.
Development Costs
A key component of the total cost of housing is the price of raw land and any necessary improvements. The diminished supply of land available for residential construction combined with a fairly high demand for such development has served to keep the cost of land relatively high in cities across Southern California. The availability and price of land are potential constraints to a housing development for all income levels.
Another major cost associated with housing development is the cost of building materials, which have risen dramatically in recent years. Hard construction costs include building shell costs, onand off-site improvements, parking, and all contractor costs. As part of the City’s density bonus program, the City allows for affordable units to be slightly smaller in size (maintaining the same number of bedrooms) and have different interior finishes than market-rate units, provided that all project units are comparable in construction quality and exterior design. Another factor that can reduce construction costs is the economies of scale realized with a greater number of units built at Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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one time; this is of particular benefit when density bonuses are used for the provision of affordable housing.
Construction Cost
Construction costs depend on several factors, including type of construction; custom versus tract development; cost of materials; site conditions; finishing details; amenities; size; and structural configuration. The International Code Council (ICC) provides estimates for the average cost of labor and materials for typical Type VA protected wood-frame housing. Estimates are based on “goodquality” construction, providing for materials and fixtures well above the minimum required by state and local building codes.
The California Construction Cost Index (CCCI) is based on the Building Cost Index (BCI). This index measures changes in cost for production factors in housing construction. Typically, this cost accounts for materials of various types, equipment, salaries, and transport services. These indices provide average estimates for San Francisco and Los Angeles only and are produced by the Engineering News Record (ENR). Taking these factors into account, construction costs have risen 24 percent in California since June of 2016.
The ICC estimated in 2021 that the average cost per-square-foot for good-quality housing in Los Angeles County was approximately $117 for multi-family housing, $130 for single-family homes, and $147 for residential care/assisted living facilities.17 Although construction costs are a substantial portion of the overall development cost, they are consistent throughout the region and therefore are not considered a major constraint to housing production in Huntington Park.
While development fees and improvement requirements increase the cost of housing, cities have little choice in establishing such requirements due to the limitations on property taxes and other revenue sources needed to fund public services and improvements. Therefore, the city’s calculation of the Parkland fees dependent on appraisal value and costs along with the fees calculated from the Master Fee Schedule are not seen as a constraint to the development of housing.
Cost and Availability of Financing
The availability of financing in a community depends on a number of factors, including the type of lending institutions active in the community; lending practices, rates, and fees charged; laws and regulations governing financial institutions and equal access to those institutions; and availability of a range of credit options to residents in all neighborhoods regardless of race, gender, income, or location. The following discussion analyzes residential lending in Huntington Park as well as issues affecting equal access to credit. Huntington Park is typical of Southern California communities with regard to private sector home financing programs.
Under State law, it is illegal for real estate lending institutions to discriminate against entire neighborhoods in lending practices because of the physical or socio-economic conditions in the area (“redlining”). There is no evidence of redlining being practiced in any area of the City. 17 7 DGS California Construction Cost Index CCCI. 2021. https://www.dgs.ca.gov/RESD/Resources/PageContent/RealEstate-Services-Division-Resources-List-Folder/DGS-California-Construction-Cost-Index-CCCI Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Constraints
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The City currently advertises funding opportunities for lower-income residents to assist with home rehabilitation and lead-based hazard mitigations through Program 3. Although the City cannot control development costs and other market constraints, the city actively reviews available funding and implement financial programs throughout the planning period. This is a common annual practice and therefore does not require the development of a new program.
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VI. HOUSING ACTION PLAN
Sections II through IV of this Housing Element describe the housing needs, opportunities, and constraints in the City of Huntington Park. This section presents the City's eight-year Housing Action Plan for the 2021- 2029 planning period. This Plan sets forth Huntington Park's goals, policies, and programs to address the identified housing needs of the city.
Goals and Policies
The overall goal of the Housing Element is to provide adequate housing in the city, both in quality and quantity, to provide appropriate shelter for all without discrimination.
The goals and policies of the Housing Element presented below address Huntington Park's identified housing needs and are implemented through a series of housing programs offered through the Community Development Department and other City departments. Within this overarching goal, the City has established goals and policies to address the development, maintenance, and improvement of the housing stock.
Provision of New Housing
GOAL 1: PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUITABLE HOUSING TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF EXISTING AND FUTURE RESIDENTS.
POLICY 1.1 Promote opportunities for homeownership to low- and moderate-income households through homebuyer assistance programs or inclusionary housing requirements that apply to ownership projects.
POLICY 1.2 Facilitate the development of missing-middle housing (accessory dwelling units, duplexes, triplexes, and small-lot subdivisions consistent with state law) to provide affordable housing opportunities in existing neighborhoods.
POLICY 1.3 Facilitate the development of new housing of types through the use of objective design standards and other permit streamlining techniques.
POLICY 1.4 Provide for housing for people with special needs, including people with disabilities, large households, and seniors, through the use of zoning incentives, dedication of funding, and flexible and/or objective design standards.
POLICY 1.5 Increase the development of affordable housing across the city through the use of density bonuses, dedicated funding, and other incentives that promote the construction of multifamily developments.
POLICY 1.6 Through the use of zoning, dedication of funding, and permit streamlining techniques, facilitate the development of high-density housing in areas served by existing or planned transit service.
POLICY 1.7 Introduce more flexible zoning and incentives for existing lower-density residential areas to create opportunities for more “missing middle” medium-density scale housing types.
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Housing Conservation and Maintenance
GOAL 2: MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF EXISTING HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL
NEIGHBORHOODS AND PROVIDE GREATER HOUSING STABILITY FOR HOUSEHOLDS AT ALL INCOME LEVELS.
POLICY 2.1 Preserve the character, scale, and quality of established residential neighborhoods, while continuing to facilitate new housing to meet the community’s existing and future housing need.
POLICY 2.2 Maintain affordability controls on government-assisted housing units in the City, through dedication of funds and partnerships with nonprofit housing providers to acquire and preserve units in projects with expiring affordability controls.
POLICY 2.3 Promote safe housing by developing programs that subsidize the rehabilitation of residential structures that are substandard or in disrepair, provide rehabilitation funding for room additions to alleviate overcrowding, and complete other necessary home improvements.
POLICY 2.4 Strengthen neighborhoods through a partnership with nonprofits in the acquisition and rehabilitation of deteriorated properties and provision of long-term affordable housing.
POLICY 2.5 Promote quality rental housing and strategies to address substandard conditions of units. Establish procedures to use the City’s existing Code Enforcement program to hold landlords accountable for rental housing repairs. Dedicate funding to rental housing rehabilitation and connect owners of rental properties with code violations with funding programs.
POLICY 2.6 Educate property owners on the benefits of lead-based paint abatement, home repair, and remodeling using design and materials consistent with the historic character of the residence.
POLICY 2.7 Ensure that all rental properties in Huntington Park are safe and sanitary by performing inspections of all new and existing rental units. Educate and train rental property owners on best practices for property management. Connect property owners with resources for owners of rental properties to assist with repairs and improvements.
POLICY 2.8 Inform residents about the dangers of in-home toxic material and pollution exposure (including lead, air pollution, asbestos) and the city resources available to address these issues.
POLICY 2.9 Develop and maintain public programs to increase access to at-home pollution exposure remediation for residents of Huntington Park, including lead-based paint inspections and household air purification devices.
POLICY 2.10 Protect existing residents from displacement by expanding tenants' rights programs, enforcement, and legal assistance needed to access those rights.
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Removal of Governmental Constraints
GOAL 3: MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENTAL CONSTRAINTS ON THE MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING.
POLICY 3.1 Monitor all regulations, ordinances, departmental processing procedures, and fees related to the rehabilitation and construction of housing units to assess the impact on housing costs.
POLICY 3.2 Reduce barriers to building new housing and amend the Zoning Code and other ordinances to allow for more flexibility and faster processing time.
POLICY 3.3 Encourage the use of alternatives to current parking standards that lower the cost of housing, support GHG and VMT reduction goals and recognize the continued expansion of shared and alternative mobility.
Provision of Adequate Housing Sites
GOAL 4: PROVIDE ADEQUATE SITES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW HOUSING THROUGH APPROPRIATE LAND USE AND ZONING.
POLICY 4.1 Implement land use policies that allow for a range of residential densities and housing types to address Huntington Park’s housing needs.
POLICY 4.2 Promote the development of sites suitable for multifamily housing, including those listed in the Housing Element Site Inventory.
POLICY 4.3 Facilitate the consolidation of small parcels by providing a density bonus for lowerincome housing on small lots consolidated into a single building site.
POLICY 4.4 Pursuant to Government Code section 65583.2(h), owner-occupied and rental multifamily projects in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lowerincome households shall be allowed by right on Housing Element Inventory sites rezoned to accommodate a shortfall of capacity.
POLICY 4.5 Pursuant to Government Code section 65583.2(i), on all Housing Element Inventory sites rezoned to accommodate a shortfall, residential projects that contain no commercial uses shall be allowed on Housing Element Inventory sites zoned for mixed use, and at least 50 percent of the floor area shall be devoted to residential uses.
POLICY 4.6 Incentivize though zoning the development of new residential uses in lessproductive industrial, office, and commercial areas. Pursue funding to assist with environmental remediated, if necessary.
POLICY 4.7 Require Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and, if required, subsequent remediation, to be completed for all residential projects.
POLICY 4.8 Provide for the redevelopment of properties with existing uses and structures through incentives such as relaxed development standards, parking standards, and other zoning requirements.
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Equal Housing Opportunity
GOAL 5: PROMOTE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS TO RESIDE IN THE HOUSING OF THEIR CHOICE.
POLICY 5.1 Continue to cooperate with the Fair Housing Foundation to enforce fair housing laws and provide public education and outreach.
POLICY 5.2 Inform the Fair Housing Foundation of any known violations of applicable Federal and State laws.
POLICY 5.3 Continue to implement the Southeast Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET) to provide support and resources to the mentally ill and homeless population in the community.
POLICY 5.4 Coordinate with the Los Angeles Area Homeless Services Agency (LAHSA) and other local communities to provide a continuum of care of services and facilities for the homeless. Support local service providers offering needed facilities and housing support services to homeless individuals, families, and persons at risk of homelessness.
POLICY 5.5 Continue to address the special housing needs of persons with disabilities through the provision of supportive housing, homeowner accessibility grants.
POLICY 5.6 Protect local renters from adverse living conditions by disseminating information and resources regarding tenant’s rights and home safety.
POLICY 5.7 Develop design and development standards to ensure equitable access to green space for all residents.
POLICY 5.8 Promote the development of active transportation infrastructure and amenities throughout the city.
Housing Programs
Housing Element goals and policies are implemented through the programs described below. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583, housing programs must address the following major areas:
• Conserve and improve the condition of the existing supply of affordable housing; • Assist in the development of adequate housing to meet the needs of extremely low-, very low-, low, and moderate-income households;
• Provide adequate sites to accommodate the city’s share of the regional housing need for households of each income level;
• Remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing, including housing for all income levels and housing for persons with disabilities; • Promote the creation of accessory dwelling units that can be offered at affordable rents; and • Affirmatively furthering fair housing and promote equal housing opportunity.
Huntington Park's programs for addressing these requirements are described in this section.
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Provision of New Housing
Homebuyer programs are vital given that housing prices in Huntington Park rank among the highest in eastern Los Angeles County and northern Orange County. The City is also supportive of the development of accessory dwelling units to meet the needs of its growing population and multi-family rental housing for lower-income households, including working families and university students.
Program 1. First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
Action 1-1. First-Time Homebuyers Program
The City will reinstate a First-Time Homebuyers Program using HOME funds and other grant funding. The City shall promote this program by:
• Establishing parameters for the First-Time Homebuyer Program, • Preparing multi-lingual informational documents,
• Advertise program by posting informational documents on the city website, providing the documents in general public information areas throughout City Hall, and periodic advertising in the city newsletter.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2024 and ongoing
Objective: Assist 25 homebuyers throughout the planning period Action 1-2. Mortgage Assistance Program
The City will operate a Mortgage Assistance program for lower-income homebuyers using CalHome funds.
The City shall promote this program by:
• Preparing multi-lingual informational documents,
• Advertising the program by posting informational documents on the city website, providing the documents in public information areas throughout City Hall, and periodic advertising in the city newsletter; and
• Conducting workshops with community-based organizations.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing, beginning 2022
Objective: Assist 25 homebuyers throughout the planning period Action 1-3. Los Angeles County Homebuyer Programs
Los Angeles County offers a Homebuyer Assistance Program and Mortgage Credit Certificates. The City of Huntington Park shall provide referral information to prospective buyers at the public counter and on the City website.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Make referrals throughout the planning period beginning January 2023 Objective: Refer 30 potential homebuyers
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Program 2. Accessory Dwelling Units and Missing Middle Housing Action 2-1. Update Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
The City currently has a Second Unit Ordinance which permits the construction of second units, but it is not consistent with Government Code Section 65852.2. The City will update the Zoning Ordinance to conform with current state law. The updated ordinance will establish flexible zoning requirements and development standards, provide for expedited ministerial processing, and establish fee reductions.
Responsible Agency: Planning Division
Timeframe: Amend ADU Ordinance within one year of Housing Element adoption Objective: Amended ADU ordinance consistent with state law Action 2-2. Accessory Dwelling Unit Marketing
The City will promote new ADU regulations, including public workshops, the preparation and distribution of informational packets at the Planning Department counter and on the City’s website. Conduct workshops with community-based organizations to educate homeowners and promote the construction of ADUs to provide additional housing and build wealth. Coordinate with and use tools provided by the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, including an ADU calculator tool and a model ordinance (see Program 10 for more information).
Responsible Agency: Planning Division
Timeframe: Create and distribute materials when ADU ordinance is updated Objective: Distribute marketing materials and conduct two workshops annually Action 2-3. Affordable Accessory Dwelling Units
To ensure the City meets the anticipated lower-income ADU production, the City will identify state, federal, or local funding and provide a list of grants and financial incentives for lower-income households to construct new ADUs or legalize existing ADUs and promote homeowner participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program. Potential sources of funding may include (as available) California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) or Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA).
The City will annually monitor the affordability of constructed ADUs by developing a worksheet to track income levels throughout the course of the planning period, and implement additional actions if not meeting target numbers at affordability levels anticipated in the housing element.
The City will conduct public outreach to homeowners and multifamily housing developers to provide education on the permitting process; determine constraints to affordable ADU development.
Responsible Agency: Planning Division
Timeframe: Identify funding sources and make resources available on the City’s website by December 2023; annual monitoring and development of additional implementation strategies within six months of identification of constraints or shortfall in expected affordable ADU production; conduct outreach to homeowners/developers by December 2023.
Objective: Ensure affordability of 78 ADUs throughout the planning period Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-7
Action 2-4. Accessory Dwelling Unit Streamlining
The City will explore the feasibility of adopting “Pre-Approved” ADU Plans and over-the-counter approvals.
Responsible Agency: Planning Division and Building Division Timeframe: Complete feasibility analysis by 2025
Objective: Determine feasibility of adopting pre-approved plans and over-the-counter approvals Action 2-5. Accessory Dwelling Unit Legalization
The City will conduct a special study session with the Planning Commission and City Council to establish a process to legalize existing, unpermitted ADUs. Upon adoption of a program, the City’s Code Enforcement Division shall distribute flyers/brochures to assist homeowners during on-site visits as the notice of correction is being issued.
Responsible Agency: Planning Division and Code Enforcement Division Timeframe: Study session completed and work plan developed by January 2024 Objective: Legalization of 150 ADUs
Action 2-6. SB 10 (2021) Implementation
Evaluate the effect and feasibility of adopting an ordinance compliant with SB 10 (2021). Evaluation should include an evaluation of the capacity of the qualifying parcels, the effect full buildout would have on the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation obligations and the City’s resources, and alternatives to adopting such an ordinance. Results of the City’s analysis will be presented in a special study session with the Planning Commission and City Council.
Responsible Agency: Planning Division
Timeframe: June 2024
Objective: Complete a feasibility analysis, hold a public study session, and develop a work plan Action 2-7. California HOME Act (SB 9) Implementation
Develop application materials, promotional materials, objective standards, and procedures for implementing the California HOME Act (SB 9, 2021). Process amendments to the Huntington Park Municipal Code if inconsistent with and/or necessary to implement SB 9. Coordinate with and use tools provided by the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (see Program 10 for more information).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Spring 2024
Objective: Application materials and/or updated ordinance to facilitate SB 9 applications Housing Conservation and Maintenance
Conserving and improving the condition of the housing stock is an essential goal for Huntington Park. The majority of Huntington Park’s housing stock was built prior to 1980, the age when most homes begin to require major rehabilitation improvements. The focus neighborhoods identified by this Housing Element as Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-8
evidencing physical problem conditions can be specifically targeted for City housing improvement assistance.
Program 3. Safe and Sanitary Homes
Action 3-1. Code Enforcement
Link Code Enforcement efforts with the City’s housing rehabilitation programs. Code Enforcement staff will refer property owners cited for code violations to the City’s housing rehabilitation assistance programs.
Responsible Agency: Planning Division and Code Enforcement Division Timeframe: Ongoing
Objective: Complete corrections to 300 residential properties on an annual basis Action 3-2. Rental Inspections
Develop a mandatory rental inspection ordinance that requires all rental units to be registered with the City and inspected to ensure compliance with all applicable building, fire, health, and zoning codes. Through Action 5-4, Rental Housing Rehabilitation, Code Enforcement staff will connect property owners with resources to assist with repairs to ensure the cost of repair is not passed on to tenants. Ensure Code Enforcement programs do not cause harm to vulnerable residents, especially undocumented residents, by ensuring that that the Fair Housing Foundation follows up on all violations.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2024
Objective: Adopted Rental Inspection Ordinance; inspect 200 rental units annually Action 3-3. Rent Escrow Account Program
To address issues of substandard rental housing, provide a financial incentive for landlords to correct reported issues. Explore the feasibility of establishing a rent escrow account program, wherein tenants can deposit their rents into an escrow account when a landlord has failed to correct code violations within the time permitted. Partner with community-based organizations for outreach, promotion, and administration, as feasible.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: June 2023
Objective: Complete a feasibility analysis, study session, and work plan Action 3-4. Home Safety Guidebook
Develop a Home Safety Guidebook mailer that informs residents about common household exposures and the City resources available to help resolve these issues.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: June 2023
Objective: Home Safety Guidebook available on the City’s website and mailed to residents Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-9
Action 3-5. Safe-At-Home Grants
Establish a Safe-At-Home grant program that provides funding to lower-income residents for home maintenance and upgrades necessary to reduce impacts from pollution exposure, including but not limited to, lead-based paint mitigation, asbestos mitigation, and air pollution.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: End of 2025
Objective: Provide assistance to 30 homes per year (total of 180 homes during the planning period) Program 4. Home Rehabilitation
Action 4-1. Rehabilitation Grants and Loans
The City operates the following rehabilitation programs:
• The Lead Hazard Control Program provides grants for lead hazard remediation. • The Minor Home Repair Program (owner-occupied properties) is a CDBG-funded program allowing lower-income homeowners the opportunity to make repairs and improvements. • The HOME-funded Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program offers grants to qualified low- to moderate-income homeowners.
• The CalHome Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program will provide loans for lower-income households for home repairs necessary to eliminate blight for critical disadvantaged communities.
The Minor Home Repair Program and the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program have lacked funding in recent years, but the city will allocate CDBG and HOME funding to them, and will seek additional funding to assist more households.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing
Objective: Provide funds for the rehabilitation of four units per year (32 units during the planning period).
Provide funding for minor home repairs to 30 homes per year (total of 180 homes during the planning period).
Program 5. Monitoring and Preserving Affordable Housing Action 5-1. Affordable Housing Inventory and Monitoring The City will continue to keep an inventory of affordable housing units in compliance with AB 987, and conduct monitoring of assisted rental housing as defined by the City’s Rental Monitoring Protocol, including annual verification of household incomes and rents and periodic site visits to include property inspection, affirmative marketing, and tenant selection procedures.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Annual monitoring of resources
Objective: Monitor all affordable units
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Action 5-2. Preservation of At-Risk Units
Monitor the list of at-risk housing units and provide incentives and negotiation efforts to renew any expiring affordability covenants. The affordability restrictions for one project, Concord Huntington Park, is scheduled to expire during the Housing Element planning period. Promote the use of additional affordable housing assistance programs to preserve units in the Concord Huntington Park development. When available, the City will utilize resources such as HOME funds, CDBG funds, Project-Based Vouchers, LowIncome Housing Tax Credit Programs and other state or federal funding sources to stimulate private developer and non-profit entity efforts in the preservation of housing for lower-income households.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Before expiration of affordability covenants in 2029 Objective: Preserve 162 units at risk of conversion to market-rate housing in the Concord Huntington Park project
Action 5-3. Noticing for At-Risk Units
Assist owners of the Concord Huntington Park development and other deed-restricted rental properties to comply with state preservation notice law (Government Code sections 65863.10, 65863.11, and 65863.13) within three years, one year, and six months of the expiration of deed restrictions. Contact property owners three years before the expiration date to ensure tenants receive proper notification of any changes and are aware of available special Housing Choice Vouchers.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within three years, one year, and six months of the expiration of deed restrictions Objective: Preservation of 162 affordable units at risk of conversion to market-rate housing in the Concord Huntington Park project
Action 5-4. Rental Housing Rehabilitation
Apply for additional funding to preserve the existing stock of affordable and market-rate rental housing, including providing loans, grants, and/or rebates to owners of rental properties to make needed repairs and rehabilitation. Partner with nonprofit housing developers to acquire and rehabilitate rental housing that is substandard, deteriorating, or in danger of being demolished.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: With the first Action Plan after adoption of the Housing Element and annually throughout the planning period
Objective: Secure funding to be used for rental housing rehabilitation Action 5-5. Tenant/Community Opportunity to Purchase
Promote the use of SB 1079 (2020), which created a new foreclosure sale process for two-to-four-unit buildings that allows qualified parties a means to purchase property in foreclosure, subject to certain requirements. Provide technical assistance and support to SB 1079 implementation efforts to achieve an effective notification system. Consider creation of a local tenant/community opportunity to purchase ordinance that would cover a wider array of buildings outside of foreclosure, including rental housing with expiring federal and/or state subsidies and/or affordability protections. Pursue funding sources, including Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-11
grants and loans, to assist tenant and community-based organizations purchase multi-family buildings.
Require purchasers to preserve units as permanently affordable. Promote the creation of City or nonprofit ownership entities that could acquire affordable ownership units and buildings. Assist former tenants in purchasing units converted to condos pursuant to the City’s condominium conversion provisions (Article 15 of the Zoning Code).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2025
Objective: Conduct a study session and develop a work plan for implementation Program 6. Energy Conservation Program
Action 6-1. Zoning Code Updates for Energy
The City will review the Zoning Code, subdivision requirements, and other applicable codes to promote energy conservation in housing rehabilitation and the construction of new housing.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: October 2024
Objective: Amend Zoning Code
Action 6-2. Green City Ordinance
The City of Huntington Park will adopt a “Green City” ordinance in conformance with current State requirements. This program will ensure that developers and/or architects incorporate certain Statemandated energy and water-conserving equipment in any new development.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: October 2024
Objective: Adopt new Green City Ordinance
Action 6-3. Promotional Materials
The City’s website will be expanded to include a “Green City” section that will refer users to a wide range of initiatives from other energy and water providers that will be effective in helping to conserve these resources. The programs will include rebates from other energy providers for energy-conserving refrigerators, water heaters, and other household appliances. The key elements of this program include the following:
• Encouraging and supporting cost-effective energy technologies (passive solar space heating and cooling and water conservation) in the review of new residential development. The City shall permit the installation of photovoltaic/solar and solar water heating systems on new residential construction.
• Establishing an information kiosk in Civic Center near the planning counter that will include brochures and handouts promoting energy conservation from local utility providers. In addition, the City’s website will be updated to publicize the availability of the various rebate programs and tax incentives that will reduce the cost of installing energy-saving devices.
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• City of Huntington Park will update the Zoning Ordinance and subdivision requirements and other applicable codes to promote energy conservation in housing rehabilitation and in the construction of new housing.
• The City shall support ongoing programs from SCE and Sempra Energy that promote energy conservation. The programs sponsored by the utility providers include rebates for energyconserving refrigerators, water heaters, and other household appliances. • The City will review the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that there are no requirements that are overly restrictive concerning the installation of solar panels. The City will then amend the Zoning Ordinance to ensure that solar panels are permitted in all Zone Districts. • Title 24 of the California Building Code requires phasing out older, less energy-efficient toilets by replacing them with toilets that use only 1.6 gallons per flush. The City will continue to ensure that this requirement is being implemented.
• The City shall promote water conservation (drought-tolerant landscaping, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, etc.) in the review of new development.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: October 2024
Objective: Create and advertise handout materials to be available at the public counter, through the City’s web page, and through periodic advertisements in the City newsletter Removal of Constraints
The Housing Element must address, and where legally possible, remove/mitigate governmental constraints affecting the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing. The following programs are designed to minimize governmental constraints on residential development and facilitate the development of a variety of housing types.
Program 7. Zoning Code Updates
Action 7-1. Zoning Changes to Achieve Consistency with State Law A number of changes to the City’s Zoning Ordinance are required to achieve consistency with state law.
These revisions include:
• Allow supportive housing as a use by right in all zones where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted; eliminate parking requirements for supportive housing located within ½ mile of public transit.
• Allow transitional housing as a use by right in all multifamily and mixed-use zones, and subject to only the standards that apply to residential uses in the same zone. • Amend Article 20 (Emergency Shelters) to comply with Housing Element law (Government Code Section 65583(a)(4)) as follows:
Allow Emergency Shelters subject to the same standards that apply to residential or commercial development within the same zone.
Remove 30-bed limit.
Modify parking standards for emergency shelters to a ratio based on to the number of shelter staff.
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Remove requirement that an emergency shelter operator has operated a shelter within the past two years.
Remove requirements for phone and laundry facilities. Remove transit accessibility requirements.
Remove requirements for “other amenities” at the discretion of the Director of Community Development.
• Allow small employee housing (six or fewer) in all residential zone districts to comply with the Employee Housing Act.
• Establish by-right processing procedures for Low Barrier Navigation Centers in areas zoned for mixed use and non-residential zones permitting multifamily uses, and should the City receive an application for these uses, process them as required by State law. • Amend the Zoning Code to remove the requirement for discretionary review of all projects including two or more residential units. The requirement is inconsistent with new ADU legislation and the California HOME Act (SB 9, 2021), which allows ministerial lot splits and duplexes. • Amend Article 22 of the Zoning Code to comply with California Density Bonus Law (Government Code Sections 65915—65918).
• Remove the Development Permit requirement for the installation of manufactured homes, and additional restrictions that do not apply to single-family homes. • Eliminate the prohibition on multiple dwelling units on lots created before January 1, 2019, containing no more than one dwelling unit, and therefore exempt from the minimum lot size standards, to comply with state ADU law and the California HOME Act (SB 9, 2021).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: June 2023
Objective: Updated Zoning Code consistent with state law Action 7-2. Address Constraints
The Constraints section of this Housing Element identified a number of constraints that must be addressed through Zoning Ordinance updates. Those updates include:
• Modify the findings 3, 5, and 7 for Development Permits (Section 9-2.1007) to remove subjective language.
• Establish an administrative approvals process for and allow priority processing affordable housing projects.
• Modify the Downtown Specific Plan permit requirement for multi-family residential projects from a Conditional Use Permit to a Development Permit.
• Increase the 30-foot height limit in the C-N district to 35 feet. • Modify group home regulations by revising the definition of Group Homes to distinguish between licensed and unlicensed facilities, revising allowed land uses in single-family neighborhoods to allow larger, unlicensed facilities, revising the conditional use permit requirement for large group homes to apply only to licensed facilities, and establishing objective and transparent conditions of approval for facilities requiring a conditional use permit.
• Modify Reasonable Accommodation ordinance to allow use of the reasonable accommodation process to except large, licensed group homes from the conditional use permit process.
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• Amend the definition of “family” to define “housekeeping unit and remove reference to “non-profit” housekeeping unit.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Create permitting processes for multifamily housing and housing for special needs populations that reduce discretionary review and subjective standards, eliminate identified constraints, and allow for more flexibility in permitting.
Action 7-3. Parking Strategies
Evaluate the City’s residential parking requirements and develop strategies for reducing requirements.
Conduct a parking study to determine parking needs for multifamily residential and mixed-use projects.
Based on results, develop Zoning Ordinance amendments to allow flexibility in parking standards. Develop a transportation demand management plan, using Southern California Association of Governments Transportation Demand Management resources.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Completed parking study and amended Zoning Code Action 7-4. Zoning Changes to Address Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Issues The Constraints section of this Housing Element identified a number of changes to the Zoning Code that have the potential to address Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing issues. The City will amend the Zoning Code to:
• Make changes to Reasonable Accommodation ordinance (Article 19 of the Zoning Code) to remove application fee requirement, increase privacy protections, remove conditional use permit requirement, and remove provisions for Planning Commission approval. • Modify the City’s Density Bonus ordinance (Article 22, Density Bonus/Affordable Housing Incentives) to provide a density bonus for new housing projects that include family-sized housing and services, and extremely low-income units
• Provide density bonus or other incentives for including universal design elements into new housing projects
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Within one year of Housing Element adoption
Objective: Updated Zoning Code
Action 7-5. Zoning Changes to Maintain RHNA Progress
The City will monitor its progress toward meeting its share of the regional housing need and modify the Zoning Ordinance as needed to maintain progress. The City will establish a developer working group and annually conduct outreach to developers to evaluate remaining regulatory constraints and develop specific methods and strategies to address and remove the identified constraints to facilitate production of affordable housing. These include:
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• Height limits
• Minimum unit size requirements
• Ground-floor commercial requirement in mixed-use projects in the Downtown Specific Plan If 50 percent of the units in each income category have not been permitted by the midpoint of the planning period (October 2025), the City will make changes to address constraints identified by the working group.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Meet with developers and recommend changes to the Zoning Code annually after completion of the Annual Progress Report, and make changes by January 2026.
Objective: Facilitation of residential development sufficient to keep pace with City’s share of RHNA Program 8. Development Procedures
Action 8-1. Evaluation of Fees
The City will review planning and development fees to ensure planning and development fees are not constraining development, and develop strategies to address constraints. Annually, the City will conduct outreach to developers and analyze applications for development to determine the ratio of fees to overall project costs. The City will also evaluate impact fees consistent with state law.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Update Master Fee Schedule by 2023
Action 8-2. SB 35 and SB 330 Implementation
Establish a streamlined, ministerial review process for qualifying multi-family residential projects consistent with SB 35 and SB 330 (the Housing Crisis Act of 2019).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Create a checklist and written procedures for processing SB 35 and SB 330 applications Action 8-3. Objective Design Standards
The Housing Accountability Act, SB 35, and SB 2162 require that the City review housing development projects based on objective standards. The City will review, revise, and develop citywide objective development standards related to the review of all residential and mixed-use residential developments.
Review the standards for historic preservation and adopt objective standards for projects involving multifamily residential uses. Design standards will include measures to reduce residents’ exposure to pollution.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Create an SB 35 checklist and written procedures for processing SB 35 applications; adopt Citywide Design Guidelines
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Action 8-4. Staff Augmentation
Hire additional staff or on-call consultants to perform Building Plan Checks to reduce processing times.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Reduce average Plan Check times to less than one month Action 8-5. Inter-Departmental Working Group
Form a working group to identify inter-departmental constraints to the review and processing of development permits. Use process improvements developed for the review and processing of ADUs as model process improvement.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Working group shall meet quarterly; process improvements will be proposed annually with completion of the City’s Annual Progress Report.
Objective: Facilitate development of housing sufficient to maintain progress with the City’s RHNA Program 9. Priority Water and Sewer Connections for Affordable Housing Per Government Code Section 65589.7, the city is required to work with water and sewer services to adopt written policies and procedures that grant a priority for service hook-ups to developments that help meet the community’s share of the regional need for lower-income housing. The City’s Public Works Department currently hooks up water and sewer services to projects with a permit without any special priorities, requirements, or conditions for specific projects. To ensure compliance as well as incentivize low-income housing, the City will submit a cover memo and Housing Element to the local water and sewer provider to prioritize connections for qualified lower-income single-family and multifamily development.
Responsible Agency: Public Works Division
Timeframe: Submit memo within 30 days of adopting this Housing Element Objective: Submit cover memo and Housing Element to local water and sewer providers Provision of Adequate Housing Sites
A major element in meeting the housing needs of all segments of the community is the provision of adequate sites for all types, sizes, and prices of housing. The City's General Plan, Development Code and specific plans describe where housing may be built, thereby affecting the availability of land for residential development. Specific housing sites are identified in Appendix B.
Program 10. Identify Adequate Sites and Assist in the Development of Adequate Housing Action 10-1. Lot Consolidation
To facilitate the consolidation of small parcels smaller than one-half acre into larger development sites, the City will offer the following incentives:
• Assisting affordable housing developers in identifying opportunities for lot consolidation using the City’s GIS system and property database
• Expedite processing for lot consolidations processed concurrently with planning entitlements Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-17
• Provide fee deferrals for lot consolidation until certificate of occupancy • Publicizing the program on the City’s website, at the Planning counter, and by notice to affordable housing providers
The City will provide information over the public counter and encourage pre-development meetings regarding consolidation incentives.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Application materials and information published to city’s website.
Action 10-2. Residential Sites Inventory and Monitoring of No Net Loss Consistent with the “No Net Loss” law (SB 166), develop a procedure to track:
• Unit count and income/affordability assumed on parcels included in the sites inventory, • Actual units constructed and income/affordability when parcels are developed, and • Net change in capacity and summary of remaining capacity in meeting remaining Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Annually
Objective: Maintain progress toward meeting the City’s RHNA Action 10-3. Brownfields Program
To encourage the redevelopment of land formerly used for commercial or industrial uses to residential or mixed-use development, the City will establish the following incentives:
• Pursue funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to fund cleanup efforts on inventory sites. • Improve notification about environmental assessment and brownfield recovery funds to aid developers in building housing on formerly contaminated sites. • Establish a website listing resources and a City contact for more information. • Meet with at least one established and bona fide developer per year to explore cleanup and redevelopment of sites in inventory.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Submit first funding applications by the end of 2023 and on an ongoing basis as they come available; meet with developers annually
Objective: Apply for funding to fund cleanup of five sites within the planning period Action 10-4. Promotion of City-Owned Sites
Consistent with the Surplus Land Act, the City will work with community partners, affordable housing developers, and business owners in the Downtown Specific Plan area to create a strategy for the development of City-owned parking lot sites in the Downtown Specific Plan area. Loss of parking on City- Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-18
owned sites will be mitigated through strategies developed through implementation of Program 8, Zoning Code Updates. The total capacity on these sites is 248 units. The City will require affordable housing consistent with the Surplus Land Act.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2025
Objective: Develop 248 housing units, with a minimum affordable housing component consistent with the Surplus Land Act
Action 10-5. Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District Establish a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay District for sites around the stations in or adjacent to Huntington Park along the planned West Santa Anta Branch Transit Corridor. The TOD Overlay is intended to facilitate the development of a compact mix of high-density residential, commercial, office, and light industrial uses in areas with a high potential for pedestrian activity, generally within one-half mile of existing and planned transit stations. Development standards will be sufficient to facilitate this type of development, similar to TOD areas in neighboring jurisdictions, and will include, but not be limited to:
• Density limitations of up to 70 units per acre and with a minimum density of 20 units per acre • Height limits up to 65 feet
• Reduced parking standards
• Objective design and development standards
• Ministerial approval process for multifamily development, including single-room occupancy facilities (SROs)
• Allow emergency shelters by right
To comply with the requirements of Government Code section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i), the program will:
• permit owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses by-right for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower income households. By-right means local government review must not require a conditional use permit, planned unit development permit, or other discretionary review or approval;
• accommodate a minimum of 16 units per site;
• require a minimum density of 20 units per acre; and
• at least 50 percent of the lower-income need must be accommodated on sites designated for residential use only or on sites zoned for mixed uses that accommodate all of the very low and lowincome housing need, if those sites:
• allow 100 percent residential use, and
• require residential use occupy 50 percent of the total floor area of a mixed-use project.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Concurrent with adoption of the Housing Element Objective: Establish a new TOD Overlay Zone and rezone 36 sites in the City’s inventory Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-19
Action 10-6. Minimum Density
To ensure that sites in the Housing Element Sites Inventory develop at densities anticipated in the inventory, the City will establish minimum densities of at least 20 units per acre in the Downtown Specific Plan.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: December 2023
Objective: Facilitate the development of 910 units during the planning period Action 10-7. Reuse of Sites with Existing Uses
To facilitate the redevelopment of sites in the Housing Element Sites Inventory with existing uses, the City will develop zoning standards and/or an Adaptive Reuse Ordinance. New regulations will provide incentives for transitioning structures and parcels originally developed for non-residential purposes to residential uses. Incentives will include, but not be limited to, flexible development standards, reduced parking standards, and reduced application review timeframes.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2024
Objective: Facilitate development of 2,668 units on non-vacant sites Program 11. Density Bonus and Other Affordable Housing Incentives Action 11-1. Promote Density Bonus Programs
The City will promote density bonus and other affordable housing program by providing brochures describing the program and its benefits and making them available at the counter and information desk in City Hall. City staff will provide housing developers with information about the density bonus program and other affordable housing incentives at the public counter, over the telephone, or during pre-application meetings. The City’s Density Bonus ordinance and program will be updated per Action 7-1.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Material complete and available by June 2023; ongoing promotion efforts Objective: Materials available at City Hall and City staff trained and able to provide technical assistance Action 11-2. Outreach to Developers
Meet with at least one established and bona fide developer annually to provide information on density bonus programs and other available incentives and promote sites in inventory for development.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Annually
Objective: Meet with two developers annually
Action 11-3. Regional Affordable Housing Program Coordination The Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) is developing a number of strategies to encourage, facilitate, and fund affordable housing throughout the region. The City will continue to participate in regional coordination and use tools produced by the Gateway Cities COG. These include:
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• Feasibility study for subregional housing trust fund
• Subregional inclusionary housing strategy
• ADU resources, including a cost calculator and model ordinances • SB 9 resources, including model ordinance
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing, as completed by Gateway Cities COG
Objective: Adoption of inclusionary housing ordinance and participation in subregional housing trust fund Equal Housing Opportunities
To adequately meet the housing needs of all segments of the community, the City promotes housing opportunities for all persons regardless of race, religion, gender, family size, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, age, or physical disability.
Program 12. Fair Housing
Action 12-1. Fair Housing Complaints
The City will continue to refer equal housing-related complaints to the Fair Housing Foundation, which acts as an independent third party to receive and address discrimination complaints. The City will make available literature on the Program at the Huntington Park City Hall, Chamber of Commerce, Library, City of Huntington Park website, and other community areas. Further marketing of the services available from Fair Housing will occur through informational pieces in the City-wide newsletter and information provided on the City’s official website.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Materials available on City’s website by June 2023; ongoing outreach Objective: Refer all complaints to the Fair Housing Foundation Action 12-2. Housing Choice Voucher Program Promotion
The city will promote the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program to tenants and landlords by posting flyers at the counter and around city hall, advertising in the city newsletter, and posting the information on the city website. Encourage landlord participation in the HCV program locally by conducting outreach and education to potential tenants and landlords/property management regarding the Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibition on housing discrimination based on source of income, including public subsidies.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Materials available by October 2023; ongoing outreach Objective: Refer 100 households to the HCV program. Hold at least one workshop targeting landlords and real estate professionals to encourage participation in the HCV program and educate them regarding the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
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Program 13. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and Increasing Access to Opportunity Action 13-1. Protecting Existing Residents from Displacement The City will evaluate and commit to adopting one of the following strategies to protect residents from displacement:
• Community benefit zoning: Offer incentives (e.g., a density bonus, expedited processing, or fee deferrals) if a project incorporates community benefits such as special needs housing (provide a minimum of 15 percent of units suitable for large families, persons with disabilities, veterans, people transitioning out of homelessness, and/or seniors), public infrastructure improvements, public realm improvements, dedication of open space, relocation assistance beyond minimum requirements to displaced residents, or first-right-of-return to displaced residents. • Vacant property ordinance that would require landowners to register vacant parcels or properties with vacant buildings and pay an annual monitoring fee. • Replacement requirements in targeted growth areas such as specific plan areas, near transit stations and along transit corridors, and on sites identified to accommodate the housing needs of lower-income households.
• Tenant protections such as a tenant harrassment ordinance, a just cause eviction ordinance, or tenant bill of rights.
