STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
CC 19
3/26/2024
JC
Date: March 26, 2024
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Larissa De La Cruz, Director - Community Development Kendall Brekke, Planner - Community Development
Subject: Approval of the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Recommendation:
Approve the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
Fiscal Impact:
None.
Background:
California Government Code Section 65400 mandates that each City and County planning agency prepare an annual report on the status and progress in implementing their General Plan and Housing Element. The General Plan Annual Progress Report and the Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APRs) are submitted to the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) every year.
OPR and HCD use the APRs to identify how local planning activities relate to statewide goals and policies. The Housing Element APR utilizes a standard template set by HCD, and outlines information regarding housing production and affordability, implementation of Housing Element programs, and local efforts to promote the development of housing. The General Plan APR expands on this information, outlining the implementation status for each General Plan element and highlighting project and permit activity overall. Included among these highlights for 2023 are:
•Pending General Plan Amendments which would allow for additional single-family and mixed-use housing, as well as commercial and industrial development, •Continued conservation and expansion of energy resources through the new Power Choice residential solar program and the planned development of numerous hydrogen facilities, 1 5
8 8
•Formation of the Lancaster Police Department, establishing an innovative hybrid policing model with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, •Planning and design of the Multi-Agency Regional Resilience Center (MARRC) in conjunction with the Antelope Valley Fair Authority and the City of Palmdale, •Installation of fiber-based, multi-gig internet throughout the city in collaboration with Race Communications,
•The planned conversion of the Lancaster Municipal Stadium to a 5,300-seat soccer stadium,
•Adoption of “Housing Element Implementation” Zone Text Amendments to modify sections of the Municipal Code in consistency with State law, and •The launch of a First-Time Homebuyer Program and a Housing Rehabilitation Program to provide opportunities for homeowners in our community.
The General Plan and Housing Element APRs describe the progress of the City’s ongoing efforts to implement and assess identified goals, policies, and objectives in the General Plan and Housing Element. Demonstration of ongoing compliance with State-required reporting ensures that the City maintains eligibility and competitiveness for ongoing grant funding opportunities that may help to implement these goals and policies. Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council approve the 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
LD:KB/hb:sm
Attachments:
Attachment A – 2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report Attachment B – 2023 Housing
Element Annual Progress Report