ATTACHMENT A
FINDINGS FOR GENERAL PLAN TEXT AMENDMENT
General Plan Text Amendment – Development Capacity Policies Attachment A: Required Findings Page 1
City Council
ATTACHMENT A
REQUIRED FINDINGS
FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL OF GENERAL PLAN TEXT AMENDMENTS
An amendment to the General Plan’s diagram or text may be approved only after first finding that:
1. The proposed amendment is in conformance with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan;
The proposed amendment to the General Plan Land Use Diagram is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the General Plan as follows:
Land Use Element
• Guiding Principle 1: Growth will be targeted to serve community needs and enhance the quality of life. Higher density development will be directed away from residential neighborhoods and into the Central District, Transit Villages, and Neighborhood Villages. These areas will have a diverse housing stock, job opportunities, exciting districts with commercial and recreational uses, and transit opportunities. New development will build upon Pasadena’s tradition of strong sense of place, great neighborhoods, gardens, plazas, parks, and trees.
• Guiding Principle 3: Pasadena will be an economically vital city by providing jobs, services, revenues, and opportunities. A diverse economic base with jobs for Pasadena residents will be fostered; existing businesses will be encouraged to stay or expand; affordable housing will be provided for the labor pool; the continued fiscal health of the city will be ensured.
• Guiding Principle 5: Pasadena will be a city where people can circulate without cars.
Specific plans in targeted development areas will emphasize a mix of uses, pedestrian activity, and transit; public and private transit will be made more available; neighborhood villages and transit villages will reduce the need for auto use.
• Goal 1. Sustainable Growth. Sustainable growth and change in orderly and well- planned developments within targeted areas that allow for higher density development in an urban core setting and in close proximity to transit that provides for the needs of existing and future residents and businesses, ensures the effective provision of public services, and makes efficient use of land, energy, and infrastructure.
• Goal 2. Land Use Diversity. A mix of land uses meeting the diverse needs of Pasadena’s residents and businesses, fostering improved housing conditions, offering a variety of employment and recreation opportunities, and supporting a healthy population while protecting the environment.
General Plan Text Amendment – Development Capacity Policies Attachment A: Required Findings Page 2
City Council
Housing Element
• Goal HE-1: Sustainable neighborhoods of quality housing, parks, and community services, infrastructure, and other associated services that maintains and enhance neighborhood quality, character, and the health of residents.
• Goal HE-2: An adequate supply and diversity of quality rental and ownership housing opportunities suited to residents of varying lifestyle needs and income levels.
o Policy HE-2.2. (Strategic Growth). Direct new residential development into the Central District, neighborhood, and transit villages to create neighborhoods where people can live and work, shop, and benefit from access to a Gold Line station or public transit.
• Goal HE-3: Expand, protect, and preserve opportunities for households to find and retain housing in Pasadena and afford a greater choice of rental and homeownership opportunities.
• Goal HE-4: Adequate housing opportunities and support services for seniors, people with disabilities, families with children, college students, and people in need of emergency, transitional, or supportive housing.
• Program 11: Potential Constraints
o Implementation Objective: Periodically review potential constraints to the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing as situations arise.
The amendment eliminates the City’s development capacities, a land use control on the maximum amount of cumulative development over a specified amount of time. The amendment does not affect any of the land use designations, land use permissions and priorities, or the density and intensity (FAR) controls in the Land Use Element. It is consistent with the Guiding Principles of the General Plan, as it further ensures that growth is targeted away from residential neighborhoods, provides additional opportunities for housing in close proximity to activities and amenities; and provides additional residential opportunities to use a variety of mobility options. It further prioritizes targeted growth within the City’s transit corridors and commercial areas by removing a maximum control of growth in the Specific Plan Areas and allows for the creation of new and improved housing conditions within the City.
The amendment is also consistent with the four main goals of the Housing Element in that the removal of the development capacities furthers these goals. The removal of development capacities further enables the construction of new neighborhoods with updated infrastructure, increases opportunities to provide supply of quality residential opportunities within Specific Plan areas, adds ability to create a greater choice of rental and homeownership opportunities, and helps to expand opportunities for special housing needs.
The amendment is also implements one of the Objectives in Program 11: Potential Constraints by reviewing and eliminating a constraint to the development of housing in the City.
General Plan Text Amendment – Development Capacity Policies Attachment A: Required Findings Page 3
City Council
2. The proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City;
There is no change in the maximum allowable density and/or intensity (FAR) as identified in the General Plan or the Zoning Code. The removal of the development capacities helps the City comply with State Law (SB 330) as well as attaining a certified Housing Element.
Therefore, the proposed amendment would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or general welfare of the City.