The City will partner with three community organizations to conduct community workshops. The City will incorporate the results of community outreach into a feasibility analysis to be released publicly and presented to the City Council in a public study session. Based on Council direction, City staff will develop a workplan to adopt the Council’s recommendations.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Community workshops complete by December 2023; conduct feasibility analysis by June 2024; adopt new regulations by December 2025
Objective: Adopt local regulations to protect existing residents from displacement Action 13-2. Homeless Services and Housing
To address the local and regional need for homeless services and housing, the City will administer programs and funding, including:
• The City of Huntington Park Police Department will provide support and participate in the Southeast Regional Mental Evaluation Team (SERMET), a successful mental health and homeless outreach partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. Concentrate outreach efforts in the Downtown Specific Plan area, along railroad rights-of-way, parks, and in the northwest part of the city.
• The City will seek new funding for the development and operation of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing, and emergency housing assistance Potential new funding sources include Project Homekey, and the Continuum of Care program. • Train SERMET team members to inform veterans of available Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles veterans’ housing programs, and provide SERMET team with printed materials to distribute.
Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-22
• Together with SERMET, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), and service providers local to Southeast Los Angeles, conduct increased outreach to people experiencing homelessness within the City to ascertain needs and better tailor efforts to decrease homelessness within the City.
Action 7-1 includes provisions to streamline and facilitate the provision of housing for people experiencing homelessness, including emergency shelters, low-barrier navigation centers, and transitional and supportive housing.
Responsible Agency: City of Huntington Park Police Department (HPPD) and Community Development Department
Timeframe: Apply for funding annually or as available. Provide SERMET members with training and materials by December 2024. Develop and implement outreach plan by June 2024.
Objective: Establish and preserve 86 housing units or shelter beds Action 13-3. Special Needs Housing
Pursue and prioritize funding for resources to assist and housing for special needs populations, including extremely low-income households, female-headed households, and seniors and people with disabilities.
Specific actions include the following actions:
• Prioritize CDBG funding for after-school programs, child care, youth services, and other programs to increase housing opportunities for female-headed and single-parent households. (See also Action 7-4, Zoning Changes to Address Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Issues.) • Eliminate the requirement for a Conditional Use Permit for SROs and approve SROs through a Development Permit process eliminate the current requirement for a Conditional Use Permit and approve SROs through a Development Permit process, modify subjective standards that do not apply to other multifamily development types, remove the prohibition on the conversion of existing hotels, motels, or apartments to SROs, and evaluate the cap on SRO units citywide. • Update the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance to provide greater incentives for projects that include units affordable to extremely low-income households. Further updates to the Density Bonus Ordinance are outlined in Action 7-4. The City may also update any funding policies to prioritize funding for projects that include units for extremely low-income households.
Housing Choice Vouchers provide an important source of funding for rent subsidies for extremely lowincome households. Actions 2-3 and 12-2 support the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)’s Housing Choice Voucher program by publicizing the program and encouraging large and small landlords to participate in the program.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2023
Objective: Support 1,000 extremely low-income households through the provision of housing or services.
Action 13-4. Placemaking
Implement a community development placemaking program for the city’s lowest-resource areas. The placemaking program will be created with community involvement from a diverse social and economic spectrum, focused on:
• Wayfinding
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• Active transportation opportunities
• Cultural identity and diversity
• Recreation and community programming
• Identifying and actively pursuing economic development opportunities, training, and programs that empower local residents
• Neighborhood-serving needs and opportunities
These efforts may be completed as standalone effort or may be incorporated into the updated General Plan Land Use Element (see Action 14-1).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2026
Objective: Increase resource levels in lowest-resource census tracts by 2028 Action 13-5. Tenants’ Rights Information
The City will partner with fair housing organizations to ensure that information about the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482). Develop print and online educational materials and make materials available at City facilities and on the City’s website.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: October 2023
Objective: Disseminate information to community and fair housing organizations Action 13-6. Relocation Assistance and Replacement Housing The City will adopt a relocation and replacement housing plan consistent with the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), California Density Bonus Law (Government Code Section 65915), and the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330).
SB 330 (effective January 1, 2020, until January 1, 2025) requires developers demolishing housing to replace statutorily defined “protected units” (any units that were restricted affordable or rent-controlled units within the past five years, units that were rented by a tenant who was low income for any of the previous five years, or units that were removed from the market per the Ellis Act in the previous ten years) and comply with specified requirements, including the provision of relocation assistance and a right of first refusal in the new housing to displaced occupants.
With the passage of AB 1482 (effective January 1, 2020, until January 1, 2030), residential tenants are provided statewide rent control. Any housing units covered under AB 1482 statewide rent control are therefore also subject to replacement requirements in SB 330.
Density Bonus Law requires replacement housing “if the housing development is proposed on any property that includes a parcel or parcels on which rental dwelling units are or, if the dwelling units have been vacated or demolished in the five-year period preceding the application, have been subject to a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels affordable to persons and families of lower or very low income; subject to any other form of rent or price control through a public entity’s valid exercise of its police power; or occupied by lower or very low income households” (Government Code Section 65915 (c)(3)(A)).
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As permits are requested for the demolition of housing, the City will obtain information related to the following and require replacement consistent with all applicable state laws:
• The number of existing residential units proposed to be demolished or converted; and • The number of these residential units by bedroom size occupied which meet the criteria established by state law, described above.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: October 2023
Objective: Adopt a relocation and replacement housing plan Action 13-7. Small Business Support
To support small businesses and prevent displacement of those businesses due to conversion of land uses from commercial to mixed-use or residential, the City will continue to encourage and support efforts to assist locally owned businesses to remain in Huntington Park. Working with nonprofit agencies, the City will outreach to small businesses and conduct needs assessments for a select number of businesses. The City will also continue to coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce to conduct outreach to local businesses and help them access capital (e.g., the California Rebuilding Fund, Loan Guarantee Program, Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program, California Capital Access Program).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: Ongoing, renewing funding for small business support program annually Objective: During the planning period, outreach to 100 small businesses, and conduct 10 business needs assessments
Program 14. Comprehensive Planning Updates
Action 14-1. General Plan Update
The City will update elements of the General Plan including but not limited to Land Use, Circulation, Public Facilities, and Open Space that were not in progress at the time of the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update.
The General Plan update will comply with new state laws and provide more clarity for developers and property owners. The Land Use Element will be updated to include growth projections consistent with this Housing Element. The Public Facilities Element will establish a comprehensive plan for ensuring adequate water and wastewater capacity to accommodate the 2,500 housing units anticipated in this Housing Element, and will include a funding strategy for increasing capacity, bolstering conservation measures, and improving water recycling infrastructure.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2026
Objective: Updated General Plan
Action 14-2. Safety Element Update
Adopt an updated General Plan Safety Element in accordance with Government Code Section 65302(g)(2).
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
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Timeframe: June 2023
Objective: Adopted Safety Element
Action 14-3. Open Space Planning
Pursue funding for and develop an urban greening plan to increase access to open space throughout the City. Complete updates to the City’s General Plan Land Use and Public Facilities elements to update population projections and parks ratio. Adjust the open space requirements in the City’s residential development standards to reduce barriers to building housing while still ensuring equitable access to greenspace throughout the city.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: End of 2025
Objective: Adopt Citywide comprehensive open space plan Action 14-4. Active Transportation Planning
Conduct outreach and a feasibility analysis for a comprehensive citywide bicycle and pedestrian plan. Use regional resources such as the Gateway Cities Council of Governments Strategic Transportation Plan and other Gateway Cities regional coordinating and funding efforts. Planning efforts may include, but are not limited to, updating the General Plan Circulation Element or adopting a bicycle and pedestrian master plan.
Present results of feasibility analysis at a public study session.
Responsible Agency: Community Development Department
Timeframe: 2027
Objective: Complete a feasibility analysis, study session, and work plan for planning effort Quantified Objectives for 6th Cycle
The City of Huntington Park has established the following quantified housing objectives for the 2021-2029 Housing Element:
Table VI-1
Quantified Housing Objectives
TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION
INCOME CATEGORY
EXTREMELY
LOW
VERY
LOW LOW MOD ABOVEMOD TOTAL
New Construction 240 240 324 392 1,304 2,500
Preservation
(Code Enforcement of Substandard
Housing)
80 80 80 80 80 400
Conservation
(At-Risk Housing) 0 0 162 0 0 162
Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Housing Action Plan For Adoption September 18, 2023 VI-26
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK
GENERAL PLAN
HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT
"ATTACHMENT C"
TABLE OF CONTENTS i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Plan Activity Log ....................................................................................................... iii 1 Introduction to the Health and Safety element ..................................................... 1 Scope of Health and Safety Element ...................................................................... 1 Relationship to General Plan ................................................................................... 1 2 Planning Background ............................................................................................... 3 Overview of Seismic Hazards .................................................................................. 3 Seismic Faults in the Area ........................................................................................ 3 Liquefaction Risk ....................................................................................................... 8 Flooding and Inundation Hazards .......................................................................... 9 Fire Hazards ............................................................................................................. 10 Hazardous Materials ............................................................................................... 10 Emergency Response ............................................................................................. 11 Health Care Services and Emergency Shelters ................................................... 11 Fire Protection Standards – Fire Flow ................................................................... 12 Climate Change Hazards ....................................................................................... 13 Extreme Heat .................................................................................................... 14 Air Quality ......................................................................................................... 16 Drought ............................................................................................................. 17 Stormwater Flooding ....................................................................................... 17 Emergency Evacuation ........................................................................................... 18 3 Planning Vision ........................................................................................................ 20 Health and Safety Element Policies and Programs............................................. 20 Governance and Emergency Preparedness ....................................................... 20 Extreme Heat ........................................................................................................... 22 Air Quality ................................................................................................................ 25 Flooding .................................................................................................................. 25 Drought and Water Quality ................................................................................... 26 Seismic Hazards ...................................................................................................... 27 Hazardous Materials ............................................................................................... 28 ii HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Evacuation ............................................................................................................... 29 4 Public Safety Plan.................................................................................................... 30 Emergency Preparedness Program ..................................................................... 30 Fire Protective Standards Fire Flow...................................................................... 30 Fire Protection Standards Peak Load Water Supply .......................................... 31 Fire Protection Standards Emergency Access .................................................... 31 Tables
Table 1 Major Faults........................................................................................................... 6 Table 2 Fire Standards..................................................................................................... 31 Figures
Figure 1 Regional Fault Map.............................................................................................. 5 Figure 2 Liquefaction Map ................................................................................................. 9 Figure 3 Critical Facilities.................................................................................................. 13 Figure 4 High Occupancy Buildings ............................................................................... 19 Appendices
Appendix S-1 Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
Appendix S-2 Evacuation Analysis
ACTIVITY LOG iii
GENERAL PLAN ACTIVITY LOG
Adoption Date: February 19, 1991
Subsequent Amendments Adopted by City Council
Adoption Date Amendment Case No.
Amended concurrent with adoption of the 6th Cycle Housing Element.
iv HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
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SAFETY 1
1 INTRODUCTION TO THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY ELEMENT
SCOPE OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT
The Health and Safety Element of the City of Huntington Park General Plan focuses on public safety through prevention and preparedness. The implementation of the programs outlined in this Element will assist in preventing or reducing the potential for injury, damage and disruption resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes.
Public safety programs include procedures for the elimination or avoidance of hazards, emergency preparedness, and emergency response. This Element also serves as the framework for emergency preparedness planning that may be undertaken in the future. Finally, the Health and Safety Element outlines the public safety issues that will need to be considered as part of the implementation of land use and development policy provided for in this General Plan.
The Health and Safety Element also establishes specific standards related to public safety. These standards serve as guidelines for future planning and land use decisions. The Health and Safety Element maps the location of known hazards, evacuation routes, and indicates peak water supply requirements, minimum road widths, clearances around structures, and other factors affecting safety procedures.
RELATIONSHIP TO GENERAL PLAN
The Health and Safety Element is consistent with other elements of the General Plan.
The information, policies and programs contained in this element are closely related to other General Plan elements. For example, the placement of sensitive land uses that may be subject to various hazards described in this element is regulated by policies contained in the Land Use Element. Evacuation, which is assessed in this element, is mediated by the efficiency of traffic flow determined in part by the Circulation Element. The Health and Safety Element, however, is concerned with the health and welfare of those persons living, working, or visiting the City. The successful implementation of the Health and Safety Element may result in a significant reduction in loss of life and injury. According to the State’s planning laws, a Health and Safety Element is required for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks associated with the effect of seismically induced surface rupture, ground-shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mud slides and landslides, subsidence, and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body; flooding and wild land and urban fires, and hazards associated with climate change. The Health and Safety Element shall include the mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards. It shall also address evacuation routes, peak load water supply requirements, and minimum road widths and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and geologic hazards. 2 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
The City of Huntington Park Health and Safety Element fulfills the aforementioned requirements. The Health and Safety Element considers a wide range of natural and man-made hazards that could affect the City in the future . As stated previously, this Health and Safety Element emphasizes the importance of emergency preparedness in reducing the potential for loss of life, injury, and property damage. An additional objective of the Health and Safety Element is to implement programs that will help to avoid the creation of hazardous conditions. Finally, the Health and Safety Element underscores the City’s commitment to provide the material and human resources needed to deal with future emergencies.
SAFETY 3
2 PLANNING BACKGROUND
OVERVIEW OF SEISMIC HAZARDS
The City of Huntington Park is located on the northeastern portion of the Los Angeles Basin. This basin is an alluvial plain bounded on the north by the Santa Monica Mountains, on the northeast by Repetto Hills, and Puente Hills, on the south by the Santa Ana Mountains and San Joaquin Hills and on the east by the Pacific Ocean. The severity of earthquakes is normally classified according to their magnitude, or intensity. Because the amount of destruction generally decreases with increasing distance from the epicenter, earthquakes are assigned several intensities, but only one magnitude. The destructiveness of an earthquake at a particular location is commonly reported using the Richter scale (magnitude) or Mercalli scale (intensity).
The Modified Mercalli Scale (MM) employs a subjective classification system based on observations of damage caused by past earthquakes. The scale has 12 levels of damage, the higher the number, the greater the damage. For example, the City of Huntington Park is predicted to experience ground-shaking with a MM intensity of 6.0 to 6.5 during a Magnitude 8.3 along the San Andreas Fault with a maximum MM intensity 6.5 to 7.0. The intensity of seismic ground-shaking at any given location is a function of several factors, but primarily the magnitude of the earthquake, the distance from the epicenter to the planning area, and the local geologic and topographic conditions. The recent Elysian Park and Northridge earthquakes did demonstrate, however, that the ground intensities from these previously unknown blind thrust faults could generate significant damage to both low-rise and high-rise structures which were previously considered to be capable of withstanding the effects of strong ground motion.
SEISMIC FAULTS IN THE AREA
The State of California, under the guidelines of the Alquist-Priolo Special Studies Act, classifies earthquake faults according to the following criteria:
• Active faults exhibit proven displacement of the ground surface within the last 11,000 years (Holocene);
• Potentially active faults exhibit evidence of movement within the last 750,000 to two million years.
• Inactive faults have not moved in the last 11,000 years, as determined from direct geologic evidence, and are presumed to be inactive.
The State definition of an active fault is designed to gauge the surface rupture potential of a fault, and is used to prevent development from being located directly on the trace of an active fault. In general, potentially active faults are, relative to active 4 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
faults, less likely to be the origin of a damaging earthquake. In reality, however, there is a gradation of seismic risk posed by potentially active and active faults.
There are no active or potentially active earthquake faults known to traverse the City of Huntington Park, thus, no ground rupture hazards are expected in the City. The City is, however, located within a seismically active region and is subject to groundshaking hazards associated with earthquake events in the region. Seismicity in the Los Angeles area historically has been defined by earthquake events along the NewportInglewood, San Fernando, San Jacinto, and San Andreas faults. Other faults of concern in the area include the Whittier fault, the Elysian Park Thrust, and the Santa Monica-Hollywood fault, as shown in Figure 1.
The major faults within the Southern California region, their distance and direction relative to the City of Huntington Park, the maximum credible earthquake postulated for each fault, and the maximum probable earthquake for the faults identified in Table 1. The maximum credible earthquake is the largest magnitude event that appears capable of occurring under the presently known tectonic framework. The maximum probable earthquake is the maximum earthquake likely to occur during a 100-year interval.
The major faults in the Southern California region are described below. • The Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone is located approximately 9.0 miles west of the City. The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake occurred on the NewportInglewood fault. A maximum credible earthquake of Magnitude 6.8 on the Newport-Inglewood fault has the potential of generating horizontal peak ground accelerations of about 0.2 to 0.3 g in the area. Ground-shaking could last approximately 22 seconds, with seismic Mercalli intensity values of VII to VIII. This type of earthquake would be particularly damaging to older low-rise structures located within the City.
• The Palos Verdes Hills Fault is located 20 miles southwest of the City and is considered to be an active fault based on late Pleistocene and Holocene age displacements that have been interpreted along offshore segments of the fault in the San Pedro shelf. The fault is considered to be capable of generating a maximum credible earthquake of Magnitude 7.0 that would cause seismic intensities in the IX to X range. The Palos Verdes fault extends for a distance of approximately 60 miles from San Pedro Bay to the Santa Monica Bay. The Palos Verdes fault could result in greater damage than that anticipated from an earthquake on the San Andreas Fault due to its proximity to the City. • The Sierra Madre Fault Zone is located approximately 15 miles northeast of the City at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains and forms a prominent 50- mile long east-west structural zone on the south side of the San Gabriel Mountains. The Sierra Madre fault system was responsible for the uplift of the San Gabriel Mountains by faulting in response to tectonic compression.
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Figure 1 Regional Fault Map
6 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Table 1 Major Faults
Fault Distance Maximum Magnitude
Whittier 9 miles E 7.00
Santa Monica-Hollywood 10 miles NW 7.00
Raymond Hill 10 miles NE 6.50
Sierra Madre 15 miles NE 6.50
San Fernando 25 miles NW 6.50
Elysian Park 5 miles N 7.60
San Jacinto 44 miles NE 7.50
Palos Verdes 20 miles SW 7.00
San Andreas 37 miles NE 8.25
Malibu Coast 22 miles W 7.00
Source: United States Geological Survey
The Whittier-Elsinore Fault Zone is located along the southern base of the Puente Hills approximately 9.0 miles east of the City of Huntington Park. This northwesttrending fault extends from the Whittier Narrows area continuing southeast across the Santa Ana River, past Lake Elsinore, into western Imperial County and then continuing on into Mexico. This fault is expected to be capable of generating a Magnitude 6.6 earthquake.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Coast Fault System is an east-west trending fault system located along the southern margin of the western Santa Monica Mountains and into Santa Monica Bay. The nearest fault trace is located approximately 22 miles west of the City. Although there has been very little seismic activity along this fault system, the Malibu Coast fault segment has been characterized as active based on displaced soils. This displacement was estimated to have occurred about 5,000 years ago.
The San Andreas Fault Zone is located approximately 37 miles to the north and northeast of the City at its nearest point. This fault zone extends from the Gulf of California continuing northward to the Cape Mendocino area where it continues northward along the ocean floor. The total length of the San Andreas Fault Zone is approximately 750 miles. This fault has been active during historic times including the 1906 (estimated Magnitude 8.0) earthquake in San Francisco and the 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake (estimated Magnitude 7.9) where at least 250 miles of surface rupture occurred. The length of the fault and its active seismic history indicates that it has a very high potential for large-scale movement in the near future (Magnitude 8.0), and should be considered in land use planning for most areas of California.
The San Jacinto Fault Zone is located approximately 44 miles northeast of the City and is part of the San Andreas Fault System. The two fault strands separate near the San Gabriel Mountains, where the San Jacinto fault extends southeastward to form the southwestern boundary of the San Jacinto Mountains and the San Timoteo Badlands. This fault is thought capable of generating a maximum credible earthquake of magnitude 7.0. Strong ground-shaking from this earthquake would last about 25 seconds, with MM intensity values in the VIII-IX range.
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The Elysian Park Blind Thrust Fault is exposed for approximately two miles at Elysian Park but is not exposed over the rest of its trace toward the east. (Blind thrust faults are low-angle or low-lying faults occurring generally five to 15 kilometers below the ground surface which have no surface manifestation). This fault underlies the urbanized portion of the Los Angeles Basin, including downtown Los Angeles, as inferred from geophysical and geomorphologic evidence and the clustering of deep earthquakes in the region. The Elysian Blind Thrust is located approximately five miles from the City of Huntington Park at its nearest point. The Elysian Park Fault was the source of the magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Whittier in 1987. This fault is thought to be capable of generating earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 to 7.6 and would result in intense ground-shaking in the entire Los Angeles basin.
The Torrance-Wilmington Fault is a newly postulated, blind thrust fault and fold system located under the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Although the location of the Torrance-Wilmington Fault System is not well defined, the fault and fold belt have been divided into several segments. It is estimated that if one of the segments ruptures, an earthquake of Magnitude 5 to 7.5, would occur. If two or more segments rupture simultaneously, an earthquake of a magnitude greater than 7.8 could occur.
The four largest recent earthquakes that have caused major damage in the Los Angeles basin include the 1933 Long Beach (Magnitude 6.3), 1971 San Fernando (Magnitude 6.4), the 1987 Whittier Narrows (Magnitude 5.9), and the 1994 Northridge (Magnitude 6.7) earthquakes. The 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred on the southern segment of the Newport-Inglewood fault, from Newport Beach to Signal Hill. The 1971 San Fernando earthquake occurred along the San Fernando segment of the Sierra Madre fault zone. The Whittier Narrows earthquake occurred on the Elysian thrust fault in 1987. Finally, the most recent major earthquake, the Northridge earthquake, occurred on the Oakridge fault in the San Fernando Valley in January 1994. Most injuries and property damage from a major earthquake impacting the City will be caused by strong ground motion, especially structural damage to buildings. The developed areas of Huntington Park consist mostly of low density and medium density residential zones. Less extensive areas are devoted to low-rise commercial development. Low-rise buildings (less than three stories) common in the City are more likely to be damaged by a near-field earthquake, such as one occurring on the Newport-Inglewood fault or the Hollywood fault.
The wood-frame construction used in the residential and some commercial development in the City generally performs well during earthquakes. These buildings may experience significant structural and nonstructural damage, but rarely collapse.
However, a trend in wood-frame construction in recent years, in particular in housing construction, has been the split level and irregular floor plans. Earthquake intensities of VIII in the Mercalli Scale may cause torsional racking of the foundation and wall elements of irregular structures. Single-family residences built before the 1952 Building Code was implemented are more likely to slip off their foundations as a result of strong ground motion associated with nearby earthquakes. Mobile homes are also susceptible to slipping off their foundation.
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Critical facilities are structures and parts of a community’s development that must remain operational after an earthquake. In addition, those facilities that pose unacceptable risks to public safety if severely damaged are also of critical concern.
Essential facilities such as medical centers, fire and police stations, emergency operations centers, schools, and communication centers are also considered to be critical facilities. High-occupancy facilities have the potential of resulting in a large number of casualties or crowd control problems. This category includes the Civic Center, churches, and large multi-family residential complexes. Dependent care facilities that house populations with special evacuation considerations, such as preschools and schools, group care homes, and nursing and convalescent homes are also considered critical facilities.
The State, with the passage of the Garrison Act of 1969, has jurisdictional responsibility to ensure that public schools are adequately constructed to seismic standards. The Los Angeles County Fire Department is responsible for inspections of deficient electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or fire safety fixtures in high-occupancy residential and commercial facilities.
The California Department of Conservation, Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Division has prepared Planning Scenarios for a major earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood and San Andreas faults to assist in emergency response and recovery efforts. These reports show the City of Huntington Park as having seismic intensities of eight and above, and liquefaction hazards. The Long Beach Freeway and other infrastructure and utility lines in the area would be subject to localized damage.
LIQUEFACTION RISK
Liquefaction may occur when loose, unconsolidated, saturated fine-to-mediumgrained sandy soils are subjected to ground vibrations during an earthquake.
Liquefaction occurs in areas where the ground water table is within 50 feet of the ground surface when the Mercalli scale intensities are VII or greater. When these sediments are shaken, a sudden increase in pore water pressure causes the soils to lose strength and behave as liquid. Excess water pressure is vented upward through fissures and cracks in the soil causing water-soil slurry to bubble onto the ground surface. These are called sand boils, sand blows, or sand volcanoes. Liquefactionrelated effects include loss of bearing strength, ground oscillations, lateral spreading, and flow failures or slumping. Structures constructed on soils that liquefy may sink or topple over as the soil loses its bearing strength.
A study of earthquake hazards by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) indicates that a majority of the City is subject to liquefaction, although the portion located north of Gage Avenue, west of Pacific Boulevard, and east of Wilmington Avenue is not at risk for liquefaction (refer to Figure 2). Areas containing shallow groundwater within 30 feet or less of the ground surface are susceptible to liquefaction hazards during seismic shaking.
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Figure 2 Liquefaction Map
FLOODING AND INUNDATION HAZARDS
The City is located approximately 14 miles to the north of the Pacific Ocean and will not be exposed to the effects of a tsunami. In addition, there are no surface bodies of water located in the city; therefore, the risk of being impacted by a seiche is nonexistent. A seiche occurs when two waves traveling in opposite directions collide, creating a larger standing wave.
A review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance map obtained from the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, indicated that the entire city is located in Zone X an “Area of Minimal Flood Hazard”1. This flood zone represents areas outside the 500-year flood plain. Thus, properties located in Zone X are also not located within a 100-year flood plain.
1 FEMA Flood Map Service Center. https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search?AddressQuery=Huntington%20Park#searchresultsanchor 10 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
The City of Huntington Park is located within the inundation paths of the Hansen and Sepulveda Dams. Large areas downstream of the Hansen and Sepulveda Dams, including the City of Huntington Park, are at risk of inundation in the event of dam failure. The Hansen and Sepulveda Dams are operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and were constructed primarily for flood control. The flood hazards associated with dam failure will affect most areas south of the dams.
The Hansen Dam is located on the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley, approximately four miles west of Sunland. The inundation area of the Hansen Dam include areas along the Tujunga Creek and several communities in the valley, the City of Los Angeles, cities in south central Los Angeles, and areas along the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers. The City of Huntington Park is located approximately 25 miles south of the dam but dam failure will affect the entire City of Huntington Park. Flood waters will arrive 17.75 hours after failure with a maximum depth of one foot approximately 21 hours after failure.
The Sepulveda Dam is located on the Los Angeles River near the intersection of the Ventura and San Diego Freeways near the City of Van Nuys. The probable maximum flood from the Sepulveda Dam is expected to last four days with a total volume of 163,200 acre-feet. The flood will affect areas along the Los Angeles River, and the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, South Gate, Compton, Lynwood, Maywood, Huntington Park, Huntington Park, and Huntington Park Gardens. The flood waters are anticipated to reach the City approximately ten hours after failure. A maximum flood elevation of two feet is expected approximately 12 hours after failure.
FIRE HAZARDS
There are no open grass areas in or around the City which present brush fire or wildfire hazards in the City of Huntington Park. The major risk involves structural fires associated with older buildings in the City which may not be in compliance with the more recent and stringent fire safety codes and regulations.
Furthermore, industrial uses may also be considered to have a greater risk for fire due to the higher potential for use of flammable, explosive, and hazardous materials. The industrial uses in Huntington Park are located within the western and northern portions of the City.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
All businesses that handle hazardous materials are required by various Federal, State, and local agencies to submit a business plan to their local administering agency (the reportable quantities are 50 or more gallons of a liquid, 500 pounds or more or a solid, or 200 cubic feet or more of a gas at standard temperature and pressure; quantities for acutely hazardous materials vary according to the substance).
Every hazardous material handler is required to submit a business plan and an inventory of hazardous substances and acutely hazardous materials to the Huntington SAFETY 11
Park Police Department and the County Fire Department on a yearly basis. If the hazardous materials inventory of a business should change, a revised business plan must be submitted. Hazardous material users and generators in the City include gasoline stations, auto repairs shops, printers and photo labs, clinics, dry cleaners, schools, fire stations, and a variety of other commercial and industrial land uses. See the Environmental Justice Element for more detailed information about hazardous waste in Huntington Park.
The State of California defines a hazardous material as a substance that is toxic, ignitable or flammable, or reactive and/or corrosive. An extremely hazardous material is defined as a substance that shows high acute or chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, bio-accumulative properties, persistence in the environment, or is water-reactive (California Code of Regulations, Title 22).
The primary concern associated with the release of a hazardous material relates to the public health risks of exposure. Toxic gases are a primary concern, since a gaseous toxic plume is more difficult to contain than a solid or liquid spill and a gas can impact a larger segment of the population in a shorter time span. Releases of hazardous materials may also occur during a natural disaster, such as during an earthquake. Improperly stored containers of hazardous substances may overturn or break, pipelines may rupture, and storage tanks may fail. Containers may also explode when subjected to high temperatures, such as those generated by a fire. If two or more chemicals which are reactive when combined come in contact as a result of a spill, the hazard may be compounded.
The Uniform Fire Code includes criteria designed to minimize the risk of an accident.
These guidelines are to be followed when storing, using, or transporting hazardous materials, and include secondary containment of substances, segregation of chemicals to reduce reactivity during a release, sprinkler and alarm systems, monitoring, venting and auto shutoff equipment, and treatment requirements for toxic gas releases.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The City of Huntington Park contracts its fire services through the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Fire Department operates two fire stations in the City: Fire Station 164, located at 6301 South Santa Fe Avenue, serves as the area’s battalion headquarters (Huntington Park is serviced by Los Angeles County Fire Department-Battalion 13); and Fire Station 165, located at 3255 Saturn Avenue.
HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Primary health care is provided by the St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood; Downey Community Hospital; U.S.C. Medical Center and the Los Angeles Community Hospital in East Los Angeles; Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital in Los Angeles; Rio Hondo Memorial Hospital in Downey; Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey; and Community Hospital of Huntington Park. A number of 12 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
structures have been designated as emergency shelters by the Emergency Preparedness Commission for the cities in Los Angeles County.
FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS – FIRE FLOW
To ensure emergency water supply throughout the City, new construction is required to meet specific fire flow standards. Fire flows for individual structures are calculated according to size of the structure (floor area), type of construction (wood, noncombustible, fire-resistance), building height, presence of sprinkler systems, distance between buildings, and type of use. The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau determines the minimum flows for new construction based on building plans and developers are responsible for providing adequate fire flows. This ensures that hydrant capacity is available to meet fire emergency needs of all developments. The City of Huntington Park follows the County Fire Department Fire Code standards for fire flows and emergency access roads. Fire flows of 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) to 5,000 gpm at 20 pounds per square inch (psi) of residual pressure for a duration of two to five hours is needed at residential and commercial uses, with hydrants every 300 to 600 feet, based on the type of occupancy. The water system must be capable of supplying adequate quantities of water for firefighting purposes, in addition to the daily supply for domestic demand in the area. Adequate reservoir capacity is determined by the availability of water for peak day supply plus fire flow requirements. Generally, peak day supply is twice the average day demand and total fire flow requirements are estimated by the population of the area.
Figure 3 below shows the location of critical facilities, such as fire stations and medical centers, throughout the city.
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Figure 3 Critical Facilities
CLIMATE CHANGE HAZARDS
The impacts of climate change on Huntington Park are included in this Health and Safety Element, as mandated by State law. Climate change is driven by the human contribution of certain gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere.
These gases, commonly known as greenhouse gases (GHGs) absorb and re-emit heat that has been discharged from the Earth’s surface. This works to trap heat near the Earth’s surface, increasing the natural greenhouse effect. GHGs from human activities have been collecting in the atmosphere since the 1800’s and are raising global average temperatures. This rise in average temperatures across the globe affects precipitation patterns, temperature, and ocean water levels, temperatures, and chemistry. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations subgroup responsible for global advancement and communication of climate change science has concluded that global climate change will impart adverse effects on the Earth’s natural and built systems, resources, and populations. 14 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
The intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has established several GHG emissions scenarios used to describe possible future GHG emissions and associated warming. These emissions scenarios are referred to as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs). Two of these RCPs are commonly used to compare possible futures and were selected for the City’s 2023 Climate Vulnerability Assessment, consistent with guidance from the California Government Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) California Adaptation Planning Guide. The two scenarios used for the climate vulnerability assessment are RCP 4.5 which represents a “medium emissions ”scenario, and RCP 8.5 which represents a “high emissions” scenario.
The City conducted a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix S-1) consistent with Government Code Section 65302(g) as amended by SB 379, which assesses how the populations and assets in Huntington Park are vulnerable to climate change. According to the vulnerability assessment, the City is most vulnerable to increased extreme heat and worsened air quality. Additionally, climate change is expected to result in Huntington Park experiencing more extended droughts and stronger storms, which may cause more frequent, localized stormwater flooding., Specific impacts on the community and assets of Huntington Park will vary based on exposure, physiological and socio-economic characteristics of the City’s populations and resources. The following section includes key findings from the climate vulnerability assessment including overviews of each climate hazard and how it may impact health and safety in Huntington Park. Refer to the climate vulnerability assessment for additional details about the RCPs, climate hazards, and potential climate impacts.
EXTREME HEAT
The number of extreme heat days and warm nights is expected to increase dramatically over the rest of the century.
Extreme heat can cause a wide range of health problems such as rashes, cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or even death. In Huntington Park, an extreme heat day is defined as any day when the maximum temperature exceeds 96.1°F. Historically, the city experienced an average of two extreme heat days per year. The average number of extreme heat days is expected to increase to a total of 10 (RCP 4.5) to 21 (RCP 8.5) days per year by the end of the century.
Warm nights affect the body’s ability to cool down and recover from heat stress during extreme heat periods exacerbating heat-related health problems including, heat exhaustion, dehydration, and cardiovascular stress. In Huntington Park, a warm night is defined as nights when the daily minimum temperature is above a threshold temperature of 70.3°F (CEC 2021). Historically, the city has had an average of five warm nights per year. End-of-century projections range from 25 (RCP 4.5) to 63 (RCP
8.5) additional warm nights annually.
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Urban heat island effect compounds the impact of increased temperatures and disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color.
Urban heat island is a term that refers to developed areas that are hotter than the surrounding landscape primarily due to the use of building materials and surfaces that absorb and re-radiate heat (like roofs and pavements), as well as a lack of vegetation, particularly trees. The urban heat island effect causes people in cities to have higher heat exposure than residents in less densely developed areas. Urban heat island will likely compound the impact and risk of extreme heat days and higher average temperatures resulting from climate change. In some locations, the effect could be twice as strong as the impact of global warming.
Within urban landscapes, neighborhoods with more impermeable and dark colored surfaces, and fewer trees, parks, and water features, have greater heat exposure and heat related risk than urban communities with more green space and reflective surfaces. These differences in development patterns typically correspond with income and demographic disparities across the urban environment. Low-income communities and many communities of color across Los Angeles County are the most impacted by the urban heat island effect.
The condition of housing stock can increase heat health risk.
Housing and socio-economic factors can intersect in ways that compound the risks of climate impacts such as extreme heat events. When housing is in short supply and unaffordable this can lead to overcrowding, especially for lower-income communities. Aging, overcrowded, and poorly insulated housing can contribute to risk from heat related illness, which can in turn lead to hospital visits and even increased mortality. If the electricity grid is strained during a heat wave and there are power outages, this can further increase the risk of heat related illnesses if access to adaptations such as air conditioning, fans, and refrigeration are lost. Aging and overcrowded housing, in addition to affordability issues increases risk of heat related health issues in Huntington Park.
All priority populations groupings identified in the climate vulnerability assessment are likely to face impacts from extreme heat and warm nights.
Extreme heat and warm nights can lead to heat related illnesses such as heat stress, heat stroke, and dehydration, which can be life-threatening. In addition, extreme heat conditions can exacerbate asthma, cardiovascular disease, certain disabilities, and other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions leading to increased emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and fatalities.
The populations most impacted by extreme heat include seniors, children, people with chronic health conditions, especially asthma and cardiovascular disease, outdoor workers, and people experiencing homelessness.
16 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
AIR QUALITY
Air quality is expected to worsen in Huntington Park due to existing regional characteristics combined with climate driven increases in dust, smog, smoke, and decreases in natural filtrations.
• Regional characteristics. The City of Huntington Park is in the South Coast Air Basin. Air quality in this basin is primarily influenced by a wide range of emissions sources – such as dense population centers, heavy vehicular traffic, industry – and weather. The region often has low wind speeds, and together all these conditions can contribute to high-pollution days. • Dust. Increased temperature leads to dry, dusty conditions also associated with drought. Dust particles are considered a type of air pollution, called particulate matter, because they are small enough to be breathed into the lungs where they can cause health issues. Particulate matter can cause increased respiratory disease, lung damage, cancer, reduced visibility, and surface soiling.
• Smog. Increases in ambient temperature can lead to higher levels of smog.
Depending on the level of exposure, smog can cause various health impacts ranging from mild discomfort to more serious aggravation of existing health conditions. Smog can cause coughing, sore or scratchy throat, difficulty breathing, airway inflammation or damage, and increased susceptibility to lung infection. Exposure to smog can also aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Higher rates of ground-level smog leads to raised cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality rates. • Fewer Natural Filtrations. Long dry periods without rain lead to less reliable air quality for the entire region. Moisture in the air can filter pollutants and provide for overall improved conditions. Trees remove gaseous air pollution.
Large healthy trees remove more pollution than younger, smaller trees. Rising temperatures could increase mortality for large healthy trees which would reduce the ability for urban vegetation to reduce air pollutants, therefore increasing pollutant exposure to sensitive populations. • Wildfire Smoke. Wildfires have increased throughout the state and are expected to continue to increase. Wildfire smoke can travel many miles beyond the perimeter of the fire, meaning that increased wildfires regionally will lead to increased exposure to wildfire smoke. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gaseous pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, water vapor, and fine particulate matter, which is made up of very small particles. Fine particulate matter is the main component of wildfire smoke and the principal threat to public health. Exposure to fine particulate matter of up to 24-hours has been associated with premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart or lung issues, acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, and restricted activity days.
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The populations most impacted by reduced air quality are children, seniors, and people with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and people experiencing homelessness.
As discussed in the Environmental Justice Element, all 26 census tracts in Huntington Park are deemed “disadvantaged communities” defined as low-income areas disproportionately affected by environmental pollution.
Particulate matter of all sizes most impacts infants, children, and older adults with preexisting heart or lung diseases. Groups most sensitive to smog include children, the elderly, people with respiratory disorders, and people who exercise strenuously outdoors, including outdoor workers. Smog has also been shown to have particularly disproportionate adverse impacts on populations experiencing homelessness and with lower median incomes. Outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness will have greater levels of exposure to harmful air pollution.
DROUGHT
The number of days between rainstorms is known as a dry spell. In California there is a lot of variation in how much rain falls each year and in each storm. When the amount of rain from all storms in a year, or groups of years, is averaged together it can seem like there have not been major changes in the amount of rain that has fallen. However, the maximum length or dry spells is increasing, and is expected to increase through the end of century. End-of-century projections estimate an increase in the maximum length of dry spells between 7 to 16 days (RCP 4.5 - RCP 8.5) for a total maximum dry spell length of 167 to 176 days each year. These long periods without rain can lead to drought conditions. Dry, hard-packed soil, and impermeable surfaces like asphalt, can make it more difficult or impossible for water to filter into the ground when it rains, instead causing more storm water runoff. This can lead to temporary storm flooding in some areas, but it can also mean that water doesn’t stay in the landscape and that big storms don’t necessarily make up for long dry spells when it comes to relieving drought conditions.
More heat and less water can cause trees and plants to die if they are not given additional water. These can mean losing the benefits of green spaces (such as cooling and cleaning the air) and increasing cost to maintain them. Drought can lead to increased water rates, and higher water bills. Most impacted populations would be those with the fewest resources, including people experiencing homelessness, who may experience increased cost for and decreased access to water.
STORMWATER FLOODING
Though flooding in Huntington Park is currently infrequent and considered a lowprobability event, the increased frequency of high-precipitation storms may contribute to increased storm flooding in localized areas throughout the city.
When an influx of stormwater exceeds a drainage system’s capacity to infiltrate water into the soil or to carry it away, localized stormwater flooding can occur. Urban 18 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
landscapes tend to be built with lots of impermeable surfaces. Impervious surfaces, such as asphalt and pavement, don’t allow water to infiltrate the ground, and storm water instead must travel along the ground's surface, as runoff. Most runoff is channeled into gutters and storm drains, and eventually into the regional flood channels. Existing development and drainage infrastructure was not built to manage stormwater flows from the increased precipitation events that are occurring and will continue to occur more frequently with climate change. Retrofitting these infrastructure systems can be costly.
Localized flooding could impact properties and leave roads temporarily unusable.
