Attachment A
CITY OF
SIGNAL HILL
2022 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Prepared by
Community Development Department
April 1, 2023
1 LAND USE ELEMENT
The Land Use Element was adopted in 2001. It contains four goals and 63 implementation programs.
Significant projects and their status for 2022 are below:
Projects Completed:
North End Neighborhood
• 3373 ½ Orange Avenue – Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
Atlantic/Spring Neighborhood
• 979 E. Willow Street – Remodel of building for medical offices (partial final on with interior tenant improvements left for a future tenant).
Civic Center Neighborhood
• 1563 E. 23rd Street – New detached ADU.
Hilltop Neighborhood
• 2201 E. 21st Street – Landscape upgrades.
Pending Final Permit Inspection:
North End Neighborhood
• 950 E. 33rd Street – Target Remodel and parking lot improvements.
Central Neighborhood
• 1660 E. Spring Street – BMW Tenant Improvements to showroom.
Projects Under Construction:
North End Neighborhood
• 1401 ½ E. 33rd Street – Detached ADU conversion of existing cabana.
Atlantic/Spring
• 979 E. Spring Street – Tenant Improvements for new nail salon.
Central Neighborhood
• 1800 E. Spring Street –
o Administrative Site Plan and Design Review 21-02 a request to amend the existing sign program to accommodate a Tesla Service & Sales facility at the former Nissan site; and
o An auxiliary parking lot with site improvements (landscaping, LID, lighting).
2 Civic Center Neighborhood
• 1600 E. Hill Street – American University of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, tenant improvements.
• 2110 ½ Gaviota Avenue – New detached ADU.
Hilltop Neighborhood
• 1870 ½ Temple Avenue – Garage conversion to detached ADU.
Southeast Neighborhood
• 1995 St. Louis Avenue – Custom two-story single-family dwelling (SFD). • 2205 ½ E. 19th Street – Detached ADU (over existing garage). • 1991 ½ Junipero Avenue – New detached ADU.
In Plan Check Review:
North End Neighborhood
• 3177 California Avenue, Gateway Center North – New self-storage facility. • 801 E. 33rd Street – Tenant Improvements of existing office space. • 3269 ½ Lewis Avenue – Detached ADU (over existing garage).
Atlantic/Spring Neighborhood
• 2755 California Avenue – EDCO transfer station new interior storage area.
West Side Neighborhood
• 2320 Cerritos Avenue – Garage conversion to ADU.
• 2581 California Avenue – Tenant improvements for a beauty salon.
Civic Center Neighborhood
• 2020 Walnut Avenue – 150,000 square-foot industrial park consisting of nine buildings on both sides of Walnut Avenue.
Hilltop Neighborhood
• 1900 Temple Avenue and 1900 ½ Temple Avenue – New SFD and detached ADU. • 2550 Cherry Avenue – Tenant Improvements to an existing restaurant for a new Panda Express.
Southeast Neighborhood
• 2027 1/2 Junipero Avenue – Conversion of existing space to Junior ADU.
Projects Under Entitlement Review:
Civic Center Neighborhood
• 2550 Orange Avenue – 100,866 square-foot distribution warehouse with raised dock loading doors.
3 Hilltop Neighborhood
• 2200 E. Willow Street – Costco Gas Station pump dispenser expansion.
Southeast Neighborhood:
• 1939 Temple Avenue – Courtyard, eight condominium units. • 2599 E. Pacific Coast Highway – seven condominium units.
Significant achievements for the year 2022 are below:
Goal 1: Manage growth to achieve a well-balanced land use pattern that accommodates existing and future needs for housing, commercial and industrial land, open space, and community facilities and services, while maintaining a healthy, diversified economy adequate to provide future City revenues.
Policy 1.2: Provide opportunities for a variety of residential densities and housing styles. • The City continues to provide opportunities for various housing style. In 2021, the State signed Senate Bill 9 allowing for additional housing opportunities within low density residential properties, typically for single-family homes. The City of Signal Hill prepared and passed an ordinance providing guidance for “SB 9 units” or “urban lot splits” of existing parcels. The ordinance went into effect January 1, 2022.
Policy 1.3: Support the maintenance of residential areas and encourage in-fill of vacant lots close to transportation, municipal facilities, and shopping opportunities. • The Community Development Department has various projects under review or approved to replace existing vacant or abandoned parcels with new development, in close proximity to transportation, municipal facilities, and shopping opportunities. The project under entitlement review at 2599 E. Pacific Coast Highway is proposing to demolish an existing vacant building to develop seven condominium units on a street close to transportation and shopping opportunities.
Policy 1.6: Ensure an adequate supply of commercial and industrial land for potential commercial and industrial expansion and development.
• In 2021, the City Council extended the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for all seven drill sites in Signal Hill. This extension is a two-year term lasting until July 30, 2023, to allow the continued collaborative efforts for economic development and housing, and to complete the environmental document for a long-term extension of the drill sites CUP. In 2022 the following progress was made:
Long-term Extension of the 7 Drill Sites CUP:
▪ Signal Hill Petroleum (SHP) requested a 20-year extension to their 7 Drill Sites CUP. ▪ A Request for Proposal was circulated, and a contract executed with Catalyst Environmental Solutions (Catalyst) who has been meeting regularly with City staff and representatives from SHP to prepare the environmental analysis for the extension. ▪ The project description and all environmental technical studies have been completed and/or peer reviewed by Catalyst. A draft Initial Study recommending an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared and distributed for public comment. ▪ A scoping meeting for the EIR was scheduled and conducted on January 30, 2023.
4 Policy 1.7: Broaden the City’s tax base by attracting commercial and industrial development to the City which will provide economic and employment benefits to the community while ensuring compatibility with other general plan goals and policies. • The Finance Department carried out multiple cannabis updates, including preparing a fiscal analysis to identify the impacts of cannabis uses. • The Finance Department passed a resolution opposing State Ballot Measure 21-0042A1 the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, which would have adopted new and stricter rules for raising taxes, fees, assessments, and property related fees.
Policy 1.10: Discourage the expansion of industries, which by their nature produce noise, odors, dust, traffic, and air pollution, which pose a threat to human health or the environment. • The City continued to implement the procedures for development over or near abandoned wells, including well discovery and surveying, leak testing and venting, well abandonment reports, methane site assessment, well abandonment, and site restoration. In total the City issued four leak testing, one well discovery, and four methane assessment permits in 2022.
Goal 2: Ensure that new development is consistent with the City’s circulation system, availability of public facilities, existing development constraints, and the City’s unique characteristics and natural resources.
Policy 2.4: Regulate development in identifiable hazardous areas as shown on the Special Management Areas Map or in areas that are environmentally sensitive. • A Traffic Study Area Report was submitted for the proposed project at 2550 Orange Avenue. The report was reviewed by the City’s Traffic Engineer and found to be in substantial conformance in September 2022. The study identified that there would be adequate circulation for the businesses within the vicinity area.
Policy 2.5: Ensure an orderly extension of essential services and facilities and preservation of a free-flowing circulation system, by requiring the provision of essential services and facilities at the developer’s cost where these systems do not exist or are not already part of the City’s financed annual Capital Improvement Program.
