Item 10D.
Emergency IZO
Density Bonus 100% Affordable
Housing Projects
City Council
December 13, 2022
Emergency IZO – Density Bonus 100% Affordable Housing Projects Staff Recommendation
• Adopt a finding that no subsequent environmental review is required • Project studied as part of Council-certified Housing Element Final EIR (CEQA Guidelines § 15162) Introduce and adopt emergency interim zoning ordinance (IZO) Allow certain 100% affordable housing projects to request waivers or reductions of development standards – in addition to other incentives required by State Density Bonus Law Emergency IZO – Density Bonus 100% Affordable Housing Projects Summary of Key Issues
IZO supports City’s longstanding commitment to affordable housing IZO is consistent with Council-adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element (October 11, 2022) Focused on planning for new housing units per CA state req’s:
City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation of 8,895 housing units with ~70% as affordable housing
Emergency IZO – Density Bonus 100% Affordable Housing Projects Summary of Key Issues
IZO provides additional tools/wider range of assistance to support construction of 100% affordable housing projects within ½ mile of a major transit stop City recognizes challenges for funding 100% affordable housing projects and approval timelines Waivers authorized by State Density Bonus Law (SDBL) in 2021 [AB 2345] Cities now have the option to allow applicants to request waivers/reductions of development standards – in addition to other incentives required by SDBL Santa Monica’s current density bonus ordinance reflects SDBL’s earlier prohibition on waivers for projects that receive no maximum controls on density [AB 1763] Emergency IZO – Density Bonus 100% Affordable Housing Projects What Projects Qualify for SDBL Waivers
Applies only to 100% affordable housing projects within ½ mile of major transit stop Per SDBL, these projects are automatically eligible for:
Additional three stories/33’ building height
No maximum controls on density within building envelope Up to 4 incentives/concessions from zoning code development standards IZO would allow request for waivers or reduction of development standards such as setbacks, stepbacks, parcel coverage or floor area, and open space requirements – additional building height is not permitted
Only for development standards that would physically preclude the development of the project at its permitted density (including density bonus) and with any incentives or concessions granted
Emergency IZO – Density Bonus 100% Affordable Housing Projects Relationship Between IZO and Certified Housing Element
Consistent with Council-adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element Housing Element program implementation scheduled to be presented to Council 1st Quarter 2023
Including comprehensive rezoning, process streamlining, and update to City’s density bonus ordinance
Commitment to implement certain programs by October 2023 Emergency IZO in effect for 60 days, subject to extension Staff anticipates recommending this allowance on a permanent basis when Housing Element implementation is presented to Council in February
Item 10D.
Emergency IZO
Density Bonus 100% Affordable
Housing Projects
City Council
December 13, 2022
Emergency IZO – Density Bonus 100% Affordable Housing Projects Potential geographic area where IZO
would not apply – Pico Neighborhood