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2015 06 23 PCT4hf 4 .�PQaiHfa Planning Commission agendas and staff reports ore now available on the City's web page: www.la-quinta.orq PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta REGULAR MEETING on TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M. Planning Resolution No. 2015-007 CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance PUBLIC COMMENT At this time members of the public may address the Planning Commission on any matter not listed on the agenda. Please complete a "Request to Speak" form and limit your comments to three minutes. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the minutes of June 9, 2015. PUBLIC HEARINGS For all Public Hearings on the agenda, a completed "Request to Speak" form must be filed with the Executive Assistant prior to consideration of that item. A person may submit written comments to the Planning Commission before a public hearing or appear in support or opposition to the approval of a project(s). If you challenge a project(s) in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 1 JUNE 23, 2015 someone else raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the City at, or prior to the public hearing. 1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001 submitted by the City of La Quinta proposing to amend Title 9, Section 9.150.060, Spaces Required by Use, of the La Quinta Municipal Code to allow for the a reduced number of required parking spaces for properties within the Village Commercial Zoning District. CEQA: exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061 (B)(3), Review for Exemptions of the CEQA Guidelines. BUSINESS SESSION - NONE COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Discussion of the Commission's Summer Schedule. 2. City Council meetings attendance schedule for fiscal year 2015-2016. 3. Report on City Council meeting of June 16, 2015. 4. Commissioner Blum is scheduled to attend the July 7, 2015, City Council meeting. DIRECTOR'S ITEMS - NONE ADJOURNMENT The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on July 14, 2015, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall Council Chambers, 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253. DECLARATION OF POSTING I, Monika Radeva, Executive Assistant of the City of La Quinta, do hereby declare that the foregoing Agenda for the La Quinta Planning Commission meeting was posted on the inside of the north entry to the La Quinta Civic Center at 78-495 Calle Tampico, and the bulletin boards at 78-630 Highway 111, and the La Quinta Cove Post Office at 51-321 Avenida Bermudas, on June 18, 2015. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 2 JUNE 23, 2015 DATED: June 17, 2015 A#i MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant City of La Quinta, California PUBLIC NOTICES The La Quinta City Council Chamber is handicapped accessible. If special equipment is needed for the hearing impaired, please call the City Clerk's office at 777-7123, twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting and accommodations will be made. If special electronic equipment is needed to make presentations to the Commission, arrangements should be made in advance by contacting the City Clerk's office at 777-7123. A one (1) week notice is required, If background material is to be presented to the Commission during a Planning Commission meeting, please be advised that eight (8) copies of all documents, exhibits, etc., must be supplied to the Executive Assistant for distribution. It is requested that this take place prior to the beginning of the meeting. Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Commission regarding any item(s) on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the Community Development Department's counter at City Hall located at 78-495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, California, 92253, during normal business hours. PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA 3 JUNE 23, 2015 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 CALL TO ORDER A regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Wright. PRESENT: Commissioners Bettencourt, Blum, Fitzpatrick, Wilkinson, and Chairperson Wright ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Les Johnson, Principal Engineer Bryan McKinney, Consultant Principal Planner Nicole Criste, and Executive Assistant Monika Radeva Commissioner Wilkinson led the Commission in the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT - None CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blum/Bettencourt to approve the Planning Commission Minutes of May 12, 2015, as submitted. Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Site Development Permit 2014-1007 and Minor Adjustment 2015-0003 submitted by Peter J. Pitassi proposing the development of 57 single-family homes on 20.18 acres. Project: The Estate Collection at Coral Mountain. CEQA: previously analyzed under Environmental Assessment 2005-541; no further review is required. Location: southwest corner of Avenue 60 and Madison Street. Consultant Principal Planner Nicole Criste presented the information contained in the staff report, a copy of which is on file in the Community Development Department. Chairperson Wright declared the PUBLIC HEARING OPEN at 7:12 p.m. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 1 JUNE 9, 2015 Public Speaker: Mr. Peter J. Pitassi, AIA, LEED AP with Diversified Pacific, Rancho Cucamonga, CA - introduced himself, gave a detailed presentation of the project, said there were no objections to the proposed Conditions of Approval, and answered the Commission's questions with regards to the use of synthetic versus natural turf for the common area, the phasing of the project, the use of domestic water for the proposed lake, architectural design, elevations, and fire access requirements. The Commission expressed concerns with regards to the use of an excessive amount of turf for the dog park and the use of potable water for the existing lake merely for aesthetics and the likelihood of it meeting the water district's requirements in the current state of drought. The applicant asked the Commission for an opportunity to work with the water district and staff to reduce the amount of the proposed turf and to explore the possibility of draining the existing lake and landscaping the area. Discussion followed regarding the already approved 24 lot community as part of The Estates at Coral Mountain development located across the street on the north side of Avenue 60. The Commission asked if the CC&Rs would impose any restrictions