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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE TO COMMISSION QUESTIONS 02-27-24 From: Willkom.Justina To: Willkom.Justina Cc: Barraaan.Raymond;Eastman.Jav;Jara.Jose;Michael S.Daudt;Hurtado.Vera Subject: Responses to Questions-Planning Commission Meeting 02/27/24 Date: Tuesday,February 27,2024 1:55:52 PM Hello Commissioners, Staff received several questions related to the items on tonight's Planning Commission's Agenda. Below are responses to the questions posted by Commissioners Higuchi and Douthit. I hope the responses help you in deliberating the items before you this evening and if you should have any questions,please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Justina -------------- Higuchi Question: "What is the current process to determine"substantial conformance"?Is it codified in the TMC?" Response:Currently,the Director determines if a proposed use is similar to the approved use by looking at various aspects of the business plan, hours of operation,scope of work and/or operation,compliance with development standards,etc. The amendment would expressly designate the Director as the authority to determine substantial conformity to reduce ambiguity and provide clarity for staff and the public. Higuichi Question: "Adopted the Downtown Commercial Core Specific Plan and Red Hill Avenue Specific Plan. Will the EPS report ever be circulated to Planning Commission?Which specific recommended ordinances will come before PC?" Response:Staff has forwarded the complete EPS study to the Planning Commission on December 13,2023. The following is a list of implementation action items that require Planning Commission and/or City Council direction and consideration. Examples of items that require Planning Commission recommendations to the City Council includes,but not limited to, Specific Plan Amendments,Code Amendments,etc. Near/Mid/Long Program Term Goal No. Preliminary residential Reduce Plan Area residential Near Term 1.1 parking standards update parking ratios from 2.25 to 1.75 per unit for SP Areas. Create administrative rule to use Set all residential Park Fees market'land value equal to$2.5 Near Term 1.2 in DCCSP equal to RHASP million per acre for park fee 2/20/2024 rate calculation based on already established land value for non- subdivision projects in RHASP. Introduce City Council motion to Temporarily suspend temporarily suspend inclusionary Near Term 1.3 3/5/2024 affordable housing in-lieu fee housing in-lieu fees for all SPA projects for 18-24 months. On going Adjust administrative rules to allow (to be negotiated developers to pay all impact fees at via Development Near Term 1.4 Expand fee deferral Certificate of Occupancy rather Agreement and/or than at permit-issuance. project's Conditions of Approval) Commence construction of parklets Commence public realm on El Camino Real and Main Street, Construction to Near Term 1.5 improvements and commence gateway signage commence and streetscape improvements on Summer 2024 Main Street. Continue efforts to streamline permitting. Implement a one-stop- Expand developer services shop on the City website for Mid-Term 2.1 and educational materials relevant info(i.e.affordable housing requirements,fee schedule,density bonus)and improve development project process for clarify. Conduct program review and Revisit voluntary workforce feasibility analysis to optimize rules Mid-Term 2.2 consistent with the Housing housing program Element,evolving state laws,and economic considerations. ID key nodes and allow residential only if sufficient ground floor retail is Mid-Term 2.3 Modify retail and parking provided. Consider relaxing parking requirements rules for smaller,vertical mixed-use projects, refine/promote in-lieu policy. Eliminate long,discretionary Mid-Term 2.4 Eliminate RAR Program review/allocation process for residential to provide developers with more certainty. Increase allowable heights where Mid-Term 2.5 Modify height restrictions historic resource protection is not a concern. Relax requirement for private on- Relax residential private site storage for every unit(i.e. Mid-Term 2.6 storage requirements remove entirely,set as a percentage of units,or match neighboring cities). Develop an official schedule or brief Clarify residential density (posted on website)to specify how Mid-Term 2.7 bonus approach state density bonus is determined under the plan area. Staff to develop educational materials. Update the EIR for the Specific Plan Areas with higher unit counts Long Term 3.1 Increase residential capacity OR implement administrative waiver program for compliant residential projects. Implement strategies to manage parking demand and supply. Long Term 3.2 Refine parking strategies and Modify non-residential parking pursue supply investments alternatives. Refine or eliminate certain parking standards. Complete construction of parklets on El Camino Real&Main Street. Complete gateway signage and Complete/expand public streetscape improvements on Main Long Term 3.3 realm improvements and Street. 'place-making'initiatives Explore complementary'place- making'programs that engage with businesses,property owners,and the public. Evaluate potential for targeting projects or partnerships that Explore economic catalyze private investments. Long Term 3.4 development site marketing Develop marketing materials to efforts highlight investment opportunities and future projects within the specific plan areas. Implement carrot/stick options(i.e. Implement policies to waivers, concessions,taxes, code Long Term 3.5 accelerate redevelopment of enforcement measures). vacant sites Explore public-private partnerships at key sites,staff outreach& coordination efforts. Higuichi Question: "How many units and dollars have been generated under the Voluntary Workforce Housing Incentive Program established in 2018?" Response:To date, a little over$2,000,000 in Incentive Program fees have been collected, and on November 7, 2023, City Council authorized staff to enter into a housing agreement with Families First for the provision of 6-8 affordable units. Douthit Question: "How and why were the selected uses picked to be streamlined?" Response:Some of the items selected for streamlining were based on feedback from the Planning Commission. Others are part of on-going Streamline Tustin efforts in reducing processing time and costs associated with entitlement applications.