HomeMy WebLinkAbout16 - General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) Bi-Monthly Update to the City CouncilQ SEW Pp�T
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c�<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report
September 13, 2022
Agenda Item No. 16
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director - 949-644-3232,
sjurjis@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Benjamin M. Zdeba, AICP, Principal Planner - 949-644-3253,
bzdeba@newportbeachca.gov
TITLE: General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) Bi-Monthly
Update to the City Council
ABSTRACT:
The General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC) was formed in early 2022 to
oversee and guide the comprehensive update to the City of Newport Beach (City) General
Plan. The GPUSC held several public meetings in the months of July and August. This
report provides a bi-monthly update to the City Council on the discussions and actions
taken.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly;
and
b) Receive and file the report.
DISCUSSION:
On April 12, 2022, the City Council confirmed Philip Brown, Kimberly Carter and
Nancy Gardner as the three members of the General Plan Update Steering Committee.
Recap of July 11, 2022, Meeting
• The GPUSC held its first meeting on July 11, 2022. The GPUSC members began
with introductions to describe each of their backgrounds. Nancy Gardner was
selected as the chairperson.
• The GPUSC received status updates on the Housing Element and Circulation
Element and provided initial guidance on the anticipated schedule, selection and
use of consultants, and expectations for the comprehensive General Plan Update.
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General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC)
Bi-Monthly Update to the City Council
September 13, 2022
Page 2
Recap of August 8, 2022, Meeting
The GPUSC received status updates on the Housing Element and Circulation
Element.
City staff presented a draft revised scope of work for the City's current consultant,
Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., to begin working on implementing the 6t" Cycle
Housing Element. The scope of work was mostly revised to include support for
rezonings and a consideration of nonresidential (i.e., commercial) floor area to
support residential growth. The GPUSC and the community provided input to help
shape the revisions.
City staff also presented a draft background, objective and scope of work for a
request for proposal (RFP) related to consultant services to update the remainder
of the General Plan. The GPUSC and the community provided input to help shape
the content.
• The GPUSC discussed the formation of the General Plan Advisory Committee
(GPAC) and provided initial guidance to City staff on what the GPAC should look
like.
Recap of August 24, 2022, Meeting
The GPUSC received an update that the City's V Cycle Housing Element was
deemed statutorily compliant with State Housing Element Law.
City staff presented the draft City Council resolution forming the GPAC for
consideration. The GPUSC and the community provided feedback. The GPUSC
directed staff to proceed with the resolution, including some minor updates.
City staff provided an update to the approach for implementing the policies in the
Housing Element. The policies provide for the opportunities to produce additional
market rate and affordable housing units through housing overlays. To implement
the policies of the Housing Element, amendments will need to be made to the
City's Land Use and Noise Elements to recognize the additional housing units and
to ensure consistency amongst the General Plan elements. Additionally, the City's
zoning code will need to be amended to implement the new housing overlay. Staff
noted this approach will meet the State's statutory deadline of October 15, 2024,
for rezonings. Staff also shared a concept of retaining the trips associated with an
existing commercial building when it is being replaced by residential development.
The GPUSC expressed support for this approach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
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General Plan Update Steering Committee (GPUSC)
Bi-Monthly Update to the City Council
September 13, 2022
Page 3
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
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