PowerPoint Presentation

indicates required change(s) in Zoning Ordinance

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Goal 1.0 Maintain and enhance the existing viable housing stock and neighborhoods within Buena Park.

Policy # Policy Text

Policy 1.1

Enforce adopted code requirements that set forth the acceptable health and safety standards for the occupancy of existing

housing.

Policy 1.2

Utilize the Neighborhood Improvement Program and Task Force to bring substandard units into compliance with city codes

and to improve overall housing conditions in Buena Park.

Policy 1.3

Continue to offer rehabilitation programs that provide financial and technical assistance to low- and moderate-income

households for the repair and rehabilitation of existing housing with substandard conditions.

Policy 1.4 Facilitate the removal of existing housing that poses serious health and safety hazards to residents and adjacent structures.

Policy 1.5

Work with property owners and nonprofit housing providers to preserve existing housing for low- and moderate-income

households.

Policy 1.6 Continue to offer city services and facilities that encourage neighborhood pride and property maintenance.

Policy 1.7

Promote energy conservation through city housing programs and affordable housing developments that receive city

funding or development incentives.

Program 1: Code Enforcement/Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP)

The city’s Neighborhood Improvement/Code Enforcement Division maintains and improves the city's neighborhoods and housing stock

through the enforcement of property maintenance and zoning ordinances, building codes, and health and safety code. The division is

responsible for proactive property inspections through the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Task Force, code enforcement inquiries,

citizen complaints, responses, legal proceedings, and the development and implementation of abatement procedures/programs to

address problem areas within the city impacted by high crime and property deterioration. The public/private partnerships established

between property owners, residents and Neighborhood Improvement staff has significantly reduced the number of blighted properties

throughout the community.

a) Continue to provide proactive code enforcement activities to maintain and improve housing and neighborhood qualities.

b) Educate the public regarding the need for property maintenance and rehabilitation, code enforcement, crime watch,

neighborhood conservation and beautification, and other related issues.

c) Through the NIP, assist 100 households annually through the weatherization, rental housing inspection, and senior code

enforcement relief programs, for a total of 800 households during the 2021-2029 planning cycle.

Program 2: Sub-Standard Property Abatement

Continue to support the removal of sub-standard properties and properties maintained in continual violation of the Buena Park

Municipal Code which threaten the health, safety and general welfare of the community.

a) The city's Code Enforcement Division will continue to monitor the condition of existing residential property on a case-by-case basis

in order to identify any sub-standard residential properties that would qualify for removal. Based on the proactive measures utilized

by the Code Enforcement Division to prevent the existence of sub-standard properties and the fact that no such properties qualified

for removal during the previous Housing Element cycle, the city is anticipating the potential need to remove a maximum of three (3)

sub-standard property during the 2021-2029 Housing Element cycle.

City of Buena Park Housing Element Goals, Policies, Programs, and Objectives

indicates required change(s) in General Plan Land Use Element

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indicates required change(s) in both General Plan Land Use Element & Zoning Ordinance

Green

Attachment 1: Map of Residential Site Inventory with proposed Zoning Overlays

Program 3: Home Improvement Program

The Home Improvement Program provides deferred loans for qualified households earning up to 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI)

for the repair or rehabilitation of their homes. The maximum loan amount under this program is $100,000, accruing simple interest at 1

percent per year. Payments are deferred for 30 years or upon sale, transfer of ownership or equity is taken out of property.

a) Continue to provide rehabilitation loans to qualified lower income homeowners, with assistance focused in the central and

southern portions of the city (Census Tracts 086803, 110201, 110202, 110302, 110401, 110402, 110500, 110603, 110607).

b) Disseminate information to homeowners regarding rehabilitation standards, preventive maintenance, and energy conservation.

Continue to provide information on the City’s website

(http://www.buenapark.com/city-departments/economic-

development/

affordable-housing/home-improvement-program) and make available information on the program at public

counters, and distribute information along with any code enforcement notices.

c) Assist 20 lower income households annually through deferred loans for a total of 160 households during the 2021-2029 Housing

Element planning period.