Areas with high amounts of impermeable surfaces and those adjacent to drainage systems are prone to stormwater flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Flooding can cause water damage to property, disrupted commutes, trash and pollution in runoff, including the potential movement of hazardous materials in stormwater runoff, and potential loss of power during storms.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
Emergency evacuation is an important component of disaster preparedness.
Huntington park has a gridded street system that allows for efficient evacuation. The City does not have set evacuation routes and relies instead on a dynamic evacuation strategy which is based on the location and extent of the hazard or safety incident requiring evacuation, the speed in which evacuation needs to occur, and available evacuation locations. The grided street system allows for many viable evacuation routes in any given scenario. Therefore, the Safety Element does not identify predetermined evacuation routes or locations, as evacuation routes will be dependent upon the location, extent, and type of hazard.
Responsibility for identifying emergency shelters is with the City Police Department.
Their role is to identify facilities for evacuation in cases where shelter is required.
Evacuation locations are typically located at local schools and parks, as judged appropriate for a particular evacuation scenario.
Consistent with Government Code Section 65302.15, the City conducted an emergency evacuation analysis to identify evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios. The City evaluated two emergency scenarios that were likely to occur in Huntington Park. The emergency scenarios were as follows:
• A hazardous material spill in the Alameda Corridor
• A structure fire at a high-occupancy senior living community Evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations were selected for the specific scenarios evaluated. Under actual emergency conditions, situation-specific routes and emergency shelter locations would be determined by emergency responders, as appropriate. See Appendix S-2 for the full results of the analysis.
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In keeping with Government Code Section 65302(g)(5), Safety Elements must also identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes, referred to as single access roads. Single access roads are a local street that feeds into a collector with a singular point of entry and exit.
These roads present potential evacuation complications necessitating added evacuation management. GIS evaluation of Huntington Park did not identify any neighborhoods with single ingress/egress. The gridded street system provides multiple evacuation route options for all areas of the city. However, the Fire Department and Police Department identified several buildings with a high number of residents or occupants that may require assistance evacuating. Occupants of these buildings could require additional resources and planning to ensure timely and safe evacuation despite the numerous ingress and egress routes. The locations of these high-occupancy buildings are included in Figure 4, below.
Figure 4 High Occupancy Buildings
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3 PLANNING VISION
HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
The City of Huntington Park seeks to minimize the danger to residents, workers, and visitors to the City from the various hazards described within the Health and Safety Element with the implementation of the policies and programs outlined in the following section. The policies are arranged under each of the hazards discussed previously. Health and Safety programs will implement the policies identified in this section and are included under the relevant hazard and policy.
GOVERNANCE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Health and Safety Element Policy 1. The City of Huntington Park should incorporate climate change projections as part of updates to the local hazard mitigation plan and emergency preparedness plans, and as part of the development of other planning documents, including future park, urban greening, storm drain maintenance, or capital improvement plans.
Program 1.1 Develop a review committee of appropriate staff members to explore the feasibility of incorporating climate impacts and related adaptation actions into relevant planning documents.
Health and Safety Element Policy 2. The City of Huntington Park should update and implement its Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) on a regular five-year cycle.
Program 2.1 The City should update the HMP and submit it for FEMA approval.
Upon adoption of the FEMA-approved HMP, the City should also adopt the HMP into this Health and Safety Element with the same resolution, thereby incorporating all identified policies, programs, and actions into this element.
Health and Safety Element Policy 3. The City of Huntington Park should adequately prepare its operations for emergencies and provide information and resources to residences to help households prepare for emergencies.
Program 3.1 In the event of a major earthquake or other major disaster, persons living or working in the City may need to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours before the results of any major relief efforts are realized. Under this program, a database will be created to identify medical professionals, heavy equipment operators, and volunteers trained in first aid and search-andrescue. The database would identify other volunteers that would staff emergency collection centers, distribution centers, and otherwise assist in the recovery efforts. This information, and the appropriate procedures, would then be incorporated into the City’s emergency preparedness plan.
SAFETY 21
Program 3.2 The City of Huntington Park should hold emergency drills to test the effectiveness of emergency operations plans.
Program 3.3 The City of Huntington Park should expand the emergency operations plan to improve evacuation coordination and assistance as well as post-disaster recovery. Additionally, it should explore new evaluation guidance options such as: stay-at-home requests for unaffected communities, early evacuations under high-risk conditions, implement access restrictions during evacuations.
Program 3.4 The City should develop an improved emergency alert and communications system for delivering evacuation orders and emergency notifications.
Health and Safety Element Policy 4. The City of Huntington Park should provide the community with information on available financial, technical, and educational resources and programming for reducing climate change risks and emergency planning, including on the topics of building weatherization, energy and water efficiency, signs of heat-related illness, and emergency preparedness. The City should distribute information about emergency planning to community groups, schools, churches, and business associations.
Health and Safety Element Policy 5. All educational, promotional, community engagement materials, City emergency preparedness plans, and emergency notifications shall be released by the City in both English and Spanish, consistent with Environmental Justice Element Policy 6.1.
Health and Safety Element Policy 6. The City of Huntington Park’s development review process, and its engineering and building standards, should ensure that new construction is designed to minimize risks from geologic, fire, flood, and climate change-related hazards by ensuring the appropriate site planning and design of new development.
Health and Safety Element Policy 7. The City of Huntington Park should expand the resilience of critical facilities and infrastructure through assessment of needed retrofits to function properly while subject to increased climate hazard frequency including drought, stormwater flooding, extreme heat, and poor air quality.
Program 7.1 Encourage schools, hospitals, and critical facilities not operated by the City to identify and seek funding for necessary upgrades.
Program 7.2 Identify and seek funding for necessary upgrades to city-owned and operated critical facilities.
Health and Safety Element Policy 8. The City of Huntington Park should explore the feasibility and funding options for installation of self-sufficient energy systems in residential areas, such as microgrids, to minimize service disruptions during power outages triggered by a climate event or other disaster. 22 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Health and Safety Element Policy 9. The City of Huntington Park should identify targeted and sustained funding sources to improve access to solar to alleviate high energy costs.
Health and Safety Element Policy 10. The City of Huntington Park should coordinate with emergency services as well as utility providers to assess needed service improvements in providing increased redundancy and uninterrupted service for water, power, and emergency service response.
EXTREME HEAT
Health and Safety Element Policy 11. The City of Huntington Park should partner with Los Angeles Unified School District to implement greening projects including renovations that result in removal of asphalt, creation of native plant gardens, planting of trees and development of shaded outdoor learning spaces, with a focus on schools in neighborhoods with fewer trees and less access to parks.
Health and Safety Element Policy 12. The City of Huntington Park should attempt to mitigate impacts from extreme heat through increased and equitable access to publicly accessible green spaces by implementing Housing Element Policy 5.7, Environmental Justice Element Policies 2.1, 2.2, 2.10, 2.12, 5.3, and Environmental Justice Element Programs 2.1.1, 2.2.1, 5.3.1, and 5.3.2. Greenspaces should be modified and designed to include climate-smart landscaping, shade structures, tree canopy, cooling amenities such as splash pads, and materials with low solar gain to improve usability on high heat days.
Program 12.1 Park programming should be adjusted to discourage highintensity activities during peak heat periods, and provide additional cooling opportunities during warm nights, by potentially extending open hours to early morning or late evening.
Program 12.2 Establish climate-oriented standards for new green spaces, including watering and maintenance, shade, and access to drinking water.
Program 12.3 Conduct a park audit to evaluate existing facilities and identify climate-related improvements.
Program 12.4 Collaborate with schools in Huntington Park to provide landscaping maintenance and safety features to prevent and respond to vegetation drying and loss, provide shade, and maintain safe use through proper lighting and other measures.
Program 12.5 Identify funding to subsidize operation of the Splash Pads at Salt Lake Park and Freedom Park for reduced fees for public use during extreme heat events.
SAFETY 23
Health and Safety Element Policy 13. The City of Huntington Park should consider initiatives and promote design principles that increase the urban tree canopy through the planting and maintenance of additional climate-resilient trees, prioritizing neighborhoods with tree equity scores below 65, for provision of shade, cooling, and air quality benefits, consistent with the Environmental Justice Element Policy 5.7 and
1.18, and Programs 5.7.1, and 1.21.1.
Program 13.1 Seek funding from grant programs that support urban greening and community forestry projects, such as the Green Schoolyards Grant, to fund tree planting and maintenance projects.
Program 13.2 Explore the creation of a training program to support workforce development in urban forest management, tree planting, and green infrastructure development.
Program 13.3 Develop an urban forest maintenance program that includes partnerships with local community organizations to help engage and educate community members about tree care, while assisting with maintenance activities. The maintenance program should include plans for supplemental watering in the first three years after planting new trees to increase tree establishment and early growth.
Health and Safety Element Policy 14. The City of Huntington Park should reduce heat exposure in the use of public transit and active transportation by encouraging retrofits to bus stops and waiting areas to provide shade cover, and promoting design for thermal comfort for any new active transportation infrastructure including the incorporation of permeable or “cool” pavement, shading, lighting, and safety improvements consistent with the Housing Element Policies 1.6 and 5.8, and Environmental Justice Element Policies 2.3, 2.4, 5.5 and Programs 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3,
2.4.1, 5.5.1.
Health and Safety Element Policy 15. The City of Huntington Park should encourage Southern California Edison to retain and enhance lifeline programs for life sustaining services for priority populations, especially due to hazards such as an increase in high heat days and the potential for related power disruptions, and work to increase awareness of these programs among residents.
Health and Safety Element Policy 16. The City of Huntington Park should encourage Southern California Edison to address financial obstacles to the use of air conditioning and other indoor cooling strategies, by setting electricity rates at the point of affordability during peak demand hours for HVAC, especially for priority populations.
Health and Safety Element Policy 17. The City of Huntington Park should mitigate the compounding impact of housing conditions and extreme heat on public health by improving the housing stock, with the aim of reducing overcrowding, increasing affordability, encouraging new developments and home retrofits to include heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades or installations, improve insulation, 24 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
and replace aging roofs, consistent with Housing Element Policies 2.5, 2.7, and Program 1, and Environmental Justice Element Policies 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 and Programs 4.2.1, 4.10.1, 4.10.2, 4.12.1, 4.12.2.
Program 17.1 Amend the building code to include a requirement that new developments include HVAC.
Program 17.2 Include cooling-related retrofits, such as improved insultation, new windows, new or improved HVAC systems, and roof repair and replacement in home improvement funding programs consistent with Environmental Justice Element Program 4.10.1.
Health and Safety Element Policy 18. The City of Huntington Park should help mitigate the risk of heat-related health impacts to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness by coordinating with local service providers such as the Los Angeles Area Homeless Services Agency (LAHSA) to support provision of housing support services and facilities consistent with the Housing Element Policy 5.4.
Program 18.1 Collaborate with local service providers to ensure community members experiencing homelessness are aware of the available cooling center locations and hours, symptoms and signs of heat illness, and available resources for accessing medical attention if suffering from heat illness.
Program 18.2 Coordinate with churches or other community groups to offer additional cooling services for community members experiencing homelessness during heat waves.
Health and Safety Element Policy 19. The City of Huntington Park should consider the provision of additional cooling access by advocating for expanded operating hours and high-quality HVAC at the Huntington Park Library, consistent with the Environmental Justice Element Policy 2.7 and programs 2.7.1 and 2.7.2, including advocating for special extended early morning and late evening hours during heat waves and considering potential use of existing public facilities as cooling facilities during heat waves.
Program 19.1 The City should seek funding and partner with local CBOs to establish a resilience hub in the city that is operated by a local community organization which can serve as a safe space during climate induced events, including high heat days and warm nights.
Health and Safety Element Policy 20. The City of Huntington Park should consider increasing the capacity of community health care services that will be impacted by increased heat health events.
SAFETY 25
AIR QUALITY
Health and Safety Element Policy 21. The City of Huntington Park should promote strategies that help improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by expanding access to public transportation, restricting truck routes and idling time, improving provisions for bicyclists and pedestrians, and encouraging mixed use and higher density development around transit stations, consistent with the City’s Environmental Justice Element Policies 1.10, 1.11, 2.3, 2.11 and Programs 1.10.1,
1.10.2, 1.10.3, 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.11.1 and Housing Element Policies 1.6 and 5.8.
Health and Safety Element Policy 22. The City of Huntington Park should discourage new land uses with potential adverse air quality impacts, including the emission of toxic air contaminants and fine particulates, near residential neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other locations where public health could potentially be affected, consistent with the Environmental Justice Element Policy 1.12.
Health and Safety Element Policy 23. The City of Huntington Park should reduce particulate matter and the impacts of particulate matter and other air pollutants consistent with the Environmental Justice Element Policies 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.21 and Programs 1.1.1, 1.2.1, 1.4.1, 1.4.2, and 1.6.1.
Health and Safety Element Policy 24. The City of Huntington Park should provide informational resources regarding air pollution health risks and personal adaptation options consistent with the Environmental Justice Element Policy 1.3 and Programs
1.3.1 and 1.3.2.
Health and Safety Element Policy 25. The City of Huntington Park should raise awareness about local asthma risks and personal mitigation strategies and help to mitigate the risks of undiagnosed asthma consistent with the Environmental Justice Element Policies 5.1 and 5.8, and Programs 5.1.1, 5.8.1, and 5.8.2.
Health and Safety Element Policy 26. The City of Huntington Park should consider retrofitting critical facilities under the City’s operational control with air filtration devices to reduce indoor air pollution.
FLOODING
Health and Safety Element Policy 27. The City of Huntington Park should work with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works to identify and implement needed local and regional storm drain improvements to relieve local flooding problems in Huntington Park which are anticipated to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change.
Program 27.1 Coordinate with the LA County Department of Public Works as it conducts a comprehensive assessment of the current condition of the storm drain system, provide local knowledge of storm drain condition, areas of localized stormwater flooding, and equity needs.
26 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Program 27.2 Partner with the Los Angeles River Upper Reach 2 Watershed Management Area (LAR UR2 WMA) and LA County Department of Public Works to secure funds to implement any needed improvements to critical storm drain infrastructure and address maintenance needs on a regular schedule. Consider upgrading storm drain infrastructure based on climate induced changes in precipitation patterns rather than historical rain events.
Program 27.3 Distribute informational resources to residents and business on proper disposal of waste and debris that can clog the storm drain system, and strategies that can limit on-site flooding.
Program 27.4 Develop a system for reporting and addressing drainage issues in a timely manner.
Health and Safety Policy 28. The City of Huntington Park should revise and update construction codes and regulations to incorporate the increased use of green infrastructure in new developments as a means of improving stormwater quality.
Program 28.1 Provide developer education on low-cost and best practice drainage improvements. Explore the establishment of an incentive program for developers who incorporate green infrastructure into their designs.
Health and Safety Policy 29. The City of Huntington Park should incorporate green infrastructure into street design and maintenance. This should include the incorporation of low impact development (LID) drainage design in public and private streets and parking lots. This also includes the use of best management practices to reduce impervious surfaces, including strategies using vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create a healthier urban environment.
DROUGHT AND WATER QUALITY
Health and Safety Element Policy 30. The City of Huntington Park should disseminate education and outreach materials regarding the City’s conservation measures to decrease water use consistent with Housing Element Programs 6-2, 6-3.
Program 30.1 The Department of Public Works should conduct a water audit of all city-owned buildings and facilities and implement water-saving measures by 2025.
Program 30.2 The City should continue to promote rebate programs for replacement of appliances with more efficient versions on the City website.
Program 30.3 The City should explore the feasibility of incentives for businesses that participate in water conservation efforts through the City’s Business Assistance Program.
Health and Safety Element Policy 31. The City of Huntington Park should continue to implement the Watershed Management Program (WMP), including regular ground water quality monitoring, and scheduled street sweeping aimed at reducing pollution SAFETY 27
runoff into the Los Angeles River Basin. These programs should emphasize best management practices by residents, businesses, contractors, and public agencies to ensure that surface water quality is maintained at levels that meet state and federal standards.
Health and Safety Element Policy 32. The City of Huntington Park should promote water efficiency best practice and leakage repairs.
Program 32.1 Through public works develop a public outreach campaign on ways to reduce water use in homes and offer leakage repair services to priority populations as well as assistance for appliance replacements.
Program 32.2 Partner with water utilities and seek funding to distribute leakage detection technologies, such as the Flume app, to eligible properties with compatible water meters.
Health and Safety Element Policy33. The City of Huntington Park should ensure adequate access to clean drinking water in the public realm by requiring public facilities to install public hydration stations, incorporate hydration stations in all recreational and park facilities, where feasible.
SEISMIC HAZARDS
Health and Safety Element Policy 34. The City of Huntington Park shall continue to implement the City’s seismic hazard abatement program for existing un-reinforced buildings.
Health and Safety Element Policy 35. In areas with liquefaction potential, the City of Huntington Park shall require review of soils and geologic conditions, and if necessary, on-site borings, to determine liquefaction susceptibility of the proposed site.
Health and Safety Element Policy 36. The City of Huntington Park shall maintain and periodically review emergency procedures for earthquakes in the City’s Disaster Response Plan.
Health and Safety Element Policy 37. The City of Huntington Park shall promote earthquake preparedness within the community by participation in quake awareness programs, including distribution of brochure materials in Spanish and English. The City will encourage property owners to anchor buildings to their foundations, bolt water heaters to walls, and implement other preventive measures.
Seismic Safety Program The City enforces the seismic retrofit requirements of the State of California Uniform Building Code. These standards apply to bracing systems, wall anchors, and the filling in of excess openings. The City has adopted an Earthquake Hazard Reduction Ordinance to address groundshaking hazards in the City. Department personnel are trained to use the Emergency Response Handbook.
28 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Health and Safety Element Policy 38. The City of Huntington Park shall locate new and existing land uses involved in production, storage, transportation, handling, and/or disposal of hazardous materials a safe distance from other land uses that may be sensitive to such activities.
Health and Safety Element Policy 39. The City of Huntington Park shall coordinate with Los Angeles County in sponsoring regular household hazardous waste disposal programs to enable residents to bring backyard pesticides, cleaning fluids, paint cans, and other common household toxics to a centralized collection center for proper disposal.
Health and Safety Element Policy 40. The City of Huntington Park shall cooperate with the County in local implementation of applicable portions of the Los Angeles Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
Health and Safety Element Policy 41. The City of Huntington Park shall consult with companies operating underground pipelines, as well as the Public Utilities Commission and Office of Pipeline Safety, to determine the likelihood of explosion or rupture in case of accident or earthquake and shall ensure that the Fire Department and other disaster response agencies have access to route, depth, and shut-off information about each line.
Hazardous Materials Control Program. The City shall continue to cooperate with County, State, and Federal agencies involved in the regulation of hazardous materials’ storage, use, and disposal. The City shall work with the fire department in requiring hazardous materials users and generators to identify safety procedures for responding to accidental spills and emergencies.
The LACFD shall also work with local law enforcement officials in regulating the transport of hazardous materials through the City. The City will continue to promote the safe disposal of “hazardous and toxic substances” used in private households through the support of “Hazardous Materials Collections” conducted at specific locations and times within Huntington Park. The City will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date records concerning the type, location, owners, and responsible persons for properties which involve the handling of hazardous materials and wastes.
Community Hazardous Waste Education Program. The City will implement an education program for households and small businesses regarding identification and disposal of potential hazardous wastes, including machine oils, pesticides, etc.
SAFETY 29
EVACUATION
Health and Safety Element Policy 42. The City of Huntington Park shall be prepared to efficiently mobilize City staff and use communications systems to facilitate efficient and equitable emergency evacuation.
Program 42.1 Develop a cross department evacuation coordination taskforce in charge of evacuation route maintenance, annual hazard-based evacuation scenario trainings, identification of neighborhoods and households containing vulnerable populations, additional assistance required populations, communication of real time traffic congestion and conditions during an evacuation, and general outlined evacuation planning and trainings. This taskforce will meet regularly with staff from relevant departments to additionally oversee the updates to emergency planning documents and processes.
Program 42.2 Explore the feasibility of partnering with LA Metro and other transportation operators to provide buses and vans to assist with timely evacuation of high-occupancy buildings or community members with limited access to transportation during an emergency.
Program 42.3 Publish the City’s Emergency Operations Plan, evacuation information, and resources for emergencies on the City website.
Health and Safety Element Policy 43. The City of Huntington Park shall adopt communication tools to reach at-risk communities and coordinate with local service providers to assist vulnerable populations such as the unhoused, elderly, and young children with evacuations.
Program 43.1 Facilitate community outreach to at-risk populations throughout the community through educational materials and real time evacuation assistance through the cross-department evacuation coordination taskforce.
Program 43.2 Expand emergency alert systems so the Police Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and cross-department evacuation taskforce can coordinate advanced mobilization and facilitate evacuations during emergencies.
Program 43.3 Provide property owners, tenants, renters, and landlords of highoccupancy buildings with evacuation checklists as well as information on available resources during different emergencies.
30 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
4 PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM
The City originally adopted a Civil Defense and Disaster Plan in 1972 and this Plan was updated in February 1983. The Huntington Park Police Department has adopted procedures for dealing with hazardous spills on the highway. These procedures are based on the California Highway Patrol’s and the Federal Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response Materials. To ensure emergency water supply throughout the City, new construction is required to meet specific fire flow standards.
Fire flows for individual structures are calculated according to size of the structure (floor area), type of construction (wood, non-combustible, fire-resistive), building height, presence of sprinkler systems, distance between buildings, and type of use.
FIRE PROTECTIVE STANDARDS FIRE FLOW
The Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau determines the minimum flows for new construction based on building plans and developers are responsible for providing adequate fire flows. This ensures that hydrant capacity is available to meet fire emergency needs of all developments. The City of Huntington Park follows the County Fire Department Fire Code standards for fire flows and emergency access roads. Fire flows of 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) to 5,000 gpm at 20 pounds per square inch (psi)of residual pressure for a duration of two to five hours is needed for residential and commercial uses, with hydrants every 300 to 600 feet, based on the type of occupancy. The fire standards outlined above are subject to the following conditions:
Fire flow increases with building size (square feet) and/or lot coverage: 20 psi and 600 feet hydrant spacing is required for single-family dwelling, and 20 psi and 300 feet hydrant spacing is required for all other occupancies.
Road width increases where parallel parking allowances, hydrant requirements, or serial fire suppression requirements, or aerial fire suppression requirements indicate the need.
Minimum 20 feet private road width is permitted only if life safety is not jeopardized, topography, or lot shape/dimensions are constraints, and the Fire Department grants discretionary approval.
A paved access is required if any portion of the first-floor building exterior is more than 150 feet from a public vehicle access (private driveway, bridge, alley).
Final fire flow will be based on the size of the building, its relationship to adjacent structures and the type of construction.
SAFETY 31
Table 2 Fire Standards
Development Fire Flow (gpm) Road Width (feet) Access (feet) Turn Radius (feet) Single-Family (Fire Zone 4) 1,000-1,250 20-26 150 32
Single-Family (Fire Zone 3) 750-1,250 20-26 150 32
Two-Family (Duplex) 1,500 26-36 150 32
Mobile Home (Fire Zone 4) 1,250 26-36 150 32
Multi-Family & Hotel 1,000-5,000 26-36 150 32
Schools 1,000-5,000 26-36 150 32
Commercial & Industrial 1,000-5,000 26-42 150 32
High-Rise (5-stories/75’) 5,000 NA NA 32
Source: Los Angeles County Fire Department Fire Code
FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS PEAK LOAD WATER SUPPLY
The water system must be capable of supplying adequate quantities of water for firefighting purposes, in addition to the daily supply for domestic demand in the area.
Adequate reservoir capacity is determined by the availability of water for peak day supply plus fireflow requirements. Generally, peak day supply is twice the average day demand and total fire flow requirements are estimated by the population of the area. Table 2 lists the Los Angeles County Fire Department Fire Code Standards for water flow, road width, and property accessibility for adequate fire response.
FIRE PROTECTION STANDARDS EMERGENCY ACCESS
The provision of adequate roadway widths will facilitate emergency response during a disaster. The City supports fire access standards that have been established by the County Fire Department to ensure access for firefighting equipment to all areas of the City.
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CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK
GENERAL PLAN
HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT
Appendix S-1
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
Table of Contents
Health & Safety Element Update i
Table of Contents
Executive Summary............................................................................1 Report Organization...................................................................1 Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk...................................2 Adaptive Capacity ......................................................................3 Vulnerability Analysis.................................................................3 Key Findings ...............................................................................4 1 Introduction ...............................................................................6
1.1 Background on Climate Change .....................................6
1.2 Huntington Park Snapshot .............................................6
1.3 Lexicon............................................................................7
1.4 Vulnerability Assessment Methodology ........................8 2 Exposure to Climate Hazards ...................................................14
2.1 Climate Indicators.........................................................14
2.2 Hazards.........................................................................15 3 Community Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk.............30
3.1 Priority Populations......................................................30
3.2 Natural and Recreational Resources............................33
3.3 Buildings and Facilities .................................................33
3.4 Infrastructure and Critical Services..............................34 4 Adaptive Capacity ....................................................................36 5 Vulnerability Analysis...............................................................38
5.1 Priority Populations......................................................38
5.2 Natural & Recreational Resources ...............................47
5.3 Buildings and Facilities .................................................49
5.4 Infrastructure and Critical Services ..............................50 6 Conclusion................................................................................51 7 References................................................................................53 Tables
Table 1 Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric.................10 Table 2 Vulnerability Score Matrix ...............................................10 Table 3 Priority Populations in Huntington Park..........................31 Table 4 Program, Plans, and Policies to Manage Impacts of Climate Hazards...............................................................36 Figures
Figure 1 Vulnerability Assessment Flow Diagram ...........................9 Figure 2 Projected Heat Health Events for Higher-risk
Populations in a Selected Census Tract in Huntington
Park..................................................................................17 Figure 3 Close Up of Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) Neighborhood Grading Map of Los Angeles circa1939...20
Figure 4 Municipality Tree Equity Score Map for Huntington Park .........................................................................................22 City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
ii
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Executive Summary
Health & Safety Element Update 1
Executive Summary
The City of Huntington Park Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment evaluates how climate change may impact community members, natural resources, critical facilities, buildings, services, and infrastructure in Huntington Park. This report will inform the development of climate adaptation goals, policies, and
implementation programs for the Health & Safety Element as part of the City’s General Plan Update.
Climate change is a global phenomenon that can impact public health, natural resources, infrastructure, emergency response, and other aspects of society at the local scale as the averages and extremes of climate conditions change. In Huntington Park, temperature and precipitation are expected to change in the following ways:
▪ Increasing temperatures. Average maximum temperatures in Huntington Park are expected to increase between 3.6°
Fahrenheit (F) and 4.4°F by 2050 and between 4.6°F and 7.6°F by 2100.
▪ Increasing intensity of precipitation events and longer dry periods. It is projected that more precipitation will occur during extreme storm events and dry periods will be longer and more frequent.
Changes in temperature and precipitation are expected to influence the frequency, duration, and magnitude of a variety of climate hazards. Climate change models indicate that Huntington Park is expected to experience the following by the end of the century:
▪ Extreme Heat. Huntington Park is projected to experience an increase in the annual number of extreme heat days in the coming decades. In Huntington Park, an extreme heat day occurs when the maximum temperature is above 96.1°F. The annual number of extreme heat days is projected to increase by as much as 21 days and the annual number of warm nights is projected to increase by as much as 63 nights by 2100.
▪ Drought. The City is projected to experience increases in the length of dry spells.
▪ Stormwater Flooding. Climate change may cause changes in precipitation patterns, leaving low-lying and highly paved areas throughout Huntington Park exposed to more frequent
stormwater flooding.
▪ Air Quality. Air quality within the Los Angeles region is projected to worsen because of an increase in regional wildfires and average maximum temperature. Longer periods of drought will also contribute to worsening air quality.
Report Organization
The report is comprised of the following sections:
1. Introduction describes the methodology and key data sources used to prepare the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment.
2. Exposure to Climate Hazards outlines climate drivers (GHGs in the atmosphere), climate indicators (temperature and
precipitation), relevant climate hazards, historical hazard events, how hazards are expected to change, and includes figures mapping climate hazards spatially across Huntington Park.
3. Sensitivity identifies populations and assets most at risk to climate change.
4. Adaptive Capacity summarizes plans, policies, and programs that help Huntington Park cope with climate hazard events.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
2 5. Vulnerability Analysis describes potential impacts for each hazard based on sensitive communities, natural, and built assets, with consideration given to their adaptive capacity. The chapter includes vulnerability scores of low, medium, or high for each population group and asset. See Vulnerability Scoring Methodology section below for more detail.
6. Conclusion presents the key findings of this report.
Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk
Projected changes in climate indicators and hazards will adversely impact community members, natural resources, critical facilities, buildings, services, and infrastructure in Huntington Park. Priority populations are comprised of those community members that have either higher exposure, increased physiological sensitivity, or experience societal factors that increase risk from climate change hazards. The Huntington Park Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment describes the impacts climate change is expected to have on the following populations and assets:
Priority Populations
▪ Individuals with high outdoor exposure
▪ Under-resourced individuals
▪ Individuals facing societal barriers
▪ Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitivities
Natural and Recreational Resources
▪ Municipal parks & open spaces
▪ Urban forest
Buildings and Facilities
▪ Municipal buildings
▪ Educational facilities
▪ Hospitals
▪ Residential and commercial development
▪ Fire stations
▪ Police stations
Infrastructure and Critical Services
▪ Water services
▪ Wastewater
▪ Storm drainage and flood protection
▪ Solid and hazardous waste and recycling
▪ Fire services
▪ Emergency services
▪ Medical services
▪ Utilities and major utility corridors
▪ Public transportation
▪ Roadways
▪ Active transportation routes
Executive Summary
Health & Safety Element Update 3
Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity is the ability to adjust to the consequences of climate change. Types of adaptive capacity include adjustments in behavior, resources, processes, and technologies. Huntington Park is currently taking steps to increase the City’s adaptive capacity by reviewing and updating existing policies, plans, programs, and institutions that contribute to the City’s resilience to climate change hazards. There are existing plans, programs, and policies in place to mitigate some impacts of stormwater flooding, drought, and power outages from extreme heat on the City’s buildings, facilities, infrastructure, and critical services. Policies and programs related to air quality and extreme heat are included in the recently adopted Environmental Justice Element.
Vulnerability Analysis
Understanding local climate risks and impacts allows communities to prepare for the future and increase their resilience. Population groups and asset categories with higher risk from climate hazards are described below.
Priority Populations
▪ Extreme Heat. Increased number of extreme heat days will result in increased public health risks, particularly to populations with increased exposure or sensitivity, through heat-impacted diseases and air quality degradation. Individuals with high outdoor exposure, under-resourced individuals, individuals facing societal barriers, and individuals with chronic health conditions are all susceptible to extreme heat.
▪ Drought. Individuals with high outdoor exposure are particularly at risk to drought conditions. During prolonged drought conditions, people experiencing homelessness may have
difficulty accessing clean and affordable drinking water. ▪ Stormwater Flooding. Outdoor workers may be exposed to hazardous work conditions during stormwater flooding events and therefore are more likely to experience health impacts.
People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately at risk of health impacts during flood events because they often live in flood hazard areas and do not have access to transportation or resources needed to evacuate inundated areas.
▪ Air Quality. Individuals with high outdoor exposure and individuals with chronic health conditions are particularly at risk of negative impacts from poor air quality. Outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness are disproportionally
exposed to air pollutants because they spend much greater time outdoors. Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitivities are at risk of developing or experiencing exacerbated health impacts from poor air quality. Children are extremely susceptible to health impacts from poor air quality because their respiratory system has not fully developed yet.
Older adults and pollution burdened individuals are
disproportionately impacted by poor air quality because they are more likely to have underlying respiratory and/or
cardiovascular conditions. Individuals with cardiovascular disease and individuals with asthma may experience severe health impacts if exposed to poor air quality.
Natural and Recreational Resources
▪ Extreme Heat. Natural and recreational resources are highly exposed to extreme heat and warm nights. Plants are more City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
4 likely to experience heat stress and drying. Urban wildlife under these conditions face impacts of heat stress and heat related illness as well as disrupted reproductive cycles.
▪ Drought. Impacts from drought involve risks associated with water scarcity and availability for reliant natural and recreational resources such as parks and open space. There is a risk of generally water-stressed resources and increased maintenance costs.
▪ Stormwater Flooding. Stormwater flooding will reduce overall water quality through transport of debris and pollutants in runoff.
▪ Air Quality. The direct effects of air quality declines on natural resources relates to plant and wildlife health as increased air pollutants causes stress and mortality. Impacts from air quality can further impact natural resources since air quality declines correspond with other hazards such as extreme heat,
compounding the risks.
Buildings and Facilities
▪ Extreme Heat. Extreme heat could strain HVAC systems and increase cooling and maintenance costs for buildings and facilities that are not adequately weatherized for increased temperatures.
Infrastructure and Critical Facilities
▪ Extreme Heat. Extreme heat affects roadways, active
transportation routes, and railroads creating vulnerabilities to damages through sustained heat. Electrical infrastructure is also at risk of grid overload through increased power demand. ▪ Drought. Drought can impact water reliability and water infrastructure. All emergency services depend on water, particularly firefighters who require adequate water supply for fire suppression. Drought vulnerability can create service strain for emergency and medical services.
▪ Stormwater Flooding. Impervious surfaces can impede the absorption of water and augment stormwater flooding in areas of Huntington Park. There is risk of damage from increased extreme precipitation events including erosion, washouts, and an influx of debris and pollutants in runoff. Storm drainage and flood protection services for the City may be impacted by these events.
▪ Air Quality Higher incidence of unsafe air quality generated by increased smog, dust and interactions with higher temperatures can create general strain on existing infrastructure and critical services through increased rates of hospitalization and demand on emergency and medical services.
Key Findings
The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment identifies the community members, natural resources, critical facilities, buildings, services, and infrastructure most susceptible to climate change hazards in Huntington Park. Although the City has some policies and programs in place to prepare for climate related hazards, gaps remain as summarized in the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. This assessment is a starting point for establishing adaptation policies and programs in the Huntington Park Health & Safety Element.
Executive Summary
Health & Safety Element Update 5
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
6 1 Introduction
1.1 Background on Climate Change
This report evaluates how climate change may impact vulnerable community members, natural and recreational resources, buildings and facilities, and services and infrastructure in Huntington Park. This report is consistent with Government Code § 65302 (as amended by Senate Bill (SB) 379) which requires cities and counties across California to prepare a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment to inform updates to the Health & Safety Element of the General Plan. Understanding the City’s vulnerabilities to climate change provides a foundation to develop required climate adaptation goals, policies, and implementation programs for the City’s Health & Safety Element.
1.2 Huntington Park Snapshot
Huntington Park is centrally located within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is located about five miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The City borders the cities of Vernon and Maywood to the north, the City of South Gate and unincorporated Los Angeles County to the south, cities of Cudahy and Bell to the east, and the City of Los Angeles and unincorporated Los Angeles County to the west. The City of Huntington Park was first incorporated in 1906, and currently has a population of approximately 59,515 residents. The City has a land area of approximately 3.01 square miles.
Causes of Climate Change
Climate change is caused by the addition of excess
greenhouse gases (GHGs) to the atmosphere, which
traps heat near the earth’s surface raising global
average temperatures in what is referred to as the
greenhouse effect. This increase in average
temperatures across the globe affects sea level rise,
precipitation patterns, the severity of wildfires, the
prevalence of extreme heat events, water supply, and
ocean temperatures and chemistry (NASA 2022).
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC), GHGs are now higher than they have
been in the past 400,000 years, raising carbon dioxide
levels from 280 parts per million to 410 parts per
million in the last 150 years (IPCC 2021). The dramatic increase in GHGs is attributed to human activities
beginning with the industrial revolution in the 1800s,
which represented a shift from an agrarian and
handicraft-based economy to one dominated by
industry and machine manufacturing (NASA 2022).
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1.3 Lexicon
Several words and phrases are used throughout the plan to illustrate climate vulnerabilities within Huntington Park. ▪ Adaptation. The process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, either to minimize harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate (IPCC 2012). ▪ Adaptive Capacity. The City of Huntington Park’s ability to cope with and adjust to the impacts of climate change (Cal OES 2020). ▪ Asset. Refers to a resource, structure, facility or service that is relied on by a community.
▪ Cascading Impact. Climate hazard caused impacts that
compromise infrastructure or disrupt critical services (i.e., power supply or water conveyance) broadening the scope of impact past a singular subject to reliant subsystems and populations (Collins et al. 2019).
▪ Climate Driver. An increase in the proportion of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the primary human-caused driver of change to the earth’s climate (USGCRP 2017).
▪ Climate Hazard. A dangerous or potentially dangerous condition created by the effects of the local climate (Cal OES 2020). Climate hazards of concern for Huntington Park are extreme heat and warm nights, drought, stormwater flooding, and air quality. ▪ Climate Indicator. A measure of a particular aspect of the earth’s climate that can be tracked over time to show trends and changes in climate. Climate indicators relevant to the City of Huntington Park and discussed in this report are temperature and precipitation.
▪ Compounding Risk. When two or more extreme events or
average events occur simultaneously and increase the scope of impact or severity of the event; an additional risk brought about by increased frequency of events from climate change
(Seneviratne et al. 2012).
▪ Impact. Effects on natural and human systems including effects on lives, livelihoods, health, ecosystems, economies, societies, cultures, services, and infrastructure due to the interaction of climate hazards and the vulnerabilities of the system or asset effected (IPCC 2012).
▪ Mitigation. An act or sustained actions to reduce, eliminate, or avoid negative impacts or effects (Cal OES 2020).
▪ Resilience. The capacity of an entity (an individual a community, an organization, or a natural system) to prepare for disruptions, to recover from shocks and stresses, and to adapt and grow from a disruptive experience (Cal OES 2020)
▪ Sensitivities. The degree to which a species, natural system, community, asset, or other associated system would be affected by changing climate conditions (Cal OES 2020).
▪ Priority Populations. Certain populations experience increased exposure, risk, or sensitivity to climate change impacts and often have less capacity and fewer resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from climate impacts (Cal OES 2020). Assessing and mitigating impacts to these populations is prioritized given the increased risks and sensitivities.
▪ Vulnerability. The propensity or predisposition to be adversely affected (IPCC 2012).
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Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
8 1.4 Vulnerability Assessment Methodology
The following section details state guidance, methods, and sources used in the production of this report.
California Adaptation Planning Guide Phases
The Huntington Park Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment follows the vulnerability assessment process recommended by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), as documented in the 2020 California Adaptation Planning Guide (Cal APG).
The adaptation planning process outlined by the Cal APG consists of four phases, illustrated in the graphic below. Phase 2 is comprised of the vulnerability assessment process (Cal OES, 2020).
Source: 2020 California Adaptation Planning Guide
Introduction
Health & Safety Element Update 9
The Huntington Park Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment is consistent with Phase 2 of the 2020 Cal APG and is composed of the following parts found in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Vulnerability Assessment Flow Diagram
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Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
10 Vulnerability Scoring Methodology
Vulnerability scoring is a valuable step in the climate vulnerability assessment process because it identifies which assets and populations face the greatest threat from climate hazards. This can aid in the prioritization of adaptation actions. The vulnerability score is a combination of the impact and adaptive capacity scores.
The impact and adaptive capacity scores are developed using a qualitative methodology outlined in the Cal APG, as seen in Table 1.
Impact and adaptive capacity scores are assigned for each climate hazard for all assets and sensitive populations. The vulnerability score is prepared by combining the two scores as demonstrated in Table 2. The range of potential impacts spans 1 through 5 with 4-5 representing the highest levels of potential impact.
Table 1 Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric
Score Impact Adaptive Capacity
Low Impact is unlikely based on projected exposure; would result in minor consequences to public health, safety, and/or other metrics of concern.
The population or asset lacks capacity to manage changes; major changes would be required.
Medium Impact is somewhat likely based on projected exposure; would result in some consequences to public health, safety, and/or other metrics of concern.
The population or asset has some capacity to manage climate impact; some changes would be required.
High Impact is highly likely based on projected exposure; consequences to public health, safety, and/or other metrics of concern.
The population or asset has high capacity to manage climate impact; minimal to no changes are required.
Source: Cal OES 2020
Table 2 Vulnerability Score Matrix
Potential
Impacts
High 3 4 5
Medium 2 3 4
Low 1 2 3
High Medium Low
Adaptive Capacity
Source: Cal OES 2020
Introduction
Health & Safety Element Update 11
Social Sensitivity Methodology
The presence and overall distribution of priority populations in the City of Huntington Park were identified based on Healthy Places Index (HPI) and U.S. Census and American Community Survey (ACS) data unless supplemented with additional data sources specifically mentioned in discussion of particular populations. This report follows the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Southern California Adaptation Planning Guide (SoCal APG) methodology for identifying, grouping, and analyzing vulnerable populations.