• The Well 10 Construction Project is a Public Works Department project that will be completed in early March 2023. In accordance with the City’s Water System Master Plan, the City is continually maintaining and upgrading the water system to ensure maximum capacity and reliability. The City’s Strategic Plan and recent Water Rate Study identified the need to replace Well No. 8, which is one of the City’s three water production wells and has been in operation for 40 years. Well No. 8 is being replaced by Well No. 10, which will have the capacity to pump more than half of the City’s water demand, increasing the City’s water self-sufficiency and decreasing the amount of potable water that must be purchased at a higher cost from other sources.
Policy 2.6: Encourage the development of oil field areas through the removal or relocation of wells and pipelines, or with site plan designs that encourage the joint use of land for oil production and other urban uses while maintaining essential access to petroleum resources. 5 • Four sites were identified and included in the City’s Housing Element for redevelopment in order to meet the required Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) numbers for the 6th Cycle. All the sites identified were previous oil operation sites that are proposed to be redeveloped into housing.
• The City continued regular maintenance and landscaping inspections at individual well sites outside the drill sites.
Goal 3: Assure a safe, healthy, and aesthetically pleasing community for residents and businesses.
Policy 3.1: Mitigate traffic congestion and unacceptable levels of noise, odors, dust, and glare which affect residential areas and sensitive receptors. • The City reviewed and approved a combined total of eight Site Plan and Design Review (SPDR) and Administrative SPDR applications in 2022.
• The City conducted its CUP annual review of 53 properties with CUPs and found them to be in substantial compliance with their approved conditions.
Policy 3.2: Enhance the interference between existing and future development and oil production activities to protect the access to the resource while mitigating adverse impacts of oil field operations within an urban area.
• See Policy 2.6.
Policy 3.3: Ensure a sensitive transition between commercial or industrial uses and residential uses by means of such techniques as buffering, landscaping, and setbacks. • The City continues to implement the SPDR process to review all design, landscaping, setbacks, and buffering methods between uses for all development projects.
Policy 3.13: Reinforce Signal Hill’s image and community identity within the greater Long Beach Metropolitan area.
• A new contract position, Homeless Services Liaison, was created through grant funding received from Measure H. The duties include advocating for the three cities, Signal Hill, Lakewood, and Hawaiian Gardens, to ensure that service providers (LAHSA, PATH) are responsive to the needs of the city, as well as working to address specific areas of concern. This role is an important addition to the City, as addressing homeless issues in the community is a goal in the Housing Element of the General Plan. • The city continues to include placemaking and branding elements to Site Plan and Design Review project. New development is encouraged to provide recuring design elements to provide neighborhood compatibility and consistency.
Policy 3.16: Review and revise, as necessary, the City’s development standards to improve the quality of new development and protect the public health and safety. • The Building Department continues to address building code violations through the code enforcement program. 81 cases were successfully closed in 2022. • On December 13, 2022, an ordinance was adopted by the City Council amending Title 15 of the Signal Hill Municipal Code to incorporate the new standards in the 2022 California Building Code. A second reading was held on January 10, 2023.
6 • The City celebrates National Building Safety Month each year during May.
Policy 3.19: Maximize to the extent practicable, the percentage of permeable surfaces to allow more percolation of storm water runoff into the ground. • As part of the City’s SPDR process, applicants of qualifying projects are required to prepare and submit Low Impact Development (LID) plans for City review and approval for compliance with stormwater regulations.
Policy 3.21: Require new projects to include permanent controls to reduce storm water pollutant loads from development sites including parking lots to the maximum extent practicable. • In addition to the State LID and the Municipal Separate Storm and Sewer System regulations, the City has a small-site LID Ordinance which captures additional projects to reduce stormwater pollutants while still allowing maintenance of existing parking and landscape areas. In 2022, the City processed a total of 10 small-site LID plans.
Goal 4: Ensure that future land use decisions are the result of sound and comprehensive planning.
Policy 4.1: Consider all general plan goals and policies, including those in other general plan elements, in evaluating proposed development projects for general plan consistency. • All projects noted in the policies above were evaluated for consistency with the City’s General Plan, Zoning, and other development and design standards during public and administrative review and approval. Consistency for projects subject to public review is documented by way of adopted resolutions with findings of consistency. • The City participates in the General Plan Annual Progress Review process, submitting comprehensive reports on implementation progress of all General Plan Elements by April 1 st each year.
Policy 4.4: Encourage citizen participation in planning and the land use decision making process and development of land use programs and policies.
• The Diversity Coalition Committee completed a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Community Survey. The survey was utilized as part of the preparation of the 6th Cycle Housing Element to inquire about housing needs, expectations, potential housing locations, and desired services.
• The Finance Department also conducted the Signal Hill General Municipal Election, which included ballot measures such as Propositions 28, 30, and 31.
Policy 4.6: Develop comprehensive local and regional rather than piecemeal planning solutions and promote long-range solutions to land use issues.
• Staff continued to act as chair for the Community Development Directors monthly meetings, and to meet and coordinate with the regional Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG), Transportation Advisory Committee, and monthly City Managers meetings to develop comprehensive and long-range solutions to land use issues.
Policy 4.7: Strengthen the framework for effective regional and local planning efforts. • The City participated in ongoing efforts by the Gateway Cities COG to provide accurate data and to provide feedback about various constraints to development in Signal Hill e.g., 7 oil wells, earthquake faults, etc.) as related to future RHNA numbers for new housing development within the City.
• The Department of Finance developed a General Services Agreement with Los Angeles County for miscellaneous services.
Jurisidiction Name
Reporting Calendar Year
First Name
Last Name
Title Click here to download APR Instructions
Email
Phone
Street Address
City
Zipcode
11_16_22
Optional: Click here to import last year's data. This is best used when the workbook is new and empty. You will be prompted to pick an old workbook to import from. Project and program data will be copied exactly how it was entered in last year's form and must be updated. If a project is no longer has any reportable activity, you may delete the project by selecting a cell in the row and typing ctrl + d.
2175 Cherry Avenue
Signal Hill
90755
Please Start Here
General Information
2022
Signal Hill
Contact Information
Collen
Doan
Community Development Director
[email protected]
5629897340
Mailing Address
Annual Progress Report January 2020
Housing Element Cover Page
Jurisdiction Signal Hill ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT Note: "+" indicates an optional field Reporting Year 2022 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31) Housing Element Implementation Planning Period 6th Cycle 10/15/2021 - 10/15/2029
Date
Application
Submitted
Total
Approved
Units by
Project
Total
Disapproved
Units by
Project
Streamlining Application
Status Notes
2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12
Prior APN+ Current APN Street Address Project Name+
Local Jurisdiction
Tracking ID+
Unit Category
(SFA,SFD,2 to
4,5+,ADU,MH)
Tenure
R=Renter
O=Owner
Date
Application
Submitted+
(see
instructions)
Very LowIncome Deed
Restricted
Very LowIncome Non
Deed
Restricted
Low-Income
Deed
Restricted
Low-Income
Non Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome
Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome
Non Deed
Restricted
Above
ModerateIncome
Total PROPOSED
Units by Project
Total
APPROVED
Units by project
Total
DISAPPROVED
Units by Project
Was APPLICATION
SUBMITTED
Pursuant to GC
65913.4(b)?
