HomeMy WebLinkAbout4c_Additional Materials_MosherCounty land. Conversely, the committee probably needs to keep apprised of whether the
County claims to have found opportunity sites there.
2.As to already planned opportunity sites, the committee (or subcommittee?) should be aware
that with the coastal zone, our Coastal Land Use Plan promises not just maximum, but also
minimum housing densities for nearly all the residential land use categories (see Table
2.1.1-1). Most of this minimum density has not been realized, and indeed the coastal
Implementation Plan (Title 21 of the NBMC) was certified without any clear obligation to fulfill
the plan by recognizing the CLUP’s commitment to a variety of density sub -classes. When
questioned about this at Zoning Administrator meetings, where the requests are frequently
to reduce existing residentia l densities below the stated minima, the response is that the
minimum densities are not enforced on a lot -by-lot basis. But they don’t seem to be enforced
on a neighborhood or regional level, either. However that may be, much of Newport Beach
is technically already zoned and technically committed (if one thinks the CLUP means
anything) to, for better or worse, considerably more housing than currently exists.
Item IV.c. Formation of Affordable Housing Subcommittee and
Opportunity Sites Subcommittee
The impulse to form subcommittees to do a committee’s real work often seems motivated by a
feeling that candid discussion cannot happen in public. Hence the rush to exploit the Brown Act
loophole allowing advisory subcommittees consisting of a less than a majority of the full
committee to meet privately and without public notice.
I feel this is generally a bad idea. Not only does it mean the knowledge and expertise of all the
committee members cannot be used as effectively as it might, but it results in recommendati ons
based on unknown and often undisclosed input from alternative sources that cannot be
effectively challenged or corrected.
It will be especially problematic here if there is overlap in membership, such that through those
common members a majority of the full committee could be in private communication.
I would recommend the committee try to function without subcommittees, perhaps asking
individual members to investigate a matter and report back to the full committee for discussion.
That will result in longer (perhaps much longer and more frequent) committee meetings, but, I
think, more effective and certainly more transparent.
If it must have subcommittees, I would recommend they commit to holding only noticed
meetings, open to the public.
Housing Element Update Advisory Committee - July 1, 2020
Item Nos. III, IV(a), IV(b), IV(c) and IV(d)
Additional Materials Received 1