to prevent the construction of new pools within this development, and to comply with the water district's water use reduction regulations for rear and front yard landscaping. The applicant replied that front yard landscaping would be installed and each homeowner would be subject to the new water use regulations; however, there was no intention to prohibit future homeowners from the ability to construct a pool through the master homeowners association. The Commission inquired if the water district currently had any mandates prohibiting the construction of new pools. Staff replied there were none at this time. Discussion followed regarding the potential street and landscaping improvements that would be required at the time of build -out and in the future along Madison Street. Chairperson Wright declared the PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED at 8:15 p.m. Commission discussion followed expressing a concern to move for approval of any project that contained a merely aesthetic potable water feature and decorative use of turf in the common areas. Motion - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Fitzpatrick to adopt Resolution 2015-006 approving Site Development Permit 2014-1007 and Minor Adjustment 2015-0003 as submitted with staff's recommendations and the addition of the following two Conditions of Approval: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 2 JUNE 9, 2015 Site Development Permit 2014-1007 - Exhibit A 20. The Final Landscape Plan shall be amended as follows: A. Turf in the central common area (Lot I) and the mailbox area shall be eliminated and replaced with drought tolerant landscaping. B. The water feature in Lot G shall be eliminated (unless converted to a non - potable water source). C. The plant palette shall be revised to include more drought -tolerant, desert plants, and shall not include California Pepper. 40. Prior to the issuance of building permits for lots 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, a notification, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, shall be attached to each legal lot, notifying initial and future buyers of the height and extent of the berm along Madison Street and the future location of Madison Street adjacent to their property. The notification shall include a provision that every buyer be required to acknowledge receipt of the notification by their signature through escrow. Motion passed unanimously. BUSINESS SESSION - None CORRESPONDENCE AND WRITTEN MATERIAL - None COMMISSIONER ITEMS 1. Report on City Council meetings of May 19 and June 2, 2015. 2. Commissioner Bettencourt is scheduled to attend the June 16, 2015, City Council meeting. 3. The Commission complimented staff on the efforts put towards the Community Outreach Workshops held on May 21, 2015 for the La Quinta Village. DIRECTOR'S ITEMS 1. Community Director Johnson said Mr. Gabriel Perez has been appointed as Planning Manager and he would be starting with the City on June 15, 2015. ADJOURNMENT PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 3 JUNE 9, 2015 There being no further business, it was moved and seconded by Commissioners Bettencourt/Fitzpatrick to adjourn this meeting at 8:45 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, MONIKA RADEVA, Executive Assistant City of La Quinta, California PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 4 JUNE 9, 2015 PH 1 PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DATE: JUNE 23, 2015 CASE NUMBER: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2015-0001 APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA REQUEST: ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 9 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE, AMENDING SECTION 9.150.060 (SPACES REQUIRED BY USE) TO ALLOW FOR A REDUCED NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARKING SPACES FOR PROPERTIES WITHIN THE VILLAGE COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT LOCATION: PROPERTIES WITHIN THE VILLAGE COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT 4zWI:Z91z181QNIr_11 DETERMINATION: THE PROPOSED ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS ARE EXEMPT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW UNDER CEQA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 15061(B)(3), REVIEW FOR EXEMPTIONS - GENERAL RULE RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the CEQA Exemption and adopt amendments to La Quinta Municipal Code Chapter 9.150.060. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Multiple parties have expressed interest in developing in the La Quinta Village ("Village"), including new construction, expansion of existing businesses and reuse of existing buildings. • City Council recently provided supportive comments towards establishing interim parking standards for the Village in order to stimulate development interest while staff develops new parking standards. BACKGROUND/ANALYSIS Development interest in the Village continues to remain strong. Developers have contacted staff regarding City -owned properties and various Village property and Page 1 of 3 business owners have also expressed interest in establishing new or expanding existing businesses. Feedback received from development interests has generally represented concern over the City's parking standards. The number of parking spaces required is generally consistent throughout the City. This has been of challenge for many representing Village development interests; pointing out the amount of public parking currently available (on -street and at the City parking lot), the willingness for customers to walk a short distance to a business, as well as the need to maintain a pedestrian scale versus auto -oriented commercial development with large parking lots. At the June 2, 2015 City Council meeting, staff proposed interim parking options for the Village. Council encouraged staff to proceed with establishing interim parking standards for the Village as follows: • 50% reduction in required off-street parking for all new development and expansion of existing businesses. • No additional parking required for change of use. • Interim period to exist until June 30, 2016, with option of extending interim period for up to one additional year. `Exhibit A' of the proposed Planning Commission Resolution identifies the proposed changes to the Municipal Code. This amendment will provide relief from current off-street parking requirements. As a result, there is potential for additional parking demand being placed upon existing on - street parking, the City parking lot at Avenida Bermudas and Avenida Montezuma, as well