(SB 35
Streamlining)
Ddi the housing
development
application seek
incentives or
concessions
pursuant to
Government Code
section 65915?
Were incentives
or concessions
reqested
pursuant to
Government
Code section
65915
approved?
Please indicate
the status of the
application.
Notes+
Summary Row: Start Data Entry Below 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 15 12 0 7217-009-056 1900 Temple Ave SFD 10282824 SFD R 9/16/2022 1 1 1 No No No Approved 7217-009-056
1900.5 Temple Ave ADU 10282824
ADU R
9/16/2022
1 1 1 No No No Approved
.
7148-006-033 3269.5 Lewis Ave ADU 10283022 ADU R
10/5/2022
1 1 No No No Pending
7216-017-031
1991.5 Junipero Av ADU 10282286
ADU R
4/8/2022
1 1 1 No No No Approved
7148-018-023 1401.5 E 33rd St ADU 10282431 ADU R 6/17/2022 1 1 1 No No No Approved 7217-011-012 1870.5 Temple St ADU 10282415 ADU R 6/7/2022 1 1 No No No Approved 7216-015-004 1965.5 Dawson ADU 10282388 ADU R 5/18/2022 1 1 1 No No No Approved 7216-016-017 2205.5 E 19th St ADU 10282307 ADU R 4/22/2022 1 1 1 No No No Approved 7211-030-017 1563.5 E 23rd St ADU 10282241 ADU R 3/21/2022 1 1 1 No No No Approved 7215-011-009 2110.5 Gaviota Ave ADU 10282227 ADU R 3/9/2022 1 1 1 No No No Approved 7148-004-008 3373.5 Orange Ave
ADU
10282225 ADU R
3/10/2022
1 1 1 No No No Approved
7211-019-032 2320.5 Cerritos
Ave ADU 10282217 ADU R 3/3/2022 1 1 No No No Pending
7216-020-012 2750 e 20th street Multi-Unit SPDR 19-02 2 to 4 R 9/21/2022 3 3 3 No No No Approved Table A
Cells in grey contain auto-calculation formulas
1 5
Project Identifier Unit Types Proposed Units - Affordability by Household Incomes Density Bonus Law Applications
10 Housing Development Applications Submitted
Table A
Jurisdiction Signal Hill
Reporting Year 2022 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)
Planning Period 6th Cycle 10/15/2021 - 10/15/2029
2 3
Prior APN+ Current APN Street Address Project Name+
Local Jurisdiction
Tracking ID+
Unit Category
(SFA,SFD,2 to
4,5+,ADU,MH)
Tenure
R=Renter
O=Owner
Summary Row: Start Data Entry Below
7217-009-056 1900 Temple Ave SFD 10282824 SFD R
7217-009-056 1900.5 Temple Ave ADU 10282824 ADU R
7148-006-033 3269 Lewis Ave ADU SPDR 21-08 &
10282824 ADU R
7216-017-031 1991.5 Junipero
Ave ADU 10282286 ADU R
7148-018-023 1401.5 33rd St ADU 10283022 ADU R
7217-011-012 1870.5 Temple Ave ADU 10282286 ADU R
7216-015-004 1965.5 Dawson Ave ADU 10282431 ADU R
7216-016-017 2205.5 E 19th St ADU 10282415 ADU R
7211-030-017 1563.5 23rd St ADU 10282388 ADU R
7215-011-009 2110.5 Gaviota Ave ADU 10282307 ADU R
7148-004-008 3373.5 E Orange
Ave ADU 10282241 ADU R
7211-019-032 2320.5 Cerritos Ave ADU 10282227 ADU R
7216-020-012 2750 e 20th street Multi-Unit SPDR 19-02 2 to 4 R Project Identifier
Annual Building Activity Report Summary - New Constructi 1 Unit Types
Table A
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation Cells in grey contain auto-calculation formula Table A2
5 6
Very LowIncome Deed
Restricted
Very LowIncome Non
Deed Restricted
Low- Income
Deed Restricted
Low- Income
Non Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome Non
Deed Restricted
Above
ModerateIncome
Entitlement
Date Approved # of Units issued
Entitlements
Very LowIncome Deed
Restricted
Very LowIncome Non
Deed Restricted
0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 0
1 4/19/2022 1
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 3 10/18/2022 3
Note: "+" indicates an optional field
Annual Building Activity Report Summary - New Construction, Entitled, Permits and Completed Units Affordability by Household Incomes - Completed Entitlement Affordability by Household 4 7
Table A
n grey contain auto-calculation formulas
8 9
Low- Income
Deed
Restricted
Low- Income
Non Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome Non
Deed Restricted
Above
ModerateIncome
Building Permits
Date Issued
# of Units Issued
Building Permits
Very LowIncome Deed
Restricted
Very LowIncome Non
Deed
Restricted
Low- Income
Deed
Restricted
Low- Income
Non Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome Deed
Restricted
ModerateIncome Non
Deed Restricted
0 0 0 0 7 7 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0
0 1 11/14/2022 1
1 9/23/2022 1
1 7/29/2022 1
0 1 6/20/2022 1
1 4/8/2022 1
1 3/9/2022 1
1 3/10/2022 1
0 0
"+" indicates an optional field
Affordability by Household Incomes - Building Permits Affordability by Household Incomes - Certificates of Oc 7 10
Table A
Streamlining Infill
Housing without Financial
Assistance or Deed
Restrictions
Term of Affordability
or Deed Restriction
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Above
ModerateIncome
Certificates of
Occupancy or other
forms of readiness
(see instructions) Date
Issued
# of Units
issued
Certificates of
Occupancy or
other forms of
readiness
How many of the
units were
Extremely Low
Income?+
Was Project
APPROVED using
GC 65913.4(b)?
(SB 35 Streamlining)
Y/N
Infill Units?
Y/N+
Assistance Programs
for Each Development
(may select multiple -
see instructions)
Deed Restriction
Type
(may select multiple -
see instructions)
For units affordable without
financial assistance or deed
restrictions, explain how the
locality determined the units
were affordable
(see instructions)
Term of Affordability or
Deed Restriction (years)
(if affordable in perpetuity
enter 1000)+
1 1 0 0
0 0
N N
0 0
N N
0 0
N N
0 0
N N
0 0 N N
0 0
N N
0 0
N N
0 0 N N
1 8/22/2022 1 0 N N
0 0
N N
1 1/30/2023 1
0 N N
0 0
N N
0 0 N Y
Housing with Financial Assistance
and/or Deed Restrictions
ertificates of Occupancy
Table A
Notes
20 21 22 23 24 25
Number of
Demolished/Dest
royed Units
Demolished or
Destroyed Units
Demolished/Des
troyed Units
Owner or
Renter
Total Density Bonus Applied to
the Project (Percentage
Increase in Total Allowable
Units or Total Maximum
Allowable Residential Gross
Floor Area)
Number of Other
Incentives,
Concessions, Waivers,
or Other Modifications
Given to the Project
(Excluding Parking
Waivers or Parking
Reductions)
List the incentives,
concessions,
waivers, and
modifications
(Excluding Parking
Waivers or Parking
Modifications)
Did the project receive a
reduction or waiver of
parking standards? (Y/N)
Notes+
1 0
0 No Property is a vacant
parcel
0 ADU is part of an
entitlement application,
but was not reviewed at
public hearing.