Program 4: Senior Code Enforcement Relief Program (SCERP)

The Senior Code Enforcement Relief Program (SCERP) is an owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program designed to assist eligible

low-income seniors 55 years and older. Seniors are referred by Code Enforcement to apply for assistance if their home has code

violations or health and safety issues. Eligible applicants may receive a loan up to $15,000 at zero percent interest, which becomes

forgivable if the owner retains consecutive ownership, title and possession of the property for 2 years after the project is completed.

a) Continue to provide rehabilitation loans to qualified low-income seniors 55 years and older homeowners, with assistance

focused in Census tracts 110402, 110500, and 110603.

b) Provide up-to-date information on the City’s website (http://www.buenapark.com/city-departments/economic-

development/

affordable-housing) page, make information on the program available at public counters, and distribute information

along with any code enforcement notices.

Program 5: Preservation of At-Risk Housing

Three projects in the city (10-unit Newport House, 10-unit Western Development for Affordable housing, and 110-unit Emerald Garden)

are considered at risk of converting to market-rate housing during the 10-year planning period of this at-risk analysis (October 15, 2021,

and October 15, 2031). One project is Section 202 housing for seniors with expiring project-based Section 8 contracts. The other two are

subsidized by Redevelopment Agency Set-Aside funds. The city will monitor all units considered at risk of conversion to market rate and

assist property owners in maintaining the affordability of these units.

a) If a property is scheduled for conversion, contact property owners within at least 1 year of the affordability expiration dates on

projects.

b) In the event that a property is scheduled for conversion, contact qualified, non-profit entities, from the state’s qualified entities

list, within 3 years of the affordability expiration dates of project, to inform them of the opportunity to acquire affordable units. Also

inform them of financial assistance available through state and federal programs.

c) Support the nonprofit property owners’ application for Section 8 contract renewal with HUD. Also provide tenant education on

special Section 8 voucher assistance set aside by the Orange County Housing Authority for residents displaced or impacted by the

conversion of federally assisted housing projects via the city’s website.

d) As part of the annually monitoring activities, provide noticing requirements within 3 years and 6 months of the affordability

expiration dates.

Goal 2.0 Assist in the provision of housing that meets the needs of economic segments of the community.

Policy # Policy Text

Policy 2.1 Facilitate homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.

Policy 2.2

Use density bonuses and other incentives to facilitate the development of new housing for very low- and low-income

households.

Policy 2.3

Create collaborative partnerships with non-profit agencies and for-profit developers to maximize resources available for the

provision of housing affordable to lower income households.

Policy 2.4

Address the housing needs of special populations and extremely low-income households through emergency shelters,

transitional housing, and supportive housing.

Policy 2.5

Promote the use of energy conservation features in the design of residential development to conserve natural resources

and lower energy costs.

Program 6: Southern California Home Financing Authority

Southern California Home Financing Authority (SCHFA) is a joint powers authority between Los Angeles and Orange Counties formed in

June 1988 to create first-time homebuyer programs for low- to moderate-income households. SCHFA does not lend money directly to

homebuyers. Homebuyers must work directly with a participating lender such at the Public Finance Division of the County of Orange.

SCHFA offers a mortgage revenue bond program that issues 30-year mortgage revenue funds at below-market interest rates. To be el

igible

for the program, the buyer must be a first-time homebuyer whose income may not exceed 120 percent of the Orange County median

income.

a) Provide information regarding the program on the city’s website and at the public counter, library, post office, and other

community locations.