as existing private parking lots. However, existing on -street parking and the City parking lot are not fully utilized, with the exception being during special events and peak periods in season where on street parking in certain areas of the Village is fully utilized. Providing relief during the identified interim period is expected to stimulate new development as well as the expansion of existing businesses, the extent of which is unknown. The impact to existing public parking opportunities in the Village is dependent upon how much development activity results during the interim period. During the interim period, staff will comprehensively address new parking standards for the Village, as well as update existing alternatives such as the parking fee in -lieu program, consideration of alternative methods and parking reductions specific to the Village. This comprehensive review process will include engagement with the Planning Commission and City Council. Page 2 of 3 Following Planning Commission consideration, the schedule to establish interim parking standards for Village Commercial zoned properties includes a public hearing before City Council on July 7, 2015. If approved by City Council, the interim standards are expected to become effective mid -August. AGENCY & PUBLIC REVIEW Public Notice: This project was advertised in The Desert Sun newspaper on June 12, 2015. To date, no comments have been received. Comments were not requested from any public agencies or other City Departments, given the limited scope of the amendment. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Community Development Department has determined that the proposed zone text amendment is exempt from environmental review under CEQA, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), Review for Exemptions - General Rule, in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility for this action to have a significant effect on the environment, and individual development plans will be reviewed under CEQA as they are proposed. Report prepared by: Jay Wuu, AICP, Associate Planner Report approved for submission by: Les Johnson, Community Development Director Page 3 of 3 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2015 - A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 9 OF THE LA QUINTA MUNICIPAL CODE, AMENDING SECTION 9.150.060 (SPACES REQUIRED BY USE) TO ALLOW FOR A REDUCED NUMBER OF REQUIRED PARKING SPACES FOR PROPERTIES WITHIN THE VILLAGE COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT CASE NUMBER: ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 2015-0001 APPLICANT: CITY OF LA QUINTA WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, did on the 23rd day of June, 2015, hold a duly noticed Public Hearing for review of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to amend Chapter 9.150.060 of the La Quinta Municipal Code, as identified by Title of this Resolution; and WHEREAS, said Zoning Ordinance Amendment has complied with the requirements of "The Rules to Implement the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970" (CEQA) as amended (Resolution 83-63). The Community Development Department has determined that the proposed amendment is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3), Review for Exemptions — General Rule, in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility for this action to have a significant effect on the environment, and individual development plans will be reviewed under CEQA as they are proposed; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Department published a public hearing notice for this request in The Desert Sun newspaper on June 12, 2015, as prescribed by the Municipal Code; and, WHEREAS, the proposed amendments are intended to serve as an interim allowance, expiring on June 30, 2016. During this interim period, the Community Development Department will comprehensively address new parking standards for the Village, as well as update existing alternatives such as the parking fee in -lieu program, consideration of alternative methods and parking reductions specific to the Village; and, WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony and arguments, if any, of all interested persons wanting to be heard, said Planning Resolution 2015- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001 Applicant: City of La Quinta June 23, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Commission did make the following mandatory findings to recommend approval of said Zoning Ordinance Amendment to the City Council: 1. Consistency with General Plan The code amendment is consistent with the goals, objectives and policies of the General Plan. The proposed amendments are supported by Policy LU-6.2, relating to the maintenance of development standards in the Zoning Ordinance to assure a high quality of development; Goal LU-7.1, relating to innovative land uses in the Village; Policy LU-7.7 relating to allowing creative parking alternatives in the Village. 2. Public Welfare Approval of the code amendment will not create conditions materially detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare. The amendment allows for reduced parking standards and does not incorporate any changes that affect the regulation and/or provision of public services, utility systems, or other foreseeable health, safety and welfare considerations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Planning Commission of the City of La Quinta, California, as follows: SECTION 1. That the above recitations are true and constitute the Findings of the Planning Commission in this case. SECTION 2. That the Planning Commission does hereby recommend approval of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001, as set forth in attached Exhibit "A", to the City Council for the reasons set forth in this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission held this 23rd day of June, 2015, by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Resolution 2015- Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-0001 Applicant: City of La Quinta June 23, 2015 Page 3 of 4 ROBERT WRIGHT, Chairperson City of La Quinta, California ATTEST: LES JOHNSON, Community Development Director City of La Quinta, California EXHIBIT A — PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION 2015 - DRAFT AMENDMENTS Amend 9.150.060, Spaces required by use, as follows: 9.150.060 Spaces required by use. A. Land Uses Not Listed. If no provisions for the required number of off-street parking spaces are set forth in Tables 9-11 or 9-12 of this section or the provisions are not clear for a specific