The SoCal APG identifies the following populations as generally experiencing higher risk for climate impacts in a given community:
▪ Low income
▪ Experiencing
homelessness
▪ Incarcerated
▪ Unemployed or
underemployed
▪ Seniors and young
children
▪ Military veterans
▪ Non-white communities
▪ Renters
▪ Students
▪ Visitors and seasonal
residents
▪ Outdoor workers
▪ Single female heads of
households
▪ Undocumented immigrants
▪ Non-English speakers
▪ Tribal and indigenous
communities
▪ Individuals with impaired
health/disabilities
▪ Isolated individuals (e.g., no
car or transit access)
▪ Individuals with educational
attainment less than 4 years
of college
Priority populations were identified in Huntington Park through several state recommended data sources. For groups analyzed using U.S. Census data, the report identified populations in Huntington Park present at higher rates than the statewide average. For populations analyzed using the Healthy Places Index, this report used a percentile score of 25 or lower to designate vulnerable populations. Huntington Park’s sensitive populations are described in the Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk section later in this report.
Key Data Sources
The following data sources and tools, many of which are recommended within the Cal APG and SoCal APG, were used in preparation of this report.
▪ The California Healthy Places Index (HPI) is an online mapping tool that reports on community conditions that are known to predict health outcomes and life expectancy. The tool was prepared by the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, a collaborative of local health departments in Southern California.
The Healthy Places Index displays 25 community characteristics at various legislative boundaries, including census tracts and city and county boundaries. The community characteristics relate to the following identified Policy Action Areas: economic, education, housing, health care access, neighborhood, clean environment, transportation, and social factors. The Healthy Places Index applies a relative percentile score across all census tracts in California using statistical modeling techniques based on the relationship of the Policy Action Areas to life expectancy at birth. Low percentile scores reflect unhealthy conditions. The Healthy Places Index was used to identify priority populations as described above. The Healthy Places Index is useful in providing both big picture and localized insights into community health.
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12 The tool was supplemented with additional information from alternative data sources as noted, for indicators that are not included in the Healthy Places Index.
▪ U.S. Census, 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS) presents demographic data by census tract and was used to supplement the Healthy Places Index percentile score. U.S.
Census data was used to identify the percentage of the
Huntington Park population that corresponds to each higher sensitivity group.
▪ Cal-Adapt is an online tool that presents historic and modeled projections based on 10 different global climate models. The tool was developed and is maintained by the University of California Berkeley with oversight from the California Energy Commission (CEC). This tool is used to present projection data related to minimum and maximum temperature, precipitation, extreme heat, warm nights, drought, and wildfire.
▪ California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment was developed by the CEC and other State of California coordinating agencies to present up-to-date climate science, projections and potential impacts associated with climate change. The CEC and
coordinating agencies developed nine regional reports to provide regional-scale climate information to support local planning and action. The Los Angeles Region Summary Report (2018) presents an overview of climate science, regional projections, specific strategies to adapt to climate impacts, and key research gaps needed to spur additional progress on safeguarding the Los Angeles Region from climate change. The Los Angeles Region Summary Report was used to understand regional changes that may affect Huntington Park both directly and indirectly.
▪ California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT) is an online mapping tool funded by the California Natural Resources Agency as part of California’s fourth state climate change assessment to help state and local public health officials understand how heat vulnerability will change with increasing temperatures due to climate change. CHAT uses historical and projected daily maximum and minimum temperature, humidity, and
emergency room visit data along with population and
environmental characteristics to assign census tracts with heat vulnerability scores and to project the frequency and length of Heat Health Events over the course of the century for two climate scenarios (RCP 8.5 and RCP 4.5). A Heat Health Event (HHE) is any heat event that generates public health impacts, regardless of the absolute temperature.
▪ Tree Equity Score is a mapping tool created by the non-profit organization, American Forests, using tree canopy data from Earth Define. Trees provide numerous environmental and
health benefits, including improved air quality, shade, and ambient cooling. Trees are often distributed unequally
throughout the neighborhoods in cities. Tree Equity Score is intended to help identify census tracts that could benefit from additional tree planting the most and to estimate the benefits of tree planting to make the case for allocating the resources needed to do so. Tree Equity Scores are based on how much tree canopy and surface temperature align with income,
employment, race, age and health factors. Scores are meant to indicate whether there are enough trees in specific
neighborhoods or municipalities for everyone to experience the health, economic and climate benefits that trees provide. ▪ City of Huntington Park Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan contains a series of proposed actions that align with the General Plan, Capital Improvement Plans, and City Building & Safety Codes. Some of these proposed action items include enhancing debris management and building safety measures for
stormwater flooding. The plan also mentions the improvement Introduction
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of City water systems, enhancing utility and communications systems for emergency services, and conducting community outreach to educate about natural hazards.
Data Limitations
The limitations of this report and analysis stem from gaps in data availability and completeness of data methods. Census data can miss portions of the population (e.g., individuals experiencing homelessness, undocumented individuals) and general
demographic information may not fully identify the full extent of populations at increased risk from climate change impacts (Census Bureau 2022; Warren 2022). Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 100-year and 500-year flood plains do not account for climate change projections, zones are instead based on historical information. Extrapolating air quality hazard exposure data in the context of climate change is difficult and the estimates of exposure to these hazards are likely to be underestimated.
The data presented in Cal-Adapt tools are projections, or estimates, of future climate. The limitation in these projections is that the longterm behavior of the atmosphere is expressed in averages – for example, average annual temperature, average monthly rainfall, or average water equivalent of mountain snowpack at a given time of year. The averages discussed often downplay the extremes by which daily weather events occur and when presented as an average, only show moderate changes within the climate. What is often lost in averages is that the frequency of extremes, like atmospheric rivers, may increase while low-moderate intensity weather events decrease through the end of the century. In instances of modeled precipitation projections, it maintains an average similar to historic levels which does not account for anticipated fluctuations in extremes (CEC 2021).
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14 2 Exposure to Climate Hazards
Climate change is a global phenomenon that can impact local health, natural resources, infrastructure, emergency response, and many other aspects of society. There are several climate drivers that impact climate change. The primary driver of climate change is increased GHGs in the atmosphere due to human activity. Future projections of climate and climate hazards are dependent on both location and the trajectory of global GHG emissions over the time period considered. The Cal-Adapt tool provides climate data from global scale models that have been localized (downscaled) to 3.7 mile by 3.7-mile grids (CEC 2021). The data in Cal-Adapt is combined with information from the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment to model future changes in specific types of hazards within this assessment. This report discusses Huntington Park climate projections and impacts as part of California’s Los Angeles Region, as detailed in the California Fourth Climate Change Assessment Los Angeles Region Report. Projections throughout this section are outlined by two separate GHG emissions scenarios referred to as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) that describe potential trajectories of global GHG emissions (CEC 2021). ▪ RCP 4.5 is a medium emissions scenario in which global GHG emissions peak by the year 2040 and then decline.
▪ RCP 8.5 is a high emissions scenario in which global GHG emissions continue to rise through the end of the 21st century.
Additionally, projections are forecasted to mid-century (2035-2064) and end-century (2070-2099) as 30-year averages to be compared to a modeled historical baseline (1961-1990) (CEC 2021).
This section presents information on temperature and precipitation, which are characterized as climate indicators. The following section then provides information on projected changes to natural hazards of extreme heat, drought, poor air quality, and stormwater flooding resulting from changes to climate indicators.
2.1 Climate Indicators
The climate indicators most relevant to Huntington Park are temperature and precipitation. The following section summarizes projected changes to these climate indicators. All projections are pulled from the Cal-Adapt Local Climate Change Snapshot tool (CEC 2021, CEC 2018).
Temperature
Huntington Park has an average maximum temperature of 74.8°F and an average minimum temperature of 55.2°F. Average maximum temperatures are expected to increase in Huntington Park by approximately 3.6°F (RCP 4.5) to 4.4°F (RCP 8.5) by the mid-century and 4.6°F (RCP 4.5) and 7.6°F (RCP 8.5) by end-century. Average minimum temperature are expected to increase in the city by approximately 3.4°F (RCP 4.5) and 4.3°F (RCP 8.5) by mid-century and 4.4°F (RCP 4.5) to 7.5°F (RCP 8.5) by end-century (CEC 2021).
Temperature increases affect various climate related hazards including extreme heat and warm nights, drought, and air quality, further described in the Hazards section.
Exposure to Climate Hazards
Health & Safety Element Update 15
Precipitation
Climate projections show that there will be more frequent and longer dry periods punctuated by increased precipitation intensity of the largest storms or wet periods (CEC 2018). Projections for Huntington Park predict that annual precipitation totals will remain relatively stable, increasing slightly by up to 0.3 inches by endcentury. However, as already observed in recent decades, precipitation changes are largely observed as more extreme variability with intense wet years followed by extreme drought (CEC 2018). Climate change is projected to increase the intensity of extreme precipitation events in the Los Angeles region (CEC 2018).
Maximum 1-day precipitation values are projected to increase by approximately 0.1 inches by mid-century and between 0.2 inches and 0.3 inches by end-century (CEC 2021). These changes in extremes will produce little net change in precipitation totals as the wetter storms and drier dry periods are summed into the precipitation total, but the individual precipitation events and general conditions are expected to be more extreme and alter the risk landscape for related climate hazards (CEC 2018). In Huntington Park precipitation changes are expected to affect drought, stormwater flooding, and air quality.
2.2 Hazards
This section outlines projected changes for the following climate hazards:
Extreme Heat and Warm Nights
Drought
Stormwater Flooding
Air Quality
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Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
16 Extreme Heat and Warm Nights
In Huntington Park an extreme heat day is defined any day when the maximum temperature exceeds 96.1°F. Historically, between 1961-1990, the city experienced an average of two extreme heat days per year. By mid-century the average number of extreme heat days is expected to increase to a total of 7 (RCP 4.5) to 9 (RCP 8.5) days. The average number of extreme heat days is expected to increase to a total of 10 (RCP 4.5) to 21 (RCP 8.5) days per year by end of century. In addition to increasing frequency of extreme heat days, Huntington Park is also expected to experience a higher number of warm nights.
Warm nights affect the body’s ability to cool down and recover from heat stress during extreme heat periods exacerbating heat-related health problems including, heat exhaustion, dehydration and cardiovascular stress, especially for sensitive populations. In Huntington Park, a warm night is defined as nights when the daily minimum temperature is above a threshold temperature of
70.3°F (CEC 2021). Between 1961-1990, the city experienced an average of five warm nights per year. Mid-century projections range from an average increase of 16 (RCP 4.5) to 24 (RCP 8.5) additional warm nights annually. End-of-century projections range from 25 (RCP 4.5) to 63 (RCP
8.5) additional warm nights annually.
Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a term that refers to developed areas that are hotter than the surrounding landscape primarily due to the use of building materials and surfaces that absorb and re-radiate heat (like roofs and pavements), as well as a lack of vegetation, particularly trees.
The UHI effect causes people in cities to have higher heat exposure than residents in less densely developed areas. Within urban landscapes, neighborhoods with more impermeable and dark colored surfaces, and fewer trees, parks, and water features, have greater heat exposure and heat related risk than urban communities with more green space and reflective surfaces.
These differences in development patterns typically correspond with income and demographic disparities across the urban environment. Low-income communities and many communities of color across Los Angeles County are the most impacted by the urban heat island effect (LA CDPH 2021). UHI will likely compound the impact and risk of extreme heat days and higher average temperatures resulting from climate change. In some locations, the effect could be twice as strong as the impact of global warming (Huang et al. 2019).
The California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT) projects increases in heat heath events (HHE) which are heat events such as heat waves that have public health impacts, over the course of the Exposure to Climate Hazards
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century for census block groups across California. CHAT projects similar increases in HHEs for all the census block groups in Huntington Park, so an HHE frequency projection chart is included from only one of the census block groups (block # 6037532603) in Figure 2, below. The projections are tailored to estimate the number of heat events with public health impacts for priority populations with experience higher heat-sensitivity than the general population, including those with asthma, the elderly, and children.
The red bars indicate the projected number of HHEs in the RCP 8.5 “business-as-usual”, or high GHG emissions scenario, and the blue bars indicate the projected number of HHEs under the more moderate RCP 4.5 scenario. Under both scenarios the number of HHEs are expected to increase by several times the historical average, shown as a dotted black line. These projections show that public health is likely to be impacted for all community members in Huntington Park, especially those with higher sensitivity to heat.
The projections also show the importance of planning to minimize the public health impacts from increasingly frequent HHEs over the course of the century.
Figure 2 Projected Heat Health Events for Higher-risk Populations in a Selected Census Tract in Huntington Park Source: California Heat Assessment Tool
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18 Historical Causes of Inequitable Heat Exposure
After the Great Depression the U.S. Government undertook numerous projects to stimulate the economy, expand housing stock, and evaluate the riskiness of home mortgages. The Home Owners’ Loan Corporation was established in 1933 with the passage of the Home Owners’ Loan Act, with the key task of refinancing mortgages and slowing down the rate of foreclosures (FHFA).
During the 1930’s the HOLC created detailed maps of urban areas across the United States. HOLC maps documented the perceived risk of lending and determined the lending practices of banks and other mortgage lenders administering the federal loans.
These maps graded neighborhoods on a scale from “A” through “D” and the grade correlated with color coding on the maps of green through red, hence the term “redlining”. A-rated neighborhoods, colored green on the maps, were classified as the most desirable, and least risky for lenders. D-rated neighborhoods, colored red on the maps, were classified as the highest risk neighborhoods, and families in these neighborhoods were typically denied mortgages and their mortgages were often not federally insured if they were granted one (Rothstein). The HOLC neighborhood assessments explicitly used racial makeup of residents as a determinant of neighborhood quality and mortgage risk (Rothstein). Neighborhood descriptions included references to the racial make-up of a neighborhood, in particular the homogeneity, percentage of immigrants and whether they were considered “subversive”, and the number of black, Mexican, and residents of various non-white ethnic groups (Nelson et al.; Rothstein). In the HOLC assessments, racially integrated neighborhoods and neighborhoods with higher numbers of immigrants and people of color were considered higher risk and perceived as destined to deteriorate in value (Nelson et al.; Rothstein). This led to disinvestment in low-rated areas of cities and a loss of wealth building for generations of American families who were unable to purchase homes (Rothstein). This practice of racial exclusion from homeownership allowed white Americans to accumulate wealth through government backed homeownership while minority communities were excluded and marginalized (Rothstein). Historic disinvestment and constraints on loans to real estate developers tied to racial restrictions resulted in differences in the quality of housing, amount of housing, and the amount of green space and other amenities that were built in different
neighborhoods based on the income and racial demographics of potential residents (Nelson et al.; Rothstein).
Many of these development differences still largely persist to this day. Recent research has shown that neighborhoods that HOLC rated as a “D” level of risk are still predominantly low-to-moderate income and communities of color, while “A” neighborhoods are still predominantly white and above average income. Previously redlined neighborhoods are also correlated with more impervious paved surfaces, fewer trees and green spaces, and higher average temperatures than the non-redlined, historically white
neighborhoods in the same city (Hoffman et al.). Another study assessing 175 of the largest urbanized areas in the United States found that the average person of color lives in a census tract with greater than 2 degrees Celsius higher urban heat island intensity compared to non-Hispanic whites (Hsu et al.). A few degrees of temperature difference, and especially warmer temperatures at night, can translate into an appreciably increased risk of heat stress.
This means that communities that faced historical housing discrimination often bear a greater health burden as excessive heat events become more frequent and severe due to climate change.
This disparate heat exposure risk is known as heat inequity.
Huntington Park was included in the 1939 Los Angeles and Vicinity Residential Security Map produced by HOLC and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. See Figure 3 below for a close up of the Exposure to Climate Hazards
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Huntington Park area in the HOLC map. Green colored areas represent neighborhoods that were graded “A – Best”. No neighborhoods in Huntington Park received an A grade. Most of Huntington Park was graded “C – definitely declining”, colored yellow on the map, the reasoning provided for this grade was the presence of lower-income and working-class residents, powerlines and industrial uses, and mixed quality of housing. The western portion of Huntington Park was rated at the “D – Hazardous” level, colored red on the map, due to the presence of low-income residents, range of building quality, heterogenous population, and increasing numbers of African American and Mexican residents. The southeast portion of the city bordering Walnut Park was graded “B – Still Desirable” due to deed restrictions that limited development to single family housing and prevented non-white families from purchasing homes. This area was developed with federal financing and graded favorably on the mortgage risk map as a result of the good quality homes this financing afforded and the racial segregation achieved through racially restrictive deeds.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
20 Figure 3 Close Up of Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) Neighborhood Grading Map of Los Angeles circa 1939 Source: Nelson et al. University of Richmond. Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America.
Exposure to Climate Hazards
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Tree Equity Score
The number and distribution of trees in cities in the United States, often reflects differences in race and income across city landscapes.
While the amount of paved and impermeable surfaces and lack of water features and green spaces can increase the impact of temperature increases from climate change, adding more green spaces and especially trees, can have the opposite effect. Trees provide a number of critical services to cities and residents including shade, improved air quality, increased rain interception and reduced stormwater runoff, and in great enough numbers trees can cool ambient temperatures and reduce the impact of climate change and extreme heat on public health.
Treeequityscore.org analyzes a range of neighborhood
characteristics including the existing tree canopy, population density, income, employment, surface temperature, racial demographics, age distributions, and health metrics to create a single tree equity score between 0 and 100. A score of 100 would indicate that a neighborhood has achieved tree equity.
Of the 43 census block groups included in the Tree Equity Score Municipality Report for Huntington Park 11 have a tree equity score below 65. The remaining block groups have a score between 65-89.
No census block groups have a tree equity score of 90 or above.. It is estimated that 6,818 trees would need to be planted in the 11 block groups with the lowest scores to get all census block groups to a tree equity score of at least 65. This would increase the total tree canopy of Huntington Park by 4.6% and result in numerous other annual benefits including those listed below.
Estimated Annual Service Benefits from Increasing
Huntington Park’s Tree Canopy by 4.6% (adding 6,818 trees):
▪ Carbon Sequestered: 147.9 tons.
▪ Runoff Avoided: 5,257 m3
.
▪ Ozone Reduced: 3.6 tons.
▪ Particulate Matter Pollution Reduced (PM 10 and PM2.5): 1 ton. ▪ Other pollutants reduced: <1 ton.
Comparing the HOLC map in Figure 3 and the Tree Equity Score map in Figure 4 can shed some light on the legacy of redlining and historic disinvestment on current levels of heat risk throughout the city. In line with the research referenced above, the western portion of Huntington Park that had “D” graded neighborhoods continues to have fewer trees, and lower tree equity scores relative to the rest of the city, the southeastern portion of the city that had been graded “B” has some of the highest tree equity scores in the city, and the historically “C” graded areas vary with a range of tree equity scores, as illustrated in Figure 4 showing current tree equity scores by census block in Huntington Park.
Compounding Risks: Housing and Heat Related Illness
Housing and socio-economic factors can intersect in ways that compound the risks of climate impacts such as extreme heat events.
When housing is in short supply and unaffordable this can lead to overcrowding, especially for lower-income communities. Aging, overcrowded, and poorly insulated housing can contribute to risk from heat related illness, which can in turn lead to hospital visits and even increased mortality. If the electricity grid is strained during a heat wave and there are power outages, this can further increase the risk of heat related illnesses if access to adaptations such as air conditioning, fans, and refrigeration are lost.
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Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
22 Figure 4 Municipality Tree Equity Score Map for Huntington Park Source: Tree Equity Score Municipality Report for Huntington Park.
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A study published in 2022 found that housing age, housing crowding ratio, and roof condition were found to be correlated with the risk of heat-related illness indexes and can predict the risk of heatrelated emergency department visits and heat-related mortality on a state level. This analysis indicates that housing quality and affordability as characterized by age, crowding, and roof condition can impact heat related illness risk (Hu et al. 2022).
Huntington Park is one of the densest cities in the United States, and overcrowding is prevalent throughout the city with 60% of renter-occupied households and 21% of owner-occupied
households being overcrowded. Of those, 20% of the renteroccupied households and 4% of the owner-occupied households are severely overcrowded. Overcrowding is more common in
Huntington Park than in the surrounding region, indicating a lack of family-sized housing sufficient to meet demand. The California 2020 Census Hard-to-Count index rated all of Huntington Park as falling within the highest difficulty level for accurately enumerating population. The variables most cited for contributing to difficulty in getting accurate counts were renter occupied units, crowded units, foreign born population and limited English speaking population (CA Census 2020). The large numbers of undocumented immigrants, Spanish speakers, and crowded housing conditions likely contributed to an undercount of the true population of Huntington Park.
Housing affordability issues also impact Huntington Park residents.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (“HUD”) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (“HCD”), housing is considered “affordable” if monthly housing costs are no more than 30% of a household’s gross income. In Huntington Park, 62.9% of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on housing cost, compared to 55.3% regionally, and home sale prices are also increasing at a faster rate in Huntington Park compared to the larger region (Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Update).
The age of housing stock can indicate housing quality and the likely need for rehabilitation work that can impact public health, including remediation of lead-based paint and maintenance or replacement of major elements such as roofing. 78% of the housing stock in Huntington Park was built prior to 1980, and 26.2% of those homes, the largest proportion, were constructed prior to 1939 (Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element Update). Typically housing over 30 years of age is likely to need rehabilitation work to major elements of the structure. Given the age of the housing stock in the city, a large majority of Huntington Park’s housing stock is in substandard condition, with approximately 12,395 units citywide estimated to need some level of rehabilitation and/or may require replacement (Huntington Park 2021-2029 Housing Element
Update). Considering the study mentioned above it is possible that the age, availability, cost-burden and crowding conditions of Huntington Park’s Housing may contribute to increased risk of heatrelated illnesses, especially as climate change contributes to more frequent extreme heat events.
A separate study analyzed exposure and vulnerability to heat by housing type and location using census tract level data combined with housing characteristics, climate projections, and an index of adaptive capacity and sensitivity to heat. The analysis revealed that subsidized housing in California simultaneously has the most sensitive populations and barriers to adaptation while being disproportionately located in the hottest census tracts (C. J. Gabbe et al. 2020). Specifically, while 8% of California’s total number of housing units are located in tracts with high heat exposure and high sensitivity populations (high-high tracts), these high-high tracts contain 16% of public housing units, 14% of Low-Income Housing City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
24 Tax Credit units, and 10% of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (C.
J. Gabbe et al. 2020).
Taken together these studies show that housing policy should be considered an essential public health and safety mechanism for mitigating climate change-exacerbated health conditions in Huntington Park. Policies and programs should aim to address heat exposure and adaptation for subsidized housing, high sensitivity populations, and seek to increase housing availability and quality, especially in the hottest parts of the community, in order to help reduce health impacts from extreme heat.
Exposure to Climate Hazards
Health & Safety Element Update 25
Drought
Climate change will increase the likelihood that low-precipitation years will coincide with aboveaverage temperature years contributing to drought conditions. While the overall average precipitation for Huntington Park is not anticipated to change dramatically by mid- or endcentury, this does not reflect a lack of change in risk of drought. Increasing variability of precipitation events is expected to lead to year-to-year precipitation becoming more volatile and the number of dry years in a row increasing (CEC 2018).
The duration of dry spells is projected to vary based on emissions scenario. Like patterns in precipitation, some of the annual variability is obscured within 30-year average. Despite this, the clear trend is for the maximum length of dry spells to increase through the end of century (CEC 2021).
▪ The Huntington 30-year modeled historical average for maximum length dry spells is 160 days.
▪ Mid-century projections range between an 8 day (RCP 4.5) and a 9 day (RCP 8.5) increase in maximum length of a dry spell, for a range of 168 to 169 days annually. ▪ End-century projections range between a 7 day (RCP 4.5) and a 16 day (RCP 8.5) increase in maximum length of dry spell, for a range of 167 to 176 days annually.
Drought can impact natural resources leading to water-stressed vegetation and habitat loss, while water scarcity may necessitate water use restrictions, and sensitive populations may be at greater risk of heat stress and dehydration (CEC 2018).
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
26 Stormwater Flooding
When an influx of stormwater exceeds a drainage system’s capacity to infiltrate water into the soil or to carry it away, localized stormwater flooding can occur. Urban landscapes tend to be built with impermeable surfaces that do not allow much water to infiltrate the ground and this increases the amount of runoff that must be channeled in storm drainage systems and carried elsewhere. Most urban drainage infrastructure was not built to manage stormwater flows from the increased precipitation events that are occurring and will occur more frequently with climate change and can be costly to retrofit. As a result, the costs and impact of urban flooding are expected to increase as precipitation patterns become more extreme due to climate change (NASEM 2019).
Climate change may cause areas throughout Huntington Park to experience more frequent stormwater flooding. Stormwater systems may be overwhelmed more frequently as more extreme rain events occur, causing localized flooding which could impact properties and leave roads temporarily unusable. Areas with high amounts of impermeable surfaces and those adjacent to drainage systems are prone to stormwater flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
Flooding impacts directly create physical damage from inundation (Hall et. al 2018). Flooding can also lead to cascading risks due to loss of power, wastewater management issues, pollution carried by stormwater including hazardous materials, and overwhelm storm drainage infrastructure, exacerbating public health concerns.
Exposure to Climate Hazards
Health & Safety Element Update 27
Air Quality
Local Conditions Impacting Air Quality
The City of Huntington Park is in the South Coast Air Basin (SCAB or Basin), which is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto Mountains to the north and east, and the San Diego County line to the south. The air quality in the SCAB is primarily influenced by a wide range of emissions sources – such as dense population centers, heavy vehicular traffic, industry, and weather. The general region lies in the semi-permanent high-pressure zone of the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in light average wind speeds. The SCAB experiences a persistent temperature inversion (increasing temperature with increasing altitude) because of the Pacific high-pressure zone. This inversion limits the vertical dispersion of air contaminants, holding them relatively near the ground. The combination of stagnant wind conditions and low inversions produces the greatest pollutant concentrations in the SCAB. On days of no inversion or high wind speeds, ambient air pollutant concentrations are lowest. During periods of low inversions and low wind speeds, air pollutants generated in urbanized areas are transported predominantly onshore into Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Ambient Air Quality Measurements
Air quality monitoring stations throughout the region monitor concentrations of air pollutants and determine whether ambient air quality meets the California and federal standards for various air pollutants. From 2019-2021 federal and State 8-hour ozone standards were exceeded, the State worst hour ozone standard was exceeded in 2020 and 2021, and the federal worst hour ozone standard was exceeded in 2020.
In addition, the State standard for particulate matter of 10 microns in size was exceeded every year from 2019 to 2021 and the federal standard for particulate matter of 2.5 microns in size was exceeded each year from 2019 to 2021.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
28 Air Quality and Climate Change
Poor air quality is associated with increased health impacts most frequently from inhalation pollutants. Higher temperatures are conducive to air pollution formation,
and rising temperatures could therefore result in worsened air quality. Worsening air quality due to climate change can create respiratory issues for sensitive populations and impact indoor environments that do not have adequate air filtration systems.
There are several types of air quality decline sources found below:
▪ Dust. Increased temperature leads to dry, dusty conditions also associated with drought (Hall et al. 2018). Increases in dust conditions increases exposure to particulate matter, including PM10 (particulates less than 10 microns in diameter). PM10 can cause increased respiratory disease, lung damage, cancer, premature death, reduced visibility, surface soiling. These adverse health effects have been reported primarily in infants, children, and older adults with preexisting heart or lung diseases (CARB 2022).
▪ Smog. Increases in ambient temperature can lead to higher rates of smog also referred to as ozone. Groups most sensitive to O3 include children, the elderly, people with respiratory disorders, and people who exercise strenuously outdoors (USEPA 2021). Depending on the level of exposure, ozone can cause coughing and a sore or scratch throat; make it more difficult to breathe deeply and vigorously and cause pain when taking a deep breath; inflame and damage the airways; make the lungs more susceptible to infection; and aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Ground-level ozone specifically will be experienced at higher rates leading to raised cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality rates (CDPH 2014). Ground-level ozone has also been shown to have particularly disproportionate adverse impacts on populations experiencing homelessness and lower median income (PNAS 2021). Huntington Park will experience increases in ozone concentrations in parallel to temperature increases.
▪ Fewer Natural Filtrations. Precipitation variability and long periods of dry spells lead to less reliable air quality for the entire region. Moisture in the air can filter pollutants and provide for overall improved conditions. Urban vegetation can directly affect air quality. Trees remove gaseous air pollution. Large healthy trees remove more pollution than younger, smaller trees (USDA Forest Service, 2002). Rising temperatures could increase mortality for large healthy trees which would reduce the ability for urban vegetation to reduce air pollutants, therefore increasing pollutant exposure to sensitive
populations.
▪ Wildfire Smoke. Temperature, severe wildfire conditions, and the area burned by wildfires have all increased throughout the state and are expected to continue to increase. Higher
temperatures accompanied by an increase in the incidence and extent of large wildfires will lead to increased wildfire smoke and associated toxins and air pollution (Hall et al. 2018).
Wildfire smoke is comprised of a mixture of gaseous pollutants, hazardous air pollutants, water vapor, and particle pollution (fine airborne particulate matter – PM2.5) with particle pollution being the main component and the principal threat to public health (USEPA 2021). Smoke from wildfires is known to contain a large abundance of PM2.5 and are estimated to contribute to approximately 18 percent of the total PM2.5 atmospheric emissions in the US (Liu 2016). On days where PM2.5 exceeds regulatory standards an average of 71.3 percent of the total PM2.5 emissions are attributable to wildfires (Liu 2016). Shortterm exposures to PM2.5 (up to 24-hours duration) has been Exposure to Climate Hazards
Health & Safety Element Update 29
associated with premature mortality, increased hospital admissions for heart or lung causes, acute and chronic
bronchitis, asthma attacks, emergency room visits, respiratory symptoms, and restricted activity days. These adverse health effects have been reported primarily in infants, children, and older adults with preexisting heart or lung diseases (CARB 2022).
Compounding Risks: Heat and Smog during a Recent
Heat Wave
Central and Southern California experienced a heat wave with numerous extreme heat days in early September of 2022. In Los Angeles there was a public health advisory for August 31st through September 8th for both heat and ozone. During this period there were 8 days out of 9 where the temperature was 96 degrees or above in Huntington Park, qualifying as extreme heat days. As discussed in the section on extreme heat and warm nights, heat presents a major health risk to community members, especially to those with higher sensitivity to heat. Air quality monitoring during the heatwave showed ozone levels increased alongside
temperature throughout the day, peaking around noon. State ozone standards were exceeded during these peak times on three of the days (September 3rd, 4th, and 5th). Ozone, or smog, can cause negative health impacts from minor irritation to exacerbation of existing health and lung conditions that can be life threatening.
Since higher temperatures increase ground level ozone, these health risks are compounded during extreme heat events, particularly when local conditions such as low wind speed, prevent the dispersion of pollution.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
30 3 Community Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk Populations and community assets are affected by climate change depending on their sensitivity to climate hazards. This section identifies priority populations and assets in Huntington Park.
Potential impacts from the climate hazards of concern on priority populations and assets are presented in the Vulnerability Analysis section. Assets are grouped in the following manner:
Priority Populations
Natural and Recreational Resources
Buildings and Facilities
Infrastructure and Critical Services
3.1 Priority Populations
While all people in a community will experience climate change, some may be more affected than others. For example, older adults and young children are at higher risk for experiencing a heat related illness during an extreme heat event. Several factors influence sensitivity to climate hazards including an individual’s health, age, ability, experience of structural inequality, inequities in access to health care, economic opportunity, education and other resources, and inequities found in basic needs and exposure to environmental stressors (Cal OES 2020). These higher-risk populations should be prioritized when considering climate impacts, adopting climate resilience policies, and planning adaptation projects.
In addition to facing greater exposure to and risk from climate change impacts, priority populations often have fewer resources to adapt and recover from climate change impacts. Returning to the example of extreme heat, the health risks of extreme heat events are often compounded due to the enhanced formation of air pollutants at ground level when temperatures are higher, in addition to the health risks from the high temperatures. Community members experiencing homelessness have much higher exposure to both the elevated temperatures and reduced air quality and are less likely to have the resources to adapt through access to air conditioning, air filtration, and medical attention should health issues occur. Urban heat island effect amplifies increased nighttime temperatures, which limits the ability of people to cool down and recover before the heat of the next day, thereby adding to the risk of illness and fatalities, especially for populations without access to air conditioning and those living in overcrowded housing.
These kinds of intersections between population characteristics and climate hazard exposure are important for understanding where there is increased risk from climate change in the community.
Understanding where climate vulnerability is greater can help to prioritize adaptive capacity building and resilience planning efforts.
Following guidance from the SoCal APG, populations that will likely experience disproportionate impacts from climate change were identified for Huntington Park (SCAG 2020). Huntington Park has several higher risk populations listed in Table 1 below. Highlighted rows indicate a higher proportion of populations present in Huntington Park than in the statewide average, where comparable state statistics are available.
Community Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk
Health & Safety Element Update 31
Table 3 Priority Populations in Huntington Park
Population Population Description
Percentage of
Population or Households,
State Percentage or
Population or Household
Individuals with education attainment less
than 4 years of college
Percent of people over age 25 without a bachelor's education or higher 92.2% 65.3% Renters Housing units that are renter occupied 73% 45%
Non-white Communities All individuals that do not identify as white 99% 63% Older adults Individuals 65 years or older 9% 14%
Individuals with Asthma Age-adjusted rate of emergency department visits for asthma 10% NA Low Income Individuals below the federal poverty level 56% 12.3% Individuals with no health insurance Individuals aged 18 to 64 years old currently uninsured 18% 7% Households without broadband internet Households without access to broadband internet. 18% 10% Individuals with disabilities Individuals with access and functional needs (physical and mental) 8% 10% Children Individuals 5 years and younger 8% 6%
Miliary Veterans Individuals who have served but are not currently serving in the US Armed Forces
1% 5%
Unemployed Percentage of population aged 25-64 who are unemployed 7% 4% Households without a computer Households without access to a computer. 11% 6% Linguistically Isolated Households with individuals who are non or limited English-speaking 43% 17% Outdoor Workers Individuals who are employed, 16 and older, and work outdoors 6% NA Isolated Individuals Households without access to a vehicle 13% 7% People experiencing homelessness Individuals who currently lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing 0.4% 0.4% Single female head of household Female householder with children under 18-year-old and no spouse/partner present
10% 5%
Individuals with Cardiovascular Disease Age-adjusted rate of emergency department visits for heart attacks per 10,000.
22% NA
Overcrowded Renter-Occupied
Households
Renter-occupied households with more than one person per room 60% 13% Overcrowded Owner-Occupied
Households
Owner-occupied households with more than one person per room 21% 4% Cost-burdened Households Households spending more than 30% of income on housing costs 63% 55%* *Regional statistic
Sources: The percentages used in this table were acquired from the California Healthy Places Index 3.0, U.S. Census, 2015-2019 American Community Survey (ACS), California Health and Human Services Data Portal, Huntington Park Housing Element, and SCAG point in time count.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
32 Additional Sensitive Populations
In addition to the populations listed in the table above, the SoCal APG also identifies the following groups as generally having higher risk or sensitivity to climate impacts:
▪ Tribal and indigenous communities
▪ Visitors and seasonal residents
▪ Students
▪ Incarcerated individuals
▪ Undocumented individuals
Huntington Park is not known or reported to have sizeable populations of visitors and seasonal residents, or tribal and indigenous community members, so these population categories were excluded from the table and impact analysis.
While not located near major colleges or universities there are 24 LAUSD operated public schools located in the City of Huntington Park and 39 schools that serve city residents.
When considering incarcerated individuals several factors were assessed. Huntington Park Police Department owns and operates a 22-bed city jail. In addition to this, the Healthy Places Index indicates that the 2017 incarceration rate for LA County was 4.41 incarcerated individuals per 1,000 residents, which is higher than
84.2 percent of other California counties. Incarceration and arrests are not distributed equally among communities within Los Angeles County. A research and mapping project conducted by UCLA averaged the arrests, days spent in jail, and cost of incarceration for all Los Angeles communities between 2012 through 2017, broken out by arresting department. Huntington Park was ranked 33 out of 244 communities for incarceration by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and 24 out of 244 for incarceration by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The combined LAPD and LASD annual averages for Huntington Park during the study years were:
▪ Cost (annual average): $4,273,925
▪ Days in jail (annual average): 27,275
▪ Arrests (annual average): 2,322
From January 2010 through December of 2019, the LASD recorded 6,921 total bookings of Huntington Park residents in county jails, with total confinement time during that period totaling at least 764 years with a minimum cost of $38,156,198. Incarcerated individuals may not have their medical needs adequately met and have limited control over their environment while imprisoned including potentially overcrowded or inadequately cooled conditions, and institutional decision-making about evacuations (Cowan 2020).
After incarceration, individuals often experience increased financial costs and decreased work opportunities which further decrease resilience to climate hazards for both the formerly incarcerated individual and their families (Carter et al.). Taken together these metrics justify including incarcerated individuals as one of the sensitive populations in the vulnerability assessment.
While attaining accurate statistics for the number of undocumented individuals in Huntington Park is not possible, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates that Los Angeles County was home to 951,000 unauthorized immigrants as of 2019. Though it is difficult to assess the exact number of undocumented individuals in the community this population is included in the analysis.
Grouping Populations
Priority populations were grouped based on potential exposure to climate hazards, access to resources to prepare, cope with, or recover from climate hazards, whether individuals face societal Community Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk
Health & Safety Element Update 33
disadvantages, or if individuals have heath conditions or health sensitivities that increase their risk from climate hazards. Often there are numerous interacting factors that impact a population’s climate hazard risk; however, for the purpose of this assessment, they were grouped based on the sensitivity that increases their risk the most. Priority populations are grouped as outline below:
▪ Individuals with High Outdoor Exposure. Outdoor workers, and people experiencing homelessness.
▪ Under-Resourced Individuals. Low-income, unemployed,
individuals with no health insurance, households without a computer, households without a broadband internet, renters, isolated individuals, individuals with educational attainment of less than 4 years of college, single female heads of household ▪ Individuals Facing Societal Barriers. Non-white communities, linguistically isolated individuals, incarcerated individuals, students, and undocumented individuals.
▪ Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions or Health Related Sensitivities. Children, individuals with asthma, and individuals with cardiovascular disease
3.2 Natural and Recreational
Resources
Natural and recreational resources within Huntington Park as detailed in the Draft Resource Management Element of the unadopted 2030 General Plan include groundwater resources, parks (Chesley Park, Robert Keller Park, Freedom Park, Salt Lake Park, Senior Citizen Park, and Raul R. Perez Memorial Park), city bikeways, and street trees making up the urban forest. These various resources provide sources of community resilience and recreation to the city. The City currently provides 31 acres of total parkland space. According to the technical appendix to the newly adopted Environmental Justice Element, 13 percent of Huntington Park residents live further than a half mile away from a park and approximately 96 percent of residents live in areas with less than three acres of parks or open space per 1,000 residents. The statewide standard is five acres of park per 1,000 residents. For these reasons, all but two census tracts in Huntington Park are considered “critically underserved” according to the California Statewide Park Program. Because Huntington Park is a heavily urbanized city, there is limited available land left undeveloped within the planning area. Due to this development context, there are existing barriers to the creation of new parks and open space to serve the population. Existing park resources are spread throughout the city and face various levels of exposure to climate hazards.
3.3 Buildings and Facilities
Climate change is expected to amplify extreme weather and climate hazards in Huntington Park. A jurisdiction’s vulnerability increases when buildings and facilities are not designed, operated, and/or maintained to function effectively under extreme weather conditions or can be damaged by extreme weather conditions. Due to the roles they play in supporting general community functioning and hazard response, the following City buildings and facilities would be particularly important to assess for climate change impacts: municipal buildings, educational facilities, hospitals, residential and commercial development, roadways and
transportation facilities, active transportation routes, fire stations, and police stations. Some key buildings and facilities in Huntington Park include:
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
34 ▪ City Hall: 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, CA 90255 ▪ Field Services Department, Parks and Recreation Center ▪ Two LA County Fire Department fire stations:
Fire Station 164 (Battalion 13 HQ): 6301 S Santa Fe Avenue, Huntington Park 90255
Fire Station 165: 3255 Saturn Avenue, Huntington Park
90255
▪ Huntington Park Police Department: 6542 Miles Ave.,
Huntington Park, CA 90255
▪ Educational Facilities:
24 schools operated by the Los Angeles Unified School
District, located throughout Huntington Park.
LA County Public Library
▪ Hospitals and Medical Centers:
Mission Hospital
St. Francis Medical Center
▪ Community Centers/Resources:
Salvation Army
Huntington Park Community Center (6925 Salt Lake Ave.