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
0 0
1 Demolished O No
Demolished/Destroyed Units Density Bonus
Table A
Jurisdiction Signal Hill ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT Reporting Year 2022 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31) Housing Element Implementation Planning Period 6th Cycle 10/15/2021 - 10/15/2029
1 Projection Period 3 4
RHNA Allocation by
Income Level
Projection Period -
06/30/2021-
10/14/2021
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Total Units to Date (all years)
Total Remaining
RHNA by Income
Level
Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Non-Deed Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Above Moderate 188 2 14 12 - - - - - - - 28 160
517
2 14 12 - - - - - - - 28 489
5 6 7
Extremely low-Income
Need 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029
Total Units to
Date
Total Units
Remaining
81 - - - - - - - - - - 81
78 Please note: For the last year of the 5th cycle, Table B will only include units that were permitted during the portion of the year that was in the 5th cycle. For the first year of the 6th cycle, Table B will only include units that were permitted since the start of the planning period. Projection Period units are in a separate column.
Total RHNA
Total Units
Income Level
Very Low
Low
Extremely Low-Income Units*
Note: units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income RHNA progress and must be reported as very low-income units in section 7 of Table A2. They must also be reported in the extremely lowincome category (section 13) in Table A2 to be counted as progress toward meeting the extremely low-income housing need determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1). *Extremely low-income houisng need determined pursuant to Govermnet Code 65583(a)(1). Value in Section 5 is default value, assumed to be half of the very low-income RHNA. May be overwritten.
Progress toward extremely low-income housing need, as determined pursuant to Government Code 65583(a)(1).
Please note: The APR form can only display data for one planning period. To view progress for a different planning period, you may login to HCD's online APR system, or contact HCD staff at [email protected].
90 -
This table is auto-populated once you enter your jurisdiction name and current year data. Past year information comes from previous APRs.
-
Moderate
161
78 90
Please contact HCD if your data is different than the material supplied here -
2 Table B
Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
161
Table B
Jurisdiction Signal Hill
Reporting Year 2022 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)
1 2 3 4
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in H.E Status of Program Implementation Program 1.1: Adequate
Sites Program
Designate sites that will provide the opportunity for the development of at least 509 units (remaining RHNA once
approved units are subtracted). To accommodate the RHNA of 517 housing units, the City of Signal Hill will rezone 4 sites totaling over 27 acres of non-vacant land to allow residential uses at varying densities.
Oct.15, 2022
12/2021: Conduct thorough environmental and health assessment. EIR Adopted 7.12.22 10/2022: Rezoning including CEQA and adoption of SP7 with adjusted development standards for bluff sites. Adopted 7.26.22 4/2023: RFP to be issued. Draft completed 3.1.23
7/2023: Interview developers and select best qualified. Pending RFP results 12/2023: Enter into development agreements to guide development of all 4 sites and include a committment to all production and site remediation to be completed once developer is chosen. Draft discussions underway Submit adopted Housing Element to water and sewer within 30 days of adoption. Completed. Water Policy approved 3.14.23 Adopt required procedures to proposed developments that include units affordable to lower income households within 2 years of element adoption. Specific Plans Adopted 7.26.22
City must alert Sanitation Districts of LA County of the requirements under Gov. Code Section 65589.7 and ask for confirmation that the district has procedures in place to grant priority for the provision of sewer services to proposed developments that include units affordable to lower income househoulds as required within 2 years of adoption. Notified and District Policy is pending.
Program 1.2:
No Net Loss Program
Develop and maintain a no net loss evaluation procedure. To ensure sufficient residential capacity is maintained for each income category, develop and implement a formal, ongoing evaluation procedure pursuant to Gov. Code Section 65863.
Evaluation procedure will track number of extremely low, very low, low, moderate, and above moderate income units
constructed in order to calculate the remaining unmet RHNA.
Will also track number of units built on identified sites.
Within 1 year of HEU adoption/certification and
Annually
Within ONE (1) YEAR of adopting the Housing Element for 2021-2029 a formal, on-going (project-by-project) evaluation procedure will be developed and implemented. Draft pending
-After adopting an evaluation procedure, the City will monitor rezones and developmenet of residential units and update the sites inventory.
Sites inventory will be posted on the CD website and updated at least once a year. Pending completion of draft At least annually, the City, if necessary, shall update the sites inventory in conjunction with the Housing Element Annual Reports purusant to Government Code section 65400. All zoning for the housing sites inventory was adopted 7.26.23.
Program 2.1:
Housing Choice Voucher
(Section 8) Rental
Assistance Program
Provide rental assistance to an annual average of 40 to 60 households. To assist: advertise and promote regional
housing assistance programs throughout the City. Provide information on City's website, target outreach, landlord outreach program, use of section 8 program in ADU
developments.
Ongoing and quarterly throughout the 2021-2029
planning period.
Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 planning period.
Quarterly contact with County Housing Departments and groups for promotion of programs and assistance. 1st Qtr. contact with County Section 8, LAHSA and PATH
12/2022: Update city website with regional housing assistance programs information. Completed 6/2023: Send direct outreach of higher need or lower-income to rental/property managers and housing assistance service providers in higher opportunity areas. Outreach will coincide with Environmental Justice Element outreach.
Program 2.2:
First Time Homebuyer
Assistance
Provide down payment assistance to three households during the 2021-2029 planning period. The City no longer has monies in an affordable housing fund due to the forced dissolution of the Signal Hill Redevelopment Agency. There are non-City programs, however, which provide financial assistance to first time homebuyers. The City will promote through post on its City website and on social media, information on two County programs which include:
Three times per yr. min.
Twice per yr. min.
Annual and ongoing.
The City will continue to participate in the Urban County Program throughout the eight-year planning period; Ongoing Hold at least two seminars for new homebuyer assistance, target outreach related to seminars to residents in geographic areas of higher need or lower income; Seminars to be held in Spring and Summer 2023 Quarterly contact with County Housing Departments and groups for promotion of programs and assistance; 1st qtr.completed Annual outreach to local entities for promotion and coordination of assistance programs. Pending Program 2.3: Waiver of
Development Impact Fees
Affordable housing developments are exempt from the three impact fees for parks, water and traffic.
Provide fee waivers for two projects within the planning period. The current (July 2021) per unit fees are:
Parks and Recreation
Single family dwelling $21,910
Multi-family dwelling $15,112
Water SD Meter of 1” $21,437
Traffic (all residential) $540.47
Current and ongoing to 2029 Specific Plans for two affordable housing sites adopted and no furhter discretionary action needed.
Deferred impact fees current and ongoing with two projects eligible in this planning period.