use, the decision -making authority for the applicable use or project shall determine the number of parking spaces required. B. Definition of GFA. For purposes of this chapter and this code, gross floor area or GFA means the total square footage of all floors of a building, including the exterior walls but excluding courtyards and other outdoor areas. C. Parking for Residential Land Uses. 1. Table 9-11 following contains the minimum number of parking spaces required for each type of residential land use. 2. Whenever any commercial or industrial use is located on a building site that is also used for residential purposes, parking facilities shall be provided for the residential use per Table 9-11 in addition to the spaces required for the nonresidential use(s). D. Parking Requirements within the La Quinta Village. Properties within the Village Commercial zoning district shall be subject to the following requirements: 1. For all new development and expansion of existing business, a 50% reduction of the off-street parking required in Table 9-11, is permitted. For all changes of use, no additional off-street parking is required. a. Prior to submittal of applications for entitlement permits or building permits, the Community Development Department shall determine whether a project is categorized as new, expansion, or change of use. June 23, 2015 TO: La Quinta Planning Commission RE: HUD's "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Proposal" (AFH) Hello. My name is Neeta Quinn. I live at 78440 Via Sevilla, La Quinta To give you a little history...I first corresponded with Les Johnson, in August, 2012 regarding the 2035 La Quinta General Plan Update and its verbiage/connection to the United Nations Agenda 21, and its Sustainable Development. Many changes, deletions, modifications were made before its adoption on February 19, 2013. As such, we tried to insert protection of private property rights and freedoms of and for the citizens, negating any intrusion into our way of life. FYI, in 1993, Pres. Clinton, via Executive Order, advanced this Agenda by presenting the President's Council on Sustainable Development ---it has been progressing over the years, and is now at warp -speed under this administration. Recently, I learned of this 2013 proposed rule, and felt an urgency to speak to you today. Perhaps you are already aware, but I wanted to give you a head's up on a proposed HUD Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Proposal. (AFH) It's proposed rule will mandate the collection of information on the precise racial, ethnic, and income distribution of housing in nearly every census tract in the nation. Once that info has been gathered, pressure will be placed on municipalities across the country to abandon local zoning policies and re -engineer housing stock at local expense, Municipalities will be pressured to join REGIONAL consortia (CVAG ?) that will have the effect (or control) of taking housing decisions out of the hands of elected officials and the citizens they represent. HUD will decide how our neighborhoods will be built, using environment, economic, and social justice to force racial diversity —taking control over our local communities and zoning, In essence, it's building low income housing in middle or upper-class neighborhoods ---- making sure we are all the same, no one neighborhood is better than the other. As I understand this, if our city receives any monies/grants from the following, we are REQUIRED to affirmatively further the purposes of the Fair Housing Act, and we will lose our local control to federal control, CDBG — Community Development Block Grants • HOME -- Home Investment Partnerships • ESG -- Emergency Solutions Grants • HOPWA -- Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids • PHA -- Public Housing Agencies PAGE TWO: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Question: Does La Quinta receive monies or grants from any of these programs? If we take enticements, we lose control. If we do receive them, can we stop or return said funds? The strings must be cut. I am still doing my own research but thought I would provide some material for your review. Please go onto the websites listed, watch the video by Rob Astorino, Executive from Westchester County, New York, where this has already begun. I implore you to please research---investigate---do your own homework. We must protect our city and its future. We must stop this intrusion by the Federal Government —of its taking control over our local housing and zoning decisions which will affect our property values, and change our way of life. As a reminder, I've also enclosed a copy of pages 1-1 and 1-2 of our La Quinta 2035 General Plan, which states our "Guiding Principles" and our "Community Vision." In part, as per our City Charter, it says, "it is a fundamental tenet of the City of La Quinta... to protect and maintain the public health, safety and welfare through self -governance at a local level... its goals, policies and programs are those of the people of La Quinta and are not intended to facilitate the agenda of any outside group or foreign entity." AND, "The General Plan supports, encourages and upholds individual rights and freedoms, and the protection of private property rights and is designed with the intent of enhancing and improving our quality of life.....that intent supports and upholds the rights, liberties and freedoms of the people of La Quinta..." Again, you must uphold the provisions in our City Charter and General Plan. The city and its citizens must be protected from this intrusion. Sincerely, Neeta Quinn La Quinta, CA cc: Mayor Linda Evans Reading Material: Spreading the Wealth by Stanley Kurtz HUD's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Local governments and States that receive Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA), as well as public housing agencies (PHAs) are required to affirmatively further the purposes of the Fair Housing Act. To better facilitate this obligation, as well as address issues raised by the Government Accountability Office, HUD proposes an improved structure and process whereby HUD would provide these program participants with guidance, data, and an assessment template from which they would complete an assessment of fair housing (the AFH). This assessment would then link to Consolidated Plans, PHA Plans, and Capital Fund Plans, meaningfully informing resulting investments and related policies to affirmatively further fair housing. The AFH focuses program participants' analysis on four primary goals: improving integrated living patterns and overcoming historic patterns