Huntington Park, CA 90255)
3.4 Infrastructure and Critical
Services
Within Huntington Park, there is a variety of infrastructure and critical services that are vulnerable to climate change. Assets within this category include water services, wastewater, storm drainage and flood protection, solid and hazardous waste and recycling, fire services, emergency services, medical services, utilities and major utility corridors, public transportation, roadways, and active transportation routes. This asset group is sensitive to climate change as the impacts of hazards can affect the ability to provide services and resources; and, the infrastructure in place may not be adequately prepared to sustain increasing and compounding hazards. The following public services may be sensitive to the impacts of climate change. Services information was drawn from the Huntington Park General Plan.
▪ The city is served by four water companies that receive water from either local groundwater sources or from the Metropolitan Water District. The four water companies are:
Maywood Mutual Water Company
Walnut Park Mutual Water Company
Golden State Water Company
Seven Trent Services
▪ Critical Water Infrastructure includes:
H.P. Water Well/Reservoir #12
H.P. Water Well/Reservoir #14
H.P. Water Well/Reservoir/Elevated Tank #15
H.P. Water Well/Reservoir #16
H.P. Water Well/Reservoir/Elevated Tank #17
H.P. Water Well #18
H.P. Water Reservoir #18
Maywood Water Well
Southern California Water Reservoir
▪ The Huntington Park Public Works Department maintains the City’s sewer system.
Community Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk
Health & Safety Element Update 35
▪ The City’s wastewater is conveyed to the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant, a regional treatment facility located outside of the jurisdictional boundaries at 24501 Figueroa Street in Carson.
The wastewater plant is maintained and operated by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District.
▪ Most stormwater drains in Huntington Park are owned and maintained by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
The city’s storm drains parallel major arterials and connect to the Los Angeles River channel 1.9 miles to the east of the city.
There are storm drains along the major arterials in the city. ▪ Southern California Gas Company provides natural gas services to the city.
▪ Southern California Edison (SCE) Company provided electricity to the city.
▪ Critical electricity infrastructure includes the Edison Power Transfer Station
▪ The Huntington Park Police Department provides police services to the city.
▪ Huntington Park contracts with Los Angeles County Fire Department, Battalion 13 for fire services.
▪ Trash collection is provided by United Pacific Waste and Waste Management Inc., as well as other private haulers.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
36 4 Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity is the ability to adjust to the consequences of climate change. This section summarizes the ways in which the City currently manages for the negative impacts of climate change.
Types of adaptive capacity include adjustments in behavior, resources, and technologies. The City of Huntington Park has actively taken steps to increase the City’s adaptive capacity. Existing policies, plans, programs, and institutions that increase the City’s resilience to climate change impacts are organized by climate hazard and listed in Table 4.
Table 4 Program, Plans, and Policies to Manage Impacts of Climate Hazards Existing and Planned Programs, Plans,
and Policies Objectives Climate Hazard Mitigated
DRAFT 2030 City of Huntington Park
General Plan
The City of Huntington Park General Plan includes actions that assess flooding, drought, and air quality issues within the City. The City proposes to work with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works to identify and construct local and regional storm drain improvements, prepare a master drainage plan, and expand the capacity of the Rio Hondo and Los Angeles River channels. The plan also includes the requirement of drought-resistant landscaping. This plan was never adopted and so the policies and projects outline therein cannot be relied upon as a source of increased adaptive capacity for the City.
Stormwater Flooding,
Drought, Air Quality
2004 City of Huntington Park Hazards
Mitigation Plan
The Plan contains a series of proposed actions that align with the General Plan, Capital Improvement Plans, and City Building & Safety Codes. Some of these proposed action items include enhancing debris management and building safety measures for stormwater flooding.
The plan also mentions the improvement of City water systems, enhancing utility and communications systems for emergency services, and conducting community outreach to educate about natural hazards.
Stormwater Flooding,
Drought
2020 County of Los Angeles All-Hazards
Mitigation Plan
The County of Los Angeles All-Hazards Mitigation Plan includes potential mitigation actions to achieve AHMP goals. Some of these actions include creating an Urban Forest Management Plan for LA County and urban forests in response to an increase in extreme heat events and poor air quality. The Plan also includes implementing the Green Street Master Plan to slow and watershed ecosystem restoration to slow, filter, and cleanse stormwater flood runoff.
Extreme Heat, Drought,
Stormwater Flooding, Air
Quality
Adaptive Capacity
Health & Safety Element Update 37
Existing and Planned Programs, Plans,
and Policies Objectives Climate Hazard Mitigated
Southern California Edison (SCE) Medical
Baseline Program (SCE 2022)
SCE provides assistance to individuals with medical need for electricity to develop emergency back-up contingency plans in the event of a power outage.
Extreme Heat, Stormwater
Flooding
Southern California Edison (SCE) Critical
Care Backup Battery Program (SCE 2021)
SCE offers customers enrolled in the Medical Baseline Program a free portable backup battery to power a medical device in the event or a power outage as well as a solar panel kit, at no cost.
Extreme Heat, Stormwater
Flooding
Southern California Edison (SCE)
Automated System (SCE 2022)
SCE regularly communicates with customers in the County during power outages and notifies customers when power will be restored. SCE provides customer service contact numbers for non-English speakers.
Extreme Heat, Stormwater
Flooding
2020 Urban Water Management Plan City
of Huntington Park
This plan was created in compliance with the Urban Water Management Planning Act. The plan evaluates efficient water uses, reclamation, and conservation activities and analyzes the City’s water system, water demands, and projects for future water supply capacity. The plan proposes water operation management tools to support groundwater production projects and includes a drought contingency plan, or, “Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan” codified in Title 6, Chapter 5 of the municipal code. The contingency plan imposes water use reductions in six standard phases, based on total water supply and use of AMI meter technology to assess water production and consumption.
Drought
Environmental Justice Element of the
Huntington Park General Plan
This element adopted November 15, 2022 includes policies and programs to address pollution and air quality issues, public facilities and accessibility, food access, safe and sanitary homes, physical activity and community health, and civic engagement.
Air Quality, Extreme Heat
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
38 5 Vulnerability Analysis
The following section outlines the impacts each climate hazard has on community assets and services, as described in the Populations, Assets, and Services at Risk.
section. Existing plans, policies, and programs that contribute to the adaptive capacity are summarized throughout. An impact score and an adaptive capacity score is identified for each asset by climate hazard, along with an overall vulnerability score consistent with the scoring methodology described in Vulnerability Assessment Methodology.
5.1 Priority Populations
Individuals with high outdoor exposure
▪ People experiencing homelessness (0.4%)
▪ Outdoor workers (6%)
Outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness face high exposure to outdoor conditions and are at much greater risk from various climate hazards. In Huntington Park, approximately 6% of residents work outdoors.
Huntington Park had an estimated 230 unsheltered individuals at a point-in-time count conducted by SCAG in 2019 (SCAG 2020).
Unhoused individuals experience higher rates of respiratory conditions, mental illness and other chronic health conditions that increase sensitivity to climate hazards, and may limit access to resources to respond to climate hazards.
Community Feedback on Climate Impacts
In preparation of this analysis, feedback on experiences with climate hazards was solicited from the community at two wellattended farmers markets, one on August 31, 2022 and the second on September 7, 2022. Posters with questions
regarding climate and resilience were available, and
community members could write responses on sticky-notes and add them to the posters. Volunteers were available to facilitate and answer questions in English and Spanish.
When provided a list of climate hazards impacting Huntington Park and asked which hazards were of greatest concern,
community members expressed the most concern for air
quality hazards and heat waves.
When asked about which heat wave impacts members of the community have already experienced, commonly mentioned
impacts included loss of electricity as well as physiological impacts including hospitalization, headaches, nausea,
dizziness, fatigue, difficulty breathing, fainting and
dehydration. Community members described not having air conditioning or adequate insulation in their housing, issues with mosquitoes when relying on open windows for cooling, and uncomfortably warm conditions at night.
Vulnerability Analysis
Health & Safety Element Update 39
Potential Impacts
Extreme Heat
Outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness have an elevated risk of health impacts from extreme heat. Outdoor workers, including construction workers, roofers, and landscapers, are often subject to strenuous work conditions where there is limited access to cooling through shade or air conditioning, increasing their heat exposure and health risks during extreme heat events. People experiencing homelessness are exposed to healthrelated impacts associated with extreme heat because they have limited access to shelter and air conditioning. The primary health impacts to these populations are heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, heat stroke, and dehydration, which can be life-threatening (CDPH 2020).
Stormwater Flooding
Outdoor workers may be exposed to hazardous work conditions during stormwater flooding events and therefore face higher risk of experiencing health impacts (CDPH 2020). People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately at risk to health impacts during flood events because they often live in flood hazard areas and do not have access to transportation to evacuate inundated areas. They may also have their personal belongings destroyed or damaged during a flood event, compounding resource and
adaptation constraints. (Ramin & Svoboda 2009).
Air Quality
Outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness are disproportionally impacted by poor air quality because they are outdoors and are directly exposed to air pollutants for longer periods of time and during hotter parts of the day when levels of ground-level pollutants such as Ozone are higher (CDPH 2017). Both populations may experience exacerbation or development of respiratory diseases and conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections, which in some cases may be life-threatening (Ramin & Svoboda 2009).
Drought
Outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness are at risk to drought conditions and associated cascading impacts. During prolonged drought conditions, people experiencing homelessness may have difficulty accessing clean and affordable drinking water (Gamble & Balbuls 2016).
Under-resourced Individuals
▪ Low-income (56%)
▪ Unemployed (7%)
▪ Individuals with no health insurance (18%)
▪ Households without a computer (11%)
▪ Households without a broadband internet (18%)
▪ Renters (73%)
▪ Isolated Individuals (13%)
▪ Single-female heads of households (10%)
▪ Individuals with educational attainment of less than 4 years of college (92%)
Refer to Table 3 which enumerates the size of these priority populations in Huntington Park compared to state or regional statistics. Bolded groups are a higher percentage of the population City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
40 compared to state or regional percentages where comparable statistics are available.
Under-resourced individuals often do not have access or the ability to afford resources needed to prepare for, cope with, and recover from climate change impacts. When evacuation is necessary due to a climate hazard, under-resourced individuals may lack the financial resources to evacuate and/or find an affordable alternative place to stay when evacuated. Individuals who are unemployed or have lowincome often face financial barriers when preparing for and recovering from climate change hazards. Individuals in these groups often live in homes that are less protected against climate hazards.
Low-income individuals may not be able to take time off work to address health concerns either caused by or worsened by climate hazards.
Individuals with educational attainment of less than 4 years of college typically have lower earning potential than those with a 4- year college degree. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, this population group does not include individuals who have attended trade schools, apprentice program, or who have attained associates degrees. These individuals are more likely to work in outdoor and/or labor-intensive environments (CDPH 2017). Individuals with 4-year degrees are half as likely to be unemployed than those who only have a high school degree (APLGU N.d). Individuals in this group are therefore less likely to have access to transportation, healthcare, and other basic needs.
“Single female heads of households,” defined by the U.S. Census as female householders with children under 18-years-old and no spouse/partner present, often face high levels of work-life conflict and financial hardship, which can make preparing for, coping with, and recovering from climate hazards more challenging. They are also more likely to serve as the primary caretaker of children which can make evacuating during a hazard scenario difficult (Flanagan et al. 2011). Additionally, women’s wages tend to be lower than their male counterparts. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, in 2020, women earned 84% of what men earned (Pew Research Center 2021).
Households without a computer or broadband internet may not receive emergency alerts or governmental guidance before or during a climate hazard event, increasing risk during evacuation scenarios. Individuals without health insurance are more likely to have undiagnosed pre-existing health conditions which may make them more susceptible to health impacts from climate hazards (Gamble & Balbuls 2016). Individuals who rent housing have limited ability to weatherize their homes for hazard events. They also may not have temperature control in their housing units and generally experience a higher water and energy utilities cost burden than homeowners (Cooley et al. 2012). Isolated individuals lacking access to transportation may not be able to evacuate during climate hazards and may face greater barriers to accessing resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate hazards.
Potential Impacts
Extreme Heat
Under-resourced individuals may not be able to pay for adequate air conditioning or fans, increasing their exposure to extreme heat.
Isolated individuals don’t have access to a vehicle to travel to cooling centers or move to temporary shelters during extreme heat event (Cooley et al. 2012). Under-resourced individuals are less likely to receive medical care for illnesses triggered or exacerbated by extreme heat. Households without a computer or broadband internet may not receive heat advisory warnings or governmental guidance, causing them to experience increased likelihood of health impacts from extreme heat exposure (CDPH 2017).
Vulnerability Analysis
Health & Safety Element Update 41
Drought
During periods of prolonged drought, under-resourced individuals are more likely to experience the cost burden associated with increased water rates (Feinstein et al. 2017). Additionally, these individuals may struggle to access clean and affordable drinking water which may cause dehydration and/or exacerbate underlying health conditions and illnesses (Gamble & Balbuls 2016).
Stormwater Flooding
Under-resourced individuals may experience injuries or death from high velocity flooding and are less likely to receive medical treatment (CDPH 2017). Individuals in these groups may experience cost burdens if their belongings and homes are damaged from floodwater inundation. Isolated individuals have limited or no access to a vehicle to evacuate flood hazard areas. Households without a computer or internet may not receive communications and emergency alerts to safely evacuate from hazard areas (CDPH 2020). Renters have limited control over home improvements that may protect against flood damage. Subsequently, they may experience economic and health impacts and a greater loss of belongings than homeowners (Gamble & Balbuls 2016).
Air Quality
Under-resourced individuals may be disproportionally impacted by poor air quality because they are more likely to live in housing without high quality insulation and lacking sufficient air filtration, and they may not be able to afford supplemental air filtration equipment (Gamble & Balbuls 2016). Individuals in these groups may experience the development or exacerbation of respiratory illnesses and are less likely to receive medical treatment (CDPH 2017).
Individuals Facing Societal Barriers
▪ Non-white communities (99%)
▪ Linguistically isolated (43%)
▪ Undocumented Individuals (N.A)
▪ Incarcerated Individuals (N/A)
▪ Students (N/A)
Refer to Table 3 which enumerates the size of these priority populations in Huntington Park compared to state or regional statistics. Bolded groups are a higher percentage of the population compared to state or regional percentages where comparable statistics are available. Given the number of schools in the city, the high proportion of children in the city, and estimates of undocumented immigrants in the region and subregion it is likely that both undocumented individuals and students make up a larger proportion of the population than comparable regional or state statistics, but these demographic comparisons are unable to be confirmed for Huntington Park at this time. The ranking for incarcerated individuals was produced regionally and not as a percentage of population. See the section on Additional Sensitive Populations for more information on why these priority populations are included in the analysis.
According to U.S. Census, 2020 American Community Survey, 45% of Huntington Park’s population identifies as non-white, and 97% identify as Hispanic or Latino/a/x. Communities of color face societal disadvantages in preparing for, coping with, and recovering from climate hazards. Individuals facing societal barriers are directly impacted by social and economic challenges that are ubiquitous in our modern society. These challenges create educational, resource, economic, and health disparities that leave communities of color at much greater risk to climate change impacts (Baird 2008). Across City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
42 California, non-white individuals are more likely to live in high hazard risk areas and less likely to be homeowners, which leaves them more susceptible to climate hazards (CDPH 2020).
Undocumented individuals often lack access to medical services, quality housing, and basic needs. Because these individuals are not citizens, they lack access to social and economic services that would allow them to prepare for, respond to, and cope with climate hazards. Individuals who are linguistically isolated have no or limited English-speaking ability. If evacuation and/or advisory notices, hazard preparedness material, or governmental guidance are not provided in the appropriate language, linguistically isolated individuals may not be able to prepare for, cope with, or recover from a climate hazard (Gamble & Balbuls 2016). Incarcerated individuals have limited ability to control and alter their environment and may face conditions that increase risk of climate impacts due to overcrowding, inadequate cooling, inadequate provision of medical services, or institutional decisions regarding evacuation (Cowan 2022). Students may experience educational disruption and setbacks including reduced rates of graduation and college attendance as result of climate hazards that cause school closures, loss of personal property, and/or psychological distress, particularly students with additional characteristics that increase sensitivity to climate hazards (GAO 2022). Additionally, students have limited ability to modify the physical conditions at schools that affect climate hazard exposure and risk such as air filtration and air conditioning.
Potential Impacts
Extreme Heat
Across California, non-white communities and undocumented immigrants live in housing with insufficient protection from extreme heat events and limited or no affordable air conditioning at a higher rate than white communities. Nationally, Latino/a/x populations are 21 percent more likely than white populations to live in the hottest parts of cities, which have high concentrations of heat-retaining surfaces and sparse to no tree cover. Across the U.S., over 40 percent of Latino/a/x households are energy insecure and cannot afford to pay for the energy required to cool their homes (Hispanic Access Foundation 2022). Linguistically isolated individuals may not to be able to read heat advisory warnings or governmental guidance, potentially causing them to experience greater exposure to extreme heat (Gamble & Balbuls 2016). Students without access to adequate cooling may experience decreased cognitive
functioning and increased psychological distress which may impact their wellbeing and ability to be productive in the classroom (Laurent 2018). Extreme heat may strain the air conditioning systems at jails and potentially lead to a lack of insufficiently cooled spaces for incarcerated individuals, who have limited mobility and options to adapt to increased temperatures. The primary health impacts to these populations are heat-related illnesses, such as heat stress, heat stroke, and dehydration, which can be life-threatening (CDPH 2020). Undocumented immigrants may not have access to medical services to treat heat-related illnesses.
Drought
Non-white communities and undocumented immigrants are at higher risk to drought conditions and associated cascading impacts.
Individuals in these groups may face systemic and/or cultural barriers when seeking to access affordable and clean drinking water, which may cause dehydration and/or exacerbate underlying health conditions and illnesses (Gamble & Balbuls 2016).
Undocumented immigrants may not have access to medical services or drought relief programs and services (Mendez et al. 2020).
Vulnerability Analysis
Health & Safety Element Update 43
Stormwater Flooding
Across California, non-white communities and undocumented immigrants are more likely to live in flood hazard areas and in housing with insufficient protection against riverine and stormwater flooding (CDPH 2020). Linguistically isolated individuals may not be able to read flood warning or governmental guidance, potentially causing them to experience greater exposure to flooding.
Individuals in these groups may face systematic and/or cultural barriers when seeking to access resources needed to safely evacuate hazard areas (Gamble & Balbuls 2016). Individuals in these groups may experience injuries or death from high velocity flooding (CDPH 2017). Undocumented immigrants may not have access to medical services to treat injuries (Mendez et al. 2020).
Air Quality
Non-white communities and undocumented immigrants are
vulnerable to health impacts associated with poor air quality because their housing may lack sufficient air filtration and they may not be able to afford supplemental air filtration equipment (CDPH 2020). Undocumented immigrants are less likely to receive medical treatment for health impacts from poor air quality exposure (Mendez et al. 2020). Linguistically isolated individuals may not be able to read air quality advisory warnings or governmental guidance that are in English, potentially causing them to experience greater exposure to extreme heat (CDPH 2017). Incarcerated individuals and students have limited ability to modify exposures to poor air quality that are mediated by the jail or school, such as whether there is adequate air filtration, insulation, open windows, and outdoor access.
Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions or Health
Related Sensitivities
▪ Children (8%)
▪ Individuals with Cardiovascular Disease (22%)
▪ Individuals with Asthma (10%)
▪ Older Adults (9%)
Refer to Table 3 which enumerates the size of these priority populations in Huntington Park. Bolded groups are a higher percentage of the population compared to state or regional percentages. No comparable statistics were available at the state level for individuals with cardiovascular disease or asthma.
Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitivities are socially and physiologically susceptible to climate change impacts and hazards. Individuals with chronic health conditions or disabilities may have limited or reduced mobility, mental function, or communication abilities, making it difficult to evacuate during or prepare for a climate hazard event. They may also have medical needs for electricity which may be impacted during a public safety power shutoff or climate hazard event.
Individuals in these groups are more likely to have pre-existing medical conditions or chronic illnesses that may exacerbate the risk of illnesses and medical problems from climate hazards. Similarly, individuals with asthma, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with COPD are more likely to experience health impacts from climate hazards because of their pre-existing conditions or diseases. Children are socially and physiologically vulnerable to climate hazards. They often have limited understandings of climate hazards and insufficient resources to independently prepare for and safely respond during a climate hazard event. Children, especially young children, are reliant on their parental figures to ensure their City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
44 health, safety, and wellbeing. Children also have not fully physiologically developed and are therefore more prone to health effects of climate change impacts (Kenney et al. 2014). Individuals experiencing pollution burden are most likely already experiencing the negative respiratory and cardiovascular health impacts associated with environmental stressors. These individuals are particularly at risk of exacerbated health impacts from climate change impacts (Gamble & Balbuls 2016).
Potential Impacts
Extreme Heat
Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitivities are particularly at risk of heat related illnesses during extreme heat events. Individuals with disabilities, older adults, and children may have difficulty turning on air conditioning or traveling to cooling centers during extreme heat events. Extreme heat conditions can exacerbate asthma, cardiovascular disease, certain disabilities, and other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, potentially causing heat-related illnesses such as heat stress, heat stroke and dehydrations, which can be-life threatening (CDPH 2020). Children are still physiologically developing which means that they are less able to regulate their body temperature during extreme heat events while older adults are at greater risk of mortality under extreme heat events (Kenney et al. 2014, CDPH 2020).
Drought
Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitivities are at risk to drought conditions and associated cascading impacts including lower water quality and risk of waterborne illness. Prolonged drought conditions can lead to water scarcity in the watershed serving communities and may contribute to worsening quality of water supplies. Even under severe drought conditions with mandatory water restrictions, water use restrictions still allow for enough water usage to serve basic needs. However, should individuals experience inadequate access to water as a result of a combination of circumstances including water restrictions, rate increases, overcrowding of housing, and other factors, dehydration can pose a health risk. Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitives may experience negative health impacts if they become dehydrated. Children and older adults are especially at risk of dehydration as their bodies are not able to regulate as well (Kenney et al. 2014). Dehydration may exacerbate underlying health conditions and illnesses.
Stormwater Flooding
Older people and children are particularly at risk to injury and/or death from high velocity flooding (CDPH 2017). Stormwater flooding may limit access to transportation systems, healthcare centers, and emergency response to those in need of consistent medical care, such as those with chronic health conditions or illnesses. Children, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with chronic health conditions or illnesses may not be able to safely evacuate floodwater hazard areas.
Vulnerability Analysis
Health & Safety Element Update 45
Air Quality
Individuals with chronic health conditions or health related sensitivities are at risk of developing or experiencing exacerbated health impacts from poor air quality. Children are especially predisposed to health impacts from poor air quality because their respiratory system has not fully developed yet (CDPH 2020). Older adults and pollution burdened individuals are vulnerable to health impacts from poor air quality because they are more likely to have underlying respiratory and/or cardiovascular conditions. Individuals with cardiovascular disease, individuals with asthma, and individuals with COPD may experience severe health impacts if exposed to poor air quality (USEPA 2022).
Adaptive Capacity
The City of Huntington Park has some plans and programs in place that protect priority populations across climate hazards. The level of enforceability, implementation, maintenance, and efficacy varies based on the hazard type. Additionally, Los Angeles County has some plans, programs, and resources that enhance regional resilience or otherwise enhance Huntington Park’s ability to respond to and adapt to climate change and climate hazards.
Projections from the California Heat Assessment Tool forecast that Huntington Park will see an increase of heat-related health events from 2.5 to 4.5 per census tract by mid-century, and 7 per census tract by end-century. The City of Huntington Park does not have planning documents directly addressing extreme heat. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has a website providing educational content around extreme heat and an interactive map showing the locations of cooling centers, including the public library in Huntington Park, where residents may go if they lack access to air conditioning.
Community Feedback on Climate Resilience
Community feedback solicited during two farmers market
events in the summer of 2022 highlighted numerous barriers for community members in preparing for climate hazards.
Community members also provided recommendations for
improving resilience. A summary is included below:
▪ Parks and playgrounds need to be cleaned up, improved, and made to feel safe from gang activity.
▪ Additional splash parks, benches with shade, and trees at parks for more cooling opportunities need to be provided. ▪ Houses lack air-conditioning and adequate insulation, fans and more cooling centers should be provided to residents. ▪ There is a need for education on how to prepare for and protect oneself and family members from extreme heat
and other hazards while reducing energy consumption.
▪ Public transit needs improvements, including more transit stops, more bus shelters and better accessibility.
▪ Narrow streets are difficult for emergency vehicles to navigate.
▪ More trees and shade structures are needed throughout the city for shade and air quality improvements.
▪ Rebates or programs to help people purchase air
conditioning, or more efficient appliances.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
46 City and County plans concerning stormwater flooding, watershed management, and drought mainly address infrastructure capacity and resilience, water source reliability and future demand, and drainage improvements. If the identified strategies and projects for improving drainage and increasing flood channel capacity are implemented and maintained they will serve to reduce the likelihood of disruptions in service due to infrastructure failure and reduce the likelihood of stormwater flooding due to overwhelm of the drainage infrastructure, thereby reducing risk for sensitive populations. The urban water management plan and the Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan can serve as a platform of water access assurance for sensitive populations.
Southern California Edison offers two programs, the Medical Baseline Program and the Critical Care Backup Battery Program that can protect sensitive populations with medical needs for electricity during power outages caused by climate hazards.
The Draft 2030 General Plan includes policies aimed at making improvements across a wide range of amenities and services in the city. Policies include proposals and plans for reducing vehicular air pollution, improving public transportation access, conserving water, requiring bus shelters at some new developments, improving park and recreational facilities, drainage improvements, and expansion of housing stock. If implemented these policies can help to mitigate some of the risk from climate hazards for priority populations and support a more resilient community; however, the plan was never adopted and so the policies and programs outlined in the draft plan cannot be considered a source of adaptive capacity.
In order to be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program or the Post-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Program, local communities must prepare a local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) and update the plan at least every five years. The City’s current LHMP has not been updated within the last five years. This reduces Huntington Park’s ability to receive funds to help prevent and recover from climate hazards, as well as reduce damage and costs of disasters and increase climate resilience. This can be improved by updating the Huntington Park Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Vulnerability Score for Priority Populations
Climate Hazard
Impact
Score
Adaptive
Capacity Score Vulnerability Score
Extreme Heat High Low 5-High
Drought High Medium 4-High
Stormwater Flooding Medium Low 4-High
Air Quality High Low 5-High
Vulnerability Analysis
Health & Safety Element Update 47
5.2 Natural & Recreational
Resources
Potential Impacts
Primary sensitivities for natural resources are associated with climate hazard-caused stress and physical damage to resource types within this asset group. Compounding climate hazards will stress natural ecosystems past their ability to absorb individual climate hazards. Wildlife will seek out more conducive habitats during climate hazards such as extreme heat or drought which tend to be where people recreate (Hand et al. 2018). Recreational areas are also placed under increased risk via climate projections creating additional stress and competing needs for safe habitats.
Extreme Heat
Increased temperatures can cause vegetation stress in parks, landscaping, and the urban forest. Indirect impacts could include reduced carbon storage and increased tree and vegetation mortality, as well as increased watering and related costs. Increased temperatures could also impact summer recreation and community programing resulting in economic loss for the City (PG&E n.d.).
Drought
Drought would likely increase irrigation requirements for maintaining landscaping, park facilities, and street trees, while water use restrictions would potentially prevent asset managers from meeting this increased watering demand, resulting in waterstressed vegetation, increased vegetation mortality, and potentially reducing the quality of and benefits provided by recreational resources such as open spaces and parks and the urban forest.
Stormwater Flooding
California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment projects more extreme precipitation events will occur throughout the Los Angeles region, which may lead to low-lying areas throughout Huntington Park to experience more frequent flooding. In addition, heavy precipitation events could flood recreation facilities, impacting service. Additionally, stormwater flooding can reduce overall water quality through transport of pollutants including potentially hazardous materials via runoff into the water drainage system and wherever floodwaters accumulate as well as algae blooms from increased nutrients (USEPA 2022).
Air Quality
The direct effects of air quality declines on natural resources and parks relates to plant and wildlife health as increased levels of air pollutants cause stress and mortality. Impacts from air quality can further impact natural resources since air quality declines correspond with other hazards, such as extreme heat, compounding risks. The degradation of plant and wildlife health could impact the quality of recreational resources such as open spaces and parks.
Impacts from air quality can also make outdoor recreational resources dangerous or unhealthy for sensitive groups identified in the Priority Populations section of this analysis.
Adaptive Capacity
There are no relevant plans programs or policies directly increasing the adaptive capacity of Huntington Park’s natural and recreational resources to the climate hazard of extreme heat.
Indirect planning exists around adaptation for natural recreational resources around flooding and drought including the Urban Water Management Plan, and policies encouraging or requiring drought City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
48 resistant landscaping. Huntington Park has implemented an Urban and Stormwater Management Program, including installation of a catch basin to collect and remove rash from stormwater runoff, street sweeping to reduce the amount of trash and polluted dust that would get picked up in runoff, and industrial and commercial facility inspections.
Vulnerability Score for Natural & Recreational Resources Climate Hazard
Impact
Score
Adaptive
Capacity Score Vulnerability Score
Extreme Heat High Low 5-High
Drought High Medium 4-High
Stormwater Flooding Medium Medium 3-Medium
Air Quality Medium Low 4-High
Vulnerability Analysis
Health & Safety Element Update 49
5.3 Buildings and Facilities
Potential Impacts
Extreme Heat and Warm Nights
Increased temperatures are likely to result in minimal impact to physical structures. Indirect impacts could include strain on HVAC systems and increased in cooling costs. Extreme heat could impact occupants of buildings and facilities that are not adequately weatherized for increased temperatures.
Drought
Drought will have minimal impact on the physical structures of buildings and facilities across Huntington Park.
Stormwater Flooding
The extent of impacts from stormwater flooding in urban areas is difficult to assess given currently available tools, and because FEMA flood maps and analyses were not developed to assess urban flood hazards (NASEM 2019). Flooding may cause damage to buildings and facilities or render them temporarily unusable should flooding of buildings or facilities occur.
Air Quality
The impact of reduced air quality will have a similar effect as extreme heat for buildings and facilities. The ability to filter air will greatly affect the reliant subsystems, services, and populations reliant on buildings and facilities. The direct impact on structures is low.
Adaptive Capacity
Huntington Park is working with the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works to improve local and regional storm drainage infrastructure. The City has minimal existing adaptive capacity to increase the weatherization of buildings and facilities throughout the city.
Vulnerability Score for Buildings and Facilities
Climate Hazard
Impact
Score
Adaptive
Capacity Score Vulnerability Score
Extreme Heat Medium Low 4-High
Drought Low Medium 2-Medium
Stormwater Flooding Medium Medium 3-Medium
Air Quality Low Low 2-Medium
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
50 5.4 Infrastructure and Critical
Services
Potential Impacts
Extreme Heat and Warm Nights
As temperatures increase, roadways, active transportation routes, and railroads are vulnerable to damages through sustained heat such as buckled railroad ties and cracked surfaces (Kalansky et al. 2018). Additional impacts from extreme heat are associated with increased emergency service calls which could strain medical services. Electrical infrastructure could be overwhelmed by demand and result in blackouts or energy providers could conduct power safety shutoffs to avoid impacts to electrical facilities. Power outages have significant impacts on communication networks, water conveyance, and vulnerable populations. The ability for emergency services to fully function is a cascading impact of power outages which can place additional strain on services during extreme heat events.
Drought
Drought can impact water reliability and water infrastructure. All emergency services depend on water, particularly firefighters who require adequate water supply for fire suppression. Water providers within the county will encounter increased difficulty as drought impacts general service reliability. Drought impacts can create service strain for emergency and medical services.
Stormwater Flooding
Impervious surfaces can impede the absorption of water and augment stormwater flooding in areas of Huntington Park. The City’s storm drains parallel major arterials and connect to the Los Angeles River outside of the city. There is risk of damage from increased extreme precipitation events including localized flooding, erosion, transport of debris, and sediment deposition. Storm drainage and flood protection services for the City may be impacted by these events, and flooded roadways may be temporarily impassable, disrupt or delay provision of emergency services, or increase risk to road users.
Air Quality
Higher incidence of unsafe air quality generated by increased smog, dust and pollutants can create general strain on existing infrastructure and critical services through increased rates of hospitalization and emergency and medical services (CDPH 2020).
Adaptive Capacity
Vulnerability Score for Services and Infrastructure
Climate Hazard
Impact
Score
Adaptive
Capacity Score Vulnerability Score
Extreme Heat High Low 5-High
Drought High Low 5-High
Stormwater Flooding Medium Medium 3-Medium
Air Quality Medium Low 4-High
Conclusion
Health & Safety Element Update 51
6 Conclusion
This report evaluates how climate change may impact community members, natural resources, critical facilities, buildings, services, and infrastructure in Huntington Park. The report provides a list of priority populations and community assets for which adaptation policies and programs should be developed and implemented to increase community resilience. Vulnerability scoring is based on the combination of potential impacts and adaptive capacity, as identified in the Vulnerability Assessment Methodology section of the report.
A list of asset categories with high vulnerability scores is provided on the next page.
▪ All sensitive population groups identified are at high risk due to poor air quality, extreme heat, and drought and at medium risk for impacts from storm flooding.
▪ Natural resources are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, drought, air quality, and storm flooding. Vulnerability for natural resources is focused on damage or strain on
recreational resources as well as mortality and scarcity of resources for plants and wildlife.
▪ Buildings and facilities in the city are vulnerable to extreme heat and potential damage from storm flooding.
▪ Infrastructure and critical facilities are highly vulnerable to extreme heat, air quality, and drought, with some vulnerability to stormwater flooding. Infrastructure and dependent
populations experience additional cascading impacts around power outages from downed utility lines, power safety shut offs and grid overload. All forms of power outages can affect how critical services are able to perform their needed functions during a hazard.
City of Huntington Park
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
52 Climate Hazard Impact Score Adaptive Capacity Score Vulnerability Score Priority Populations
Extreme Heat High Low 5-High
Drought High Medium 4-High
Stormwater Flooding Medium Low 4-High
Air Quality High Low 5-High
Natural & Recreational Resources
Extreme Heat High Low 5-High
Drought High Medium 4-High
Stormwater Flooding Medium Medium 3-Medium
Air Quality Medium Low 4-High
Buildings & Facilities
Extreme Heat Medium Low 4-High
Drought Low Medium 2-Medium
Stormwater Flooding Medium Medium 3-Medium
Air Quality Low Low 2-Medium
Infrastructure & Critical Services
Extreme Heat High Low 5-High
Drought High Low 5-High
Stormwater Flooding Medium Medium 3-Medium
Air Quality Medium Low 4-High
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Health & Safety Element Update 53
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Health & Safety Element Update 55
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https://doi.org/10.1177/23315024221102327
CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK
GENERAL PLAN
HEALTH AND SAFETY ELEMENT
Appendix S-2
Evacuation Analysis
translutions, inc.
17632 Irvine Boulevard, Suite 200,
Tustin, California 92780
Phone (949)656-3131 Fax (949)445-3131
solutions @ translutions.com
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July 11, 2023
Mr. Michael Rocque, MS, Senior Planner
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
2215 Faraday Ave Suite A,
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(via email)
Subject: Evacuation Analysis for the City of Huntington Park Housing Element Code Amendments Dear Michael:
Translutions, Inc. (Translutions) is pleased to provide this letter discussing the evacuation routes in the City of Huntington Park under the requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 747. AB 747 (2019) requires that the City’s safety element be reviewed and updated to identify evacuation routes and their capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios. This is a requirement for all safety elements or updates to hazard mitigation plans completed after January of 2022.
BACKGROUND
AB 747 added Section 65302.15 to the California Government Code (amended by AB 1409), which became effective in January 2022 and requires local governments to review and update as needed their Safety Element during an update to their Housing Element or Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), or no less than every eight years. Specifically, AB 747 requires local governments to identify the capacity, safety, and viability of evacuation routes and locations in the Safety Element or LHMP on or before the next update of their LHMP. Under AB 747, a variety of emergency scenarios must be evaluated to determine the evacuation network's capabilities. Under this, the amount of time available for an evacuation, which is directly related to the amount of lead time available for planning the evacuation, must be considered while examining the system's capacity. It should be noted that roadway capacity normally does not become a problem during an evacuation with enough warning, except for a few minor congested areas. However, when there is very little time to prepare for an evacuation, as was the case during the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, the capacity of the evacuation system became a problem.
Based on discussion with the City, the following two evacuation scenarios were evaluated as part of Huntington Park’s Safety Element Update.
HAZMAT Spill. Due to the proximity of the City to the City of Vernon, which has a lot of industrial uses, there are potential threats due to explosions and HAZMAT leaks. The chemical leaked/spilled determines the evacuation zone. Based on discussion with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, emergency responders use a model that uses wind direction, wind speed, chemical name etc. and get the locations and extent of evacuation and are determined on a case-by-case basis. This analysis was based on an evacuation area provided by the City and shown in Figure 1. The triangle shows the potential evacuation area for a major HAZMAT spill in the Alameda corridor with the wind coming from the East, which is the scenario where the most impacts would occur in the City of Huntington Park.
All residents within the triangle would be evacuated with the help of the Police Department. Traffic would be pushed North and South within the affected area and would go East from Seville on.
Fire Evacuation. The main evacuation determinant for Fire is which way the wind is blowing, which direction, where to evac first, and how widespread the fire is. Based on discussion with the Police and Fire Departments, the main area of concern for fire evacuation is Concord Apartments. Figure 2 shows the location of the apartment building. The green square would be an immediate and temporary evacuation zone during the actual fire fight until the building could be safely cleared by the city inspector. There are approximately 162 units in the building and depending on which floors the fire affected, will determine the number of displaced individuals. Temporary shelters would need to be established for a potential large number of people. This analysis is based on evacuation of the entire building.
EVACUATION ANALYSIS FOR HAZMAT SPILL SCENARIO
Methodology. The evacuation analysis for this scenario was conducted using 2016 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities (RTP/SCS) regional travel demand model. The Year 2020 scenario of the travel model was used in the analysis to present a worst-case analysis because the 2040 SCAG model shows a reduction in traffic.
SCAG RTP/SCS model uses two tiers for traffic analysis zones (TAZs) – Tier 1 and Tier 2. Tier 2 zones are used for model trip generation, distribution, and mode choice steps whereas Tier1 zones are used for traffic assignment. 7/11/2023 (P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Evacuation Letter - Huntington Park Housing Element.docx) 2 the transportation solutions company...
The first step of the analysis would require identification of evacuation area (origin area) and location of evacuation shelters (destinations) for the evacuees. The evacuation shelters should be outside of the impacted area. As indicated before the evacuation area is shown in Figure 1. The area in the figure (triangle) was approximated to two Tier 1 TAZs of the model. Based on the information provided by County Fire regarding the direction of travel for evacuees, two TAZs outside the City boundary were identified. Figure 3 identifies the TAZs that were used to approximate the evacuation area and area of shelters for evacuees.
Evacuation Time Period. The amount of time required for evacuation depends on the surrounding roadway conditions/traffic congestion.
Given SCAG RTP/SCS represents a typical weekday and the roadway congestion is typically worse during the AM and PM peak periods on a weekday, the evacuation was assumed to occur during AM peak period. AM peak period in the SCAG model represents 6:00 – 9:00 AM. Evacuation notification was assumed to occur at 7:00 AM and the evacuation was assumed to start at 7:30 AM.
The departure distribution of evacuation trips was built based on research conducted for other evacuation studies that are based on the resident and employee surveys for those regions. The same evacuation curves/distribution was used for both resident/household and employment trips. Table A shows the percentage of trips beginning evacuation trip after the evacuation notice.
Table A: Percentage of Trips Beginning Evacuation Trip after Evacuation Notice.
Time Interval (AM) Percent Trips Evacuating
7:00-7:14 0
7:15-7:29 0
7:30-7:44 8%
7:45-7:59 25%
8:00-8:14 30%
8:15-8:29 25%
8:30-8:44 10%
8:45-8:59 2%
9:00-9:14 0
Estimation of Evacuation Trips. The number of evacuation vehicle trips were developed using socioeconomic data (households and employment) from the 2020 SCAG RTP/SCS model. Number of households and employment for the evacuation area from the SCAG RTP/SCS model is shown in Table B.