Program 2.4: Special
Needs Program
Provide housing opportunities to meet the needs of special needs residents by allowing for development standard
incentives, including reduced parking standards, setbacks, and increased height allowances. Provide additional
regulatory incentives and concessions to projects targeted for special needs groups such as exemption from the site plan and design review process.
Current and ongoing.
2023: April to July- Interview interested developers and select the best qualified private or non-profit developer Draft proposal completed . Circulation and interview dates targeted for completion 7.23 2022: October- Adopt Special Planning area 7 with adjusted developments standards for the Walnut Bluff and Orange Bluff sites Adopted 7.26.22 2023: December- Adopt Objective Design Standards Adopted 1.22 2023: June- Site remediation initiated for the Walnut Bluff and Orange Bluff sites when a developer is chosen Pending
2021-2029 ongoing: Participation in regional efforts to address homelessness Annual participation in Point-In-Time Homeless Count Event 2022: December- Add information related to the Los Angeles County Homeless Outreach Portal (LA-HOP) on the City website Completed 2022 2023: January- Post quarterly on the City’s social media pages in English and Spanish Pending 2024: Establish a centralized, one-stop housing inquiry location Pending Program 3.1:
ADU Ordinance and
Incentives Program
Adopt an ADU Ordinance and plan of incentives for the
production of ADUS.
Incentives include: Inform owners that the construction of ADUs is exempt from fees; Provide owners with example of small ADUs; and Inform owners of the Section 8 Housing
Choice Voucher.
In addition, the City will prepare an ADU Design and
Development Manual that will be comprised of: Current and ongoing. 2022: July- ADU Ordinance adoption by 3rd Quarter Draft pending ADU manual: RFP release November 2021, consultant contract by April 2022 Completed ADU Manual (including incentives plan) completion by 4th Quarter 2022. Not completed, but 11 ADUs in plan check and 3 approved in 2022.
Regional participation: currently underway and throughout the planning period.
Program 3.2:
Density Bonus Ordinance Prepare and adopt a density bonus ordinance. Currrent and ongoing. Prepare a density bonus ordinance by end of fourth quarter 2022 and adopt end of fiscal year 2023. Not completed due to passing of consultant but City adheres to State law and DBO is pending an update in 2024.
Program 3.3:
Zoning Ordinance
Amendments Program
Complete zoning ordinance amendments program. The
governmental constraints analysis found that the following Zoning Ordinance amendments are necessary:
1. Update Zoning Ordinance Defintions
2. Update Uses Permitted in the Residential Districts
3. Update Uses Permitted in the Commercial Zones
4. Update Development Standards
Throughout the 2021-2029 Planning Period.
2022-2023; annual assessment of housing production (starting in 2023), if production is lagging conduct a feasibility assessment by 2024 and if needed amend residential parking requirements and RH zone height limits in the Zoning Code by 2025.
Program 3.4:
SB 35 Development
Streamlining Program
Create and make available an informational packet that
explains SB 35 streamlining provisions and eligibility. Szignal Hill is subject to SB 35 streamlining for proposed
developments with 10 percent or greater affordability.
1st Quarter 2023 City attorney's office is preparing legal summaries for multiple housing legislation.
Program 3.5: Energy
Conservation
Encourage energy-efficient design and energy conservation, and help residents minimize energy related expenses.
Maintain and distribute literature on energy conservation, including solar power, additional insulation, and subsidies available from utility companies, and encourage homeowners and landlords to incorporate these features into construction and remodeling projects. Continue to promote energy
conservation by promoting its Residential Green Building Primer.Continue to enforce the 2019 California Green Building Standards Code.Use the Sustainable City Committee (SCC) to continue developing and recommending a sustainability
framework that promotes environmentally sound and
financially practical objectives. Continue to implement the goals adopted as part of the Green City Report prepared by the Sustainable City Committee. Continue participation in te Gateway Cities COG Energy Working Group.
Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 planning period.
Continue all energy and water conservation programs and promotions; Ongoing Promote and encourage weatherization and energy efficient home improvements throughout the planning period; Ongoing Expand website information on energy conservation resources; Ongoing Program 4.1: Housing
Code Enforcement 40 closed code violation cases per year is the goal. Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 planning period. 81 code enforcement cases were successfully closed in 2022.
Housing Programs Progress Report
Describe progress of all programs including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing as identified in the housing element.
Table D
Program Implementation Status pursuant to GC Section 65583
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
Table D
Program 4.2: Housing
Rehabilitation
Objective: 5 single family dwellings.
- Coordinate with the County of Los Angeles Urban County CDBG Program to lobby for an increase in CDBG funding for housing rehabilitation activities.
- Use Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program funds for housing rehabilitation activities once 6th cycle Housing Element cleanup activities have been completed. - Identify and actively support efforts to secure State, federal, and private funding sources as a means of leveraging local funds and maximizing assistance. Identify State, regional, and local public and private housing rehabilitation resources (including nonprofit agencies) that Signal Hill property owners can participate in and provide the information on the City’s website.
- Conduct annual outreach and marketing of available State, regional, and local public and private housing rehabilitation resources through workshops, seminars, social media
platforms, 1 outreach activity per year; target outreach to homeowners in geographic areas of higher need or
lower income as well as local homeowner associations
Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 planning period.
PLHA Years 1 (2019) and Year 2 (2020) have been approved but not yet received.
LEAP grant funds were appproved but have not yet been received.
Outreach efforts are pending funding to support staff time and resources.
Program 4.3: Accessibility
Modifications Program
Continue to follow and inform homeowners regarding State accessability regulations and Reasonable Accommodations Procedures.
Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 planning period. ADA accommodations are enforced persuant to the Bldg. Codes.
No Reasonable Accommodation requests reported in 2022.
Program 5.1:
Fair Housing Information
and Services Program
Implement the Fair Housing Information and Services
Program; hold three Fair Housing Workshops during the eightyear planning period; Post information on accessing fair housing services quarterly on the City’s social media pages; assist at least 25 residents during the planning period (AFFH viewer shows 12 inquiries from 2013-2021)
Ongoing throughout the 2021-2029 planning period. Post information on accessing fair housing services quarterly on the City’s social media pages in English and Spanish beginning January 2023. Information is posted on the City's web site and at City Hall public counters. Social media posting isscheduled for March.
Program 5.2: Affirmatively
Furhtering Fair Housing
Varies by the following fair housing issues specific to Signal Hill: 1. disproportionate need experienced by hispanic
households, 2. lower environmental quality,
3. racial equity/bias in the city practices and procedures,
4. displacement risk.
Ongoing.
Create new affordable housing that addresses a
diversity of lower income housing needs.
Prepare an Environmental Justice Element in
calendar year 2023.
Prepare an update to the Environmental Resources
Element in calendar year 2023.
Select one or more affordable housng developers
by 7.23.
1a. Adopt a policy that new housing developments
must implement an Affirmative Fair Housing
Marketing Plan, a plan that describes specific steps
that will be taken by developers to ensure that
renters and buyers who are unlikely to apply for
housing without special outreach have equal
access to housing opportunities available in new
housing developments.
1b. Adopt Specific Plans for the Orange Bluff and
Walnut Bluff Neighborhoods that expand affordable
housing opportunities.