of segregation; reducing racial and ethnic concentrations of poverty; reducing disparities by race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability in access to community assets such as education, transit access, and employment, as well as exposure to environmental health hazards and other stressors that harm a person's quality of life; and responding to disproportionate housing needs by protected class. HUD would provide all program participants with nationally uniform data on these four areas of focus as well as outstanding discrimination findings. Once program participants have analyzed the HUD data, as well as local or regional information they choose to add, they would identify the primary determinants influencing fair housing conditions, prioritize addressing these conditions, and set one or more goals for mitigating or addressing their determinants. The proposed rule encourages local governments, States, and PHAs to work together on the AFH, and also facilitates regional AFHs that cover regions that need not be contiguous and may even cross state boundaries. The AFH would also reflect substantial public input through community participation and stakeholder consultation. Once program participants have completed the AFH, they would submit the AFH to HUD on the same cycle as they complete their Consolidated Plan or, for PHAs, either on a similar timetable (if the AFI-I is completed collaboratively with the relevant jurisdiction) or annually. Program participants would submit their initial AFH at least 270 days before the start of the program year, a time frame that would be shortened to at least 195 days for subsequent AFHs. HUD may return the Al'-H, or a portion of the assessment, if it violates fair housing or civil rights laws or is substantially incomplete, which includes priorities or goals that are materially inconsistent with the data provided by HUD. The AFH would be deemed accepted 60 calendar days after the date that HUD receives the AFH, unless before that date HUD provides notification that HUD does not accept the AFH, the reasons why HUD has not accepted the AFH, and the actions that the jurisdiction may take to address these reasons. Once HUD accepts the AFH, program participants will incorporate the AFH findings into subsequent plans. The Con Plan would describe how the priorities and specific objectives of the jurisdiction would affirmatively further fair housing by setting forth strategies and actions consistent with the goals and other elements identified in the AFH, and the annual Action Plan would specify actions to be taken during the next year that address fair housing issues identified in the AFH. Similarly, PHAs would indicate how they would address fair housing issues and determinants in its programs that reflect the AFH. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Proposed Rule I HUD USER http://www.huduser.org/portal/affht_pt.html Fu H U D. GOVf SEARCH rt„l, �Um� U.S. f)epartmcnl of Housing grid UrUan DevelopmentIrt£ Secretary ,lUlian Castro Q SHRRE IPA V HOME ABOUT PD$R RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS DATA SETS INITIATIVES OUICK LINKS EVENTS Summary User Friendly Guide Proposed Rule Assessment Tool for 60-day PRA HUD's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Qtiich Links Local governments and Slates that receive Comrnunrty DeWlcpm=ant Block Grants ;CDUG), 110ME lo+esrmcnt H ,rine=ships tHOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ECG), and Housing G;,po unlires for Fei ons WihPIUS (HOP n _;- as c Summary E,-. , pub! housrng agencies (PHAs) are required is afirrrnalr11r 'ih 1hr :�iirr_ ai : •r *all +cusl - '--. tt-r lacalrtale. IN' ohByauon a Wella5addres - -ae coi,,edbyu-n- n).en-r F, f=urrabi!JjOT F=- C _- a nlmpm r,_-t,uru and process r h.arr -, HIJQ would prq lde these I,rpgrarn is r_ r,.3.11, ,t th rat„;d- , T.a'- rd In L r` IPa=.e: User Friendly Guide from wllcr, Ihey.,9ou(d Cam preic- an assr Re-nenI Or I aFf ha. Is I o ,I!IE AFf � -rl,& a -S Ss r1i rI! w0!0 ; i1' n r _ rr, CgIIS011dafad �' al:�. PHA Piafts and Caaria. Fund P an8 =r eanlrlr-I i53 U:!In 51 If140 stR]eris,i {el aled p(7 1CIe5 PIOpO3ed RUIC to drtlfrr�asls�`y tallier lair;-ousrny The AFH locuses program participants' analysis on lour primary goals rmprovjng Integraled living patterns and ,sir omirrg Regulatory ImpactAnatysis historic patterns of segregation = reducm9 racial and ethnic ccnc-antralions of poi oyt reducing disparities by race color relig;on sex familial status. baUanal onm;n, cr disability in access to coirtmurilyasseis s,,ch as education, trar,sil access ann emp;cyment, as well as er.posiue t-- cn rronmenta, tea tri hazards arc curer :Lessors, that har.n a pa- o s .; all', -of Data Methodology I `e and responding to dispfoporticoale liousilg -weds by protected -c a-=s NU:7 &OL11d prOV d all r=`= gra fran rlpnn ; with nal!oralls r, - m gala on roe— fourareas I focus as Wei! a -ruts,nn ring ill c I-nlr ,-=find rag- Once pluyr_ n pa ,rGpar ha,_, analyzod 11o HUD data as =Nell a$ IoC£SI o rEr.atlal rniormafiQ vC90GSe 10aria They would id„rr,fy the Comments and Feedback on the 1 ornarydetem-,,cants IrFluencirg tail housing conditions r,rrcriflze addressing it sc c0n ;rl , _. r, and sel one or more goals Proposed Proposed Rule for ri!:aatrnG or addressing !heir determinanls The proposed rule encourages local ge crnments Stals~s, and PHPy -r- work together on the AFH and als-=-'aoliraies Assessment Tool Preamble regions, AFHs that cover regions that need not be contiguous and rr=ay z°,ter cross; slate bou^dades = ie A;FH ,could also relleci si,bstanhal pubhc input cnrouyh romm„nary parUcipar -, ;=d stakeholder consufatior, Draft Assessment Tool Download the Summary HUD -provided Data Tables HUD -provided Maps Public Comments Received on the Assessment Tool Page 1 of 2 FEDERAL REGISTER Vol. 78 No. 139 Part IV Department of Development Friday, July 19, 2013 Housing and Urban 24 CFR Parts 5, 91, 92, et al. Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing; Proposed Rule 43710 Federal Register/Val. 78, No, 139 / Friday, July 19, 2013 / Proposed Rules DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 24 CFR Parts 5, 91, 92, 570, 574, 576, and 903 (Docket No. FR-5173-P-01] RIN No. 2501-AD33 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD. ACTION: Proposed rule. SUMMARY: Through this rule, HUD proposes to provide HUD program participants with more effective means to affirmatively further the purposes and policies of the Fair Housing Act, which is Title Vlll of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. The Fair Housing Act not only prohibits discrimination but, in conjunction with other statutes, directs HUD's program participants to take steps proactively to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, and foster inclusive communities for all. As acknowledged by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and many stakeholders, advocates, and prograrn participants, the current practice of affirmatively furthering fair housing carried out by HUD grantees, which involves an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice and a certification that the grantee will affirmatively further fair housing, has not been as effective as had been envisioned. This rule accordingly proposes to refine existing requirements with a fair housing assessment and planning process that will better aid HUD program participants fulfill this statutory obligation and address specific comments the GAO raised. To facilitate this new approach, HUD will provide states, local governments, insular areas, and public housing agencies (PHAs), as well as the communities they serve, with data on patterns of integration and segregation: racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty; access to education. employment, low -poverty, transportation, and environmental health, among other critical assets; disproportionate housing needs based on the classes protected under the Fair Housing Act; data on individuals with disabilities and families with children; and discrimination. From these data, program participants will evaluate their present environment to assess fair housing issues, identify the primary determinants that account for those issues, and set forth fair housing priorities and goals. The benefit of this approach is that these priorities and goals will then better inform program participant's strategies and actions by improving the integration of the assessment of fair housing through enhanced coordination with current planning exercises. This proposed rule further commits HUD to greater engagement and better guidance for program participants in fulfilling their obligation to affirmatively further fair housing. With this new clarity through guidance, a template for the assessment, and a HUD -review process, program participants should achieve more meaningful outcomes that affirmatively further fair housing. DATES: Comment Due Date: September 17, 2013. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposed rule to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500: Communications must refer to the above docket number and title. There are two methods for submitting public comments. All submissions must refer to the above docket number and title, 1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by mail to the Regulations'Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0001. 2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at rvrtryv.regulotions.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately available to the public, Comments submitted electronically through the wavay.regulations.gov Web site can be viewed by other commenters and interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically. [Vote: To receive consideration as public comments, continents must be sebmiltad through one of the two methods specified above. Again, all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of the rule. No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (FAX) comments are not acceptable. Public Inspection of Public Comments, All properly submitted comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for public inspection and copying between 8 a,m, and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, an advance appointment to review the public comments must be scheduled by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708- 3055 (this is not a toll -free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll -free Federal Relay Service during working hours at 800-877-8339. Copies of all comments submitted are available for inspection and downloading at www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille Acevedo, Associate General Counsel for Legislation and Regulations, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10282, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-708-1793 (this is not a toll - free number). Hearing- or speech - impaired individuals may access this number via TTY by calling the toll -free Federal Relay Service during working hours at 1-800-877-8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. I. Executive Summary Purpose of the Regulatory Action From its inception, the Fair Housing Act (and subsequent laws reaffirming its principles) outlawed discrimination and set out steps that needed to be taken proactively to overcome the legacy of segregation through the obligation of affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH). Informed by lessons learned in localities across the country, HUD issues this proposed rule, which provides new tools now available to help guide communities in fulfilling the original promise of the Fair Housing Act. The proposed rule involves refining the fair housing elements of the existing planning process that states, local governmrints. insular areas, and public housing agencies (program participants) now undertake. The process proposed by this rule assisis these program participants to a$5ess fair housing determinants, prioritize fair housing issues for response, and take meaningful rrctions to affirmatively further fair housing. As recognized by HUD staff, program participants, civil rights advocates, the GAO, and others, the fair housing elements of current housing and community development planning are not as effective as they could be, do not incorporate leading innovations in sound planning practice, and do not sufficiently promote the effective use of limited public resources to affirmatively further fair housing. The approach Obama's Forced Diversity in Housing Is Not h2ie4r+pEY*iQM ISVagb MNMM-forced-diversity-in-housing-is-not-a-new-developmenU i.PO3—q tics [ ,;°r • ha"'ckL re Reviewe „�. i ] ecta ons.. \ `•' o', F"ashio FieJ.i ,o Fitne:3 f]ar�mag� iki �' r Sporta• Parenti f inion ��� 4, arts Fv� n - t New Feminis ood �sAct Trave.. L_ +.z NFRA I"uM2B-30,2015 www.politichicks.com ObaMa's Forced Diversity in Housing Is Not a New DevelopMent Posted 01111111 1S 201S LY : Laura R a► becrtr Lee 13 C'ortirncnts It I ,:HUD ort ed lit) Iis eta, I. (III kuIII beau Li,(,. Politichicks In light of recent repor4s of President Obama's Mans to force diversity in wealthy neighborhoods, we rust Understand this has been going un Ion€ nia,ny years Page 1 