CITY OF SIGNAL HILL
STAFF REPORT
2175 Cherry Avenue • Signal
Hill, California 90755-3799
3/22/2022
AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:
COLLEEN T. DOAN
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
2021 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Summary:
Government Code Section 65400 mandates that all cities submit to their legislative bodies an annual progress report on the status of the General Plan and the progress of its implementation. In addition, the City is required to submit the annual progress report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Recommendation:
Authorize staff to submit the General Plan Annual Progress Report to OPR and HCD.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Strategic Plan Objectives:
Goal No. 3: Promote a strong local economic base.
Objective 3.3: Complete General Plan update.
Background:
California State law requires that each city adopt a General Plan which must:
· Include a comprehensive long-term plan to guide the city’s future; · Cover the city’s entire planning area;
· Address a broad range of issues associated with the city’s development; and · Address the seven mandatory elements: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 1 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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Space, Safety, and Noise.
The City’s General Plan contains six separate elements. The Environmental Resources Element combines the mandated categories of Conservation and Open Space and includes the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
OPR considers a General Plan to be comprehensive if at least five of the seven required elements have been updated within the last eight years. The last comprehensive revision of the City’s General Plan occurred in 1986, and various elements have been updated over time.
Currently, four of the six elements need an update as shown below.
The Environmental Resources Element update was contingent upon the adoption of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update and the Prioritization and Implementation Plan, which was recently completed. The City is also planning to update the Housing and Safety Elements, and draft an Environmental Justice Element in FY 2022-23, which is a new requirement.
Analysis:
The review of the General Plan Annual Progress Report provides an opportunity to reflect upon the progress made during the past calendar year, and also provides an analysis of the achievement of goals and implementation of major policies for each of the General Plan Elements (Attachment A).
Land Use Element
The Land Use Element presents the City’s vision and sets forth the means to protect the land use philosophy of the community, character of existing neighborhoods, and quality of the physical environment. The Element contains criteria for the various land use types and the appropriate locations for each type, including guidelines for the intensity of development, urban design concepts, and standards for measuring the appropriateness of development.
Key achievements in 2021 include:
Projects Completed
Civic Center Neighborhood:
· 1367, 1369, 1371, 1373, 1393, 1395, 1397, and 1399 E. 23rd Street (Summerland Residential CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 2 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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Development) - Phase I (front eight homes).
West Side Neighborhood:
· 2383.5 Cerritos Avenue - Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). · 2327 Orange Avenue - Cabe Toyota auto detailing center.
Central Neighborhood:
· 2300 E. Spring Street - Second phase remodel to north-west parking area of Mercedes Benz automotive dealership and modification of freeway-oriented sign.
Atlantic Spring Neighborhood:
· 999 E. Willow Street - Remodel of building for medical offices.
Projects Under Construction
Civic Center Neighborhood:
· 1600 E. Hill Street - American University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy tenant improvements.
Southeast Neighborhood:
· 1995 St. Louis Avenue - Custom two-story single-family dwelling (SFD).
Approved Projects
Civic Center Neighborhood:
· 2020 Walnut Avenue (Signal Hill Business Park) - 150,000 square-foot industrial park consisting of nine buildings on both sides of Walnut Avenue.
North End Neighborhood:
· 950 E. 33rd Street and 3177 California Avenue (Gateway Center North) - Remodel of Target exterior, addition of new commercial buildings, a drive-thru restaurant, and self-storage facility.
Central Neighborhood
· 1800 E. Spring Street - Conformity Report for Administrative Site Plan and Design Review 21- 02 and request to amend the existing sign program to accommodate a Tesla service and sales facility at the former Nissan site.
Projects Under Review
Civic Center Neighborhood:
· 2550 Orange Avenue - 100,866 square-foot warehouse and office with 17 dock doors.
Southeast Neighborhood:
· 1939 Temple Avenue (Courtyard Residential Development) - 8 condominium units. · 2599 Pacific Coast Highway - 7 condominium units.
