*NOT YET ADOPTED* Attachment A
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Ordinance No. _____
Emergency Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Temporarily Authorizing the Director of Planning and Development Services to Extend the Validity of Planning Entitlements for Housing Development Projects
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A. Pursuant to state law, the City of Palo Alto (City) was assigned a regional housing need allocation (RHNA) of 6,086 housing units for the 2023 -2031 planning period , comprised of 1,556 very-low income units, 896 low-income units, 1,013 moderate-income units, and 2,621 above moderate-income units; and
B. In accordance with state law and to further the City’s goals of producing housing, the City Council adopted the City of Palo Alto 2023-2031 Housing Element on May 8, 2023.
C. Construction of housing units that have been previously approved is an essential factor in meeting the City’s RHNA and Housing Element goals.
D. Changes in economic conditions and other factors may result in a delay in construction of housing units following approval by the City.
E. Pursuant to Palo Alto Municipal Code section 18.77.090, planning permits and approvals shall expire within 12 months , or within the time provided in the permit or approval, unless the proposed use of the site or construction of buildings has commenced. In addition, the Planning Director is authorized to extend this time for up to 12 additional months.
F. In order to permit maximum flexibility for property owners who obtain or have obtained planning permits or approvals for Housing Development Projects, as defined in Government Code Section 65589.5, the City Council desires to authorize the Planning Director to issue further extensions of time before a planning permit or approval will expire.
G. The City Council declares that this emergency ordinance is necessary as an emergency measure to preserve the public peace, health or safety by promoting the development of much-needed housing in Palo Alto, in particular because one or more planning permits or approvals for Housing Development Projects may expire in the near future.
SECTION 2
. Notwithstanding Section 18.77.090 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code or the provisions of any planning permit or approval, the Director of Planning and Development Services *NOT YET ADOPTED* Attachment A
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is authorized, in his or her sole discretion, to extend the duration of a planning permit or approval for a Housing Development Project, as defined in Government Code Section 65589.5, b y an additional eighteen (18) months beyond the expiration date that would otherwise apply. The authority granted herein shall be effective until December 31, 2024.
SECTION 3. The Council finds that the adoption of this ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guideline sections 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that that the extension of a planning entitlement will not have a significant impact on the environment.
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon adoption and, unless repealed or extended by the City Council, shall remain in effect for 45 days, or until a replacement ordinance becomes effective, whichever comes first.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager
____________________________
Director of Planning and
Development Services