of 13 Obarna's Forced Diversity in Housing Is Not bttiPJJP6ktAi�eohVM5OEK3bJbocum-forced-dive(sity-in-housing-is-not-a-new-development/ The h[st attack was dircctej at V)estr,hlt!;l�r cowAy in Nev" Y()Ik i 101i0"Ned IN:! (AIS'Ll!blog 11h 'hOsIch—ter York cjit-i the past FE-de--.il Department 01 f;on,Ir' ace D&—icomer-1, (HUDnm,)S itS '",l_, :3fcl Grand Exoerimentl XrmiffIM-3 rl-G�V 1�elgiklbolrn000s mll bc, buil Using WMal al New,'m.,ix cisc, r�.sr- 11­1t5ulls PIC fe-J., .ai reg—arding 'iousinq li-L,,_,,-jr tit j 1j,,,e Vfq,, i)PY aflofd tO Slatistics and feseirch, V%/'_�St&eSt:'f COUMV hJS S­jvvli 1j n0L t­cce neighb h any r, nbc-hw-ris Cc)�jq try) T[,,jS is H of Hisi-ij j f Oe erMiled it 6 ­_ -a ' [T- qnd y,-,jr,its ids federal 'Che� L,_- Ct;4`,1 it, 7J f(-ad solni� of tne !Flttefs- ai— COT reSuonid;-,Wice 43r), Ht)D -zo 1Ve-stche%k-7! COuriAy rile r'QUD` WUSI Page 2 of 13 COMMUNITY VISION "We the people of the City of La Quinta declare our intent to restore to our community the historic principles of self - governance inherent in the doctrine of home -rule. Sincerely committed to the belief that local government has the closest affinity to the people governed, and firm in the conviction that the economic and fiscal independence of our local government will promote the health, safety and welfare of all the citizens of this City..." City Charter 1994 As stated in the City's Charter, it is a fundamental tenet of the City of La Quinta, its citizens and its leaders, to protect and maintain the public health, safety and welfare through self -governance at a local level. As such, this plan is crafted as the guiding policy document for the City per the vision expressed by its citizens and established by the City Council. While it is written to be in compliance with applicable State and Federal legislation, as it has been since the City's first General Plan, its goals, policies and programs are those of the people of La Quinta and are not intended to facilitate the agenda of any outside group or foreign entity. La Quinta is a great place to live, work and play. La Quinta was originally established and has developed with the objective of providing well planned and desirable neighborhoods, a diversified economic base, excellent schools, exceptional recreational and cultural opportunities, and a variety of community services and facilities. As our community continues to mature, we will strive to preserve and adapt these desirable qualities by maintaining and, where necessary, improving upon a safe and convenient circulation system that includes alternative transportation opportunities as well as bike/pedestrian trails and golf cart routes; by providing additional recreationalt opportunities and cultural facilities for the health and well-being of our residents; by preserving our natural and historic resources, focusing 1-1 on sustainable existing and future use of water and energy resources; and, by ensuring that La Quinta remains a safe and desirable place for both residents and visitors. We will continue to emphasize the importance of community participation and recognize the commitment property owners have and continue to make through their investment of time and resources. We will work with regional and other local government entities to solve common problems and coordinate our shared interests. La Quinta's future depends on maintaining a balanced budget and the conservative management of our financial resources, and continuing efforts to promote our community as a premier place to live, work and play. The General Plan supports, encourages and upholds individual rights and freedoms, and the protection of private property rights and is designed with the intent of enhancing and improving our quality of life in La Quinta. That intent supports and upholds the rights, liberties and freedoms of the people of La Quinta, as afforded by the Federal and State constitutions. In order to achieve and support our Community Vision, the following eight guiding principles will shape the La Quinta General Plan: • A Neighborhood Oriented Community - Strive to ensure that existing and future housing for all residents continues to be diverse in type and of high quality. Establish and maintain connections between existing and future neighborhoods, including existing housing stock and associated infrastructure. • A Healthy, Vibrant and Heritage Minded Community - Ensure parks, public facilities and open spaces are appropriately sized and designed to meet the needs and interests of all segments of the community. Continue to ensure that all land uses cohesively exist with the area's natural, cultural and historical heritage. + A Fiscally Sound Community - Capitalize on our unique development opportunities, especially within the Highway iii Corridor and the Village area by focusing on shopping, dining, entertainment, professional and mixed use options while improving the aesthetics of the community. ADMINISTRATION 1-z La,Quinta, CA: Going Green Green and Sustainable La Quinta http://www.la-quinta,org/our-community/going-green City of La Quinta contact: email: 1rha�1r11iry@la-quiaL nxg call: (760) 777-7io6 rr V i The City of La Quinta believes in "going green," ,,and to that end, has developed the Green and Sustainable La Quinta Program. Sustainability (meeting the ecological needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs) is at the forefront of the City Council's priorities, and encourages residents to help lead their community in becoming a Coachella Valley model in energy, water conservation and recycling. The City is working with its conservation partners: Burrtec Waste & Recycling, Coachella Valley Water District, Imperial Irrigation District, and Southern California Gas Company to find ways to educate and assist La Quinta residents in reducing their carbon footprints by providing valuable conservation programs and .rebate incentives. View �j ' stainability (oats and Acl-'O 1plishniciits V.EU S E, *A- ULA c;; ATTENTION LA QUINTA: The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) wants to share some important facts with you about natural gas safety: Safety always comes first at SoCalGas! It is a core value demonstrated through action and investment. Over the next four years, SoCalGas is investing almost $6 billion to improve the safety, performance, and reliability of its pipeline system and infrastructure. SoCalGas has a systematic and safety -focused approach to maintaining and enhancing its pipeline infrastructure. Through a dedicated and focused effort, SoCalGas completed the removal of cast iron pipelines from its system in 1994. The