Administrative
Report
H.18., File # 23-6936 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: SEAN SCULLY, ACTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TITLE
ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. CC-2311-122 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF THE LOCAL EARLY
ACTION PLANNING GRANTS PROGRAM (LEAP)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Local Early Action Planning Grants Program (LEAP) available through the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program and managed by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), provides one-time grant funding to regions and jurisdictions for technical assistance, preparation, and adoption of planning documents and process improvements.
The primary goals of the LEAP Program are to accelerate housing production and facilitate compliance to implement the sixth cycle of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
A $300,000 LEAP Grant was awarded to Redondo Beach on September 2, 2020 with a grant period through December 31, 2023. HCD granted an extension of the grant period until December 31, 2024. Additionally, HCD is requiring that the City adopt a new resolution noting the extension and updating the authorized signatory to reflect current City personnel.
The four eligible projects addressed in the grant award include the additional work on the General Plan Update to address SB330 and the RHNA sixth cycle impacts, the planning work for the sewer line that will address capacity issues (including in the vicinity of the Legado project), the preparation of the ADU ordinances to comply with the newly adopted State regulations, and the environmental review of the General Plan Update as it relates to the land use component.
BACKGROUND
The LEAP Program provided one-time grant funding to eligible local governments in California to adopt and implement plans and process improvements that accelerate housing production. Eligible activities included updating planning documents such as general plans/elements and objective residential standards, completing environmental clearance to address housing project-specific reviews, performing infrastructure planning to support new housing, and developing or improving an accessory dwelling unit ordinance.
The City’s LEAP Grant has four components or projects. Each addresses City Council strategic planning items and projects. Receiving grant funding for these projects, many of which are due to State mandates and legislation, will allow these planning items to be funded and the City’s resources to be reimbursed.
H.18., File # 23-6936 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
1. Updating planning documents and zoning ordinances, such as the General Plan update, related to housing. The total amount budgeted from the LEAP Grant for Item #1 is $47,080. (Ongoing)
2. Performing infrastructure planning, including for sewers, water systems, transit, roads, or other public facilities necessary to support new housing and new residents. The total amount budgeted from the LEAP Grant for Item #2 is $179,599. (Completed) The City prepared the scope of work to design and prepare plans/specifications for a new sewer pipe segment in a residential/mixed use area in the vicinity of Pacific Coast Highway at the intersection of Palos Verdes Boulevard to divert sewer flows away from an impacted portion of the conveyance system and into a different portion of the system for improved capacity for residential development. This infrastructure planning work includes the preparation of required environmental documents, performing a topographical survey, preparing exhibits and plans with utilities identified, obtaining outside agency permits, preparing a traffic control plan, and preparing a complete set of plans and specifications. This sewer infrastructure project will ensure adequate capacity for a 115 unit residential/mixed use project that requires these infrastructure improvements to be built before the development can be occupied. Additionally, the improvements provide upgraded capacity to over 200 existing residential properties which could now support ADUs.
3. Development/improving ADU ordinance in compliance with Section 65852.2 of the Government Code. The total amount budgeted from the LEAP Grant for Item #3 is $40,000. (Completed)
4. Completing environmental clearance (General Plan Environmental Impact Report) to eliminate need for some future project-specific reviews. The total amount budgeted from the LEAP Grant for Item #4 is $18,321. (Ongoing)
Additionally, no more than 5% of the grant funds, $15,000, can be used for administrative costs directly related to the preparation and adoption of the proposed activities. The remaining grant funded projects are anticipated to be completed with final grant disbursements before December 31, 2024.
COORDINATION
The Resolution has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $300,000 grant is fully funded by the awarding agency with no matching City funds required.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Reso - No. CC-2311-122 LEAP Grant Extension
H.18., File # 23-6936 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
· Reso - No. CC-2011-082 Appropriation of LEAP Grant Funds, November 10, 2020 · Agmt - Standard Form 20-LEAP-15060, January 19, 2020
· Letter - Redondo Beach LEAP Award, September 2, 2020
· Email - RE_ LEAP Grant Extension 20-LEAP-15060, September 6, 2023 · Administrative Report - City Council, July 7, 2020