Table B: Total Households and Employment within Evacuation Area Total Households in Evacuation Area 2,256
Total Employees 3,401
Percent Employees Assumed for Evacuation 10%
Source : 2016 SCAG RTP/SCS Tier1 2020 Socio Economic data Only residents and employees were assumed for evacuation. No evacuation trips from schools were included in the trip generation as the evacuation was assumed to start by 7:30 AM and school age children would still be at their residences. Similarly, only 10% of employment was assumed to be present in the evacuation area as the evacuation was assumed to start before the start of typical workday (8:00 AM). The number of vehicle trips by residents/households depend on the number of persons in the household, auto ownership and auto availability. The evacuation vehicle trip rate per household was borrowed from other evacuation studies. A trip rate of 1.91 vehicles per household was used to estimate evacuation trips in the area. For employment, an average auto occupancy of 1 was used to estimate employee vehicle trips. While auto occupancy for work trips has been higher than 1, auto occupancy of 1 was used to present a conservative scenario. Table C shows the total vehicle trips in the evacuation area. Also, given the nature of the model, evacuation trips by other modes were not considered in the analysis.
Table C: Total Evacuation Vehicle Trips
Total Household Vehicle Trips to be Evacuated 4,309
Total Employee Vehicle Trips to be Evacuated 340
Total Evacuation Vehicle Trips 4,649
Notes:
Household evacuation vehicle trip rate of 1.91 was obtained from other studies Average auto occupancy of 1.0 was assumed for employee trips Roadway Network Conditions. The typical daily operating conditions for both the number of travel lanes per direction and associated hourly capacity per lane from the SCAG roadway network were used as the baseline road capacities. No lane closures or adjustments to roadway capacities were assumed due to the type of evacuation event (HAZMAT Spill). Depending on the type of evacuation event, 7/11/2023 (P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Evacuation Letter - Huntington Park Housing Element.docx) 3 the transportation solutions company...
modification of network capacities may be necessary, for example in the event of a fire, roadway capacities in the area may be reduced by visibility issues due to smoke and flying debris. Similarly, no roadway closures or no major traffic incidents were assumed in the evaluation of this scenario that would impede egress from the area.
Evacuation Assessment. Evacuation time estimate (ETE) is the total time taken from beginning of the evacuation to when evacuees reach their destination. Therefore, the ETE includes both evacuation trip generation time (evacuation start time in Table A) and evacuation travel time. To estimate the travel time to evacuation shelters/destinations, TransCAD’s macroscopic dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) module was used. DTA requires the travel demand and transportation network to represent the evacuation condition.
Background Traffic: Evacuation specific vehicle trip generation for the area was described above. However, trips and congestion on the surrounding roadways should be accounted to appropriately estimate evacuation time estimates (ETE). 2020 AM peak period origin destination (OD) output from SCAG RTP/SCS was used to generate background traffic conditions. OD trips from the model for the evacuation were replaced by the vehicle trips shown above in Table C. As indicated above, AM period in the SCAG RTP/SCS model represents 6:00 – 9:00 AM.
SCAG RTP/SCS travel model uses a static assignment model that assumes steady-state traffic conditions over the entire AM peak period. The link flows, link costs and other quantities can be viewed as averages over the analysis period. It was determined that by ignoring the temporal distribution of traffic, a static assignment model tends to underestimate travel times. Therefore, DTA was used to appropriately estimate the evacuation travel times.
DTA is conducted for much shorter intervals such as 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes. As such, after determining the evacuation travel demand and associated transportation network, a dynamic traffic assignment with 15-minute intervals was performed to reflect congestion and departure time to estimate travel time. The AM peak period OD trip table was disaggregated into 15-minute intervals using uniform distribution (8.3% background trips loading onto the network) to account for background traffic. Evacuation trips were distributed using normal distribution shown in previously referenced Table A.
TransCAD’s DTA was run for all disaggregated time periods to estimate evacuation travel times. Average evacuation times are also provided based on the start time of the evacuation trip by 15-minute interval, for the scenario. The average evacuation times are shown in Table D.
Table D: Average Evacuation Travel Time (minutes) by Time Period Evacuation Time Period Average Travel Time (mins)
7:30-7:44 39.4
7:45-7:59 45.6
8:00-8:14 55.7
8:15-8:29 53.3
8:30-8:44 57.4
8:45-8:59 50.4
Based on DTA as suggested above, it was estimated that approximately 140 minutes would be required to evacuate 100% of vehicle trips from the evacuation area to the designated destinations. The evacuation time estimate of 140 includes both evacuation trip generation (7:30 – 8:59) and the evacuation travel time. Therefore, if the evacuation starts at 7:30 AM in the morning, 100% of vehicle trips will be evacuated to destinations by 9:50 AM. Figure 4 illustrates the AM peak roadway VOC during the evacuation time periods.
EVACUATION ANALYSIS FOR FIRE SCENARIO
Methodology. The evacuation analysis for this scenario was conducted using the 2016 SCAG RTP/SCS Model. Only the assisted living facility was assumed for evacuation. The facility includes a total of 162 units. Both residents and caretakers of the facility were included in the evacuation. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation 11th Edition includes trip rates for land uses by different units. Trip rates for the number of beds/units and employees were used to estimate the number of employees for 162 units. Using the trip rates, it was estimated that 162 would include approximately 100 daily employees. To present a worst-case scenario, it was assumed that the fire event occurred during shift change and all 100 employees were included in the evacuation scenario. Therefore, a total population of 262 people would be evacuated from the facility. Similar to the HAZMAT spill above, all the residents and employees are assumed to be evacuated to a location just outside the City boundary. Figure 5 identifies the TAZs that were used to approximate the evacuation area and area of shelter for evacuees.
7/11/2023 (P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Evacuation Letter - Huntington Park Housing Element.docx) 4 the transportation solutions company...
Evacuation Time Period. Similar to HAZMAT spill, it was assumed that the evacuation notification would occur at 7:00 AM and the evacuation would start at 7:30 AM. A normal distribution (bell curve) was used for evacuation of the assisted living facility. Since residents are elderly, the bell curve is slightly different from the HAZMAT scenario. Table E shows the percentage of trips beginning the evacuation trip after evacuation notice.
Table E: Percentage of Trips Beginning Evacuation Trip after Evacuation Notice.
Time Interval (AM) Percent Trips Evacuating
7:00-7:14 0%
7:15-7:29 0%
7:30-7:44 8%
7:45-7:59 20%
8:00-8:14 30%
8:15-8:29 20%
8:30-8:44 15%
8:45-8:59 7%
9:00-9:14 0%
Estimation of Evacuation Trips. Given this is an assisted facility, all the residents should be accompanied by employees. Both residents and employees are assumed to travel together to the evacuation location in vehicles arranged by the assisted living facility such as buses or vans due to absence of personal vehicles for the residents. To present a conservative scenario with respect to number of vehicle trips, 8 person vans were assumed to evacuate the facility and not buses. Table F shows the vehicle trip generation for the facility.
Table F: Assisted Living Facility Total Evacuation Vehicle Trips Total Residents 162
Total Employees 100
Total Population to be Evacuated 262
Van Capacity 8
Total Number of Vehicle Trips Evacuation 33
Evacuation Assessment. Roadway conditions and background traffic assumptions described above from the HAZMAT spill were used to evaluate this scenario as well. Like HAZMAT spill scenario, TransCAD’s DTA was run for all disaggregated time periods to estimate evacuation travel times. Average evacuation times are also provided based on the start time of the evacuation trip by 15-minute interval, for the scenario. The average evacuation times shown in Table G.
Table G: Average Evacuation Travel Time (minutes) by Time Period Evacuation Time Period Average Travel Time (mins)
7:30-7:44 17.4
7:45-7:59 18.3
8:00-8:14 19.9
8:15-8:29 19.7
8:30-8:44 19.1
8:45-8:59 17.8
Based on DTA as suggested above, it was estimated that approximately 109 minutes would be required to evacuate 100% of vehicle trips from the facility to the designated destination. The evacuation time estimate of 109 minutes includes both evacuation trip generation (7:30 – 8:59) and the evacuation travel time. Therefore, if the evacuation starts at 7:30 AM in the morning, 100% of vehicle trips will be evacuated to destinations by 9:19 AM. It should be noted that the evacuation trip generation time is the primary contributor for the ETE.
Given the evacuation is for a single facility, the evacuation trip generation times can be condensed by streamlining evacuation which would decrease the total evacuation time estimates.
FINDINGS & CONCLUSION
The findings of the analysis show the following:
1. Approximately 109 minutes would be required to evacuate 100% of vehicle trips from Concord Apartments to the designated destinations.
2. Approximately 140 minutes would be required to evacuate 100% of vehicle trips in the area affected by HAZMAT spill to designated destinations.
7/11/2023 (P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Evacuation Letter - Huntington Park Housing Element.docx) 5 the transportation solutions company...
We hope you will find this information helpful. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at (949) 656-3131.
Sincerely,
translutions, Inc.
Sandipan Bhattacharjee, P.E., T.E., AICP, ENV SP
Principal
Exp. 03-31-24
No. 2847
TRAFFIC
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIGURE 1
Evacuation Cone
City of Huntington Park Housing Element Code Amendments Evacuation Area for HAZMAT Spill in Almeda Corridor
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P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Figure 1 HAZMAT Landscape (5/17/2023) FIGURE 2
Evacuation Zone
City of Huntington Park Housing Element Code Amendments Concord Assisted Living Facility Fire Evacuation
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P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Figure 2 Concord Landscape (5/17/2023) FIGURE 3
Evacuation Zone
City of Huntington Park Housing Element Code Amendments Evacuation Area and Evacuation Shelter Area TAZs
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P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Figure 3 Evacuation Area and Evacuation Shelter Area TAZs (5/17/2023) FIGURE 4
City of Huntington Park Housing Element Code Amendments Roadway Volume/Capacity Ratio (VOC)
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P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Figure 4 Roadway VolumeCapacity Ratio (VOC) (5/17/2023) FIGURE 5
City of Huntington Park Housing Element Code Amendments Concord Assisted Living Evacuation Area and Evacuation Shelter Area TAZs the transportation solutions company...
P:\Rincon - Huntington Park Housing Element\Evacuation\Figure 5 Concord Assisted Living Evacuation Area and Evacuation Shelter Area TAZs (5/17/2023)
CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK
GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT
"ATTACHMENT D"
TABLE OF CONTENTS i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Plan Activity Log ....................................................................................................... iii 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Land Use Element .......................................................................... 1 Related Plans, Programs, and Other Public Policies ............................................ 2 City Ordinances ................................................................................................. 2 Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities ..................................................... 2 2 Land Use Element Goals and Policies .................................................................... 6 Balanced Development in Huntington Park .......................................................... 6 Compatible and Complementary Development .................................................. 8 Revitalization of Deteriorating Uses and Properties ............................................. 9 Development Coordinated with Infrastructure and Public Services ................ 10 Economic Expansion and Diversification ............................................................. 10 Urban Design .......................................................................................................... 11 3 The Land Use Plan .................................................................................................. 13 Land Use Policy Considerations ........................................................................... 13 Land Use Constraints and Resources ............................................................ 13 Land Use Designations .......................................................................................... 14 Land Use Intensity/Density ............................................................................. 14 Residential Designations ................................................................................ 17 Commercial Designations .............................................................................. 18 Industrial Designations .................................................................................... 19 Public Designations ......................................................................................... 19 Transportation Designations .......................................................................... 19 Overlay Designations ...................................................................................... 19 ii HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Tables
Table 1 Land Use Designations and Overlays ........................................................... 16 Table 2 Existing Land Use and General Plan Land Use Designations in Huntington Park .................................................................................................................... 17 Figures
Figure 1-1 City of Huntington Park Sphere of Influence................................................. 5 Figure 3-1 Floor-Area Ratio .............................................................................................. 15 Figure 3-2 Huntington Park General Plan Land Use Map............................................. 22 ACTIVITY LOG iii
GENERAL PLAN ACTIVITY LOG
Adoption Date: January 28, 1991
Subsequent Amendments Adopted by City Council
Adoption Date Amendment Case No.
TBD Disadvantaged Unincorporated Community analysis and consistency with 6th Cycle Housing Element
TBD
iv HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
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LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 1
1 INTRODUCTION
The Land Use Element is concerned with the physical development and appearance of the City. This Element designates future land use patterns and specifies the appropriate density and intensity of development. The Land Use Element is the central element of the General Plan, and the goals and policies it contains have a common link to the other elements. The Land Use Map provides a graphic depiction of the General Plan’s development policies and indicates the land use designations for which pertinent policies have been developed.
PURPOSE OF THE LAND USE ELEMENT
Huntington Park is an older City with its land use patterns well-established and virtually no remaining vacant land suitable for development. As such, changes in land use will occur gradually through the recycling of existing uses. As a means of guiding future changes in land use consistent with community objectives, the City intends to implement the goals and policies contained in this Land Use Element. These objectives include:
• Provide for a mix of land uses which meets the diverse needs of all Huntington Park residents, offers a variety of employment opportunities, and allows for the capture of regional growth.
• Identify and rectify inconsistencies between current land use designations under the Huntington Park General Plan, existing land use, and zoning. • Provide for compatible neighboring land uses and acceptable transitions between residential, commercial, industrial, public, and transportation uses. • Ensure that new development is coordinated with the provision of infrastructure and public services including, but not limited to, water, sewers, police, fire protection, and schools.
• Preserve those existing single-family neighborhoods in Huntington Park which are predominately intact, while allowing other neighborhoods where substantial multi-family infill has occurred to recycle to higher densities. • Provide for expanded residential development opportunities in the City’s Central Business District, including residences above municipal parking lots, senior citizen housing overlays, and mixed-use overlays.
• Upgrade deteriorated land uses through aggressive residential and commercial rehabilitation programs.
• Attract new industry in order to expand the City’s economic base. • Provide for additional parking in commercial areas where parking is currently inadequate, particularly along Gage Avenue and Florence Avenue. 2 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
• Create consistent urban design in Huntington Park which includes development that is both architecturally and functionally compatible, and neighborhoods and commercial districts which are uniquely identifiable.
• Develop and promote a distinctive visual identity for Huntington Park which capitalizes on the City’s regional and local historic character.
Through the use of text and diagrams, the Land Use Element establishes clear and logical patterns of land use as well as standards for future development. An important feature of this Element is the Land Use Map. This map (Figure 3-2) indicates the location, density, and intensity of development for all land uses citywide. Finally, the goals and policies contained in this Element establish a constitutional framework for future land use planning and decision making in Huntington Park.
RELATED PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER PUBLIC POLICIES
The scope and content of the Land Use Element are primarily governed by the State of California General Plan Guidelines and the Planning, Zoning, and Development Laws for the state. In addition, other plans, programs, and public policies considered in the formulation, adoption, and implementation of land use policy. Relevant plans and programs are described below.
CITY ORDINANCES
The City’s Title 9 of the Municipal Code provides additional development and performance standards for development of land uses and related activities. The Zoning Code serves as the primary implementation tool for the Land Use Element and the goals and policies it contains. A Zoning Map consistent with the General Plan Land Use Map identifies the zoning categories applied to each parcel of land within the city. Together, the Zoning Code and Map are used to identify the specific types of use, intensity, and development standards applicable to given parcels or areas of land.
DISADVANTAGED UNINCORPORATED COMMUNITIES
Government Code Section 65302.10 SB 244 defines a DUC as a fringe, island, or legacy community that meets the following criteria:
• Contains 10 or more dwelling units in close proximity to one another • Is either within a city sphere of influence (SOI), is an island within a city boundary, or is geographically isolated and has existed for more than 50 years • Has a median household income that is 80 percent or less than the statewide median household income
A sphere of influence (SOI) is an area determined by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to be the probable physical boundary and service area of a LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 3
local agency. The Los Angeles County LAFCO has adopted a SOI for the City of Huntington Park that includes the disadvantaged unincorporated community of Walnut Park, as shown in Figure 1-1.
Walnut Park is located east of the Harbor Freeway (SR-110) and between the City of Huntington Park and the City of South Gate. The current land uses in Walnut Park are primarily low- and medium-density residential and industrial uses.
Walnut Park’s population was 15,214 as of 2020 with around 3,800 total households (2020 Decennial Census). The median household income in 2021 was $68,708 (US Census, 2021 American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates). Walnut Park meets the definition of a disadvantaged unincorporated community because the median household income is less than $87,360, or 80 percent of the state median income of $109,200 (Department of Housing and Community Development, State Income Limits for 2023).
Public Services in Walnut Park
Public services in Walnut Park are provided by multiple agencies including the City of Huntington Park and the County of Los Angeles. The most recent Municipal Service Review (MSR) prepared by the Los Angeles County LAFCO (adopted November 30, 2005) identified the following issues with regard to the provision of public services in the City of Huntington Park and lands within its SOI:
• The capacity of police, park, and library facilities is limited. The MSR identified Huntington Park’s police station as needing replacement. The City has less than one acre of parkland per 1,000 residents, and park improvements are needed.
Library services in the City (provided by the County) face challenges due to low book volumes per capita and needed facility improvements. • Portions of the City’s storm drain system and roadway network need repair or replacement.
• The City may face challenges to providing adequate stormwater services due to a large number of discharge permits, infrastructure needs and lack of sufficient funding for stormwater purposes.
The MSR notes that the rate of growth in Walnut Park and the City of Huntington Park is similar and that the demand on public services is expected to grow slightly.
Residents of Walnut Park receive public services from the following providers:
• Electric: Southern California Edison Company
• Gas: Southern California Gas Company
• Library: No libraries are in Walnut Park
• Park: No parks are in Walnut Park
• Police: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
4 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
• Stormwater: Los Angeles County Public Works
• Water: Walnut Park Mutual Water Company, Golden State Water Company, and Suburban Water Systems
• Waste: Valley Vista Services
Numerous potential funding sources exist that could facilitate extension of needed services, including but not limited to the following:
• Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
• Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• Integrated Regional Water Management (IWRM) Grant Program • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds
• State Department of Housing and Urban Development Infill Infrastructure Grant Program
5 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Figure 1-1 City of Huntington Park Sphere of Influence
6 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
2 LAND USE ELEMENT GOALS AND
POLICIES
The Land Use Element consists of both text and diagrams. The following section of this Element titled “Land Use Element Goals and Policies” presents the City’s general goals for the long-term growth and development of the community. These goals are defined further in the third section, the “Land Use Plan.” The Land Use Plan consists of: 1) the General Plan Land Use Map; 2) land use policy considerations; 3) the descriptions of land use designations indicated on the Land Use Map; and 4) a discussion of the implications of the Land Use Plan.
The goals and policies contained in this Element have been developed in response to issues identified as part of the extensive background research conducted for the General Plan, as well as issues identified by City staff, the Planning Commission, City Council, and City residents as reflected in the community questionnaire. These goals and policies address preservation of major areas of the City, revitalization of selected areas, and guidance of new development in those portions of the City presently undeveloped. The Land Use Element goals and policies focus on maintaining a balance between residential, commercial, and industrial land use, promoting highquality development, and minimizing existing and potential land use conflicts.
BALANCED DEVELOPMENT IN HUNTINGTON PARK
By providing a broad range of residential, commercial, industrial, and public land uses, a balanced community that responds to all residents’ needs can be achieved.
Through designation of a range of uses, the City can achieve a balance of housing that meets the needs of all income groups, a stable employment and tax base, and suitable shopping, recreational, and cultural activities for all residents.
Huntington Park is an urbanized and densely developed city whose land use patterns were established by the 1930s. The City’s built environment is characterized by a grid street system with commercial strips along the major arterials, concentrated areas of industrial development, and a predominance of older, single-family residential neighborhoods. The City’s Central Business District focuses on Pacific Boulevard, which serves as a regional shopping district for East Central Los Angeles.
Redevelopment activities over the past several years have resulted in new retail and office centers along Pacific. Through the creation of the Industrial Redevelopment Project Area in 1987, the City has been able to provide for the upgrading of many existing manufacturing facilities, as well as attract new industrial employers.
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 7
GOAL 1: Provide for a mix of land uses which meets the diverse needs of all Huntington Park residents, offers a variety of employment opportunities, and allows for the capture of regional growth.
Policy 1.1: Allow infill residential development that complements existing scale, massing, setbacks, and character and is compatible with architectural styles in existing single-family neighborhoods.
Policy 1.2: Encourage community-oriented retail in Huntington Park while continuing to revitalize Pacific Boulevard as a regional retail destination.
Policy 1.3: Improve existing industry and provide for an expanded industrial base by creating new areas for compatible industrial uses through both redevelopment and private enterprise. Encourage the establishment of low-impact industries that bolster the economic base and provide high-skill / high-wage job opportunities.
Policy 1.4: Encourage mixed-use developments of residential, retail, and commercial uses in various land use areas as defined in the Land Use Map:
• Along portions of Pacific Boulevard, allow for the development of mixed-uses. • Along portions of Rugby, Rita, and Seville avenues, allow the development of multi-family residential structures of up to 70 units/acre adjacent to commercial/retail uses. Permit the integration of ground-floor commercial uses in these residential projects.
• Permit residential units on municipal parking lots in the CBD/Residential area once replacement parking is identified.
• Overlay district along Santa Fe Avenue between Randolph Street and Florence Avenue allowing Medium Density Residential development in addition to the land uses provided for under the current General Commercial Land Use Designation.
Property to the south of Clarendon Avenue would be limited to either commercial uses or vertically oriented, mixed-use development (i.e., commercial/residential with only nonresidential uses on the ground level). Property located north of Clarendon Avenue would allow commercial uses, mixed uses, or solely residential use. Residential or mixed-use densities would be allowed to a maximum of 17.4 dwelling units per acre. The maximum allowable commercial floor area ratio (“FAR“) intensity is 1:1.
• Overlay district along a portion of the east side of Santa Fe Avenue north of Randolph Street allowing mixed use development of commercial uses together with single room occupancy (“SRO”) residential in addition to the uses provided for under the current General Commercial Land Use Designation. Residential densities would be allowed to a maximum of 400 single room occupancy dwelling units per acre. The maximum allowable commercial floor area ratio intensity is 1:1. 8 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Policy 1.5: Encourage senior citizen residential development in locations with convenient access to commercial and retail uses, and to public transportation. Sites designated as Senior Citizen Housing overlays on the Land Use Map may be developed at densities up to 225 units per acre.
Policy 1.6: Permit Single-Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) in Senior Citizen Housing areas, Central Business District and SRO Overlay, Mixed-Use Overlay, and TransitOriented Development Overlay, to assist in addressing the needs of the homeless and other very low-income individuals.
COMPATIBLE AND COMPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT
Huntington Park, as an urbanized environment, does not contain expanses of open space separating different land uses. Opposite sides of the same street often contain different land uses (e.g., residences v. stores), or one city block may contain several uses, including industry backing onto residences. Single-family houses and apartment complexes often exist side-by-side. The City does exhibit some physical continuity, however, in that it is densely developed with low-rise structures, almost all of which are less than four stories high. The continuous store fronts along Pacific Boulevard maintain a sense of functional and physical unity, although in some locations, courtyard-style commercial plazas extend to the interior of a block.
Development that substantially and abruptly alters the land use patterns or physical continuity of a street, block, or neighborhood is often disorienting, annoying, and potentially dangerous to the health and safety of residents. Traffic, noise, and pollution from inter-city highways and industrial and commercial activities should not disrupt residential neighborhoods. Setbacks, buffers, and transitions in land uses are ways to create and maintain the compatible, complementary development envisioned in the Land Use Element.
GOAL 2: Accommodate new development that is compatible with and complements existing land uses.
Policy 2.1: Introduce more flexibility and incentives for existing lower-density residential areas to create opportunities for more small-scale, “missing middle” housing typologies, and use objective standards to ensure compatibility with existing uses.
Policy 2.2: Require that commercial development provide adequate buffers (such as decorative walls and landscaped setbacks) at the designated boundaries with adjacent residential uses so as to prevent impacts on residences due to noise, traffic, parking, light and glare, and differences in scale; to ensure privacy; and to provide visual compatibility.
Policy 2.3: Require that industrial development provide adequate buffers (such as decorative walls and landscaped setbacks) at the designated boundaries with adjacent residential and commercial uses so as to prevent impacts due to noise, LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 9
traffic, parking, light and glare, and differences in scale; to ensure privacy; and to provide visual compatibility.
Policy 2.4: Require that external lighting of commercial and industrial properties be isolated to the site and not adversely impact adjacent land uses with light spillover or glare.
Policy 2.5: Require that automobile and truck access to commercial and industrial properties sited adjacent to residential parcels be located the maximum practical distance from the residential parcel.
Policy 2.6: Establish standards in the Zoning Code to ensure that all functional, noise, and other impacts associated with the development of residential units on an upper floor of any commercial structure be mitigated.
Policy 2.7: Develop and implement an amortization program to require legal nonconforming uses to meet General Plan and zoning requirements through time. Permit residential uses to be replaced at existing densities if destroyed by fire or disaster.
REVITALIZATION OF DETERIORATING USES AND
PROPERTIES
Due to a complex combination of local, regional, and national economic trends over time, Huntington Park has suffered the deterioration of many residential, commercial, and industrial properties. In order to revitalize the community, effective redevelopment and rehabilitation programs must be continued and, when feasible, expanded. The adequate maintenance of properties must be assured through vigorous code enforcement. As well, Huntington Park is home to many properties of architectural and historical interest; the restoration and rehabilitation of such properties can result in economic, aesthetic, and cultural advantages to the entire community.
GOAL 3: Provide for the revitalization of deteriorating land uses and properties.
Policy 3.1: Encourage and continue the use of redevelopment activities, including the provision of incentives for private development, joint public-private partnerships, and public improvements.
Policy 3.2: Promote vigorous enforcement of City codes, including building, zoning, and health and safety, to promote property maintenance.
Policy 3.3: Continue to provide financial, administrative, and design assistance for eligible properties through residential and commercial rehabilitation programs.
Policy 3.4: Encourage the restoration and rehabilitation of properties eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places according to the rehabilitation guidelines and tax credit incentives of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 10 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATED WITH INFRASTRUCTURE
AND PUBLIC SERVICES
New development will place added demands on the City’s infrastructure (water lines, sewer lines, storm drains, and utility systems) and public services (fire protection, law enforcement, educational facilities, and hospitals). In order to accommodate future demands with minimal environmental impact, the City must be able to anticipate infrastructure and public service needs based on land use policy while establishing feasible methods to finance needed improvements.
GOAL 4: Accommodate new development that is coordinated with the provision of infrastructure and public services.
Policy 4.1: Permit development at densities and land use intensities no higher than the City’s ability to provide the necessary public services, utilities, street capacities, and recreational opportunities required for the areas affected by development.
Policy 4.2: Establish a Parking Overlay zone and designate it on the Land Use Map to facilitate the development of parking facilities through such methods as alley vacation and lot consolidation.
Policy 4.3: Review the personnel and equipment needs of the Huntington Park Police Department in order to maintain adequate levels of protection and service.
Any additional needs, as determined by the City, will be funded through the General Fund or other available and allowable sources.
Policy 4.4: Coordinate efforts with Los Angeles County in reviewing the personnel and equipment needs of fire protection services.
Policy 4.5: Apply impact fees for new development where necessary, appropriate, and permitted under California State law.
Policy 4.6: Pursue alternative uses of the Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way on Randolph Street, such as green space, parking areas, and bike paths, if the right-ofway is abandoned for rail use.
ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION
Through expansion of the City’s economy and diversification of economic activity, Huntington Park can achieve a stable employment and tax base. Employment opportunities will benefit local residents, and a stable tax base will help the City provide adequate infrastructure improvements and public services.
Policies related to economic expansion and diversification are intended to encourage the growth of existing firms in Huntington Park and attract new firms to the City. Two examples of economic opportunity are Pacific Boulevard and the industrial areas in Huntington Park. The Central Business District focuses on Pacific Boulevard, which serves as a regional shopping district for East Central Los Angeles. Redevelopment activities over the past several years have resulted in new retail and office centers LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 11
along Pacific. Through the creation of the Industrial Redevelopment Project Area in 1987, the City has been able to provide for the upgrading of many existing manufacturing facilities, as well as attract new industrial employers.
GOAL 5: Promote expansion of the City’s economic base and diversification of economic activity.
Policy 5.1: Encourage the growth and expansion of local firms through:
• Streamlined permit approval processes;
• The consolidation of industrially zoned properties; and • The provision of technical assistance such as financing, marketing, and business programs.
Policy 5.2: Encourage non-local firms to locate in Huntington Park through:
• Streamlined permit approval processes;
• The consolidation of industrially zoned properties; and • The provision of financial incentives.
Policy 5.3: Research and document the advantages and disadvantages of locating a business in Huntington Park.
Policy 5.4: Review with industrial brokers which industries have expressed the most interest in Huntington Park.
Policy 5.5: Maintain an analysis arid inventory of targeted industries to identify those industries for which Huntington Park might have a competitive advantage.
Policy 5.6: Coordinate efforts between the City’s Redevelopment Agency and Chamber of Commerce to actively market Huntington Park to prospective industries.
Policy 5.7: Maintain, market, and further develop Pacific Boulevard as a regional retail destination.
URBAN DESIGN
As part of the early metropolitan Los Angeles core, Huntington Park’s physical layout has been established since the 1930s. As the City developed over time, new buildings and landscaping focused on the individual development at hand, not on an overall visual identity for the City. Huntington Park includes original and substantially intact examples of several architectural styles including the Art Deco Warner Brothers Theatre (1930), Streamline Moderne office and industrial buildings (e.g., W.W. Henry Company), and houses in many historical styles (e.g., Queen Anne, Classical and Colonial Revival, Craftsman Bungalow, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Tudor). Also, Huntington Park has played a significant role in the transportation and industrial history of the Los Angeles area. Such architectural and historical resources can help define neighborhood and community identity.
12 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
A comprehensive program of historic preservation, sensitive new design, landscaping, signage, and urban design guidelines can result in an architecturally and functionally compatible environment, as well as neighborhoods and commercial districts which are uniquely identifiable.
GOAL 6: Improve urban design in Huntington Park to ensure development that is both architecturally and functionally compatible, and to create uniquely identifiable neighborhoods and commercial districts.
Policy 6.1: Require that residential, commercial, and light industrial development adjacent to pedestrian and recreational amenities:
• Focus on these amenities;
• Provide direct access;
• In the case of commercial development, provide visual penetration at ground level;
• Incorporate pedestrian-oriented ground-floor uses; and • Isolate on-site parking away from pedestrian-oriented areas.
Policy 6.2: Reflect community concerns for urban design in Huntington Park by preparing an Urban Design Element, design guidelines, and other plans and programs to improve urban design in the City.
Policy 6.3: Capitalize on the City’s historic character by undertaking a historic resources survey and developing a local historic preservation ordinance.
Policy 6.4: Provide for the consistent use of street trees along all sidewalks and property frontages.
Policy 6.5: Establish a consistent design vocabulary for all public signage, including fixture type, lettering, colors, symbols, and logos.
Policy 6.6: Locate distinctive public signage and landscaping which identifies Huntington Park at key entry points into the City, including Pacific Boulevard, Florence Avenue, Slauson Avenue, Soto Street, State Street, Gage Avenue, and Randolph Street.
Policy 6.7: Require that signage on commercial structures be compatible and integrated with the structures’ architecture and visible from pedestrian-oriented areas.
Policy 6.8: Use comprehensive design guidelines and objective design standards to ensure that all new buildings, remodels, and additions enhance the neighborhood fabric, while facilitating streamlined development review for housing types that help the City achieve Housing Element goals and objectives.
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 13
3 THE LAND USE PLAN
The Land Use Element describes the location and extent of future development in Huntington Park and identifies standards for that development. The geographic locations of land uses are presented on the Land Use Map (Figure 3-2).
LAND USE POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
A wide range of natural and built environmental factors is considered in the formulation of land use policy. Areas of special environmental significance, potential safety hazards, limitations of existing infrastructure, and the nature and character of existing development all influence land use policy.
LAND USE CONSTRAINTS AND RESOURCES
Huntington Park is a densely developed urban environment. The objectives noted previously in this Land Use Element recognize both the benefits and disadvantages of the City’s past and present development patterns. Land use policy under the General Plan does not propose drastic, large-scale changes to the City’s built environment.
Rather, the long-range goals and policies in the Element are intended to create and maintain compatible, complementary development based on the positive aspects of historical and existing land use patterns.
Huntington Park is relatively free of natural land use constraints and hazards. No known active faults traverse the City, nor is the City exposed to hazards associated with hillside development, such as wildfires and landslides. The City is not at significant risk of flooding, except in the event of a dam failure. The majority of the City is subject to liquefaction risk, with the exception of the area north of Gage Avenue, west of Pacific Boulevard, and east of Wilmington Avenue. (More information on hazards can be found in the Health and Safety Element.) Man-made constraints and hazards impose the greatest constraint on land use in Huntington Park. The transitions between residential, commercial, and industrial areas need special attention when land use decisions are made. Buffer zones and innovative site plans can reduce noise levels, and an efficient circulation system can reduce traffic on residential streets.
Industrial sites pose a further constraint with the production and storage of hazardous materials. The City streets are used to transport such materials both locally and through Huntington Park, particularly because the City experiences heavy throughtraffic from neighboring industrial communities. The accidental release of hazardous materials could significantly affect human health. The Circulation and Health and Safety elements include goals and policies specifically designed to ensure the continued safety of all residents. Land use policy is consistent with the goals and policies of all the other General Plan elements.
14 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
LAND USE DESIGNATIONS
Land use designations are necessary to identify the type of development that is allowed in a given location. While terms like “residential,” “commercial,” and “industrial” are generally understood, State general plan law requires a clear and concise description of the land use categories shown on the Land Use Map.
The City of Huntington Park Land Use Element provides for 12 land use designations plus a designation for streets. Three of these designations are established for residential development, ranging from low-density to high-density development.
Three commercial, one Central Business District (CBD)/Residential mixed use, two industrial, one Parks and Recreation, one Schools, and one Public Facilities category are designated. Five overlay districts are designated in addition to certain underlying land use designations. These overlays are Senior Citizen Housing, Single-Room Occupancy, Mixed Use (Commercial and Residential), Parking, and Transit-Oriented Development. Railroad mainlines are included in the Rail Transportation Corridor Category.
LAND USE INTENSITY/DENSITY
The land use designations, or categories, in this Element are described in terms of intensity and density. The term “intensity” refers to the physical characteristics of a building, such as height, bulk, floor-area ratio and/or percent of lot coverage and the building’s proportional relationship to the land on which it is situated. Intensity is most often used to describe non-residential development levels, but in a broader sense, is used to express overall levels of all development types within a planning area.
For most non-residential development categories (e.g., commercial and industrial), the measure of intensity known as “floor-area ratio” (FAR) provides the most convenient method of describing development levels. Simply stated, the floor-area ratio is the relationship of total gross floor area of all buildings on a lot to the total land area of that lot. For example, a 21,780 square-foot building on a 43,560 squarefoot lot (one acre) yields an FAR of 0.5:1 as illustrated in Figure 3-1. As shown, a 0.5:1 FAR can yield a building of one story in height covering one-half of the lot area, or a taller building which covers less of the lot and provides for more open space around the building.
The term “density,” in a land use context, is a measure of the population or residential development capacity of the land. Density is explained either in terms of number of dwelling units per acre (du/ac) or persons per acre and is usually described as a range (e.g., 4 to 7 du/ac) or maximum (e.g., up to 8.7 du/ac). For example, the density of a residential development of 100 dwelling units occupying 20 acres of land is 5 du/ac.
Floor-area ratio often is used in calculations of development potential because the ratio can be applied more uniformly citywide than can other factors; however, FAR typically is not the variable analyzed in the evaluation of maximum allowable building LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 15
intensity for a particular parcel of land. Variables analyzed may include parking and loading requirements, setbacks, fire department emergency access, height limits, and other factors applied directly to the project site. The application of such factors usually precludes the development of a site at maximum allowable FAR.
Floor-area ratio can be applied in two ways: 1) as a maximum allowable intensity on a parcel of land, and 2) as an overall level of development on a citywide basis (average intensity), accounting for the fact that not every parcel will be developed at maximum intensity. In accordance with State general plan law, this Land Use Element and the Land Use Map provide the maximum density/intensity permitted on a parcel of land within a given land use designation. Table 1 lists each land use designation and its corresponding measure of maximum density/intensity.
The average citywide residential density corresponds with the maximum development density to best forecast residential buildout. Regarding the average FAR for the Central Business District (CBD)/Residential area, the two FARs in Table 1 depict intensities only for commercial uses. The residential potential of the CBD is defined below under “Residential Designations.”
Figure 3-1 Floor-Area Ratio
16 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Table 1 Land Use Designations and Overlays
Land Use
Maximum Development
Density/Intensity1 Average Density/Intensity2
Residential
Low-Density Residential Up to 8.7 du/ac3 8.7 du/ac
Medium-Density Residential Up to 17.4 du/ac 17.4 du/ac
High-Density Residential Up to 20 du/ac 20 du/ac
Central Business District
(CBD)/Residential
4:1 FAR of Pacific Boulevard4
2:1 FAR elsewhere
1:1 to 1:1.75 FAR5
Commercial
Neighborhood Commercial 1:1 FAR 0.5:1 FAR
General Commercial 1:1 FAR 0.5:1 FAR
Professional Commercial 1:1 FAR 0.8:1 FAR
Industrial
Light Industry 1:1 FAR 0.4:1 FAR
Industrial Manufacturing 1:1 FAR 0.4:1 FAR
Public
Parks and Recreation 6 6
Schools Not Applicable Not Applicable
Public Facilities Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transportation
Streets Not Applicable Not Applicable
Rail Transportation Corridor Not Applicable Not Applicable Overlay Districts
Senior Citizens Housing Overlay Up to 225 du/ac 225 du/ac Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Overlay Up to 440 du/ac 440 du/ac Mixed-Use Overlay 1:1 FAR 1:1 FAR
Parking Overlay Not Applicable Not Applicable
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Overlay
Between 20 and 70 du/ac Between 20 and 70 du/ac
1 Maximum allowable development on a parcel of land.
2 Projected overall levels of development on a citywide basis at General Plan buildout. 3 du/ac = dwelling units per acre. Fractions take into account typical residential lot sizes in Huntington Park. 4 FAR = floor-area ratio. See Figure 3-1.
5 See accompanying text for mixed use development potential. 6 Due to the open space component and/or site-specific nature of this type of development, maximum and average development intensities have not been assigned.
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 17
Table 2 compares, by acreage, existing land uses in Huntington Park (in a June 1990 survey) with those proposed under this Land Use Element.
Land use designation descriptions, shown on the Land Use Map (Figure 1-1), identify the general types of uses allowed and their corresponding maximum densities or intensities. These use descriptions will be defined further as specific uses within the City’s Zoning Code.
Table 2 Existing Land Use and General Plan Land Use Designations in Huntington Park
Land Use Designation Existing Acres (June 1990) General Plan Acres Low-Density Residential (up to 8.7 du/ac)1 277 276
Medium-Density Residential (up to 17.4 du/ac) 289 160
High-Density Residential (up to 20 du/ac) 238 321
Central Business District (CBD)/Residential - 85
Neighborhood Commercial - 45
General Commercial 198 208
Professional Commercial 16 10
Light Industry 271 total 124
Industrial Manufacturing 271 total 131
Parks and Recreation2 51 46
Schools 70 82
Public Facilities3 36 25
Streets 470 470
Rail Transportation Corridor 37 37
Vacant 22 0
Total 1,975 1,975
1 du/ac = dwelling units per acre.
2 Parks and Recreation acreage appears to be reduced under the General Plan; this is due only to the redefining of the Civic Center buildings and the DWP right-of-way as “Public Facilities.” No reduction in park acreage is proposed. 3 The existing land use survey included churches and water storage tanks in the Public Facilities category, Land use policy permits churches in all residential and commercial designations. Properties containing water storage tanks have been designated in the Plan for other land uses in the event any of the properties become available for other uses in the future.
These circumstances account for the different acreage totals.
RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATIONS
Low-Density Residential: This designation permits residential dwelling units up to
8.7 units per acre. Residences in this category are usually single-family, detached houses with private yards. Manufactured homes on permanent foundations are also permitted. Other uses, such as day care, schools, churches, and utility uses, are also allowed if the uses are shown to be compatible with, and serving the needs of, LowDensity Residential areas.
Medium-Density Residential: This designation permits residential units up to 17.4 units per acre. These residences can include townhouses, small-lot single-family dwellings (e.g., zero-lot line houses), two-and three-family housing arrangements, 18 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
and low-rise apartment buildings. Other uses, such as rest homes, child-care facilities, and churches, are permitted if the uses are shown to be compatible with, and serving the needs of, Medium-Density Residential areas.
High-Density Residential: This residential category permits up to 20 dwelling units per acre. Dwellings are typically within apartment or condominium complexes with shared open space. Other uses, such as rest homes, child-care facilities, and churches, are allowed if the uses are shown to be compatible with, and serving the needs of, High-Density Residential areas.
