HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2020-179 N.C.S. 12/07/2020 Resolution No. 2020-179 N.C.S. Page 1
Resolution No. 2020-179 N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLICY TO AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE IN THE
ALLOWABLE UNITS IN A BY RIGHT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AS
PRESCRIBED BY STATE ASSEMBLY BILL 2162 FROM 50 UNITS OR FEWER TO UP TO
131 UNITS FOR THE MERIDIAN AT CORONA STATION AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PROJECT LOCATED AT 890 NORTH MCDOWELL BOULEVARD
(APN 137-061-019)
WHEREAS, the State of California passed Assembly Bill 2162 (AB 2162) in 2018 to amend Section
65583 of, and to add Article 11 (commencing with Section 65650) to Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7
of, the Government Code, relating to land use; and
WHEREAS, AB-2162 requires local entities to streamline the approval of housing projects containing
a minimum amount of Supportive Housing by providing a ministerial approval process, removing the
requirement for CEQA analysis and removing the requirement for Conditional Use Authorization or other
similar discretionary entitlements; and
WHEREAS, AB 2162 defines supportive housing development and requires California cities with
population of less than 200,000 and with a homeless population of 296 based on the most recent point in
time survey, to allow supportive housing development of 50 units or fewer as a use by right on property
zoned for multi-family residential and mixed use development; and
WHEREAS, development proposals that are deemed by right under AB 2162 are processed as
ministerial streamlined review and are exempt from environmental review; and
WHEREAS, AB 2162 expressly allows for jurisdictions to develop a policy to increase the unit limit
for by right qualifying supportive housing projects; and
WHEREAS, on November 5, 2020 Danco Group submitted an application for the Meridian at Corona
Station Affordable Housing Project on the property located at 890 North McDowell Boulevard; and
WHEREAS, the Meridian at Corona Station Affordable Housing Project is a 131 multi-family
residential project that is proposed as a fully affordable to low, very-low, and extremely-low income
households and including 33 supportive housing units; and
WHEREAS, Danco Group has requested review of the Meridian at Corona Station Affordable
Housing Project under AB 2162; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is only aware of one project that potentially qualifies for supportive
housing under AB 2162 but exceeds 50 units; and
WHEREAS, the specific project location at 890 North McDowell is designated Mixed Use in the
General Plan 2025 and has a zoning designation of MU1B; and
WHEREAS, the MU1B zoning district allows mixed use and multi-family residential development;
and
Resolution No. 2020-179 N.C.S. Page 2
WHEREAS, addressing homelessness is urgent, as communities across the state face public health
emergencies and evidence shows supportive housing an affordable rental with intensive services
promoting housing stability works to reduce chronic homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma supports the production of housing for its lower income and
vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, the Petaluma General Plan 2025 includes policies to provide essential housing to all
Petalumans and including Policy 6.1 to support efforts to prevent homelessness, Policy 6.2 to support
efforts to provide housing and support services for the homeless, Policy 6.3 to support efforts to provide
transitional and supportive housing to those moving from homelessness to independent living, Policy 6.6
to promote the construction of rental units for larger families, and Policy 9.1 to promote the integration of
affordable and special needs housing projects on existing neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma is not currently meeting housing production consistent with the 5th
cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation except for at the above moderate income level; and
WHEREAS, the 131 lower income units proposed in the Meridian at Corona Station Project would
significantly contribute to Petaluma meeting its RHNA at the low and very low income levels; and
WHEREAS, the Meridian at Corona Station is proposed as a all electric, net zero project with no new
natural gas infrastructure, incorporation of rooftop photovoltaics and provision of electric vehicle charging
stations; and
WHEREAS, adoption of this policy is consistent with goals, policies, and programs in the General
WHEREAS, State law has determined that any qualifying supportive housing under AB 2162 would
subject to environmental review; and
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma considered this item at a duly noticed public meeting on November
16, 2020 at which time members of the public were provided the opportunity to provide written or oral
comment, providing additional supporting reasoning for expanding the applicability of AB 2162; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Government Code Section 65651, subdivision (b), paragraph (2),
qualifying supportive housing projects under AB 2162 are not projects subject to the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and in accordance with Government Code Section 65651,
subdivision (d), City Council action to approve a policy permitting projects of more than 50 units pursuant
to AB-2162 is not a project subject CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Petaluma as follows:
1. The foregoing recitals are hereby declared to be true and correct and are hereby incorporated herein
by reference as findings of the City Council.
2. In accordance with Government Code Section 65651, subdivision (b), paragraph (2), qualifying
supportive housing projects under AB 2162 are not projects subject to the requirements of the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and in accordance with Government Code Section
65651, subdivision (d), City Council action to approve a policy permitting projects of more than
50 units pursuant to AB-2162 is not a project subject CEQA.
Resolution No. 2020-179 N.C.S. Page 3
3. Under AB 2162 and in accordance with the policy adopted pursuant to this resolution, the City
shall allow one qualifying supportive housing project as a by-right use up to 131 units for the
Meridian at Corona Station affordable housing project proposed by the Danco Group and located
at 890 North McDowell Boulevard, a site owned by Lomas Corona LLC.
4. Other than pursuant to the policy established by this resolution concerning the Danco Group
project at 890 North McDowell Boulevard, the requirements for processing supportive housing
projects of 50 units or less as by right under AB 2162 shall apply throughout the City.
5. Approval of the Meridian at Corona Station Affordable Housing Project is subject to all applicable
objective standards and standard conditions of approval and nothing in this policy obligates the
City to approve the Project until full consistency analysis is completed.
6.
2162 concerning the Danco Group project at 890 North McDowell Boulevard, any final approval
of the Meridian at Corona Station Affordable Housing Project shall incorporate and be subject to
the following design and operational elements proposed by the applicant:
a. The project shall be an all-electric, net zero project with no new gas infrastructure and
incorporating solar.
b. At least 14 electric vehicle charging stations shall be installed and EV ready infrastructure shall
be included for additional chargers/parking spaces.
c. The project shall incorporate at least a single 900 square foot commercial pad for a retail coffee
shop and is encouraged to incorporate additional ground floor commercial flex space for a
small grocery store, deli, or similar type use.
d. The applicant is encouraged to bring a robust mix of onsite services to support residents,
including but not limited to childcare, after school care, medical clinic, adult education, etc.
e. The applicant is encouraged to seek creative partnerships and funding sources to expand
infrastructure, transit, and connectivity resources to the project and surrounding neighborhood
beyond those items currently proposed.
f. The project shall look at creative surfaces and exterior layout to encourage flexibility to utilize
the outdoor areas within the project to support additional pop up uses and events, especially
those areas most adjacent to the future train station.
Resolution No. 2020-179 N.C.S. Page 4
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE:I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the
Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 7th day of December
2020, by the following vote:
Approved as to
form:
__________________________
City Attorney
AYES: Mayor Barrett; Vice Mayor Fischer; Kearney; King; McDonnell
NOES: Healy, Miller
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ______________________________________________
City Clerk
______________________________________________
Mayor