Housing Element Adoption and Rezoning City Council Discussion April 16

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is finalizing its Housing Element update, a state-mandated process that all California cities undertake every eight years (or “cycles”) to demonstrate how they will meet housing needs. 

The Housing Element does not mandate new development; it is a guiding document that serves only as a framework. No plans for new development have been submitted to the City for the potential housing sites identified in the Housing Element. The City is not required to build new housing, but to simply ensure that the housing can be built through zoning. 

The Housing Element update has involved efforts by City staff and consultants, public outreach, virtual and in-person workshops, and meetings of the Planning Commission and City Council — all aimed at identifying ways the City can rezone to accommodate 647 potential new housing units in RPV across various income levels through 2029. This target figure, called a Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation, was assigned to the City by the state, and the City is required to demonstrate the capacity of providing that additional housing by adequately zoning for the RHNA. 

To meet its RHNA, the City is proposing the creation of a Mixed-Use Overlay District (MUOD) and Residential Overlay District (ROD). The City is also proposing to reclassify the zoning of two residential properties to a higher density. Both of the proposed districts and the rezoning effort are outlined in the Revised Final Housing Element (PDF), which was recently submitted to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the agency that determines whether cities have compliant housing elements.

April 16 City Council Meeting

Reminder: Tomorrow night, April 16, the City Council will consider adopting the Revised Final Housing Element and associated implementation measures, including the establishment of the MUOD and ROD. The Council will consider recommendations recently made by the Planning Commission.

If approved, City staff will submit the Final Housing Element and associated rezoning to HCD for certification — the agency’s stamp of approval that will bring the City into compliance with state housing law. Staff will also submit Local Coastal Plan Amendments that are part of the Housing Element update to the California Coastal Commission.

A staff report (PDF) with more information is available on the City website.

The City Council will take these recommendations into consideration when it considers adopting the Revised Final Housing Element and rezoning on April 16.

Meeting Info

The City Council meeting will take place on April 16 at 7 p.m. in McTaggart Hall at Hesse Park and via Zoom. Watch live at rpvca.gov or on Cox 33/FiOS 38.

To participate in public comment during the meeting, fill out a speaker slip if you are attending in person, or complete a form online at rpvca.gov/participate to participate virtually or leave a pre-recorded voice message. Email your comments on agenda items to cc@rpvca.gov.

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in programs, services, activities and meetings, contact the City's ADA Coordinator/Risk Manager at 424-327-3982, adarequests@rpvca.gov, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, at least 48 hours in advance to request an auxiliary aid or accommodation.