· 1900 Temple Avenue - one-story 2,365 square-foot SFD with attached two-car garage and a CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 3 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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detached two-car garage with an ADU.
2014 - 2021 5th Cycle Housing Element
The Housing Element identifies constraints and opportunities in creating affordable housing in the City, and serves as a comprehensive strategy of goals, policies, and programs to preserve, upgrade, and create housing in general. It is the only Element that is reviewed separately by HCD. HCD requires that the Annual Housing Element Progress Report be submitted in a prescribed format based on the number of permits issued to track the actual production of housing. The format has been expanded to incorporate new reporting requirements associated with a suite of housing-related laws aimed at addressing the statewide housing supply and affordability crisis.
Signal Hill’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation, as determined by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), for the 5th Cycle Housing Element was 169 units broken down by income level. The income level categories of “extremely/very low” and “low” represent affordable housing, and the categories of “moderate” and “above moderate” represent market rate housing.
In 2021, the City issued building permits for eight SFDs and five ADUs. Since the start of the current cycle, the City has issued building permits for 146 dwelling units categorized by the following income levels:
Preparing for the 2021 - 2029 6th Cycle Housing Element The current 5th Cycle Housing Element ended on October 1, 2021. The 6th Cycle period is from June 30, 2021, to October 15, 2029. The 6th Cycle RHNA allocation from SCAG is 517 units across all CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 4 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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30, 2021, to October 15, 2029. The 6th Cycle RHNA allocation from SCAG is 517 units across all income categories, representing more than three times the previous allocation of 169 units.
State and County Housing Grants
Historically, the City utilized redevelopment funding to increase affordable housing by purchasing, rezoning, and remediating sites to market to affordable housing developers. Using redevelopment funding, the City developed 291 affordable units. With the dissolution of redevelopment, this tool is no longer available.
To meet the ambitious goals of the 6th Cycle RHNA allocation, the City will need to analyze constraints, re-zone properties, and allow for increased density. In recognition of the impact and funding needed to address State mandates, a number of grants were made available to local agencies. The City sought out all available funding opportunities and has been awarded State and County grants (SB2, LEAP, and Innovation) totaling $490,482. Additional grant funds in the amount of $167,262 have been approved with disbursement pending. Staff will continue to seek out and submit applications for housing assistance grants as they become available.
Circulation Element
The Circulation Element establishes guidelines and policy direction for the development, enhancement, and maintenance of a comprehensive transportation system in the City.
Key achievements in 2021 include:
Traffic Safety:
· The traffic signal modification project on Junipero Avenue at Pacific Coast Highway was completed.
· The City’s Traffic Safety Committee continued to meet virtually to discuss traffic related items, concerns, and requests throughout the City.
· The City participated in the Safe Routes to School program and the City Council approved a contract for school crossing guard services.
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Street Improvements:
· The City Council adopted a resolution to approve a list of projects to be funded by SB 1 - The Road Repair and Accountability Act.
· The City Council executed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for preparation of design documents for the Willow Street Corridor Congestion Relief Project.
· The City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Long Beach to share construction costs for street improvements for the Spring Street Bicycle Lane Gap Closure between Atlantic Avenue and Junipero Avenue.
· The City Council authorized the purchase of 19 pedestrian light poles from Southern California Edison to supplement existing streetlights as part of the Spring Street Bicycle Lane Gap Closure Project.
Public and Alternative Transportation:
· The City entered into a contract with Long Beach Public Transportation Company for the following transportation programs: Dial-A-Lift, Fixed Route Bus services, and Dial-A-Taxi services.
Environmental Resources Element/Parks and Recreation Master Plan The Environmental Resources Element combines the Open Space and Conservation categories into one element. This Element guides the management of natural resources and open space and was amended in 1989 to include the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to provide a blueprint for the development of the City’s parks and trails system.
Key achievements in 2021 include:
City Programs:
· On July 13, 2021, City Council formally recognized the month of July as “Parks Make Life Better” month.
