Agenda Item: 12
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
DATE: February 8, 2022
SUBJECT: BALLOT INITIATIVE: PROVIDES THAT LOCAL LAND-USE AND
ZONING LAWS OVERRIDE CONFLICTING STATE LAWS
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council discuss and consider adopting a position on the proposed ballot initiative.
BACKGROUND
The proposed initiative, titled “Provides That Local Land-Use and Zoning Laws Override Conflicting State Laws,” amends the state constitution to authorize city and county land-use and zoning laws to supersede all conflicting state laws, except in certain circumstances related to the following three areas: (1) the California Coastal Act of 1976, (2) siting of power plants, or (3) development of water, communication, or transportation infrastructure projects.
The Attorney General issued the official title and summary for the proposed initiative on November 1, 2021. Proponents of the initiative, which include Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand, Yorba Linda Councilmember Peggy Huang, and Brentwood Councilmember Jovita Mendoza, have until May 1, 2022, to collect approximately 997,139 signatures to qualify for the November 8, 2022, General Election ballot.
There have been several pieces of legislation recently passed by the state legislature and signed by the Governor weakening local land use authority and zoning. In an effort to preserve local discretion in the planning, zoning, and review of residential developments, the Santa Clarita City Council opposed many bills proposing to preempt local land use authority, including Senate Bill 35 (Chapter 368, Statutes of 2017), which preempts a local government's ability to issue a conditional use permit on specific multifamily residential developments; Assembly Bill 68 (Chapter 655, Statutes of 2019), which prohibits local governments from requiring parking, minimum lot size, and minimum floor area ratio on accessory dwelling unit conversions; and Senate Bill 9 (Chapter 162, Statutes of 2021), which requires local governments to ministerially approve urban lot splits and two-unit residential developments for parcels zoned for single-
family uses.
The League of California Cities Board of Directors voted unanimously, with one abstention, on December 2, 2021, to take no position on the initiative, citing concerns that the initiative is too broad and is likely to result in litigation, if approved by voters. However, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council voted to support the initiative (32-12-3) on January 6, 2022. Councilwoman McLean, as a member of the SCAG Regional Council, voted to support the initiative.
Supporting the proposed ballot initiative is consistent with the City of Santa Clarita 2022 Executive and Legislative Platform. Specifically, Component 1 under the “State” section advises that the City Council, “Oppose legislation that would interfere with, limit, or eliminate the decision-making authority of municipalities in the area of local land use.”
The City Council Legislative Committee met on January 24, 2022, and recommends that the City Council adopt a “support” position on the proposed ballot initiative.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction, as provided by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The resources required to implement the recommended action are contained within the City of Santa Clarita's adopted FY 2021-22 budget.
ATTACHMENTS
Ballot Initiative Text - Local Land-Use Authority