Program 7: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 Rental Assistance) Program

The Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 Rental Assistance) Program extends rental subsidies to very low-income households that spend

more than 30 percent of their gross income on housing. The Housing Choice Vouchers Program not only addresses housing affordability,

but also overcrowding by allowing families that may be currently “doubling up” in living arrangements to afford their own housing. The

Orange County Housing Authority administers the Housing Choice Vouchers Program on behalf of the city. According to HCD census tract

data, there are approximately 701 households receiving Section 8 rental assistance in Buena Park.

a) Work to maintain, and possibly increase, the current level of Housing Choice Vouchers and direct eligible households to the

program through direct referrals and the city’s website (http://www.buenapark.com/city-departments/economic-

development/affordable-housing/section-8-program).

b) Continue to provide information and referrals to landlords regarding participation in the Housing Choice Vouchers Program with a

focus in census tracts 086801, 110110, 110116, 110201, 110202, 110303, 110401, 110402, 110500, 110603, and 110606.

c) Update the city’s website to cover SB 329 (2019) outreach that redefines the term “source of income” in regard to housing

discrimination laws to mean verifiable income paid directly to a tenant, or paid to a housing owner or landlord on behalf of a tenant,

including federal, state, or local public assistance and housing subsidies.

Program 8: Affordable Housing Incentives

The city will promote the construction, preservation, and acquisition/rehabilitation of affordable housing, as identified in Table 41

below, through various incentives:

Affordable Housing Density Bonus: The city provides for the development of affordable housing for lower and moderate-income

households through its affordable housing density bonus program, in accordance with state density bonus law (Government Code

§65915). The city amended the Zoning Ordinance (Section 19.308.030) to outline specific provisions of this density bonus program

in July 2013. Further amendments to the Zoning Ordinance will be prepared for compliance with recent changes in state law

including Assembly Bill 2345 which

revised the requirements for receiving concessions and incentives, and the maximum density

bonus provided up to 50 percent for developers that allocate at least 15 percent of the units in a housing project to very low-

income households, 24 percent for low-income households, or 44 percent for moderate-income households.

Other Development Incentives: In addition to the state density bonus ordinance, the city also offers other development incentives,

such as the Site Area Bonus and Housing Opportunities Overlay and Cluster Bonus.

Technical Assistance and Support for Funding Applications: Without redevelopment financing, the city does not have the ability to

provide gap financing for affordable housing projects. However, the city will provide technical assistance and letter of support for

funding applications, provided the proposed projects are consistent with the goals and policies of the General Plan.

Reduced Impact Fees: City staff has discretion in calculating certain impact fees, such as the park and recreational facilities fees.

Affordable housing projects have historically been assessed much lower park fees than market-rate housing developments. Special

consideration for reduced impact fees will be given for projects that reserve units for extremely low-income households and persons

with disabilities (including those with developmental disabilities).

a) Review the Affordable Housing Density Bonus Chapter and amend Zoning Code as necessary to ensure full compliance with state

law.

b) Develop a brochure of current development incentives to promote affordable housing development.

c) Provide the brochure to eligible applicants during the pre-application stage at the permitting and planning counters, post

information on the city’s website under the “Planning/Development Assistance” section of the Business tab of the home page and

distribute to the Chamber of Commerce to provide to interested developers and Chamber members.

d) Evaluate the applicability of and, as appropriate, submit applications to California HCD programs related to funding of affordable

housing. Specifically, the city will explore appropriate funding opportunities for affordable housing for extremely low-income

households and persons with disabilities (including persons with developmental disabilities).

e) Review all regulations, ordinances, and residential fees related to housing rehabilitation and/or construction to assess their

impact on housing costs and revise as appropriate.

Program 9: Development of Housing for Extremely Low-Income Households

Pursue grants and other funding opportunities that support the initiation, operation, and expansion of affordable housing programs. The

city shall, on a case-by-case basis, assess the financial incentives needed to facilitate the development of affordable housing for Extremely

Low-Income (ELI) households. Financial assistance could include equity subsidies to new construction projects and/or purchase of

covenants. Financial assistance could also take the form of funding a fee waiver program in which developments proposing to include a

minimum percentage of ELI units are exempted from plan check fees. The city will work with the appropriate agencies to ensure a

dedicated source of funding for housing for ELI households in Buena Park. Funding possibilities for ELI include CDBG and HOME funds for

ELI housing development and other state and federal loans and grants, according to the specific nature of the project. The city will also

provide regulatory incentives such as density bonuses for construction housing for ELI households in mixed-use overlay areas as detailed in

Program 11, as well as development processing incentives such as streamlined entitlement and permit processing for affordable and

special needs housing as detailed in Program 16.

a) Target funds from CDBG, HOME and other sources to assist in the development of ELI units as necessary.

b) Implement priority processing procedure for ELI housing development projects.

c) Monitor financial assistance programs administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and

apply for funding as appropriate. Current program information is posted on the HCD website at https://www.hcd.ca.gov/grants-

funding/index.shtml.