1c. Identify housing rehabilitation resources for
Signal Hill property owners.
The EJ and the ER Elements preparation has commenced with public outreach ongoing in Feb. and March 2023.
A Draft nquiry Packet for Developer canddates information has been prepared andincludes a Fair Husing Marketing Plan. Packet is expected to be circulated by
4.23. The EJ will Identify the segments of the eligible population which are least likely to seek housing without special outreach efforts. Identify indicators to be used to measure the success of the marketing program. Advertise and promote City’s Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan through the City website, the Diversity Coalition Committee, workshops, seminars, and social media platforms. Target outreach to affordable housing residents, apartment/rental managers, housing assistance service providers, and geographic areas of higher need or lower income; update City website with Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan information.
Send direct outreach related to Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan to affordable housing residents, apartment/rental managers, and housing assistance service providers by June 2023.
Disseminate information at three City meetings, workshops, or seminars annually. Four outreach meetings conducted in 2.23 and 1 active workshop pending for April Springfest.
1a. (from Program 2.4) Establish a centralized, one-stop housing inquiry location to provide information on housing issues and resources including but not limited to all affordable housing citywide, available housing assistance programs, and fair housing/tenant protection information. Pending loss of staff person assigneed. 1b. (from Program 1.1) Adopt Special Purpose Housing Specific Plan (SP-7) with adjusted developments standards for the Walnut Bluff and Orange Bluff sites by October 2022; Adopted 7.26.22.
Select developers for development of the two affordable RHNA sites (Walnut Bluff and Orange Bluff). Draft inquiry package has been prepared. 1c. (from Program 4.2) Conduct annual outreach and marketing of available State, regional, and local public and private housing rehabilitation resources through workshops, seminars, social media platforms (1 outreach activity per year); target outreach to homeowners in geographic areas of higher need or lower income as well as local homeowner associations. Initiate outreach in June 2023 and annually thereafter. Pending Enter into development agreements to guide development of all four sites as presented in this Housing Element and include a commitment to oil production remediation in the agreements (by December 2023); Negotiatins are underway
7.23. Completed
discovery, leak testing, a well access exhibit, and a well abandonment report for properties with abandoned wells. Ongoing.
General Comments
Table D
Jurisdiction Signal Hill Note: "+" indicates an optional field Reporting Period 2022
(Jan. 1 - Dec.
31)
Cells in grey contain auto-calculation
formulas
Designation Size Notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
APN Street Address/Intersection Existing Use Number of
Units
Surplus
Designation
Parcel Size (in
acres) Notes
NOTE: This table is meant to contain an invenory of
ALL surplus/excess lands the reporting jurisdiction
owns
Summary Row: Start Data Entry Below
Parcel Identifier
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Housing Element Implementation
Table H
Locally Owned Surplus Sites
For Los Angeles County jurisdictions, please format the APN's as follows:9999-999-999 Table H
Jurisdiction Signal Hill
Reporting Year 2022 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)
Planning Period 6th Cycle 10/15/2021 - 10/15/2029
Current Year
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
7 7
Units by Structure Type Entitled Permitted Completed
SFA 0 0 0
SFD 1 0 0
2 to 4 3 0 0
5+ 0 0 0
ADU 0 7 1
MH 0 0 0
Total 4 7 1
13 15
12 0
0 0
0 0
Income Rental Ownership Total
Very Low 0 0 0
Low 0 0 0
Moderate 0 0 0
Above Moderate 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0
Cells in grey contain auto-calculation formulas
Units Constructed - SB 35 Streamlining Permits
Number of Streamlining Applications Approved
Total Developments Approved with Streamlining
Total Units Constructed with Streamlining
Total Housing Applications Submitted:
Number of Proposed Units in All Applications Received:
Total Housing Units Approved:
Total Housing Units Disapproved:
Total Units
Housing Applications Summary
Use of SB 35 Streamlining Provisions
Note: Units serving extremely low-income households are included in the very low-income permitted units totals Number of Applications for Streamlining
Building Permits Issued by Affordability Summary
Income Level
Very Low
Low
Moderate
Above Moderate
Summary
Jurisdiction Signal Hill
Reporting Year 2022 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31)
Total Award Amount Total award amount is auto-populated based on amounts entered in rows 15-26.
Task $ Amount Awarded $ Cumulative Reimbursement
Requested
Other
Funding Notes
Summary of entitlements, building permits, and certificates of occupancy (auto-populated from Table A2) Current Year
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
4 4
Current Year
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
7 7
Current Year
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
1 1
Moderate
Above Moderate
Total Units
Completed Entitlement Issued by Affordability Summary
Income Level
Very Low
Low
Moderate
Above Moderate
Total Units
Building Permits Issued by Affordability Summary
Income Level
Very Low
Low
Total Units
Certificate of Occupancy Issued by Affordability Summary Income Level
Very Low
Low
Moderate
Above Moderate
ANNUAL ELEMENT PROGRESS REPORT
Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) Reporting
(CCR Title 25 §6202)
Please update the status of the proposed uses listed in the entity’s application for funding and the corresponding impact on housing within the region or jurisdiction, as applicable, categorized based on the eligible uses specified in Section 50515.02 or 50515.03, as applicable.
$ -
Task Status
LEAP Reporting
9 CIRCULATION ELEMENT
The Circulation Element was adopted in 2010. It contains eight goals and 33 implementation programs.
Significant achievements for the year 2022 are below:
Goal 1: NEW DEVELOPMENT AND REGIONAL COOPERATION
Ensure that new development results in the preservation and enhancement of the City’s circulation system.
Policy 1.e: Strengthen the framework for effective regional and local circulation system planning efforts.
• The Department of Public Works has actively been completing slurry seal projects. Over the past year, the Public Works department slurry sealed approximately 1.1 million square feet of asphalt pavement across the city. Slurry sealing is a cost-effective maintenance approach that improves the overall condition and extends the life of asphalt pavement.
The City has completed two out of three slurry seal projects planned for this year. The third project is slated to start in Winter 2022/2023 as soon as weather permits and will add another 140,000 square feet of slurry seal.
• The Department of Public works completed the E. Spring Street Bicycle Lane Gap Closure Project. The City obtained a competitive Active Transportation Program grant through Caltrans to implement the City’s goal of improving mobility and active transportation by adding a bicycle lane to E. Spring Street. The scope of this project includes a 2.2-mile bicycle lane that will create connectivity between Long Beach, Signal Hill, and Los Alamitos. The bicycle path was identified in the City of Signal Hill’s Circulation Element as well as City of Long Beach’s Bicycle Master Plan. The project also included new asphalt pavement on E. Spring Street from Orange Avenue to Junipero Avenue, to correct structural pavement issues and improve ride quality.
Goal 2: ROADWAYS
Provide a safe and efficient roadway system for all users.
Policy 2.a: Construct new roadways and improve existing roadways consistent with the classification system for minimum right-of-way widths described in the Official Plan Lines Map. • See Policy 1.e. The slurry sealing of existing roadways is consistent with the Official Plan Lines Map
Policy 2.c: Promote proactive and systematic repair and replacement of worn roadways and infrastructure.
