The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2021-10-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - CAL CITIES FOR LOCAL CONTROL RESO (2)O Agenda Item: 7 1. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT NEW BUSINESS CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: �1 A11�44_1) DATE: October 12, 2021 SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ACTIONS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN LOCAL CONTROL AS IT RELATES TO LOCAL ZONING AND HOUSING ISSUES DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office PRESENTER: Frank Oviedo RECOMMENDED ACTION City Council adopt a resolution in support of California Cities for Local Control's actions to further strengthen local control as it relates to local zoning and housing issues. BACKGROUND The City of Santa Clarita (City) was recently contacted by California Cities for Local Control, a grassroots organization founded in July 2020 by Torrance City Councilmember Mike Griffiths. California Cities for Local Control (CCLC) is an advocacy group seeking to enlist support from cities and local elected officials to further strengthen local control as it relates to local zoning and housing issues. The CCLC's activities include, but are not limited to, signing onto petitions, requesting that cities adopt resolutions in support of its efforts, and seeking out allies for possible legal action against the State and/or to promote efforts for a ballot initiative to legislate the desired results. The CCLC was formed in response to the proliferation of state housing legislation and unfunded mandates that have resulted in an erosion of local land use control. A recent example is Senate Bill (SB) 9, signed into law by Governor Newsom on September 16, 2021, which significantly preempts the City Council's local land use and zoning authority by requiring ministerial approval of up to two residential units (a duplex) and/or a lot split for all properties within a single-family zone. Attached to the agenda item is the resolution for the City Council to consider. As of October 5, 2021, 77 cities in California have adopted similar resolutions expressing support for CCLC's mission. These cities (listing attached) represent a cross-section of large and small communities Page 1 Packet Pg. 45 O throughout California. ALTERNATIVE ACTION Other action as determined by the City Council. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. ATTACHMENTS Resolution List of Participating Cities Page 2 Packet Pg. 46 RESOLUTION NO. 21- RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES FOR LOCAL CONTROL' S ACTIONS TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN LOCAL CONTROL AS IT RELATES TO LOCAL ZONING AND HOUSING ISSUES WHEREAS, the legislature of the State of California each year proposes, passes, and has signed into law a number of bills addressing a range of housing issues; and WHEREAS, the legislature of the State of California does not allow sufficient time between each legislative cycle to determine if the legislation is successful in bringing about the change for the State of California's housing issues; and WHEREAS, the majority of these bills usurp the authority of local jurisdictions to determine for themselves the land use policies and practices that best suit each city and its residents, and instead impose mandates that do not consider the needs and differences of jurisdictions throughout the State of California; and WHEREAS, the legislature of the State of California has circumvented existing statutes and procedures, including the California Environmental Quality Act, for the purpose of executing their current legislative platform; and WHEREAS, the ability of local jurisdictions to determine for themselves which projects require review beyond a ministerial approval; what parking requirements are appropriate for various neighborhoods within their jurisdiction; what plans and programs are suitable and practicable for each community rather than having these decisions imposed upon cities without regard to the circumstances of each individual city; and what zoning should be allowed for residential properties is a matter of great importance to the City of Santa Clarita among other items related to local zoning and housing issues; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita currently has policies and standards in place regarding proposed residential developments related to trails, open space, parks, parking, public utilities, design standards, zoning, and overall application review; and WHEREAS, among these policies includes an extensive review process, including public hearings, administrative review, and an opportunity for appeal. Furthermore, this review process maintains that residential projects and subdivision proposals are based on unique community circumstances and needs, ensuring that a proposed site has adequate public access to services and resources to sustain greater density; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita feels strongly that our local government is best able to assess the needs of our community and objects to the proliferation of state legislation that deprives us of that ability. Page 1 of 2 Packet Pg. 47 7.a NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita, California, does hereby resolve as follows: SECTION 1. The City of Santa Clarita is opposed to the current practice of the legislature of the State of California of continually proposing and passing multitudes of bills that directly impact and interfere with the ability of cities to control their own destiny through use of the zoning authority that has been granted to them. SECTION 2. The City of Santa Clarita will explore various ways to protect the ability of cities to retain local control over zoning as each individual city within the State of California is best suited to determine how the zoning in their city should be allocated in order to meet the housing needs of the community. SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this th day of 2021. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK DATE: STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Mary Cusick, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 21- was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the th day of 2021, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK Page 2 of 2 Packet Pg. 48 7.b California Cities that Have Adoated Resolutions in Suaaort of Local Land Use Control Agoura Hills Folsom Mission Viejo Rohnert Park Anderson Fullerton Monte Sereno Rolling Hills Arcadia Gardena Morgan Hill Rolling Hills Estates Atherton Gilroy Murrieta Roseville Bellflower Glendora Needles San Dimas Beverly Hills Hawthorne Newman San Fernando Big Bear Lake Hidden Hills Newport Beach Santee Bradbury Huntington Beach Oakley Saratoga Brawley Kerman Orange Solvang Brentwood La Habra Palo Alto Torrance Buellton La Habra Heights Palos Verdes Estates Villa Park Coalinga Laguna Niguel Parlier West Covina Colfax Laguna Woods Pleasanton Whittier Colton Lawndale Poway Woodside Corona Lomita Rancho Palos Verdes Yorba Linda Coronado Los Altos Hills Rancho Santa Margarita Yucaipa Covina Los Banos Redondo Beach Yucca Valley El Cajon Manhattan Beach Reedley El Segundo Mendota Ridgecrest Escalon Mill Valley Rio Vista (As of 1015121) Source: https.Illocalcontrolco.com/resolutions Q Packet Pg. 49