Program 10: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) represents an important affordable housing option to lower and moderate-income households. The Sta

te of

California has passed multiple bills in recent years to remove constraints to the development ADUs (including Assembly Bills 587, 671, 68,

and Senate Bill 13). The city most recently updated its ADU ordinance in summer 2021 for further compliance with state law. To promote

and incentivize the development of ADUs, the city applied for and was recently awarded a SCAG grant to facilitate ADU construction. The

city intends to use the grant funding to prepare educational material, develop pre-approved site/floor plans, and establish a monitoring

program to ensure city is on track to meeting ADU construction goals.

a) Develop incentives and tools, as described above, to facilitate construction of at least 2 ADUs per year during the 2021-2029

Housing Element eight-year planning period.

b) Develop an ADU monitoring program to ensure the city is on track to meeting the construction goals. If by the end of 2025 the

city is not meeting its ADU RHNA goals, review and revise polices and efforts to increase ADU construction as necessary.

c) Develop a webpage that serves as a comprehensive resource on ADUs. Include information on the city’s new ADU ordinance and

on resources developed through the SCAG grant.

d) Continue to monitor changes to state regulations related to ADUs and amend the Zoning Ordinance as applicable.

Goal 3.0

Provide suitable sites for housing development which can accommodate a range of housing by type,

size, location, price, and tenure.

Policy # Policy Text

Policy 3.1

Implement land use policies that allow for a range of residential densities and products, including low-density single-family

uses, moderate-density town homes, and higher-density apartments, condominiums, and units in mixed-use developments.

Policy 3.2

Encourage development of residential uses in strategic proximity to employment, recreational facilities, schools,

neighborhood commercial areas, and transportation routes.

Policy 3.3

Encourage compatible residential development in areas with recyclable or underutilized land.

Policy 3.4

Allow flexibility within the city’s standards and regulations to encourage a variety of housing types.

Program 11: Adequate Sites to Accommodate the RHNA and Monitoring of No Net Loss

The city has been allocated a RHNA of 8,919 units for the 2021-2029 planning period (3,462 lower-income, 1,573 moderate-income, and

3,884 above moderate-income units). Units entitled and/or under plan review, and anticipated ADUs together with vacant and

underutilized residential sites can accommodate a potential capacity of 957 total units. This result a RHNA shortfall of 7,962 total units

including 3,372 lower-income units, 1,226 moderate-income units, and 3,380 above moderate-income units. To accommodate the city’s

RHNA shortfall, as well as maintain adequate sites for all income groups throughout the eight-year planning period and foster additional

residential growth,

the city will rezone or apply an overlay to approximately 287 acres (254 parcels) by October 2020 in compliance with

state law (Assembly Bill 1398). Specifically, new overlays will be created, allowing densities of 45, 60, and 100 units per acre for mixed-

use sites and densities up to 50 units per acre for housing opportunity sites.

Use of overlays to increase residential capacity is permissible

under state law (Government Code §65583). The anticipated application of overlays and rezones, as described below, to 287 parcels will

be and sufficient to meet and exceed the RHNA shortfall of 7,962 units.