• See Policy 1.e.
Policy 2.d: Coordinate and monitor the physical condition and operation of existing transportation systems by analyzing activity areas and the various transportation links (roadway, pedestrian, bicycle, and others) that connect those activity areas.
10 • See Policy 2.d.
Goal 3: PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE CIRCULATION
Create a safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians and bicyclists, encouraging the use of these modes of transportation for the majority of shorter trips.
Policy 3.a: Promote healthy, energy-efficient, and sustainable living by promoting the expansion of the city trails and walkways system.
• See Policy 2.d.
Policy 3.b: Preserve existing public access to the trails system to promote recreational walking and hiking, fitness, and alternative modes of transportation. • The design of Heritage Point Park includes a trail that connects to the Hilltop trail system and pedestrian access to the Civic Center Neighborhood (See Environmental Resources Element Policy 1.1).
Policy 3.d: Coordinate with the City of Long Beach to ensure that current and future pedestrian and bicycle facilities are properly linked at city boundaries. • See Policy 2.d.
Goal 6: UTILITIES
Provide safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly utilities systems and pipelines.
Policy 6.c: Encourage the development of infrastructure that supports new power generating sources, such as solar and wind energy.
• Consistent with State-mandated regulations, the City offered expedited review of EV chargers and rooftop solar projects.
11 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ELEMENT
The Environmental Resources Element was last updated on February 16, 1988. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan (PRMP) was previously updated in December 1989 as Appendix A of the Environmental Resources Element (Ordinance No. 89-12-1047). In February 2021, the PRMP Update was adopted by the City Council. During finalization of the PRMP, additional areas of clarification were identified, including park development impact fees.
Upon request by the City Council, the Prioritization and Implementation Plan (PIP) was developed as a companion document to the PRMP, both of which were subsequently approved in January 2022. The PIP identified the relevant and attainable priorities related to park, trail, facility, and program development over the next 10-15 years in the areas of Planning, Policy, and Programs, as well as Capital Improvement Projects. The goals and objectives identified in the PRMP were reviewed for status as to completion, progress, and relevancy/applicability. As a complementary document, the PIP will serve as a work plan for the Community Services Department as funding sources become available. Both the PRMP and PIP documents are intended to be incorporated into the Environmental Resources Element Update.
The Environmental Resources Element contains seven goals and 39 implementation programs.
Significant achievements for the year 2022 are below:
Goal 1: Maintain and enhance the identity and aesthetic quality of Signal Hill as a city with striking view potential, and a City that is carefully managing its transportation from resource extraction to balance land uses.
Policy 1.1: Protect views both to and from the Hill and other scenic features. This will extend to all new development and to major rebuilding and additions. • Heritage Point Park opened in July 2022. The City received grant funding from the Rivers and Mountain Conservancy, and was able to develop the new park with assistance from the Long Beach Conservation Corps. The park will serve as a link to a future connected trail system throughout the City and will be incorporated into future developments. Most importantly, the park is located within a major stormwater drainage zone. The rock bioswales slow and filter the water into a 40-foot-deep drywell. When it rains, the rocks, gravel, and sand help to filter the water and the drywell captures and slowly absorbs it into the underground water table. This replenishment is important as groundwater is a much-needed resource during extended drought conditions. An interactive educational element is integrated in the park design that provides information on the park’s environmentally conscious design and how the park will further the City’s sustainability efforts. The park also offers a spectacular view of the coastline, the Port of Long Beach, the Desmond Bridge, and Rancho Palos Verdes. The park features signs that describe nature within the community, artfully adapted plants that are native to California, and bioswales, allowing for the rocks to creature a natural water shed that capture storm water draining off to the landscape.
• City trees are trimmed on a set (biannual) schedule.
12 Policy 1.2: Design a greenbelt system that includes landscaped entranceways to the City, and landscaped medians and parkways on City streets. The greenbelt system should be linked to the civic center as a community focal point, the City’s park system, bicycle and pedestrian trail system, active and passive open space, with consideration given to developing guidelines to integrate the system with private open space.
• The design of Heritage Point Park described in Policy 1.1 above, includes a trail that connects to the Hilltop trail system and pedestrian access to the Civic Center Neighborhood, which will illustrate the City’s historic landmarks.
Policy 1.3: Develop design guidelines and themes that can be utilized throughout the City, and that are integrated with the greenbelt system, public signage, street furniture, public buildings, and similar facilities.
• See Policy 1.1.
Goal 3: Provide and maintain a variety of parks and recreational facilities, both passive and active that will be conveniently located throughout the community.
Policy 3.1: Provide parkland and recreational facilities in neighborhoods of the City currently not served with such facilities.
• On February 9, 2021, the City Council was presented with a status update regarding the 2021 PRMP. Upon review, the City directed staff to develop a companion document identified as the PIP. In 2021, Staff worked on preparing a draft PIP. In January 2022, the PIP and PRMP were approved. One of the goals in the City’s newly adopted PIP and PRMP includes adding additional parks to the currently underserved northwestern and southern areas of Signal Hill. Specifically, the plan suggests transforming four undeveloped lots into new parks at E. 28th Street and Gardena Avenue, at E. 27th Street and Cherry Avenue, and at Crescent Heights Street at both Walnut and Gardena Avenues.
Policy 3.2: Ensure accessibility of local and regional parklands of all types to all users, including the young, the elderly, and the handicapped.
• The Community Services Department continued to offer the Family Food Distribution program for low-income Signal Hill families, converting the program to a gift card distribution program. The program has continued to provide access to food resources to community members that need some support to close food insecurity gaps. • Community Services Department implemented a Meals on Wheels home delivery program for seniors who may have mobility challenges and are unable to leave their home to access nutritional resources.
Goal 4: Manage the production of economically valuable resources in the City to achieve a balance between current market forces and long-term community values.
Policy 4.1: Improve the interface between oil production activities and urban development, both for existing and new projects.
• As a part of the City’s annual inspection of properties with an active CUP, staff inspected Signal Hill Petroleum’s seven oil well drill sites on 12/20/2022 to confirm that the sites are 13 in good condition in relation to landscaping, fence screening, general maintenance, and equipment with a few minor maintenance items which have been accomplished. Sites continue to coexist with existing urban development and are taken into consideration on new projects throughout the City.
• The Oil Operators perform regular maintenance and landscape inspections at individual well sites.
Policy 4.2: Encourage the development and production of natural resources that are demanded by the market, and that release land for urban uses at a reasonable and controlled rate. • SHP has a 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. • All seven drill sites were inspected on 12/20/22. Landscaping, fencing, equipment, and stormwater protection measures were found to be in good condition with a few minor maintenance items which have been accomplished.
• In 2021, the City Council extended the CUP for a 2-year term until July 30, 2023, to allow the continued collaborative efforts for economic development and housing, and to complete the environmental document for a long-term extension of the drill sites CUP.
Since that time, the following progress has been made:
▪ SHP is requesting a 20-year extension to their 7 Drill Sites CUP. ▪ A Request for Proposal was circulated, and a contract executed with Catalyst Environmental Solutions (Catalyst) who has been meeting regularly with City staff and representatives from SHP to prepare the environmental analysis.