Central Business District (CBD)/Residential: This designation is defined by use and specific location. Along portions of Pacific Boulevard, General Commercial and Professional Commercial uses are required on the ground floor, with either commercial or residential uses allowed on the upper floors. The maximum permitted floor-area ratio (FAR) for a Central Business District (CBD)/Residential designation on Pacific Boulevard is 4:1.
Along portions of Rita, Rugby, and Seville avenues, residential and commercial uses are permitted to exist side by side. Multi-family residential development is allowed up to 70 units per acre without a requirement for commercial uses, and commercial development is allowed up to an FAR of 2:1 without a requirement for residential uses. However, General Commercial and Professional Commercial uses are permitted on the lower floors of an otherwise residential building. If a site on Rita, Rugby, or Seville includes both residential and commercial uses, 70 units per acre plus maximum allowable FAR commercial uses are permitted.
Single-Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) are also permitted under the CBD/Residential designation.
COMMERCIAL DESIGNATIONS
General Commercial: Permitted uses in this designation include a wide range of neighborhood and general retail and service establishments, such as stores and repair shops, to accommodate the surrounding community. Permitted uses include, among others, household appliance stores, auto repair shops, cafes, drugstores, and newsstands. The maximum permitted FAR is 1:1.
Neighborhood Commercial: The Neighborhood Commercial designation allows residential, mixed-use residential/commercial, neighborhood retail, professional office, and service-oriented business uses serving a localized need. The maximum permitted FAR is 1:1.
Professional Commercial: Allowable uses include business and professional offices and services, legal services, and related uses in or near the Central Business District and served by public transportation, where their locations are conveniently accessible. Typical uses include attorneys’ offices, banks, beauty shops, medical offices, and travel agencies, among others. Institutional uses are also conditionally permitted in areas designated for Professional Commercial. The maximum permitted FAR is 1:1.
LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 19
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNATIONS
Manufacturing Planned Development: The purpose of the Manufacturing Planned Development (MPD) designation is to provide for service commercial, business, and industrial uses. Within the MPD land use designation, the following definitions shall apply:
Light Industry: Permitted uses include light manufacturing, light processing, warehousing, distribution, wholesaling, service operations, and related developments. Some of the allowable uses in this designation are cloth manufacturing, electric appliance assembly, and trade schools. The maximum permitted FAR is 1:1.
Industrial Manufacturing: Allowable uses include manufacturing, processing, warehousing, distribution, wholesaling, and related developments of a more intense nature than those uses permitted in the Light Industry category. For example, brick manufacturing, lumber yards, and tool and die shops are permitted in this designation. The maximum permitted FAR is 0.5:1.
PUBLIC DESIGNATIONS
Public Facilities: This designation includes all federal, state, and local government properties, such as post offices, the Civic Center, and fire stations. Public Facilities also include hospitals and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power utility easement that traverses the City near California Avenue and Muni Park. This category permits other land uses (such as nurseries) which are compatible with adjacent uses and which provide an economic return on the land.
Parks and Recreation: This category includes all the public parks in Huntington Park, including their structures and facilities.
Schools: This designation includes all the public schools in Huntington Park, including their playground areas.
TRANSPORTATION DESIGNATIONS
Streets: This designation includes public rights-of-way; generally, public streets.
Rail Transportation Corridor: This designation includes three rail corridors that traverse Huntington Park: 1) Southern Pacific Railroad on Alameda Street; 2) Southern Pacific Railroad on Randolph Street; and 3) Union Pacific Railroad on Salt Lake Avenue.
OVERLAY DESIGNATIONS
Senior Citizen Housing Overlay: This category corresponds with sites identified by City staff as suitable for senior citizen housing. The designation allows these residences up to 225 units per acre, which are generally located in high-rise developments with shared open space, meeting facilities, and lower parking 20 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
requirements. Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SROs) are also permitted under this designation up to 400 units per acre.
Medium-Density Overlay: The purpose of the Medium-Density Overlay is to provide for multi-family residential units up to 17.42 units per acre in the underlying commercial zoning district. The Medium-Density Overlay identifies parcels that are suitable for the development of medium-density housing, either as the primary use on the parcel or in conjunction with other uses.
Single-Room Occupancy (“SRO”) Overlay: The SRO Overlay designation allows mixed use development of commercial uses together with single room occupancy hotels. The overlay area is located on the east side of Santa Fe Avenue north of Randolph Street. The density is permitted up to 400 units per acre in addition to the uses provided for under the current General Commercial Land Use designation at a maximum FAR of 1:1.
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Overlay: The TOD Overlay is intended to create a compact and high-intensity mix of residential, office, retail, and public uses to promote areas of the city that have a high potential for pedestrian activity, generally within one-half mile of transit stations. The TOD Overlay may be applied on a parcelby-parcel basis. The TOD Overlay should facilitate land use that encourages transit use through density, mix of land uses, building form, and design. The intent of the TOD Overlay is to improve urban form/design and reduce vehicle miles traveled through intense development to support transit ridership and sense of place. The minimum density within the TOD Overlay District is 30 dwelling units per acre and the maximum permitted is up to 70 dwelling units per acre.
Affordable Housing Overlay: The Affordable Housing Overlay designation allows the development of affordable family housing at densities up to 70 dwelling units per acre. Senior citizen housing at a density of 225 units per acre, and single-room occupancy (SRO) facilities at a density of 400 units per acre, are also permitted.
Mixed-Use Overlay: The Mixed-Use Overlay designation allows residential development to occur in an area designated for another land use. The area along Santa Fe Avenue between Randolph Street and Florence Avenue will allow Medium Density Residential Development in addition to the land uses provided for under the current General Commercial Land Use designation, and property to the south of Clarendon Avenue will be limited to either commercial uses or vertically oriented mixed-use development (i.e., commercial/residential with only nonresidential uses on the ground level). Property located north of Clarendon Avenue will allow commercial uses, mixed uses, or solely residential use. Residential densities will be allowed to a maximum of 17.4 dwelling units per acre. The maximum allowable commercial floor area ratio (“FAR”) intensity standard would remain at 1:1.
Parking Overlay: A Parking Overlay designation can exist in addition to the underlying land use designation. This overlay identifies areas where private owners or the City are encouraged to acquire property for parking facilities in order to alleviate LAND USE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT 21
parking shortages, for example, on portions of Gage and Florence avenues. The Parking Overlay areas are shown on the Land Use Map.
22 HUNTINGTON PARK GENERAL PLAN
Figure 3-2 Huntington Park General Plan Land Use Map
Housing Element and General Plan Update
Draft Environmental Assessment
prepared by
City of Huntington Park
Planning Division, Department of Community Development
6550 Miles Avenue
Huntington Park, California 90255
Contact: Steve Forster, Director of Community Development prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
250 East First Street, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90012
September 2023
"ATTACHMENT F"
Housing Element and General Plan Update
Draft Environmental Assessment
prepared by
City of Huntington Park
Planning Division, Department of Community Development
6550 Miles Avenue
Huntington Park, California 90255
Contact: Steve Forster, Director of Community Development prepared with the assistance of
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
250 East First Street, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, California 90012
September 2023
This report prepared on 50% recycled paper with 50% post-consumer content.
Table of Contents
Draft Environmental Assessment i
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................ES-1 Project Synopsis.........................................................................................................................ES-1 Project Objectives......................................................................................................................ES-4 Alternatives................................................................................................................................ES-4 Issues to be Resolved.................................................................................................................ES-5 Issues Not Studied in Detail in the EA........................................................................................ES-5 Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures ........................................................................ES-5 1 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1-1
1.1 Environmental Assessment Purpose............................................................................... 1-2
1.2 Environmental Assessment Authority ............................................................................ 1-3
1.3 Environmental Type, Scope, and Organization............................................................... 1-4
1.4 Environmental Assessment Intended Use and Process.................................................. 1-7 2 Project Description ..................................................................................................................... 2-2
2.1 Housing Element Update ................................................................................................ 2-2
2.2 Safety Element Update ................................................................................................... 2-3
2.3 Land Use Element Update .............................................................................................. 2-3
2.4 Zoning Code Amendments.............................................................................................. 2-4
2.5 Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) ................................................................... 2-4
2.6 Project Objectives......................................................................................................... 2-12
2.7 Project Implementation................................................................................................ 2-12
2.8 Discretionary Actions.................................................................................................... 2-13 3 Environmental Setting ................................................................................................................ 3-1
3.1 Regional Setting .............................................................................................................. 3-1
3.2 Natural Environment....................................................................................................... 3-1
3.3 Planning Context............................................................................................................. 3-4
3.4 Cumulative Impact Setting.............................................................................................. 3-4 4 Environmental Impact Analysis .................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1 Aesthetics..................................................................................................................... 4.1-1
4.1.1 Setting.......................................................................................................... 4.1-2
4.1.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.1-2
4.1.3 Impact Analysis............................................................................................ 4.1-3
4.1.4 Cumulative Impacts..................................................................................... 4.1-8
4.2 Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 4.2-1
4.2.1 Environmental Setting ................................................................................. 4.2-1
4.2.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.2-7
4.2.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.2-16
4.2.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.2-29 City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ii
4.3 Biological Resources..................................................................................................... 4.3-1
4.3.1 Environmental Setting ................................................................................. 4.3-1
4.3.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.3-1
4.3.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.3-11
4.3.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.3-15
4.4 Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources......................................................................... 4.4-1
4.4.1 Setting.......................................................................................................... 4.4-1
4.4.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.4-9
4.4.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.4-15
4.4.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.4-21
4.5 Energy .......................................................................................................................... 4.5-1
4.5.1 Environmental Setting ................................................................................. 4.5-1
4.5.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.5-3
4.5.3 Impact Analysis............................................................................................ 4.5-9
4.5.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.5-13
4.6 Geology and Soils......................................................................................................... 4.6-1
4.6.1 Environmental Setting ................................................................................. 4.6-1
4.6.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.6-7
4.6.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.6-12
4.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions.......................................................................................... 4.7-1
4.7.1 Environmental Setting ................................................................................. 4.7-1
4.7.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.7-6
4.7.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.7-12
4.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ............................................................................... 4.8-1
4.8.1 Setting.......................................................................................................... 4.8-1
4.8.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.8-6
4.8.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.8-12
4.8.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.8-19
4.9 Hydrology and Water Quality ...................................................................................... 4.9-1
4.9.1 Setting.......................................................................................................... 4.9-1
4.9.2 Regulatory Setting ....................................................................................... 4.9-2
4.9.3 Impact Analysis............................................................................................ 4.9-8
4.9.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.9-14
4.10 Land Use and Planning............................................................................................... 4.10-1
4.10.1 Setting........................................................................................................ 4.10-1
4.10.2 Regulatory Setting ..................................................................................... 4.10-4
4.10.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.10-6
4.10.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................... 4.10-9 Table of Contents
Draft Environmental Assessment iii
4.11 Noise .......................................................................................................................... 4.11-1
4.11.1 Environmental Setting ............................................................................... 4.11-1
4.11.2 Regulatory Setting ..................................................................................... 4.11-8
4.11.3 Impact Analysis........................................................................................ 4.11-12
4.11.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................. 4.11-26
4.12 Population and Housing............................................................................................. 4.12-1
4.12.1 Setting........................................................................................................ 4.12-1
4.12.2 Regulatory Setting ..................................................................................... 4.12-2
4.12.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.12-5
4.12.4 Cumulative Impact Analysis....................................................................... 4.12-8
4.13 Public Services and Recreation .................................................................................. 4.13-1
4.13.1 Setting........................................................................................................ 4.13-1
4.13.2 Regulatory Setting ..................................................................................... 4.13-3
4.13.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.13-9
4.13.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................. 4.13-15
4.14 Transportation ........................................................................................................... 4.14-1
4.14.1 Setting........................................................................................................ 4.14-1
4.14.2 Regulatory Setting ..................................................................................... 4.14-2
4.14.3 Impact Analysis.......................................................................................... 4.14-4
4.14.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................. 4.14-10
4.15 Utilities and Service Systems ..................................................................................... 4.15-1
4.15.1 Setting........................................................................................................ 4.15-1
4.15.2 Regulatory Setting ..................................................................................... 4.15-3
4.15.3 Impact Analysis........................................................................................ 4.15-11
4.15.4 Cumulative Impacts................................................................................. 4.15-18
4.16 Effects Found Not to be Significant ........................................................................... 4.16-1
4.16.1 Agricultural and Forestry Resources.......................................................... 4.16-1
4.16.2 Mineral Resources..................................................................................... 4.16-1
4.16.3 Wildfire ...................................................................................................... 4.16-2 5 Other CEQA Required Discussions.............................................................................................. 5-1
5.1 Growth Inducement........................................................................................................ 5-1
5.1.1 Population Growth ......................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.2 Economic Growth ........................................................................................... 5-1
5.1.3 Removal of Obstacles to Growth.................................................................... 5-2
5.2 Irreversible Environmental Effects.................................................................................. 5-2
5.3 Mandatory Findings of Significance................................................................................ 5-2 6 Alternatives................................................................................................................................. 6-1
6.1 Alternative 1: No Project Alternative.............................................................................. 6-2
6.1.1 Description...................................................................................................... 6-2 City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
iv
6.1.2 Impact Analysis............................................................................................... 6-2
6.2 Alternative 2: Alternative Candidate Sites...................................................................... 6-6
6.2.1 Description...................................................................................................... 6-6
6.2.2 Impact Analysis............................................................................................... 6-9
6.3 Alternatives Considered but Rejected .......................................................................... 6-14
6.4 Environmentally Superior Alternative .......................................................................... 6-15 7 References.................................................................................................................................. 7-1
7.1 Bibliography .................................................................................................................... 7-1
7.2 List of Preparers.............................................................................................................. 7-8 Tables
Table ES-1 RHNA Percentage of Income Distribution.................................................................ES-3 Table ES-2 RHNA and Opportunity Sites Summary ....................................................................ES-3 Table ES-3 Summary of Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, and Residual Impacts......................................................................................................................ES-6 Table 2-1 RHNA Percentage of Income Distribution.................................................................. 2-5 Table 2-2 RHNA and Opportunity Sites Summary ..................................................................... 2-6 Table 2-3 Opportunity Sites Inventory....................................................................................... 2-7 Table 4.2-1 Ambient Air Quality at the Monitoring Station....................................................... 4.2-7 Table 4.2-2 Federal and State Ambient Air Quality Standards.................................................. 4.2-8 Table 4.2-3 SCAQMD Regional Significance Thresholds.......................................................... 4.2-16 Table 4.2-4 SCAQMD LSTs for Construction Within 25 Meters of Sensitive Receptors (SRA-12)................................................................................................................. 4.2-17 Table 4.2-5 SCAQMD LSTs for Operation Within 25 Meters of Sensitive Receptors (SRA-12)................................................................................................................. 4.2-17 Table 4.2-6 Vehicle Activity Data for the Housing Element and General Plan Update............ 4.2-19 Table 4.2-7 Operational Emissions under the Housing Element and General Plan Update.... 4.2-23 Table 4.4-1 Known and Potential Historical Resources Located Adjacent to Opportunity Sites4.4-9 Table 4.5-1 Residential and Nonresidential Electricity Consumption in Los Angeles County ... 4.5-2 Table 4.5-2 Residential and Nonresidential Gas Consumption in Los Angeles County ............. 4.5-2 Table 4.5-3 Daily Automotive Fuel Consumption in Los Angeles County .................................. 4.5-3 Table 4.5-4 Consistency with State Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Plans.............. 4.5-12 Table 4.7-1 Vehicle Activity Data for the Housing Element and General Plan Update............ 4.7-13 Table 4.7-2 Consistency with Applicable 2022 Scoping Plan GHG Emission Reduction Strategies .............................................................................................................. 4.7-16 Table 4.7-3 Consistency with Applicable SCAG RTP/SCS GHG Emission Reduction Strategies 4.7-18 Table 4.7-4 Annual Operational Emissions of Greenhouse Gases........................................... 4.7-19 Table 4.9-1 City Growth Projections........................................................................................ 4.9-11 Table 4.10-1 Existing Land Use Summary for Huntington Park ................................................. 4.10-1 Table 4.11-1 Criteria for Vibration Damage Potential ............................................................... 4.11-5 Table of Contents
Draft Environmental Assessment v
Table 4.11-2 Existing Roadway Vehicle Noise Along Roadway Segments................................. 4.11-6 Table 4.11-3 Interior and Exterior Noise Standards................................................................. 4.11-11 Table 4.11-4 Typical Construction Equipment Noise Levels.................................................... 4.11-15 Table 4.11-5 Typical Vibration Levels for Construction Equipment......................................... 4.11-16 Table 4.11-6 Traffic Noise Increases Along Roadway Segments.............................................. 4.11-19 Table 4.12-1 2020 Population, Households, and Housing Unit Estimates................................. 4.12-1 Table 4.12-2 SCAG Population, Housing, and Employment Forecasts ...................................... 4.12-1 Table 4.12-3 RHNA Percentage of Income Distribution............................................................. 4.12-4 Table 4.13-1 Schools and Enrollment for Huntington Park in 2021-2022 ................................. 4.13-2 Table 4.13-2 Summary of Available 2020-2021 LAUSD Capacity............................................... 4.13-2 Table 4.13-3 City Parks............................................................................................................... 4.13-3 Table 4.13-4 Estimated Student Generation from Project...................................................... 4.13-12 Table 4.13-5 2022 LAUSD Developer Fee Collection Rates...................................................... 4.13-12 Table 4.14-1 Project Related Increase in Households and Population by TAZ .......................... 4.14-5 Table 4.14-2 Proposed VMT in the Short Term ......................................................................... 4.14-7 Table 4.14-3 Proposed VMT in the Long Term .......................................................................... 4.14-8 Table 4.15-1 Solid Waste Facilities Serving the City of Huntington Park................................... 4.15-3 Table 4.15-2 Normal Year Supply and Demand Projections.................................................... 4.15-15 Table 4.15-3 Single Dry Year Supply and Demand................................................................... 4.15-16 Table 4.15-4 Multiple Dry Years Supply and Demand ............................................................. 4.15-16 Table 6-1 Comparison of Project Alternatives’ Buildout Characteristics................................... 6-2 Table 6-2 Alternative Candidate Sites........................................................................................ 6-7 Table 6-3 Impact Comparison of Alternatives......................................................................... 6-15 Figures
Figure 3-1 Regional Location....................................................................................................... 3-2 Figure 3-2 City of Huntington Park.............................................................................................. 3-3 Figure 4.6-1 Geological Units and Paleontological Sensitivity Within the City of Huntington Park ......................................................................................................................... 4.6-2 Figure 4.6-2 Fault Lines in the Vicinity of Huntington Park......................................................... 4.6-5 Figure 4.6-3 Huntington Park Liquefaction Zones....................................................................... 4.6-8 Figure 4.8-1 Hazardous Material Sites within the City................................................................ 4.8-4 Figure 4.8-2 Hazardous Material Sites within 0.25 Miles of a School......................................... 4.8-5 Figure 4.11-1 Examples of Typical Noise Levels.......................................................................... 4.11-2 Figure 4.13-1 Parks in Huntingon Park........................................................................................ 4.13-4 City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
vi
Appendices
Appendix A Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element Update
Appendix B Draft Health and Safety Element
Appendix C Draft Land Use Element
Appendix D CalEEMod Model Data
Appendix E Biological Resources Assessment
Appendix F Cultural Resources Site Inventory
Appendix G Noise Modeling Data Results
Appendix H VMT Impact Analysis
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-1
Executive Summary
This document is an Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing the environmental effects of the City of Huntington Park Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element and General Plan Update. This section summarizes the characteristics of, alternatives to, and the environmental impacts and mitigation measures associated with the HSEU.
Project Synopsis
Project Applicant
City of Huntington Park
Planning Division, Department of Community Development
6550 Miles Avenue
Huntington Park, California 90255
Lead Agency Contact Person
Steve Forster
Director of Community Development
City of Huntington Park
6550 Miles Avenue
Huntington Park, California 90255
Project Description
The proposed project would involve an update to the Housing Element and General Plan Update for the 2021-2029 planning period, along with a focused update of the City’s Safety Element and minor updates to the City’s Land Use Element, land use designations, and zoning code. The proposed Housing Element and General Plan Update establishes programs, policies and actions to further the goal of meeting the existing and projected housing needs of all household income levels of the community; provides evidence of the City’s ability to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation through the year 2029, as established by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and identifies any rezoning program needed to reach the required housing capacity.
Housing Element Update
The Housing Element is comprised of the following major components:
Community Profile Assessment
Housing Capacity Analysis and Methodology
Housing Resources
Constraints to Housing Production
Housing Plan
The Housing Element identifies Huntington Park’s housing conditions and needs, and establishes the goals, objectives, and policies that comprise the City’s housing strategy to accommodate projected City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-2
housing needs, including the provision of adequate housing for low-income households and for special-needs populations (e.g., unhoused people, seniors, single-parent households, large families, and persons with disabilities). The proposed Housing Element update would bring the element into compliance with State legislation passed since adoption of the 2008-2014 Housing Element and with the current RHNA. In December 2021, the SCAG Executive Board adopted the 6th Cycle RHNA Allocation Plan, which includes a fair share allocation for meeting regional housing needs for each community in the SCAG region.
Safety Element Update
The Safety Element Update will ensure consistency with the Housing Element Update and will comply with recent State legislation and guidelines (including Assembly Bill [AB] 162, Senate Bill [SB] 1241, SB 99, AB 747, SB 1035, and SB 379). Amendments incorporate data and maps, address vulnerability to climate change, incorporate policies and programs from the City’s Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, as well as partial or full integration of other City documents and programs. Key areas of the Huntington Park Safety Element Update include updated flooding and fire hazard maps, emergency response and preparedness, especially as they relate to the City’s projected climate change exposure, and vulnerability. The Safety Element amendments will be submitted to the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) for review.
Land Use Element Update
The City’s Land Use Element update will be prepared in compliance with Government Code Section 65302.10, which requires the City to update its Land Use Element to identify unincorporated island, fringe, or legacy communities inside or near its boundaries. The Land Use Element identifies and analyzes the service needs of the fringe community of Walnut Park, within the City’s sphere of influence. The Land Use Element will also be amended to address consistency issues with newly developed Housing Element goals, policies, and programs. The General Plan Land Use Element will include a new Transit-Oriented Development land use overlay designation to allow a new zoning overlay district. The General Plan Land Use Map will be amended to apply the new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) overlay designation to 36 parcels in the City.
Zoning Code Amendments
The City’s Zoning Code will be amended to address constraints identified in the Housing Element and inconsistencies with State law, including:
Modifying the City’s manufactured homes regulations to align with only those regulations that also apply to single-family homes;
Allowing employee housing according to state law;
Establishing standards and by-right processing procedures for Low-Barrier Navigation Centers; Allowing transitional housing according to state law; Eliminating prohibitions on multiple dwelling units to align with state accessory dwelling unit law;
Allowing emergency shelters according to state law;
Addressing identified constraints in the existing Reasonable Accommodation ordinance; Establishing a new TOD Overlay District. ; and
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-3
The City’s Zoning Map would be amended to apply the new TOD Overlay District to 36 parcels to qualify them for inclusion in the City’s Housing Element Sites Inventory, as required by Government Code Section 65583(c)(1)(A).
RHNA Allocation
SCAG has allocated the region’s housing unit growth needs to each city and county through a process called the RHNA. The RHNA represents the minimum number of housing units that the City is required to plan for in its housing element by providing “adequate sites” through the Huntington Park General Plan and zoning residential capacity. Huntington Park is also required to address its deficit in sites from the previous (5th Cycle) RHNA share (2014-2921). The “carryover” from the 5th Cycle Housing Element is 895 dwelling units. As shown below in Table ES-1, the City’s RHNA share, including both the share of the current (6th Cycle) RHNA and carryover from the previous (5th Cycle) RHNA is 2,500 dwelling units.
Table ES-1 RHNA Percentage of Income Distribution
Income Level
Percent of Area
Median Income (AMI) 5th Cycle 6th Cycle
Total RHNA
Allocation
Very Low 0-50% 216 264 480
Low 51-80% 128 196 324
Moderate 81-120% 149 243 392
Above Moderate >120% 402 902 1304
Total -- 865 1,605 2,500
Source: SCAG 2020
Table ES-2 shows a summary of the RHNA allocations over the 5th and 6th cycle, housing credits for pipeline projects and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), vacant and underutilized sites throughout Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP), sites proposed to be rezoned near transit, and the surplus of housing units above RHNA allocation. The total capacity of inventory sites exceeds the City’s RHNA share by 14 percent. The City would exceed the RHNA allocation in each income distribution level and total allocation, providing a buffer beyond what is required to ensure the City’s share of the RHNA is met within the eight-year planning period.
Table ES-2 RHNA and Opportunity Sites Summary
Sites/Projects
Income Distribution
Very
Low Low Moderate
Above
Moderate Total
5th Cycle RHNA Allocation 216 128 149 402 895
6th Cycle RHNA Allocation 264 196 243 902 1,605
Total RHNA Allocation 480 324 392 1304 2,500
Pipeline Projects 13 36 7 1 57
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 26 50 2 34 112
Remaining RHNA After Subtracting Credits 441 238 383 1,269 2,331 Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP) Opportunity Sites 125 122 110 553 910 Slauson/Long Beach Transit Station Rezone Sites 169 152 214 534 1,069 Pacific/Randolph Transit Rezone Sites 105 89 131 328 653 City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-4
Sites/Projects
Income Distribution
Very
Low Low Moderate
Above
Moderate Total
Florence/Salt Lake Transit Rezone Site8 6 5 7 19 37
Total Units (Credits + Vacant/Underutilized +
Rezone Sites)
444 454 462 1,477 2,837
Total Unit Surplus Above RHNA Share 94 70 173 337
Total % Buffer Above RHNA Share 12% 4% 5% 14%
Housing Opportunity Sites
Figure 2-3 of the Project Description lists each housing opportunity site in Huntington Park, including the address, APN, acreage, current use, and assumed income level distribution to fulfill the RHNA share of each opportunity site in the Downtown Specific Plan area, the Pacific/Randolph Transit area, the Florence Salt Lake Site area, and the Slauson Long Beach Transit area. As proposed, the opportunity sites can support a total of 2,668 units, exceeding the RHNA share by 337 units.
Project Objectives
Provide a framework for accommodating approximately 2,500 new housing units, with a reasonable buffer of at least 14 percent above RHNA for lower- and moderate-income units for a total of 2,668 new units, at all levels of affordability within access to transit, job centers, schools, services, and open spaces.
Plan for a buffer range of approximately 338 units to ensure ongoing compliance with the No Net Loss provisions of State housing law.
Accommodate the City’s share of the State-required RHNA for 5th and 6th Cycle Housing Element planning periods.
Bring the Housing, Safety, and Land Use Elements into conformance with recently enacted State laws.
Identify future housing sites with a collective capacity to meet the City’s RHNA, including the requisite buffer capacity; and
Continue to provide excellent services, parks, schools, and environmental setting, and offer new programs that support the City’s increasing diversity and improved housing affordability. New Housing Element programs support this growth and self-mitigate potential negative impacts of growth on the physical environment in Huntington Park and the surrounding region.
Alternatives
As required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this EA examines alternatives to the proposed project. Studied alternatives include the following two alternatives. Based on the alternatives analysis, Alternative 1 was determined to be the environmentally superior alternative.
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-5
Alternative 1: No Project
Alternative 2: Alternative Candidate Sites
Alternative 1 (No Project) assumes there is no change in zoning or General Plan land use designations for the parcels identified by the project. Current uses on the sites would continue under this alternative, with future full buildout of the Draft Housing Opportunity Sites limited by the existing zoning and General Plan designations. Buildout of the Draft Housing Opportunity Sites under existing zoning would allow for up to roughly 1,800 total housing units, housing a population of 5,400 residents. This alternative would only accomplish two of the six objectives identified for the project. It would not accomplish the project objectives of planning a buffer of up to 2,668 (14%) new housing units to ensure ongoing compliance with the No Net Loss provisions of State housing law.
Alternative 2 (Alternative Candidate Sites) involves General Plan, Zoning Code, and Specific Plan Amendments to as many as 89 low-and very-low income candidate sites. Alternative 2 would result in approximately 1,958 new dwelling units and approximately 6,070 new residents. This would equate to approximately 710 less units and approximately 2,180 less new residents than the proposed project. Like the proposed project, this Alternative also proposes various confirming amendments to the Zoning Code, General Plan, and related Specific Plans, and ancillary amendments to other planning documents, as necessary for clarification. This alternative would meet or exceed four of the six project objectives. In particular, this alternative does not create a framework for accommodating approximately 2,500 new housing units, with a reasonable buffer of at least 14 percent above RHNA for lower- and moderate-income units.
Refer to Section 6, Alternatives, for the complete alternatives analysis.
Issues to be Resolved
The proposed project would require approval by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Issues Not Studied in Detail in the EA
As indicated in Section 4.16, Effects Found Not to be Significant, there is no substantial evidence that significant impacts would occur to the following issue areas: Agricultural and Forestry Resources, Mineral Resources, and Wildfire. Impacts to Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Noise, Population and Housing, Public Services and Recreation, Transportation, and Utilities and Service Systems are addressed in this EA.
Summary of Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Table ES-3 summarizes the environmental impacts of the proposed project, proposed mitigation measures, and residual impacts (the impact after application of mitigation, if required). Impacts are categorized as follows:
Significant and Unavoidable. An impact that cannot be reduced to below the threshold level given reasonably available and feasible mitigation measures. Such an impact requires a Statement of Overriding Considerations to be issued if the project is approved per §15093 of the CEQA Guidelines.
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-6
Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated. An impact that can be reduced to below the threshold level given reasonably available and feasible mitigation measures. Such an impact requires findings under §15091 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Less than Significant. An impact that may be adverse, but does not exceed the threshold levels and does not require mitigation measures. However, mitigation measures that could further lessen the environmental effect may be suggested if readily available and easily achievable. No Impact: The proposed project would have no effect on environmental conditions or would reduce existing environmental problems or hazards.
Table ES-3 Summary of Environmental Impacts, Mitigation Measures, and Residual Impacts
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Aesthetics
Impact AES-1. There are no scenic vistas within
the urbanized city. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
Significant
Impact AES-2. There are no state scenic highways
within or near city limits, therefore there would
be a less than significant impact.
None Less than
significant
Impact AES-3. The proposed project includes
rezoning that would accommodate new
residential and mixed-use development
throughout the City. The development facilitated
by the proposed project would be subject to
applicable zoning, municipal code, and general
plan regulations which preserve scenic quality.
With adherence to existing and future
regulations, impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact AES-4. The proposed project includes
rezoning that would accommodate new
residential and mixed-use development
throughout the City. The development facilitated
by the proposed project would be subject to
applicable zoning, municipal code, and general
plan regulations which preserve scenic quality.
With adherence to existing and future
regulations, impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Air Quality
Impact AQ-1. The Housing Element and General
Plan Update would not conflict with the growth
assumptions or policies of applicable air quality
plans such as SCAQMD’s 2022 Air Quality
Management Plan. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact AQ-2. Without mitigation Construction
activities and operation of development
facilitated by the Housing Element and General
Plan Update could result in a cumulatively
considerable net increase of a criteria pollutant
for which the region is non-attainment area.
AQ-1 Construction Emissions Reduction. The
City shall retain a qualified air quality analyst to
prepare an Air Quality Impact Analysis to
analyze construction emissions for individual
development projects facilitated by the
proposed project. The air quality analysis shall
Significant and
unavoidable
with mitigation
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-7
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Implementation of Mitigation Measures AQ-1
and AQ-2 would require air quality studies and
project-specific emissions reduction measures for
future development projects facilitated by the
Housing Element and General Plan Update.
Construction and operational impacts would be
significant and unavoidable despite the
implementation of feasible mitigation measures.
demonstrate that proposed project
construction emissions are less than applicable
SCAQMD regional and LST thresholds, and as
applicable may include, but is not limited to,
the following mitigations:
All exposed surfaces (e.g., parking areas,
staging areas, soil piles, graded areas, and
unpaved access roads) shall be watered
two times a day.
All haul trucks transporting soil, sand, or
other loose material off-site shall be
covered.
All visible mud or dirt track-out onto
adjacent public roads shall be removed
using wet power vacuum street sweepers
at least once per day. The use of dry power
sweeping is prohibited.
All vehicle speeds on unpaved roads shall
be limited to 15 miles per hour.
All roadways, driveways, and sidewalks to
be paved shall be completed as soon as
possible. Building pads shall be laid as soon
as possible after grading unless seeding or
soil binders are used.
Idling times shall be minimized either by
shutting equipment off when not in use or
reducing the maximum idling time to five
minutes (as required by the California
Airborne Toxics Control Measure Title 13,
Section 2485 of California Code of
Regulations). Clear signage shall be
provided for construction workers at all
access points.
All construction equipment shall be
maintained and properly tuned in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
specifications. All equipment shall be
checked by a certified mechanic and
determined to be running in proper
conditions prior to operation.
Off-road diesel-powered construction
equipment greater than 50 horsepower
shall meet the USEPA Tier 4 emission
standards, where available. In the event
that Tier 4 engines are not available for any
off-road equipment larger than 100
horsepower, that equipment shall be
equipped with a Tier 3 engine or an engine
that is equipped with retrofit controls to
reduce exhaust emissions of NOx and DPM
to no more than Tier 3 levels unless
certified by engine manufacturers or the
onsite air quality construction mitigation
manager that the use of such devices is not
practical for specific engine types.
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-8
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
All construction equipment shall be
outfitted with best available control
technology (BACT) devices certified by
CARB. Any emissions control device used by
the contractor shall achieve emissions
reductions that are no less than what could
be achieved by a Level 3 diesel emissions
control strategy for a similarly sized engine
as defined by CARB regulations.
Consistent with SCAQMD Rule 403,
construction contractors shall identify and
implement best available dust control
measures during active construction
operations capable of generating dust.
Post a publicly visible sign with the
telephone number and person to contact at
the City of Huntington Park regarding dust
complaints. This person shall respond and
take corrective action within 48 hours. The
SCAQMD’s number shall also be visible to
ensure compliance with applicable
regulations.
AQ-2 Operations Emissions Reduction. Future
applicants at the opportunity sites shall retain
a qualified air quality analyst to prepare an Air
Quality Impact Analysis to analyze operational
emissions for individual development projects
facilitated by the proposed project. The air
quality analysis shall demonstrate that
proposed project operational emissions are
less than applicable SCAQMD regional and LST
thresholds, and as applicable may include, but
is not limited to, the following mitigation:
Implementation of a Transportation
Demand Management Plan.
Installation of additional electric vehicle
charging stations
Public infrastructure improvements
(e.g., bus stop shelter improvements)
Carpool or ridesharing programs
Subsidized transit costs
Unbundled parking costs
Bicycle amenities (storage, showers,
lockers, etc.)
Use of all-electric appliances (i.e.,
elimination of natural gas service)
Use solar or low emission water heaters
that exceed Title 24 requirements
Increased walls and attic insulation beyond
Title 24 requirements
Required use of electric lawnmowers, leafblowers, and chainsaws Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-9
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Impact AQ-3. Construction activities for projects
lasting longer than two months or located within
1,000 feet of sensitive receptors could expose
sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations. Operation of development
facilitated by the Housing Element and General
Plan Update would not expose sensitive
receptors to operational sources of toxic air
contaminants. Impacts from construction would
be less than significant with mitigation. Impacts
from operation would be less than significant.
Impacts from carbon monoxide hotspots would
be less than significant. Construction and
operation LSTs would be significant and
unavoidable.
AQ-3 Conduct Construction Health Risk
Assessment. The City shall require a
construction health risk assessment (HRA) for
future development projects that have the
following three characteristics:
The project is located within 1,000 feet of
sensitive receptors.
Project construction would last longer than
two months.
Project construction would not utilize
equipment rated U.S. EPA Tier 4 (for
equipment of 50 horsepower or more);
construction equipment fitted with Level 3
Diesel Particulate Filters (or equivalent) for
all equipment of 50 horsepower or more;
or implement the use of alternative fuel
construction equipment.
The construction HRA shall determine potential
risk and compare the risk to the following
SCAQMD thresholds:
Increased cancer risk of > 10.0 in a million;
Increased non-cancer risk of > 1.0 Hazard
Index (Chronic or Acute); or
Ambient PM2.5 increase of > 0.3 µg/m3
annual average.
If risk exceeds the thresholds, the project
applicant and/or construction contractor shall
incorporate measures such as requiring the use
of Tier 4 engines, Level 3 Diesel Particulate
Filters, and/or alternative fuel construction
equipment to reduce the risk to appropriate
levels. The project applicant shall provide the
construction HRA to the City for review and
concurrence prior to project approval.
Significant and
unavoidable
with mitigation
Impact AQ-4. Development facilitated by the
proposed project would not generate odors
adversely affecting a substantial number of
people during construction or operation. Impacts
would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Biological Resources
Impact BIO-1. The project could result in direct or
indirect impacts to Biological Resources. Impacts
would be less than significant with mitigation
incorporated.
BIO-1 Nesting Birds and Raptors.
To avoid disturbance of nesting and specialstatus bird species protected by the MBTA and CFGC, activities related to project
construction, including but not limited to,
vegetation removal, ground disturbance,
and demolition shall occur outside of the
bird breeding season (February 15 through
August 31). If construction at a site must be
initiated during the nesting season,
vegetation and/or tree removal should be
planned to occur outside the nesting
season (September 1 to February 14) and a
Less than
Significant with
mitigation
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-10
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
preconstruction nesting bird survey shall be
conducted by a biologist qualified to
perform nesting bird surveys and
monitoring of avian species known to occur
in Los Angeles County, no more than three
days prior to initiation of construction
activities. If the proposed project is phased
or construction activities stop for more
than one (1) week during the nest season, a
subsequent pre-construction nesting bird
and raptor survey will be required no more
than three days prior to resuming
construction. The nesting bird
preconstruction survey shall be conducted
on foot inside the project disturbance areas
and an additional 100-foot buffer
surrounding the project disturbance areas.
If no nests or an inactive avian nest is
found, construction may proceed. If an
active avian nest is discovered during the
preconstruction clearance survey,
construction activities shall stay outside of
a 50- to 200-foot buffer for common
nesting birds around the active nest, as
determined by a qualified biologist. For
listed species and raptor species, this buffer
shall be expanded to 500 feet or as
determined by a biologist to be suitable for
protection of the nest.
Inaccessible areas, such as areas located
high up in trees or private properties, shall
be surveyed from afar using binoculars. The
survey shall be conducted by a qualified
biologist familiar with the identification of
avian species known to occur in Los Angeles
County. If nests are found, an appropriate
avoidance buffer shall be determined by a
qualified biologist and demarcated with
bright orange construction fencing,
flagging, construction lathe, or other means
to mark the boundary. Effective buffer
distances are highly variable and based on
specific project stage, bird species, stage of
nesting cycle, work type, and the tolerance
of a particular bird pair. The buffer may be
up to 500 feet in diameter, depending on
the species of nesting bird found, proposed
work activities, and the biologist’s
observations. Copies of the nesting birds
and raptors survey results shall be
submitted to the City. If no nesting birds
are observed during pre-construction
surveys, no further actions would be
necessary.
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-11
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
BIO-2 Bat Pre-Construction Survey.
To avoid disturbance of special-status bat
species during removal of trees, buildings,
or other suitable roost structures, a
preconstruction roosting bat survey shall be
conducted by a qualified bat biologist no
more than 30 days prior to initiation of
construction activities that will remove
trees and/or structures. A passive acoustic
survey shall identify the species using the
area for day/night roosting.
If special-status roosting bats are present
and their roost will be impacted, a qualified
bat biologist shall prepare a plan to identify
the proper exclusionary methods, which
may include the installation of bat
deterrent devices, to passively exclude
roosting bats from any structures in the
work areas. Implementation of proper
exclusionary methods shall be overseen by
the bat biologist. If it is determined that an
active maternity roost is present, the roost
shall not be disturbed during the breeding
season (approximately March through
September). If it is determined to not be an
active maternity roost, the tree or structure
may be removed under the guidance of a
qualified bat biologist. Copies of the
roosting bat survey results shall be
submitted to the City.
Removal of mature trees shall occur as
close to sunset as feasible to allow
potential roosting bats to escape during
their natural emergence times.
For trees determined by the bat biologist to
be highly suitable roost sites, removals shall
be monitored by a qualified biologist and
shall occur by pushing down the entire tree
(without trimming or limb removal) using
heavy equipment and leaving the felled
tree on the ground untrimmed and
undisturbed for a period of at least 24
hours.
BIO-3 Burrowing Owl.