Mixed Use Rezone/Overlay: Pursuant to state housing element law (Government Code §65583), if adequate sites to accommodate

housing for all income categories are not currently available under the city’s existing zoning by the statutory Housing Element

submittal

deadline, the city must also include a new rezoning program as part of its 2021-2029 Housing Element, thereby outlining the city’s plan

to rezone the identified sites to allow for residential development at the subject sites. Residential development can also be facilitated

by way of establishing an overlay zone, so that the underlying zone (e.g., Commercial or Industrial) continues to control the property

until the overlay zone is applied. As a built-out community, opportunities for residential development will likely occur on mixed use

sites where there is a potential to recycle or increase densities. Since the introduction of mixed-use designations (specifically General

Mixed Use - GMU and Central Buena Park Mixed Use - CBPMU) in the city’s 2010 General Plan update, the city has approved seven

mixed-use projects within these areas. As Buena Park is committed to providing adequate sites to accommodate its RHNA, the city will

initiate zoning code and land use and

amendments to create new mixed-use overlays that can be applied to existing non-

residential and

underutilized properties in an effort to further increase residential densities for developments that provide housing affordable to lower

and moderate-income households.

These overlays will maintain a minimum density of 20 units per acre, as well as establish a

minimum site area of

0.5 acres that may accommodate at least 16 units on site. The overlays will have the potential to add/increase

density up to 45, 60 and 100 units per acre for currently zoned commercial, industrial, or mixed use,

as identified in the Appendix C –

Residential Site Inventory, while maintaining the property’s underlying zoning. A developer can request density increase allowances on

sites under these mixed-use overlays subject to the required provision of 20 percent of the units set aside to lower income households

or a lesser percentage of the units set aside for extremely low- and very low-income households. An option for payment of in-lieu fees

may be provided if development of affordable units as part of an eligible project is not feasible. In-lieu fees collected by the city are

anticipated to be used exclusively to facilitate the development of affordable housing throughout the community.

Hotel/Motel Conversion Overlay: In June 2020, the state introduced Project Homekey (an expansion of the March 2020 Project

Roomkey program) which allocates $600 million in state and federal emergency funds via HCD to local jurisdictions cities to purchase

and convert hotels and motels into interim or permanent, long-term housing. As part of a rapid rehousing strategy to address hom

eless

and special needs population and given the community’s positive response to the converted Airport Inn Apartments, the city will

further promote the development of similar projects by establishing an overlay program to facilitate conversion of qualifying ho

tels and

motels. The city has identified 3 such qualifying motel sites within Buena Park (see Appendix C – Residential Site Inventory).

Religious Congregational and Fraternal Sites Overlay: Create a Religious Congregational and Fraternal Overlay to allow the by-right

development of affordable housing on properties developed with religious institutions or fraternal organizations. The development

standards should allow for

densities up to 40 units per acre, the sharing of parking, open space and other amenities between the

residential and religious/fraternal uses.

Housing Opportunities Overlay: To provide for affordable housing opportunities consistent with Assembly Bill 2348, the 2010 General

Plan updated

included a Housing Opportunities Overlay (HOO) designation. The base density for the overlay designation is currently 30

units per acre. As Buena Park is committed to providing adequate sites to accommodate its RHNA, the city will initiate zoning code and

land use and amendments to increase the base density of the HOO to 50 units per acre

which will allow for increased residential

capacity on selected multifamily sites to accommodate development of lower income housing. Potential HOO sites are identified in the

Appendix C – Residential Site Inventory.

Policy 3.5

Ensure that future development adjacent to or near the railroad/light rail right-of-way (ROW) is planned with the safety of

the rail corridor in mind.

To ensure that the city monitors its compliance with Senate Bill 166 (No Net Loss), Buena Park will monitor the consumption of residential

acreage to ensure an adequate inventory is available to meet the city’s RHNA obligations. To ensure sufficient residential capacity is

maintained to accommodate the RHNA, the city will develop and implement a formal ongoing (project-by-project) evaluation procedure

pursuant to Government Code §65863. Should an approval of development result in a reduction of capacity below the residential capacity

needed to accommodate the remaining need for lower income households, the city will identify and if necessary, rezone sufficient sites to

accommodate the shortfall and ensure “no net loss” in capacity to accommodate the RHNA.

a) Increase housing stock and encouraging development of affordable housing on underutilized sites by amending the Zoning

Ordinance and General Plan to establish General Mixed-Use, Central Buena Park Mixed-Use, and Entertainment Mixed-Use overlays.