· The City continued to hold virtual events in early 2021, following protocols set forth by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
o Community Scavenger Hunt - Springtacular on the Hill
o Book Club
o Active Adults +55 - Fairy Garden Kit
· Summer in-person events included:
o Summer Concert series
o Movies in the Park
o Signal Hill Library 2nd Anniversary
· Fall in-person events included:
o Remembrance of 9/11 at the Unity Monument
o Halloween Carnival
o Day of the Dead Celebration
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o Tree Lighting Ceremony
o Cookie decorating for kids
o Halloween Scavenger Hunt
· The City hosted special events throughout the year including:
o Preschool Storytime
o Baby’s Storytime
o Spanish Storytime
o Homework Helpers
o Drop-in after school club
o Pajama movie night
o Theater workshops
o Book Tastings
o Adult Scary Movie Night
o First Friday Book Club
o CPR training
o Sunset Yoga
o Mindfulness and Meditation
· The City participated in the Summer Food Service Program provided by the California Department of Education and administered by the City of Long Beach. The program provided free lunches Monday through Friday for school age children from June 21 - August 27, 2021. · The City complied with new State mandates related to organic waste disposal reduction.
Oil Field:
· Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. (SHP) has a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for seven consolidated drill sites. The CUP allows oil and gas production at the seven sites, as well as storage, processing, and transport of products. No new oil wells are allowed to be established outside of the drill sites. On August 10, 2021, the City Council approved a two-year extension of CUP 97-03, with an expiration date of July 30, 2023. A new long-term extension will require a CEQA environmental analysis. During the extension, staff circulated a Request for Proposals and on February 22, 2022, the City Council authorized the execution of a contract with the selected CEQA consultant, Catalyst Environmental Solutions.
· The seven drill sites were inspected on December 21, 2021. Minor maintenance improvements were identified and corrected.
· The City issued four leak test permits for 18 wells; 3 methane assessment permits; and 1 well abandonment permit, all in anticipation of future development. · The Oil Field Services Coordinator continued regular maintenance and landscape inspections at individual well sites.
Sustainability:
· The City participated in the Institute for Local Government’s Beacon program which recognizes sustainability best practices.
· The City received a Gateway Cities’ Silver Champion Energy Action Award · In July, the City broke ground on Heritage Point Park. The park will include an educational CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 7 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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component as developed by a community subcommittee.
o The park includes a stormwater infiltration component. o The project is expected to be complete in Spring 2022. · A Mayor’s Clean-Up event was held on October 30, 2021, with 25 people attending. The event focused on the Civic Center neighborhood.
· Vacant Parcel Ordinance annual maintenance inspections were conducted in October 2021 for all 29 sites. All 8 City-owned sites, 19 SHP sites, and 2 independent sites were deemed in compliance.
· The City issued a total of 13 Corrective Action Notices and 2 Notices of Violations for stormwater violations with 12 resolved.
· The City processed a total of 10 small-site low impact development plans. · The City prepared the Annual Self-Monitoring Report as required by the State Water Quality Control Board Monitoring and Reporting Program for discharges from drinking water systems to surface waters. There were no non-compliant drinking water system discharges, and no corrective actions were required.
· The City conducted 251 Industrial Waste inspections, 46 NPDES inspections, and issued 21 Industrial Waste permits.
· The Sustainable City Committee awarded three residential Sunshine Awards for solar installations and two Kickin’ Gas Awards for installations of EV charging stations. · The City continued to post reduced water usage between 14%-17%. The conservation goal was 12%.
· The City conducted an annual review of 54 properties with CUPs and found them to be in substantial compliance with their approved conditions.
· The City closed 43 code enforcement cases.
Safety Element
The Safety Element focuses on programs and policies to mitigate and minimize the level of risk.
Topics include public safety, evacuation routes, and potential hazards. As a supplement, the Safety Element Update incorporates a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan which outlines mitigation strategies specific to Signal Hill to reduce risk by protecting life and property, enhancing public awareness, preserving natural systems, encouraging partnerships, and/or strengthening emergency services.