transmission and distribution pipelines within SoCalGas' system are operated and maintained in accordance with or exceeding state and federal pipeline safety regulations. Regulators routinely audit SoCalGas' program to ensure compliance with all safety regulations. SoCalGas works closely with its local first responders and trains them on the importance of natural gas safety. Please visit SoCalGas' safety webpage for more information: Page 1 of 2 Our Common Future, Chapter 2: Towards Sustainable Development - A/42/427 Annex, Chapter 2 -li N:Rkww.ve#14Wcflatheting bcUP2)htm Our Common Future, Chapter 2: Towards Sustainable Development I. The Concept 0 Sustainable Development II. Equity and the Common Interest III. Strategic Imperatives 1. Reviving Growth 2. Changing the quality cJ Growth 3. Meeting Essential Human Needs 4. Ensuring a Sustainable Level cJ Population 5. Conserving and Enhancing the Resource Base 6. Reorienting Technology and Managing Risk 7. Merging Environment and Economics in Decision Making IV. Conclusion 1A, I. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: • the concept of 'needs', in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and • the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs. 2. Thus the goals of economic and social development must be defined in terms of sustainability in all countries - developed or developing, market -oriented or centrally planned. Interpretations will wiry, but must share certain general features and must flow from a consensus on the basic concept of sustainable development and on a broad strategic framework for achieving it. 3. Development involves a progressive transformation f economy and society. A development path that is sustainable in a 1}ysica sense could theoretically be pursued even in a rigid social and political setting. But physical sustainability cannot be secured unless development policies pay attention to such considerations as changes in access to resources and in the distribution of costs and benefits. Even the narrow notion of physical sustainability implies a concern for social equity between generations, a concern that must logically be extended to equity within each generation. I. The Concept of Sustainable Development 4 The satisfaction of human needs and aspirations in the major objective of development. The essential needs of vast numbers of people in developing countries for food, clothing, shelter, jobs - are not being met, and beyond their basic needs these people have legitimate aspirations for an improved quality of life. A world in which poverty and inequity are Page 1 of 19 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future - A/42fdp7/iAmmion-t&QoeahseTd"ethadfigtm Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future Table of Contents Acronyms and Note on Terminology Chairman's Foreword From One Earth to One World Part I. Common Concerns i. A Threatened Future I. Symptoms and Causes II. New Approaches to Environment and Development 2. Towards Sustainable Development I. The Concept cj Sustainable Development II. Equity and the Common Interest III. Strategic Imperatives IV. Conclusion 3. The Role cj the International Economy I. The International Economy, the Environment, and Development II. Decline in the 198os III. Enabling Sustainable Development IV. A Sustainable World Economy Part II. Common Challenges 4. Population and Human Resources Page 1 of 4 Our Common Future - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia https://en.wikipedia,org/wiki/Our_Common_Future Our Common Future From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Our Common Future, also known as the Brundtland Report, from the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) was published in 1987. Its targets were multilateralism and interdependence of nations in the search for a sustainable development path. The report sought to recapture the spirit of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment - the Stockholm Conference - which had introduced environmental concerns to the formal political development sphere. Our Common Future placed environmental issues firmly on the political agenda; it aimed to discuss the environment and development as one single issue. The document was the culmination of a "900 day" international -exercise which catalogued, analysed, and synthesised: written submissions and expert testimony from "senior government representatives, scientists and experts, research institutes, industrialists, representatives of non- governmental organizations, and the general public'"held at public hearings throughout the world. The Brundtland Commission's mandate was to:111 1. " re-examine the critical issues of environment and development and to formulate innovative, concrete, Author Our Common Future THE WORLD COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND OEVEI"ENT World Commission on Environment and Development Subject Sustainability Publisher Oxford University Press Publication 1987 date Pages 383 and realistic action proposals to deal with them; ISBN 01928208OX 2. strengthen international cooperation on environment and development and to assess and propose new forms of cooperation that can break out of existing patterns and influence policies and events in the direction of needed change; and 3. raise the level of understanding and commitment to action on the part of individuals, voluntary organizations, businesses, institutes, and governments" (1987: 347). ""the Commission focused its attention in the areas of population, food security, the loss of species and genetic resources, energy, industry, and human settlements - realizing that all of these are connected and cannot be treated in isolation one from another" The Brundtland Commission Report recognised that human resource development in the form of poverty reduction, gender equity, and wealth redistribution was crucial to formulating strategies for environmental conservation, and it also recognised that environmental -limits to economic growth in industrialised and industrialising societies existed. As such, the Report offered "[the] analysis, the broad remedies, and the recommendations for a sustainable course of development'7 within such societies (1987: 16). However, the Report was unable to identify the mode(s) of production that are responsible for degradation of the environment, and in the absence of analysing the principles governing market -led economic growth, the Report postulated that such growth could be reformed (and expanded); this lack of analysis resulted in an obfuscated -introduction of the term sustainable development ] Page 1 of 3