Additionally, an in-lieu payment schedule will be evaluated and implemented for projects where inclusion of affordable units is not

feasible.

b) Amend the Zoning Ordinance and General Plan to establish a program for conversion of motels/hotels to long-term residential

development to serve those with special needs.

c) Amend the Zoning Ordinance and General Plan to establish a Religious Congregational and Fraternal Sites overlay to allow by-

right development of affordable housing on existing religious and fraternal organizational sites.

d) Amend the Zoning Ordinance to establish appropriate development standards, including height limit and parking requirements,

to facilitate housing development at 50 units per acre within the Housing Opportunities Overlay.

e) Develop a procedure to monitor the city’s compliance with Senate Bill 166 (No Net Loss) to establish a procedure to track (1) unit

count and income/affordability assumed on parcels included in the sites inventory; (2) actual units constructed and

income/affordability when parcels are developed; and (3) net change in capacity and summary of remaining capacity in meeting

remaining RHNA.

f) Continue to provide a variety of incentives to facilitate the development of vacant and underutilized properties. These include

the cluster bonus, site area bonus, and affordable housing bonus.

Program 12: Provision of Adequate Sites By-Right Approval for Projects with 20 Percent Affordable Units

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1397 passed in 2017, the city will amend the Zoning Ordinance to require by-right approval of housing

development that includes 20 percent of the units as housing affordable to lower income households, on sites being used to meet the 6th

cycle RHNA that represent a “reuse” of sites previously identified in the 4th and 5th cycles Housing Element, as well as rezoned sites

identified in the 6th cycle Housing Element.

a) Amend the Buena Park Zoning Ordinance to address the by-right approval for projects with 20 percent affordable units

requirement.

Program 13: Replacement Housing Requirement

Development on nonvacant sites with existing residential units is subject to replacement requirement, pursuant to AB 1397. The city will

amend the Zoning Ordinance to require the replacement of units affordable to the same or lower income level as a condition of any

development on a nonvacant site consistent with those requirements set forth in State Density Bonus Law.

a) Amend the Buena Park Zoning Ordinance to address the replacement requirement.

Program 14: Special Needs Housing

Emergency Shelters, and Transitional and Supportive Housing: Recent state law (Assembly Bill 139) require cities to identify zone or

zones where emergency shelters are allowed as a permitted use without a conditional use or other discretionary permit. The identified

zone or zones shall include sufficient capacity necessary to accommodate the most recent homeless point-in-time count conducted

before the start of the planning period, the need for emergency shelter based on number of beds available on a year-round and

seasonal basis, the number of shelter beds that go unused on an average monthly basis within a one-year period, and the percentage

of those in emergency shelters that move to permanent housing solutions. Currently, the Zoning Ordinance only allows emergency

shelters incidental to a religious assembly use only in all zones that allow religious assembly.

Additionally, Assembly Bill 2162 requires that transitional housing and supportive housing be considered a residential use of property

and be subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone. The Zoning

Ordinance currently lists transitional and supportive housing as a use by right in all residential zones.

Supportive Housing: Assembly Bill 2162 further requires supportive housing projects of 50 units or fewer be allowed by right in zones

where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted. State law also stipulates that minimum parking standards for units occupied by

supportive housing residents are prohibited if the development is within one-half mile of a public transit stop. Currently, supportive

housing is a use by right in all residential zones where multi-family dwellings are permitted. As permitted uses are currently

determined by Development Agreement for all mixed-use projects, development of supportive housing is subject to city approval. For

compliance with state law, the city will amend the Zoning Ordinance to establish allowable use and development standards for mixed-

use zones. Multifamily and mixed-use residential is not permitted in base commercial or industrial zones.

Low Barrier Navigation Center: Passed in July 2019, Assembly Bill 101 requires cities to allow a Low Barrier Navigation Center

development by right in areas zoned for mixed uses and nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses if it meets specified

requirements. A “Low Barrier Navigation Center” is defined as “a Housing First, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on

moving

people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing

homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing.” The city recently opened the Buena Park Navigation

Center a temporary homeless shelter facility located at 6494 Caballero Boulevard. The 149-bed includes office, classroom, medical,

outdoor and meeting spaces. The Navigation Center is designed to accommodate the approximately 142 unsheltered homeless perso

that were identified in the 2019 Point-In-Time count conducted by the County of Orange, as discussed in Section 11.2.5 of this Housing

Element.