No less than 14 days prior to grounddisturbing construction activities (vegetation clearance, grading, building
demolition), a qualified biologist (i.e., a
wildlife biologist with previous burrowing
owl survey experience) shall conduct preconstruction take avoidance surveys on and within 200 meters (656 feet) of the
construction zone to identify occupied
breeding or wintering burrowing owl
burrows. The take avoidance burrowing
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-12
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
owl surveys shall be conducted in
accordance with the Staff Report on
Burrowing Owl Mitigation (2012 Staff
Report; CDFG 2012) and shall consist of
walking parallel transects and noting any
burrows with fresh burrowing owl sign or
presence of burrowing owls. Copies of the
burrowing owl survey results shall be
submitted to the City.
If burrowing owls are detected on site, no
ground-disturbing activities shall be
permitted within 200 meters (656 feet) of
an occupied burrow during the breeding
season (February 1 to August 31), unless
otherwise determined advisable by a
qualified biologist and the City. During the
nonbreeding season (September 1 to
January 31), ground-disturbing work can
proceed near active burrows as long as the
work occurs no closer than 50 meters (165
feet) from the burrow. Depending on the
level of disturbance, a smaller buffer may
be established in coordination with a
qualified biologist and the City.
If avoidance of active burrows is infeasible
during the nonbreeding season, then,
before breeding behavior is exhibited and
after the burrow is confirmed empty by site
surveillance and/or scoping, a qualified
biologist shall implement a passive
relocation program in accordance with
Appendix E (i.e., Example Components for
Burrowing Owl Artificial Burrow and
Exclusion Plans) of the 2012 CDFW Staff
Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation (CDFG
2012). Passive relocation consists of
excluding burrowing owls from occupied
burrows and providing suitable artificial
burrows nearby for the excluded burrowing
owls. A burrowing owl monitoring and
mitigation plan will be prepared that
outlines how passive relocation would
occur and where the replacement burrows
would be constructed. It would also outline
the monitoring and maintenance
requirements for the artificial burrows.
Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources
Impact CUL-1. Development facilitated by the
Housing Element and General Plan Update has
the potential to cause a significant impact on a
historic resource if development by the project
would cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of that resource. This impact would
be significant and unavoidable.
CUL-1 Historical Built Environment. A historical
resources evaluation shall be prepared for any
development under the proposed project
involving a property containing buildings,
structures, or other built environment features
that are 45 years of age or older. The
evaluation shall be prepared by a qualified
architectural historian or historian who meets
the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional
Significant and
unavoidable
with mitigation
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-13
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Qualifications Standards (PQS) in architectural
history or history as defined in 36 CFR Part 61.
The qualified architectural historian or
historian shall conduct an intensive-level
evaluation in accordance with the guidelines
and best practices promulgated by the State
Office of Historic Preservation to identify any
potential historical resources within the
proposed project area. All built environment
features 45 years of age or older shall be
evaluated within their historic context and
documented in a report meeting the State
Office of Historic Preservation guidelines. All
evaluated properties shall be documented on
Department of Parks and Recreation Series 523
Forms and attached to a report that shall be
submitted to the City for review and
concurrence.
If historical resources are identified within the
project area of a proposed development,
efforts shall be made to the extent feasible to
ensure that impacts are mitigated in a manner
consistent with Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for the Treatments of Historic
Properties (Standards). Pursuant to CEQA, a
project that has been determined to conform
with the Standards generally would not cause a
significant adverse direct or indirect impact to
historical resources (14 CCR § 15126.4(b)(1)).
Application of the Standards shall be overseen
by a qualified architectural historian or historic
architect meeting the PQS. In conjunction with
any development application that may affect
the historical resource, a report identifying and
specifying the treatment of character-defining
features and construction activities shall be
provided to the City for review and
concurrence.
If significant historical resources are identified
on a development site and compliance with
the Standards and or avoidance is not possible,
appropriate site-specific mitigation measures
shall be established and undertaken.
Mitigation measures may include
documentation of the historical resource in the
form of a Historic American Building Survey
(HABS)-like report. The report shall comply
with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for Architectural and Engineering
Documentation and shall generally follow the
HABS Level III requirements, including digital
photographic recordation, detailed historic
narrative report, and compilation of historic
research. The documentation shall be
completed by a qualified architectural historian
or historian who meets the PQS, and copies
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-14
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
shall be filed with the City of Huntington Park,
Department Community Development,
Planning and Zoning Division prior to issuance
of any permits for demolition or alteration of
the historical resource.
Impact CUL-2. Development of the Housing
Element and General Plan Update could
adversely affect identified and previously
unidentified archaeological resources. impacts
would be less than significant with the
implementation of mitigation.
CUL-2(a) Worker’s Environmental Awareness
Program. Prior to the commencement of any
ground-disturbing activities, a qualified
archaeologist shall be retained to conduct a
Worker’s Environmental Awareness Program
(WEAP) training on archaeological sensitivity
for all construction personnel. The training
shall be conducted by an archaeologist who
meets or exceeds the Secretary of Interior’s
Professional Qualification Standards for
archaeology. Archaeological sensitivity training
will include a description of the types of
cultural material that may be encountered,
cultural sensitivity issues, regulatory issues,
and the proper protocol for treatment of the
materials in the event of a find.
CUL-2(b) Unanticipated Discovery of
Archaeological Resources. In the event of the
unanticipated discovery of archaeological
materials, the project applicant shall
immediately cease all work activities in the
immediate area (approximately 50 feet) of the
discovery until it can be evaluated by a
qualified archaeologist who meets or exceeds
the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional
Qualification Standards for archaeology
(National Park Service 1983). Construction shall
not resume in the immediate area of the
discovery until the qualified archaeologist has
conferred with the City on the significance of
the resource. If it is determined that the
discovered archaeological resource constitutes
a historical resource or unique archaeological
resource pursuant to CEQA, additional work
may be required. Avoidance and preservation
in place shall be the preferred manner of
mitigation. Preservation in place maintains the
important relationship between artifacts and
their archaeological context and serves to
avoid conflict with traditional and religious
values of groups who may ascribe meaning to
the resource. Preservation in place may be
accomplished by, but is not limited to,
avoidance, incorporating the resource into
open space, capping, or deeding the site into a
permanent conservation easement. In the
event that preservation in place is determined
to be infeasible, additional mitigation will be
required, such as data recovery through
excavation. Should data recovery be required,
an Archaeological Resources Treatment Plan
Less than
significant with
mitigation
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-15
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
shall be prepared and implemented by the
qualified archaeologist in consultation with the
City that provides for the adequate recovery of
the scientifically consequential information
contained in the archaeological resource. The
City shall consult with interested Native
American representatives affiliated with the
area in determining treatment for prehistoric
or Native American resources to ensure
cultural values ascribed to the resource,
beyond that which is scientifically important,
are considered.
CUL-2(c) Archaeological Resources and Native
American Monitors. During initial ground
disturbing activities related to the proposed
development projects, monitoring shall be
conducted under the supervision of a qualified
archaeologist who meets or exceeds the
Secretary of the Interior’s professional
qualification standards for archaeology
(National Park Service 1983) and a locally
affiliated Native American monitor from an
interested Tribe for all construction activities,
in accordance with City of Huntington Park
General Plan Policies. Initial ground
disturbance is defined as disturbance within
previously undisturbed native soils. If, during
initial ground disturbance, the qualified
archaeologist determines that the construction
activities have little or no potential to impact
cultural resources (e.g., excavations are within
previously disturbed, non-native soils, or
within soil formation not expected to yield
cultural resources deposits), the qualified
archaeologist may recommend that monitoring
be reduced or eliminated, in consultation with
the Native American monitor and the
applicant.
Impact CUL-3 and CUL-4. Development
accommodated by the Housing Element and
General Plan Update could adversely impact
tribal cultural resources. Impacts would be less
than significant with the implementation of
mitigation through consultation conducted
pursuant to the requirements of AB 52 and SB 18.
Mitigation measures CUL-2(a) and CUL-2(b)
would apply.
Less than
significant with
mitigation
Energy
Impact E-1. Implementation of the proposed
project would not result in a potentially
significant environmental impact due to wasteful,
inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of
energy resources during project construction nor
operation. Impacts would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-16
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Impact E-2. Implementation of the housing
element update would not conflict with nor
obstruct a state or local plan for renewable
energy or energy efficiency. Impacts would be
less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Geology and Soils
Impact GEO-1. The project site is not within an
Alquist-Priolo earthquake fault zone, therefore
there would be no impact.
None No impact
Impact GEO-2. Development facilitated by the
project could result in exposure of people or
structures to a risk of loss, injury, or death
involving strong seismic ground shaking. With
compliance of applicable laws and regulations,
the impact would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-3. Development facilitated by the
project could result in exposure of people or
structures to a risk of loss, injury, or death
involving liquefaction. With compliance of
applicable laws and regulations, the impact
would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-4. Development facilitated by the
project could result in exposure of people or
structures to a risk of loss, injury, or death
involving landslides. With compliance of
applicable laws and regulations, the impact
would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-5. With adherence to applicable laws
and regulations, the proposed project would not
result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil. Therefore, this impact would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-6. Development facilitated by the
project could result in on or off-site landslide,
lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or
collapse due to unstable soil. With compliance of
applicable laws and regulations, the impact
would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-7. There is a minimal risk of
expansive soils in Huntington Park, therefore
impacts associated with expansive soils would be
less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-8. Development facilitated by the
proposed project would occur on urban sites that
would be served by existing infrastructure and
would not include use of septic systems. Impacts
related to septic tanks or alternative wastewater
disposal systems would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact GEO-9. Development facilitated by the
proposed project could adversely affect
previously unidentified paleontological resources.
GEO-1(a) Paleontological Resources
Management. Housing development projects
that require ground disturbance (grading,
trenching, foundation work, and other
excavations) beyond five feet below ground
Less than
significant with
mitigation
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-17
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Impacts to paleontological resources would be
less than significant with mitigation incorporated.
surface (bgs) on a site located in an area
mapped as Quaternary young (Holocene)
alluvial fan deposits (Qyf) where it was not
previously excavated beyond five feet bgs,
shall comply with the following requirements
prior to the commencement of any
construction activities:
The Developer shall retain a qualified
professional paleontologist to review
project plans to determine if underlying
paleontologically sensitive units (i.e., (i.e.,
Qoa) could be impacted. If potentially
significant impacts are identified, the
qualified professional paleontologist shall
prepare and implement a Paleontological
Resources Mitigation Plan (PRMP). The
PRMP shall describe mitigation
recommendations, including
paleontological monitoring procedures;
communication protocols to be followed in
the event that an unanticipated fossil
discovery is made during project
development; and preparation, curation,
and reporting requirements.
As part of a PRMP, require the Qualified
Paleontologist or his or her designee to
conduct Worker Environmental Awareness
Program (WEAP) training for the general
contractor, subcontractor(s), and all
construction workers participating in earth
disturbing activities, regarding the
appearance of fossils and the procedures
for notifying paleontological staff should
fossils be discovered by on-site personnel.
The WEAP shall be fulfilled at the time of a
preconstruction meeting. A training
acknowledgment form must be signed by
all workers who receive the training and
retained by the City. In the event a fossil is
discovered by construction personnel, all
work in the immediate vicinity of the find
shall cease and the qualified paleontologist
shall be contacted to evaluate the find
before re-starting work in the area. If it is
determined that the fossil(s) is (are)
scientifically significant, the qualified
paleontologist shall complete the
mitigation outlined below (GEO-1[b]) to
mitigate impacts to significant fossil
resources.
Conduct monitoring during ground
construction activities (i.e., grading,
trenching, foundation work, and other
excavations). Monitoring shall be
conducted by a qualified paleontological
monitor, who is defined as an individual
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-18
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
who meets the minimum qualifications per
standards set forth by the SVP (2010),
which includes a B.S. or B.A. degree in
geology or paleontology with one year of
monitoring experience and knowledge of
collection and salvage of paleontological
resources. The duration and timing of the
monitoring shall be determined by the
Qualified Paleontologist and the location
and extent of proposed ground
disturbance. If the Qualified Paleontologist
determines that full-time monitoring is no
longer warranted, based on the specific
geologic conditions at the surface or at
depth, the Qualified Paleontologist may
recommend that monitoring be limited to
periodic spot-checking or cease entirely.
GEO-1(b) Fossil Discovery, Preparation, and
Curation. If a paleontological resource is
discovered at any time during earthmoving
activities, the construction contractor shall
ensure that all construction activities in the
immediate area of the find are halted and
diverted, and the City is contacted. A qualified
paleontologist shall be retained (if not done so
already) to evaluate the discovery. The
paleontologist shall have the authority to
temporarily direct, divert or halt construction
activity around the find until it is assessed for
scientific significance and collected to ensure
that the fossil(s) can be removed in a safe and
timely manner.
Once salvaged, significant fossils shall be
identified to the lowest possible taxonomic
level, prepared to a curation-ready condition,
and curated in a scientific institution with a
permanent paleontological collection (such as
the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
County [NHMLAC]) along with all pertinent
field notes, photos, data, and maps.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Impact GHG-1. Implementation of the housing
element and General Plan update would not
conflict with an applicable plan, policy, or
regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing
GHG emissions. Impacts would be less than
significant with mitigation incorporated.
GHG-1 GHG Reduction Actions. Future
individual projects facilitated by the proposed
project would be required to implement with
the following GHG reduction actions to ensure
compliance with the 2022 Scoping Plan or
demonstrate how the project would comply
with the 2022 Scoping plan without
implementing each one or more of these GHG
reduction actions.
Transportation Electrification. Future
projects under the proposed project shall
comply with the most ambitious voluntary
standards for transportation electrification
in the California Building Standards Code at
Less than
Significant with
mitigation
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-19
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
the time of approval or demonstrate that
the future project would still comply with
the 2022 Scoping Plan without meeting the
California Building Standards Code
voluntary standards.1
VMT Reduction – Parking. Future projects
under the proposed project shall include
one of the following parking reduction
requirements or demonstrate that the
future project would still comply with the
2022 Scoping Plan without meeting the
parking reduction requirements:
Eliminate parking requirements or
include the maximum allowable parking
ratio ((i.e., the ratio of parking spaces to
residential units or square feet); or
Provide residential parking supply at a
ratio of less than one parking space per
dwelling unit; or
For multi-family residential
development, parking costs to be
unbundled from costs to rent or own a
residential unit.
VMT Reduction – Affordable Housing.
Future projects under the proposed project
shall allocate a minimum of 20 percent of
units to be designated as affordable or
lower income or demonstrate that the
future project would still comply with the
2022 Scoping Plan without meeting the
affordable housing requirements.
Building Decarbonization. Future projects
under the Housing Element shall use allelectric appliances without any natural gas connections and shall not use propane or
other fossil fuels for space heating, water
heating, or indoor cooking. Demonstrating
that the future project would still comply
with the 2022 Scoping Plan without using
all-electric appliances or other fossil fuels
for appliances, may be used in lieu of all
electric dwelling units.
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Impact HAZ-1. Development facilitated by the
project may result in the release of potentially
hazardous materials and may occur within 0.25
mile of a school. However, compliance with
regional and federal regulations related to
hazardous materials and compliance with the
Safety Element policies would minimize the risk
None Less than
significant
1 For reference, the 2022 Title 24 most ambitious voluntary standards require 40 percent of parking spaces be EV ready and a minimum of 15 percent of all parking spaces have EV charging stations. Depending on the year in which subsequent projects are approved, future Title 24 standards may supersede these requirements.
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
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Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
of releases and exposure to these materials.
Impacts would be less than significant.
Impact HAZ-2. Development facilitated by the
project could result in development on sites
contaminated with hazardous materials.
However, compliance with applicable regulations
relating to site remediation would minimize
impacts from development on contaminated
sites, resulting in a less than significant impact.
None Less than
significant
Impact HAZ-3. There are no airports within two
miles of the city of Huntington Park, and
Huntington Park is not within the influence area
of an airport. No impact would occur.
None No impact
Impact HAZ-4. Development facilitated by the
project would not result in physical changes that
could interfere with or impair emergency
response or evacuation. Therefore, the project
would not result in interference with these types
of adopted plans. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact HAZ-5. The proposed project would not
expose people or structures, either directly or
indirectly, to a significant risk of loss involving
wildland fires. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Hydrology and Water Quality
Impact HYD-1. Development facilitated by the
project would not violate water quality standards
or Waste Discharge Requirements, or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or groundwater
quality. Impacts would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact HYD-2. Development facilitated by the
project would not interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that the project may
impede sustainable groundwater management of
local groundwater basins. Impacts would be less
than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact HYD-3. Development under the Housing
Element and General Plan Update would not
substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of
future development sites, including through the
alteration of the course of a stream or river, in a
manner which would result in substantial erosion
or siltation on- or off-site or substantially increase
the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner
which would result in flooding or exceed the
capacity of stormwater drainage systems.
Impacts related to drainage patterns would be
less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-21
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Impact HYD-4. Development included under the
proposed Project would not place housing and
other structures within FEMA-designated Flood
Hazard Areas and tsunami zones. Impacts would
be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Land Use and Planning
Impact LU-1. Implementation of the proposed
project would not physically divide an established
community. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact LU-2. The proposed project would update
the Land Use Element, Housing Element, and
Safety Element to bring the City’s General Plan
into conformance with State requirements and
facilitate development aligned with the vision of
the General Plan. These updates would not
conflict with any land use plan, policy, or
regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or
mitigating an environmental effect. There would
be no impact.
None No impact
Noise
Impact NOI-1. Construction of individual projects
facilitated by the proposed project would
temporarily increase noise levels, potentially
affecting nearby noise-sensitive land uses.
Development facilitated by the proposed project
would also introduce new noise sources and
contribute to increases in operational noise. The
continued regulation of noise, consistent with the
City Code and General Plan noise element
policies would minimize disturbance to adjacent
land uses. However, construction and operational
stationary noise could exceed standards.
construction noise would be significant and
unavoidable even with mitigation.
NOI-1 Construction Noise Reduction Measures.
Construction contractors of projects
implemented under the proposed project shall
implement the following measures for
construction activities conducted within the
City. Construction plans submitted to the City
shall include construction noise analysis and
identify these measures on demolition,
grading, and construction plans submitted to
the City. The City shall verify that grading,
demolition, and/or construction plans
submitted to the City include these notations
prior to issuance of demolition, grading and/or
building permits.
Mufflers. During all construction phases, all
construction equipment, fixed or mobile,
shall be operated with closed engine doors
and shall be equipped with properly
operating and maintained mufflers
consistent with manufacturers’ standards.
Shielding and Silencing. Power construction
equipment (including combustion engines),
fixed or mobile, shall be equipped with
noise shielding and silencing devices
consistent with manufacturer’s standards
or the Best Available Control Technology.
Equipment shall be properly maintained,
and the project applicant or owner shall
require any construction contractor to keep
documentation on-site during any
earthwork or construction activities
demonstrating that the equipment has
Significant and
unavoidable
with mitigation
City of Huntington Park
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Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
been maintained in accordance with
manufacturer’s specifications.
Stationary Equipment. All stationary
construction equipment shall be placed so
that emitted noise is directed away from
the nearest sensitive receivers.
Signage. For the duration of construction,
the applicant or contractor shall post a sign
in a construction zone that includes contact
information for any individual who desires
to file a noise complaint.
Construction Staging Areas. Construction
staging areas shall be located as far from
noise-sensitive uses as reasonably possible
and feasible in consideration of site
boundaries, topography, intervening roads
and uses, and operational constraints.
Smart Back-Up Alarms. Mobile construction
equipment shall have smart back-up alarms
that automatically adjust the sound level of
the alarm in response to ambient noise
levels. Alternatively, back-up alarms shall
be disabled and replaced with human
spotters to ensure safety when mobile
construction equipment is moving in the
reverse direction.
Equipment Idling. Construction vehicles and
equipment shall not be left idling for longer
than five minutes when not in use.
Use of Driven Pile Systems. Driven (impact),
sonic, or vibratory pile drivers shall not be
used, except in locations where the
underlying geology renders alternative
methods infeasible, as determined by a
soils or geotechnical engineer and
documented in a soils report.
Temporary Noise Barriers. Erect temporary
noise barriers, where feasible, when
construction noise is predicted to exceed
the acceptable standards (e.g., 80 dBA Leq
at residential receptors during the daytime)
and when the anticipated construction
duration is greater than is typical (e.g., two
years or greater). Temporary noise barriers
shall be constructed with solid materials
(e.g., wood) with a density of at least 1.5
pounds per square foot with no gaps from
the ground to the top of the barrier. If a
sound blanket is used, barriers shall be
constructed with solid material with a
density of at least 1 pound per square foot
with no gaps from the ground to the top of
the barrier and be lined on the construction
side with acoustical blanket, curtain or
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-23
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
equivalent absorptive material rated sound
transmission class (STC) 32 or higher.
Noise Complaint Response. Project
applicants shall designate an on-site
construction project manager who shall be
responsible for responding to any
complaints about construction noise. This
person shall be responsible for responding
to concerns of neighboring properties
about construction noise disturbance and
shall be available for responding to any
construction noise complaints during the
hours that construction is to take place.
They shall also be responsible for
determining the cause of the noise
complaint (e.g., bad silencer) and shall
require that reasonable measures be
implemented to correct the problem. A tollfree telephone number shall be posted in a highly visible manner on the construction
site at all times and provided in all notices
(mailed, online website, and construction
site postings) for receiving questions or
complaints during construction and shall
also include procedures requiring that the
on-site construction manager to respond to
callers. The on-site construction project
manager shall be required to track
complaints pertaining to construction
noise, ongoing throughout demolition,
grading, and/or construction and shall
notify the City’s Community Development
Director of each complaint occurrence.
NOI-2 Operational Stationary Source Noise
Reduction Measures. The City shall update the
HPMC to include exterior noise limits for nontransportation, stationary sources of 60 dBA Leq during the daytime (7:00 a.m. and 10:00
p.m.) and 50 dBA Leq during the nighttime
(10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.) at residential uses
and other sensitive receptor property lines.
The nighttime limit shall only apply to sensitive
receptors which are in use at night.
Development projects shall conduct sitespecific noise analysis, including any necessary noise reduction measures, to ensure that
stationary source (e.g., mechanical equipment
and truck loading docks) noise levels remain
below these exterior noise standards.
Impact NOI-2. Construction of individual projects
facilitated by the project would temporarily
generate groundborne vibration, potentially
affecting nearby land uses. Operation of
development facilitated by the project would not
result in substantial groundborne vibration and
NOI-3 Construction Vibration Control Plan.
Prior to issuance of a building permit for a
project requiring pile driving during
construction within 135 feet of fragile
structures such as historical resources, 100 feet
of non-engineered timber and masonry
buildings (e.g., most residential buildings), or
Less than
significant with
mitigation
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
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Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
noise. This impact would be less than significant
with mitigation.
within 75 feet of engineered concrete and
masonry (no plaster); a vibratory roller within
40 feet of fragile historical resources or 25 feet
of any other structure; or a dozer or other
large earthmoving equipment within 20 feet
for a fragile historical structure or 15 feet of
any other structure, the project applicant shall
prepare a groundborne vibration analysis to
assess and mitigate potential noise and
vibration impacts related to these construction
activities. This noise and vibration analysis shall
be conducted by a qualified and experienced
acoustical consultant or engineer. The
vibration levels shall not exceed FTA
architectural damage thresholds (e.g., 0.12
in/sec PPV for fragile or historical resources,
0.2 in/sec PPV for non-engineered timber and
masonry buildings, and 0.3 in/sec PPV for
engineered concrete and masonry). If vibration
levels would exceed this threshold, alternative
uses such as drilling piles as opposed to pile
driving, static rollers as opposed to vibratory
rollers, and lower horsepower earthmoving
equipment shall be used. If necessary,
construction vibration monitoring shall be
conducted by a qualified acoustical consultant
or structural engineer to ensure FTA vibration
thresholds are not exceeded.
Impact NOI-3. The proposed project would not
facilitate development within the vicinity of an
airport land use plan or airport. The impact of
airport or airstrip operations on new
development would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Population and Housing
Impact POP-1. Implementation of the proposed
project would allow up to 2,668 additional
housing units and an estimated 10,646 residents.
This would exceed Connect SoCal 2020
population and housing forecasts but would be
consistent with the City’s RHNA allocation.
SCAG’s next RTP/SCS would incorporate the
Housing Element and General Plan Update.
Growth resulting from the project would
therefore be anticipated and would not result in
unplanned population growth. This impact would
be less than significant.
None Less than
Significant
Impact POP-2. Development facilitated by the
project would occur on vacant, underutilized or
underdeveloped lots, and would not displace
substantial numbers of existing people or
housing. Impacts would be less than significant.
None Less than
Significant
Executive Summary
Draft Environmental Assessment ES-25
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Public Services and Recreation
Impact PS-1. Development facilitated by the
Proposed Project would increase the population
in the city, which would increase demand for fire
protection services. However, this increase would
not require additional and/or expanded fire
protection facilities. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact PS-2. Development facilitated by the
Proposed Project would increase the population
in the city, which would increase demand for
police protection services. However, this increase
would not require additional and/or expanded
police protection facilities. Impacts would be less
than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact PS-3. Development accommodated by the
Proposed Project would result in an increase in
population in the planning area, potentially
resulting in the need for additional and/or
expanded school facilities. However, Government
Code 65995 (b) would require funding for the
provision or expansion of new school facilities to
offset impacts from new residential. Additionally,
accommodating growth pursuant to the RHNA
may require adjustments to the rate of interdistrict permits. This impact would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact PS-4. Development under the project
would incrementally increase the City population
and increase the use of existing library facilities.
However, property taxes related to new
development would contribute to any necessary
new or expanded library facilities. impacts related
to the provision of new or physically altered
public facilities would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact PS-5. Development under the project
would incrementally increase the City’s
population and increase the use of existing parks
and recreational facilities and reduce the City’s
parkland to population ratio. However,
development fees in-lieu of parks pursuant to the
Quimby Act would be required as part of the
individual projects. impacts related to the
physical deterioration of parkland or recreational
facilities, and the need to construct new facilities,
would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Transportation
Impact TRA-1. The proposed project would not
conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy
addressing the circulation system, including
transit, roadway, and bicycle and pedestrian
facilities. This impact would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
ES-26
Impact Mitigation Measure (s) Residual Impact
Impact TRA-2. The proposed project would not
conflict with or be inconsistent with CEQA
Guidelines section 15064.3. This impact would be
less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact TRA-3. The Housing Element Update
would not introduce hazardous road design
features or incompatible uses. Impacts would be
less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact TRA-4. Implementation of the Housing
Element Update involves infill development in
areas currently served by emergency access.
Although development density would increase,
access to sites would not change. Impacts would
be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Utilities and Service Systems
Impact UTIL-1. Development facilitated the
Proposed Project may require the relocation or
construction of new or expanded water,
wastewater treatment, stormwater drainage,
electric power, natural gas, and
telecommunications facilities in Huntington Park.
While new connections to existing utility service
systems would be required, such connections
would not result in disturbance beyond individual
development sites and adjacent infrastructure
corridors. Impacts would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact UTIL-2. Population increase anticipated by
implementation of the Proposed Project Could
place increased demand on water supply in
normal and drought years. While projections
considered in the UWMP are less than those
afforded by implementation of the Proposed
Project, sufficient water supply exists to serve the
population due to conservation efforts and
during multiple dry years. Impacts would be less
than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact UTIL-3. Development facilitated the
Proposed Project would not require the
relocation or construction of new or expanded
wastewater treatment facilities in Huntington
Park. Impacts would be less than significant.
None Less than
significant
Impact UTIL-4. Development facilitated by the
project would not generate solid waste in excess
of State or local standards, or in excess of the
capacity of local infrastructure. The project would
not impair the attainment of solid waste
reduction goals and would comply with federal,
State, and local statutes and regulations related
to solid waste. Impacts would be less than
significant.
None Less than
significant
Introduction
Draft Environmental Assessment 1-1
Introduction
Pursuant to California Government Code (GOV) § 65759, this Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to identify the potentially significant environmental effects from the proposed City of Huntington Park (“Huntington Park” or “City”) Draft Housing Element and General Plan Update, which includes amendments to land use and zoning development standards and updates to the Safety Element (hereinafter referred to collectively as “proposed project”).
To ensure consistency with current State housing law, the proposed project updates the existing Huntington Park Housing and Safety Elements to include revised goals and policies, and new modified and continuing implementation programs. Housing and Safety elements are each one of seven State-mandated General Plan elements. Among other requirements, housing elements must identify, analyze, and make adequate provision for the existing and projected housing needs of all economic segments of the community. The City is also considering updates to the Safety Element to include evacuation, disaster preparedness, and safety goals, policies, and objectives. To fulfill the requirements of the Housing Element, the proposed project would also involve minor changes to the City of Huntington Park’s Land Use Element, land use designations, and zoning code.
The proposed project includes goals, policies, programs, and objectives to further the development, improvement, and preservation of housing in Huntington Park in a manner that is aligned with community desires, regional growth projections, and State law. The proposed project will provide evidence of the City’s ability to accommodate the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) through the year 2029, as established by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The proposed project will lay the foundation for the achievement of the City’s RHNA allocation of 2,500 additional units and provide a framework for introducing new housing at all levels of affordability. These units may occur anywhere in the City where residential uses are permitted, as well as in areas that may be rezoned in the future to allow for residential uses of adequate density. Chapter 2.0, Project Description, discusses the proposed project in detail.
Government Code §§ 65580–65589.8 require that jurisdictions evaluate their housing elements every eight years. The current statutory update in the SCAG region covers the eight-year Sixth Housing Element Cycle (October 1, 2021 to October 31, 2029). Pursuant to Government Code Section 65584.09, if a jurisdiction failed to make adequate sites available to accommodate the regional housing need in the prior planning period, the jurisdiction must zone or rezone sites to accommodate any unaccommodated need. In addition to the City’s 6th Cycle RHNA, Huntington Park’s total unaccommodated need from the 5th cycle of 895 units must be planned for in the 6th Cycle. The currently proposed project (Sixth Cycle), subject of this EA, represents a comprehensive update to the City's existing Housing Element. The proposed project would comply with State housing law and reflect SCAG’s Sixth Cycle RHNA Allocation Plan. The proposed project includes revised goals and policies, and new, modified, and continuing implementation programs. The Housing Element Update (HEU) is included in its entirety in Appendix A, Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element Update. Respectively, drafts of the Safety and Land Use Elements are also included in their entirety as Appendix B and C, Draft Health and Safety Element Update and Draft Land Use Element Update.
The environmental review process for the proposed project and legal basis for preparing an EA are described in detail below.
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
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1.1 Environmental Assessment Purpose
This document is intended to provide an EA pursuant to Government Code § 65759 in the physical form of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR), as directed by the Court, and as to provide public agency decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the project’s potentially significant environmental effects. Further, this EA serves to identify feasible alternatives and mitigation measures that would avoid or substantially lessen any potential significant effects.
On March 15, 2021, Communities for a Better Environment filed a petition for writ of mandate and complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the City of Huntington Park (Case Number:
#21STCP00834). The Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled on July 14th, 2022, that the City must adopt the judgement as follows:
A peremptory writ of mandate was issued pursuant to Government Code § 65754 ordering the City of Huntington Park to bring its General Plan into compliance with the state as follows:
a) Adopt a Housing Element of the General Plan that complies with Government Code § 65583 within 120 days of entry this judgment;
b) Adopt an Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan that complies with Government Code §65302(h) within 120 days of entry of this judgement; c) Amend the City’s Land Use Element of the General Plan to include the analysis required by Government Code §65302.10 within 120 days of entry of this judgement; d) Within 120 days of completing the actions required by subsections (a), (b), and (c), above, adopt all zoning code changes required for the City’s zoning code to be consistent with the City’s adopted Housing Element, including zoning changes regarding supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, and the availability of reasonable accommodation in land use policies;
e) Comply with the prohibitions in Government Code §65008 by ceasing to discriminate against housing for low-income households, as well as against people with disabilities, by both bringing its General Plan into compliance with state law and completing the necessary zoning code changes 120 days after bringing its General Plan into compliance with the law; f) Comply with the duty to affirmatively further fair housing as required by Government Code §8899.50 by bringing its General Plan into compliance with state law and updating its zoning code into consistency with its General Plan within 120 days after completing the required updates to the General Plan
Based on the Court’s determination to prepare an environmental document pursuant to Government Code § 65759, and as permitted by State CEQA Guidelines § 15060(d), an initial study was not prepared for the proposed project. Refer to Section 1.2.2, Environmental Type, Scope, and Organization, below, for a discussion concerning the “potentially significant impacts” addressed in detail in this EA.
The proposed project requires discretionary approval and adoption by the City of Huntington Park City Council; therefore, the proposed project is subject to the environmental review requirements of CEQA within the limited scope, as provided by the peremptory writ of mandate.
Introduction
Draft Environmental Assessment 1-3
In accordance with Section 15121 of the CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations, Title 14), the purpose of this EA is to serve as an informational document that:
“...will inform public agency decision makers and the public generally of the significant environmental effects of a project, identify possible ways to minimize the significant effects, and describe reasonable alternatives to the project.”
This EA has been prepared in the form of a program EIR pursuant to § 15168 of the CEQA Guidelines.
A program EIR is appropriate for a series of actions that can be characterized as one large project and are related in connection with issuance of rules, regulations, plans, or other general criteria to govern the conduct of a continuing program. As stated in Section 15146 of the CEQA Guidelines:
“An EIR on a project such as the adoption or amendment of a comprehensive zoning ordinance or a local general plan should focus on the secondary effects that can be expected to follow from the adoption or amendment, but the EIR need not be as detailed as an EIR on the specific construction projects that might follow.”
As noted above, this EA is to serve as an informational document for the public and City of Huntington Park decision makers and the Court. The process will include public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council to consider certification of a Final EA and approval of the Project. Public noticing requirements were not fulfilled, as directed by the peremptory writ of mandate.
1.2 Environmental Assessment Authority
This EA has been prepared by the City as Lead Agency, in conformance with the provisions of Government Code § 65759, and in substantial conformance with the criteria, standards, and procedures of the CEQA of 1970, as amended (Public Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.), and the State CEQA Guidelines (California Code of Regulations Title 14 § 15000 et seq.), as applicable to the preparation of an EA.
Lead Agency and Contact
State CEQA Guidelines § 15367 defines Lead Agency as “the public agency which has the principal responsibility for carrying out or approving a project.” As Lead Agency, the City conducted a preliminary review of the proposed project and determined that an EA in the form of a Draft EIR was required, as directed by the Court. This EA’s analysis and findings reflect the City’s independent and impartial conclusions.
Contact information for the City, is as follows:
City of Huntington Park
Planning and Zoning Division
6550 Miles Avenue
Huntington Park, California 90255
Contact: Steve Forster, Director of Community Development Via email: [email protected]
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
1-4
Responsible and Trustee Agencies
Although CEQA does not apply to the proposed actions, certain Responsible and Trustee Agencies will either approve the proposed project or have jurisdiction over natural resources affected by the project. State CEQA Guidelines § 15381 defines a Responsible Agency as “a public agency which proposes to carry out or approve a project, for which a Lead Agency is preparing or has prepared an EIR or Negative Declaration.” For the purposes of CEQA, the term “Responsible Agency” includes all public agencies other than the Lead Agency which have discretionary approval power over the project.” State CEQA Guidelines § 15381 defines a Trustee Agency as “a state agency having jurisdiction by law over natural resources affected by a project which are held in trust for the people of the State of California.”
Responsible/Trustee Agencies for the proposed project include the following, among others:
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) – HCD is responsible for reviewing the HEU and finding whether the HEU substantially complies with State laws relating to housing elements.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) – Caltrans has responsibility over the State highway system, including freeway entrance and exit ramps. Future improvements to Caltrans facilities may be required; see Section 4.14, Transportation and Traffic. California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) – CDFW has responsibility over jurisdiction over natural resources regarding fish and wildlife, native plants designated as rare or endangered, game refuges, and ecological reserves.
Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) – In the Los Angeles Region, the LARWQCB regulates discharges from construction activities under the Construction General Permit and from Phase I municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) under the Regional MS4 Permit. The LARWQCB also regulates water quality through monitoring of compliance with the Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 401 certification process. The RWQCB would also be a Trustee Agency, as it holds regional water quality in its trust through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) compliance review process. South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) – The SCAQMD regulates air pollution sources and would be responsible for issuing construction permits for future development in the Southern Coast region including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties.
1.3 Environmental Type, Scope, and Organization
Environmental Assessment Type
The EA was prepared using pertinent City policies and guidelines, certified EIRs and adopted CEQA documents, and other background documents. A full reference list is contained in Section 7, References.
The alternatives section of the EA (Section 6) was prepared in accordance with Section 15126.6 of the CEQA Guidelines and focuses on alternatives that are capable of eliminating or reducing significant adverse effects associated with the proposed project while feasibly attaining most of the basic project objectives. In addition, the alternatives section identifies the “environmentally superior” alternative among the alternatives assessed. The alternatives evaluated include the Introduction
Draft Environmental Assessment 1-5
CEQA-required “No Project” alternative and two alternative development scenarios for the project area.
The level of detail contained throughout this EA is consistent with the requirements of CEQA and applicable court decisions. Section 15151 of the CEQA Guidelines provides the standard of adequacy on which this document is based. The Guidelines state:
An EIR should be prepared with a sufficient degree of analysis to provide decision-makers with information which enables them to make a decision which intelligently takes account of environmental consequences. An evaluation of the environmental effects of the proposed project need not be exhaustive, but the sufficiency of an EIR is to be reviewed in light of what is reasonably feasible. Disagreement among experts does not make an EIR inadequate, but the EIR should summarize the main points of disagreement among the experts. The courts have looked not for perfection, but for adequacy, completeness, and a good faith effort at full disclosure.
Environmental Assessment Organization and Content
This EA is organized in substantial conformance with the most recent State CEQA Guidelines for Draft EIRs. The following summarizes this EA’s organization and content:
Executive Summary contains a summary of the proposed project and its consequences. Each significant effect is identified, along with the proposed mitigation measures to avoid or reduce that effect. Alternatives capable of reducing or avoiding the project’s effects are identified. The known areas of controversy and issues to be resolved are also identified. Chapter 1.0 Introduction contains an overview of the EA’s legal authority, purpose, and intended uses, as well as its scope and organization.
Chapter 2.0 Project Description contains the following: proposed project history and background; a statement of the project’s objectives; a general description of the project’s technical and
environmental characteristics; the discretionary actions required to fully adopt and implement the project; and a statement of the intended uses of the EA related to future development projects.
Chapter 3.0 Environmental Setting describes the proposed project’s regional and local setting including its locational context; existing physical characteristics and land use; available public infrastructure and services; and relationship to other relevant plans. The precise locations and boundaries of the project (i.e., opportunity sites) are presented on detailed maps, in regional and local contexts.
Chapter 4.0 Environmental Analysis contains an evaluation of the environmental issues listed below. Each issue evaluation includes a description of the existing environmental setting, existing regulatory setting, potential project impacts, mitigation measures proposed to avoid or lessen significant effects, significant unavoidable impacts (if any), and a listing of the cited reference materials. An Initial Study was not prepared for the project, due to an order from the courts.
Aesthetics
Air Quality
Biological Resources
Cultural Resources
Energy
Geology and Soils
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Hydrology and Water Quality
Land Use
City of Huntington Park
Housing Element and General Plan Update
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Noise
Population and Housing
Public Services and Recreation
Transportation and Traffic
Utilities and Service Systems
Wildfire
Chapter 5.0 Other CEQA Considerations discusses the long-term implications of the proposed action. The significant environmental effects which cannot be avoided if the proposed project is implemented and the significant irreversible environmental changes, which would be involved in the project, should it be implemented, are discussed. Chapter 6.0 Alternatives describes a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed project, and to the project’s location, which would feasibly attain most of the basic project objectives but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the project’s significant effects and evaluates the alternatives’ comparative merits. The environmentally superior alternative from among the alternatives considered is identified. Additionally, a summary and tabular comparison of the proposed project and the alternatives is also provided. Chapter 7.0 References includes documents referenced throughout this EA.
Technical Appendices
The technical appendices used as a basis for much of the environmental analysis in this EA have been summarized in the respective sections and are printed separately as part of the EA Appendices. The technical appendices are available for review at the City of Huntington Park Planning and Zoning Department at 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California 90255.
Incorporation by Reference
Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines § 15150, an EIR may incorporate by reference all or portions of another document, which is a matter of public record or is generally available to the public. Where all or part of another document is incorporated by reference, the incorporated language is considered set forth in full as part of an EIR’s text. Since this EA substantially conforms to the required content for an EIR, this EA incorporates by reference the 1991 Huntington Park General Plan and has referenced various technical studies and reports prepared in support of the 1991 GP, as well as those prepared in support of this EA. Also, information from these documents was summarized in this EA. The relationship between the incorporated information and this EA was also described. These documents are included in Chapter 7.0, References, and are hereby incorporated by reference. They are also available for review at the City of Huntington Park Planning and Zoning Department at 6550 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, California 90255.