HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC 05-24RESOLUTION PC 5-24
RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS
HILLS RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF AN
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS AMENDING TITLE 10
(ZONING AND SITE DEVELOPMENT) OF THE LOS ALTOS HILLS MUNICIPAL
CODE TO AMEND REGULATIONS RELATING TO APPLICATION PROCESSING
AND STANDING COMMITTEE REVIEW PROCEDURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH
PROGRAM B-15 OF THE LOS ALTOS HILLS 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT
WHEREAS, a severe housing crisis exists in the State of California with the demand for
housing outstripping supply; and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature has enacted a number of laws relating to streamline
approvals of housing development projects and to promote housing supply, growth and mobility;
and
WHEREAS, the adopted and state -certified 2023-2031 Housing Element ("Housing
Element") of the Town of Los Altos Hills ("Town") contains numerous goals, policies and
programs to streamline residential development projects and promote housing opportunities and
mobility, which covers, among other things, the streamlining of approval timeframes, the
preparation and use of objective standards, and updating project review processes to promote
housing development opportunities and in accordance with state law; and
WHEREAS, specifically, Program B-15 of the Housing Element committed to "Amend
the Town's Zoning Ordinance to limit advisory committee meetings to one meeting, and require
comments be provided to the decision-making body within thirty days of a complete application.
Further, specify that advisory committee review shall only provide comments relating to
conformance with the General Plan, Municipal Code, Council- adopted policies and guidelines,
and specific, Objective Design Standards", which in large part reflects existing, uncodified
practice where Town committees expeditiously and timely provide comments on development
projects; and
WHEREAS, to accomplish Program B-15, the Town has prepared a set of amendments to
LAHMC Title 10, Chapter 2 to incorporate the legislative changes identified above and as set forth
in the Housing Element (collectively, the "Zoning Text Amendments"); and
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2024, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing to consider the proposed Zoning Text Amendments, at which time all interested parties
were provided an opportunity to give input and participate in the public process; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Zoning Text Amendments are consistent with and support the
Los Altos Hills General Plan by helping to ensure the implementation of housing goals, programs
and strategies in the 2023-2031 Housing Element, including but not limited to those with respect
to streamlining the advisory committee review timeframe and scope, and promote efficiency in a
well-established, streamlined application review process; and
Resolution PC 5-24 Page 1
WHEREAS, under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines
Section 15061(b)(3), CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a
significant effect on the environment, and where it can be seen with certainty that there is no
possibility that the activity in question may have a significant_ effect on the environment the
activity is not subject to CEQA; and
WHEREAS, in this case the proposed Zoning Text Amendments do not have a potential
for creating a significant environmental effect as they do not create any zoning land uses, approve
any development projects, or issue any entitlements, but are regulatory actions taken by the Town
to implement procedural requirements only; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Zoning Text Amendments are intended to improve the Town's
application review process and codify existing practices, and to implement policies and programs
consistent with State Housing Element Law, in a way that protects and promotes public safety,
community welfare, and the Town's character and aesthetic quality.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED based on the entirety of the record before it, the
Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills makes the following findings:
1. All of the facts and recitals above are true, correct, incorporated herein and made a part
hereof.
2. Based on the entirety of the record before it, the Planning Commission hereby finds that
that this Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) and 15283 of the CEQA Guidelines, Public
Resources Code section 21080.17, and Government Code sections 65660 et seq. and
65583(a)(4). Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), CEQA applies only to projects
which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, and where it
can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have
a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. In this case,
the proposed Zoning Text Amendments do not have a potential for creating a significant
environmental effect as they do not create any zoning land uses, approve any development
projects, or issue any entitlements, but are regulatory actions taken by the Town to
implement procedural requirements only.
3. This Ordinance is consistent with and supports the Los Altos Hills General Plan by
implementing housing goals, programs, and strategies in the 2023-2031 Housing Element,
improving the Town's application review process and codify existing practices, and
furthering housing development project entitlements and opportunities. The amendments
proposed in the Ordinance would accomplish the program goals identified in the Housing
Element and continue to implement the Town's housing strategies in compliance with state
law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Planning Commission hereby recommends the City
Council introduce and adopt the proposed Ordinance in Exhibit A to this Resolution.
Resolution PC 5-24 Page 2
The above and foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Planning Commission of the
Town of Los Altos Hills at a regular meeting held on the 5th day of September 2024 by the
following vote:
AYES: 5
NOES: 0
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
By:
Rajiv ffatel
Planning Commission Chair
ATTEST:
J
Jay Bradford
Interim Community Development Director
Resolution PC 5-24 Page 3