In addition, the city passed Ordinance No. 1564 in 2013 amending the Zoning Ordinance to add emergency shelters with a maximum o

30 occupants as an incidental use within the RS-6 zone and as a principal permitted use in all commercial zones, consistent with

Government Code §65583. Emergency shelters with more than 30 occupants are permitted in commercial zones subject to the

approval of a conditional use permit.

Employee Housing: The city will amend the Zoning Ordinance to treat employee housing the serves six or fewer persons as a single-

family structure and permit it in the same manner as other single-family structures of the same type within the same zone across all

zones that allow single-family residential uses, pursuant to the Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code §17021.5 and §17021.6).

In addition, the Employee Housing Act deems employee housing consisting of no more than 36 beds in a group quarter or 12 units or

spaces designed for use by a single family or household to be an agricultural land use for purposes of specified provisions of the act.

The act provides that, for the purpose of all local ordinances, employee housing is prohibited from being deemed a use that implies

that the employee housing is an activity that differs in any other way from an agricultural use. The act prohibits a local government

from requiring a conditional use permit, zoning variance, or other zoning clearance for the employee housing, or from subjecting the

employee housing to certain taxes or fees that are not required for other agricultural activities in that zone.

a) Identify zones(s) where emergency shelters are allowed as a permitted use without a conditional use or other discretionary

permit; amend the Zoning Ordinance to include development and management standards that apply to residential or commercial

development within the same zone, as well as objective standards compliant with state law (Government Code §65583).

b) Amend the Zoning Ordinance to consider transitional and supportive housing a residential use of property and shall be subject on

to those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the same zone, as well as allow supportive housing

as a use by right in all zones where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted (in compliance with AB 2162). Additionally, remove

minimum parking requirements for units occupied by supportive housing residents if the development is located within one-half mile

of a public transit stop in accordance with state law.

c) Amend the Zoning Ordinance to address changes to state law related to Assembly Bill 101 (Low Barrier Navigation Center).

d) Amend the Zoning Ordinance for compliance with the Employee Housing Act (California Health and Safety Code §17021.5 and

§17021.6).

e) Provide information in public places regarding the city’s reasonable accommodation ordinance and make information available on

this program more widely available. Continue to offer specific regulatory incentives throughout the planning period; apply for f

unding

to encourage development of accessible units.

f) Monitor shelter capacity needs based on the County’s Homeless Census (point-in-time) count, and report findings in Annual

Progress Reports to HCD.

Goal 4.0 Assist in the provision of housing that meets the needs of economic segments of the community.

Policy # Policy Text

Policy 4.1

Review and adjust as appropriate residential development standards, regulations, ordinances, departmental processing

procedures, and residential fees related to rehabilitation and construction that are determined to be a constraint on the

development of housing, particularly housing for lower and moderate-income households and for persons with special needs.

Program 15: Zoning Ordinance Update

The city will evaluate the following development standards to ensure they are not unduly constraining to residential development. Based

on study results, the city will amend the Zoning Ordinance to address provisions for regulatory relief:

Tandem Parking Configurations: The city allows tandem parking via discretionary review and approval only.

Shared Parking Facilities: Where there is more than one activity or use on a lot, the city allows shared parking via discretionary

review and approval only.

Parking for Small Units: The City does not utilize a sliding scale based on unit size or bedroom count.

Single Family Room Addition Procedures: The City requires a noticed public hearing for all single family room additions that exceed

150% of the primary structure.

a) Amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow tandem parking configurations on multi-family and residential mixed-use sites, as well as

shared parking facilities or off-site (remote) parking for residential mixed-use sites via a ministerial review and approval process.

b) Amend the Zoning Ordinance to base residential parking standards on multi-family and mixed-use sites on a sliding scale approach

to better reflect realistic and observed trends of development size, bedroom count, and shared open parking versus private garage

parking.

c) Amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow single family residential room additions that exceed 150% of the primary structure to be

considered via a ministerial review and approval process. This will be facilitated by the development of objection design standards

specific.

d) Continue to monitor changes to State law which effect residential development and periodically review development standards to

mitigate constraints that can be feasible mitigated by the city, including provisions for large group homes (7+ persons) and single-

room occupancy developments.