Key achievements in 2021 include:
Emergency Operations:
· The City Council adopted a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which remained in place throughout the year.
· The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated through May 2021 in response to COVID-19.
· In October, City staff participated in the Great Shakeout. This exercise tested the City’s emergency communications, incident management, and community preparedness. · City staff observed all COVID-19 safety guidelines and regulations. · Emergency response personnel followed the current Department of Transportation Emergency Response Guidebook when responding to cleanup of hazardous materials. The County of Los Angeles Fire Department maintained primary responsibility of response to hazardous CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 8 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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Angeles Fire Department maintained primary responsibility of response to hazardous materials, while the City maintained secondary responsibility. · The City completed annual inspections of institutional permits for compliance with conditions of approval and property maintenance for the following businesses:
o Cole Vocational Services - 2798 Junipero Avenue;
o Courtyard Care Center - 1880 Dawson Ave;
o Dungarvin Adult Day Care - 695 E. 27th Street;
o Las Brisas Child Care Center - 2399 California Avenue, Suite A; and o Unlimited Quest & California Mentor - 3350 N. Olive Avenue. · The City’s Safety Committee met on a regular basis to test panic alarms, replenish emergency supplies, and conduct inspections for all departments in an effort to address staff safety and minimize liability exposure.
· Emergency response personnel maintained open mutual aid agreements with law enforcement agencies across all operational areas, including the Long Beach Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol. · EOC staff and emergency response personnel continued to follow the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was last updated in October 2017. The plan will be updated in January 2023.
Safety Programs
· The City Council adopted an ordinance pertaining to flood damage prevention and flood plain management.
· City personnel maintained close contact with all operators of hazardous and potentially hazardous facilities, including SHP, the City’s largest petroleum and natural gas operator. · Staff continued to follow the 2016 Safety Element, which includes a map that identifies designated evacuation routes within the City for transportation of hazardous and toxic materials.
· The Signal Hill Police Department continued to support the City’s 13 Neighborhood Watch Program groups. In addition to attending virtual meetings, staff emailed quarterly updates with crime prevention tips.
· The City’s Water Department staff conducted inspections of existing water storage facilities.
No safety violations were reported for the year.
· The City utilized social media platforms to share tips for keeping personal property safe, deterring crime, and reporting crime.
Noise Element
The Noise Element is intended to limit the community’s exposure to excessive noise levels and ensure that local regulations are consistent with state and federal regulations.
Key achievements in 2021 include:
· Two Construction Time Limit notices were sent to property owners to disclose potential noise impacts from construction, the allowable hours for construction activity, and contact information.
· Four code enforcement cases were initiated related to noise complaints from dog barking and CITY OF SIGNAL HILL Page 9 of 10 Printed on 3/17/2022
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unruly parties at short-term rentals.
· The Police Department enforced compliance related to noise standards in the Motor Vehicle Code.
· The City’s building plan check process incorporated noise standards covered in the 2019 California Building Code.
· During the CEQA portion of project review, staff analyzed noise impacts. · 64 well work notification letters were distributed by SHP to notify neighbors of well work, including the type of work, expected duration, and contact information.
Conclusion:
The summary of accomplishments for implementation of the City’s General Plan in 2021, including the required form for the Housing Element Annual Progress Report, must be submitted to both OPR and HCD by April 1, 2022, pursuant to authorization by the City Council.
In addition, Senate Bill 341 (SB 341) requires a report on the City’s housing funds be prepared pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 34176.1(f). This report provides details of the Signal Hill Housing Authority (Housing Successor) activities during FY 2020-21. The purpose is to report on the housing assets and activities of the Housing Successor under Part 1.85, Division 24 of the California Health and Safety Code, section 34176 and 34176.1. The SB 341 Report regarding the Housing Authority’s annual report on activities and the low and moderate housing fund has been prepared and posted as required, and will also be submitted as required to HCD by April 1, 2022.
Approved:
_________________________
Hannah Shin-Heydorn
Attachment
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