▪ A project description, and all environmental technical studies have been completed and/or peer reviewed by Catalyst, and a draft Initial Study recommending an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is under review by City staff.
▪ A Scoping meeting for the EIR is scheduled to take place on January 30, 2023.
▪ An initial aggressive timeline was established to complete the environmental analysis, prepare the EIR document, and bring an amended CUP for a long-term extension to City Council for consideration by end of fiscal year 2023. Progress has been steady and is continuing.
Policy 4.4: Minimize and eliminate where feasible the adverse environmental impact of resource-production activities. Also provide adequate setback and open space where oilproduction activities continue adjacent to urban development. • See Policies 4.1 and 4.2.
Goal 5: Protect water quality and conserve water supplies through reducing and eliminating contamination from industrial operations or resource development activities.
Policy 5.2: Protect water quality and conserve water supplies through reducing and eliminating contamination from industrial operations or resource development activities. Cooperate and participate in regional air quality management plans, programs, and enforcement measures.
14 • The Well 10 Construction Project is a Public Works Department project that will be completed in early March 2023. In accordance with the City’s Water System Master Plan, the City is continually maintaining and upgrading the water system to ensure maximum capacity and reliability. The City’s Strategic Plan and recent Water Rate Study identified the need to replace Well No. 8, which is one of the City’s three water production wells and has been in operation for 40 years. Well No. 8 is being replaced by Well No. 10, which will have the capacity to pump more than half of the City’s water demand, increasing the City’s water self-sufficiency and decreasing the amount of potable water that must be purchased at a higher cost from other sources. Many businesses within the City are designated as industrial operations. Upgrading the water system periodically reduces the chances of water production well contamination from nearby industrial businesses.
Goal 7: Maintain and provide information to the community on environmental problems, opportunities, progress, and ideas.
Policy 7.2: Develop a public information program in conjunction with the oil production industry to explain programs and progress toward improving the resource production/urban development interface.
• See Policy 4.2.
Policy 7.3: Provide information to the public on environmental conditions and issues in Signal Hill.
• Staff provides monthly updates to the Parks and Recreation Commission on projects related to park development, community events, and other community service programs. 15 SAFETY ELEMENT
The Safety Element was last updated in November 2016. It contains three goals and 31 implementation programs.
Significant achievements for the year 2022 are below:
Goal 1: PREVENTION
Strive to prevent man-made disasters and minimize the potential for natural disasters to impact the community.
Policy 1.c: Regulate the location, use, storage, and transportation of hazardous and toxic materials and protect the public from these hazards.
• 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.
Policy 1.e: Encourage the maintenance or improvement of building’s structural integrity to protect residents and preserve communities.
• The City’s Water Department staff conducts inspections of existing water storage facilities on a periodic (or as needed) basis.
Policy 1.g: Regulate the amount and type of new development in areas susceptible to fire hazards.
• Per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention, there are no properties in the City that are located within a Fire Hazard Severity zone.
Policy 1.j: Undertake preventive measures both for catastrophic events and for more frequent incidents such as structural fires and localized flooding. • The City’s Safety Committee met on a quarterly basis. The Safety Committee performed numerous actions such as testing panic alarms, replenishing emergency supplies, and conducting inspections for all departments to address staff’s safety and to minimize liability exposure.
• The Safety Committee coordinated employee participation in the statewide “Great California Shakeout” in October.
• 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.
• SHPD provided logistical support during critical portions of the Covid-19 pandemic, by purchasing the providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all city staff. PPE included facial masks/shields, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer. as well as temporary lodging.
16 Policy 1.k: Regulate development in Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones consistent with levels of acceptable risk. Require the submission of geologic and seismic reports, as well as soils engineering reports, in relation to applications for land development permits whenever seismic or geologic problems are suspected.
• The Building and Safety Division requires geological investigation reports for all new and existing projects located within Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones. In Signal Hill, the only earthquake fault zone is the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone, which runs diagonally from northwest to southeast across the City. No such projects were submitted in 2022. • Geologic investigations for all four housing sites for the 6th Cycle HEU were undertaken as part of the technical analysis for the environmental impact report prepared for the zoning amendments for the sites.
Policy 1.m: Update the local Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years and evaluate the mitigation plan annually to determine the effectiveness of programs and to reflect changes in land development or programs that may affect mitigation priorities. • Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff and emergency response personnel continued to follow the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was last updated in October 2017. • An update to the Safety Element is anticipated to commence in the 23/24 fiscal year which will include an update to the 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Goal 2: PREPARATION
Take necessary steps to allow for effective responses to disasters.
Policy 2.a: Maintain an effective Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and other emergency preparedness plans and programs, as necessary.
• SHPD utilized social media (e.g., Facebook) to educate the public by providing tips for keeping their personal property safe, deterring crime, and reporting crime to SHPD’s dispatch line.
• Narcan is a potentially lifesaving medication designed to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose in minutes. In 2022, the Signal Hill Police Department purchased Narcan for all the patrol officers. Officers now can administer the nasal spray to individuals suffering from drug overdoses. This has proven to be an invaluable resource when it comes to providing emergency medical care in a timely fashion.
Policy 2.b: Ensure operational readiness of the City’s EOC. • See Policy 1.j.
17 NOISE ELEMENT
The Noise Element was adopted in 2010. It has one goal and 20 implementation programs.
Significant achievements for the year 2022 are below:
Goal 1: Protect the health, safety, and welfare of people living and working within the City from adverse noise impacts.
Policy 1.a: The City will consider the severity of noise exposure in the community planning process to prevent or minimize noise impacts to existing and proposed land uses. • Staff maintained membership in the Gateway Cities COG and participated in regional reviews of transportation and airport operations.
• SHPD enforced compliance with the noise standards of the current Motor Vehicle Code. • The City’s building plan check process incorporated noise standards covered in the 2019 California Building Code.
• During project review, staff analyzed noise impacts as part of the California Environmental Quality Act review process. Following construction, noise impacts are addressed as part of the City’s code enforcement program.
Policy 1.d: The City will inform those living and working within the City of the effects of noise pollution and will cooperate with all levels of government to reduce or minimize impacts. • Staff communicated (both verbally and in writing) the standards outlined in Signal Hill Municipal Code Chapter 9.16 Noise. This was communicated to a warehouse property off Burnett Street that has been involved in loud and unreasonable disturbances. Staff received a code violation complaint from neighboring residents regarding this subject property and the code enforcement officer sent a letter to the property owner, discussed the matter with the owner, and then met on-site with the owner for inspection of the premises.
Policy 1.e: Require noise mitigation to ensure that noise-sensitive land uses are not exposed to noise levels greater than 45 dB in habitable rooms and 65 dB in outdoor living areas. • City staff-maintained communication with Long Beach Airport personnel regarding airport operations. In 2022, no aircraft-related noise complaints were received • The Department of Administration completed a Fireworks Ordinance, which was adopted by the City Council in 2022. Adopting the fireworks ordinance ensures that noise levels do not exceed the maximum allowed decibels.