Laserfiche WebLink
<br />8A <br />Page 8 <br /> <br />4. CEQA Exemption for Infill Residential Development <br />The city has been, and can further facilitate new housing development inside and <br />outside of the Downtown Precise Plan area by identifying potential housing sites that <br />could qualify for this exemption, verifying the compliance with the standards, and <br />providing this information to residential developers. The ability to proceed with <br />development of a housing project without the expense and delay of an <br />Environmental Impact Report is an important advantage. <br /> <br />Section 15332 of the State Regulations implementing the California Environmental <br />Quality Act (CEQA) creates a categorical exemption from the CEQA requirements <br />for infill projects meeting the following conditions: <br />a) The project is consistent with the general plan and applicable zoning <br />designation and regulattons. <br />b) The proposed development occurs within city limits on a project site of not <br />more than five acres substantially surrounded by urban uses. <br />c) The project site has no value as habitat for endangered, rare or threatened <br />species <br />d) Approval of the project would not result in any significant effects relating to <br />traffic, noise, air quality, or water quality. <br />e) The site can be adequately served by all required utilities and public services. <br /> <br />5. State Density Bonus Law <br />State la~ requires a city to grant a density bonus, above the allowable density, <br />when an applicant for a housing development seeks and agrees to construct a <br />housing development that will contain at least anyone of the following: <br />a) Ten percent of the total units for lower income households <br />b) Five percent of the total units for very low income households <br />c) A senior citizen housing development or mobile home park that limits <br />residency to older persons <br />d) Ten percent of the total dwelling units in a common interest development for <br />persons and families of moderate income, provided that all units in the <br />development are offered to the public for purchase. <br /> <br />An applicant for a density bonus may also submit a proposal for specific incentives <br />or concessions to assist in providing for the affordable housing costs. <br /> <br />If the Downtown Precise Plan is adopted as drafted and retains the no-density-Iimit <br />provision for infill residential developments, the density bonus will be a moot point. <br />However, it could benefit developments in other areas of the City. The City could <br />assist in providing more affordable housing by adopting a city ordinance and a new <br />local program implementing the State law. Adopting specific standards for what <br />incentives the city is willing to provide for such projects, for example, can encourage <br />such development. However, according to an article in the October issue of the <br />California Redevelopment Association monthly publication, ambiguities in this bill <br />have caused confusion with redevelopment agency staff in other California <br />communities charged with its implementation because of conflicts with affordable <br /> <br />~ Government Code Sections 65915 and following. <br />Page 6 of 7 <br />