Program 16: Streamline Entitlement and Permit Processing

Delays in development processing such as entitlement review, plan checking and permitting will increase the holding cost of development.

Complicated procedures may also discourage development especially by affordable and special needs housing developers. To facilitate

residential development, the city is committed to establishing objective design guidelines criteria to help implement community design

objectives while complying with state law requiring permit streamlining and housing accountability. Moreover, the city provides

development pre-application review and offers a one-stop processing system that simplifies and expedites development processing.

a) Develop objective design criteria for residential and mixed-use developments in compliance with State law (SB 35 and SB 330).

b) Continue to evaluate and improve the one-stop processing system to facilitate residential development by conducting

outreach/surveys to permit customers to identify issues.

c) Prioritize affordable and special needs housing for processing, including housing for seniors and the disabled (including persons

with developmental disabilities).

Program 17: Lot Consolidation

As a primarily built out community, Buena Park will rely primarily on Mixed Use areas (BOMUSP, GMU, CBPMU, and EMU) to facilitat

e the

development of lower income housing. However, most vacant and nonvacant sites within these areas relatively small legal lots und

er half

an acre in size. To facilitate lot consolidation, in addition to existing site area bonus provisions, the city will provide incentives to achieve

orderly development, improve pedestrian activity, and implement the goals, policies, and objectives of the Housing Element. The

following incentives will be offered: Opportunity sites marketing and outreach: The city will make a list of prime opportunity mixed-use

sites through the city’s website. The list will include information on parcel size, zoning, and existing uses, as well as highlighting

opportunities for lot consolidation.

Outreach to Real Estate Community: The city will establish an outreach program to local real estate brokers and the Orange County

Association of Realtors to increase awareness of lot consolidation opportunities.

Reduced or Alternative Parking: Required parking may be reduced by-right in accordance with the code amendments described

under Program 15, or subject to finding that adequate parking will be available to serve the subject project. In addition, off-

site/remote parking options may be allowed, subject to finding that adequate parking will be available to serve the project.

Technical Assistance: The city will provide technical assistance to expedite the site acquisition, plan review and entitlement process, in

addition to facilitating negotiations between the property owner and interested buyers.

Expedited Processing: The city will establish expedited permitting procedures for lot consolidation.

a) Implement appropriate lot consolidation incentives to facilitate mixed use development, promote lot consolidation incentive

program through dissemination of brochures at public counters and providing information on the city’s website.

Goal 5.0 Continue to promote equal housing opportunity in the City’s housing market.

Policy # Policy Text

Policy 5.1

Provide fair housing services to Buena Park residents, and ensure that residents are aware of their rights and responsibilities

regarding fair housing.

Policy 5.2 Provide equal access to housing for special needs residents such as the homeless, elderly, and disabled.

Policy 5.3

Promote the provisions of disabled-accessible units and housing for mentally and physically disabled (including

developmentally disabled).

Policy 5.4 Require affirmative marketing of affordable housing units to outreach to all segments of the community.

Program 18: Fair Housing

The city has had an ongoing commitment to prevent, reduce, and ultimately eliminate housing discrimination and other barriers related to

equal opportunity in housing choice, as described within the Appendix D – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH). The AFFH requires

the city to take meaningful action in addressing identified impediments to housing that were discovered through the Assembly Bill 686

assessment completed as a part of the Housing Element Update. The resulting programs are identified as a result of the AFFH assessment

are listed in the following table. All factors are “High Priority” contributing factors as they have direct and substantial impacts on fair

housing.

Appendix C-19

(vacant or

underutilized sites,

and no overlay

applied)

Consolidated Sites

ATTACHMENT 1