SCH Number 2023060699

Project Info

Title

Draft Program EIR for the City of Newport Beach General Plan Housing Implementation Program

Description

City of Newport Beach 2021-2029 Housing Element The City’s 2021-2029 Housing Element was adopted in September 2022 as part of the statewide 6th Cycle Housing Element process and was subsequently certified by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on October 5, 2022. The City’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation is 4,845 housing units, including 1,456 very low-income units and 930 low-income units. In addition to the 6th Cycle RHNA allocation, 2021-2029 Housing Element accounts for additional housing units as a buffer to address future “no net loss” if it becomes necessary to identify replacement sites during the 6th Cycle implementation period. Only a portion of these sites will be necessary to accommodate the City’s planning obligation. The adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element identifies six focus areas in the City that have sufficient capacity to meet its RHNA allocation for the 6th Cycle. The six focus areas in the adopted Housing Element are: -Airport Area -West Newport Mesa -Dover-Westcliff -Newport Center -Coyote Canyon -Banning Ranch The Banning Ranch Focus Area is included in the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element’s sites inventory. However, it is not assumed in order to accommodate the City’s 2021-2029 RHNA growth need. Banning Ranch is considered as an additional dwelling unit opportunity, beyond those that accommodate the RHNA. Program Environmental Impact Report The Program EIR will evaluate the potential environmental effects of the implementing actions associated with the 2021-2029 Housing Element. The Program EIR will analyze the 6th Cycle RHNA obligation of 4,845 units and a buffer of 5,242 units, for a total development capacity of 10,087 housing units. The adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element identifies 244 candidate housing sites in the six focus areas of the City that can accommodate housing. Subsequent to the adoption of the Housing Element, five additional potential housing sites were identified. Therefore, the Program EIR will evaluate 249 housing sites as shown in Figure 2A through 2E. The Project does not propose any site development on any of the housing sites. Future housing development would occur over time depending upon numerous factors such as market conditions, and economic and planning considerations, and at the individual property owners’ discretion. The Project is proposing revisions to existing and the addition of additional General Plan Land Use Element policies to implement existing goals and policies to allow for the implementation of the 2021-2029 Housing Element. The City’s Zoning Code defines the City’s allowed land uses and establishes development standards for each zone. The Zoning Code is adopted to regulate the use of real property and the buildings, structures, and improvements located thereon to implement the provisions of the General Plan and carry out its objectives. The Project proposes the adoption of housing opportunity overlay zoning districts for five of the six focus areas: Airport Area, West Newport Mesa, Dover-Westcliff, Newport Center, and Coyote Canyon. A housing opportunity overlay zoning district would also be applied to 5th Cycle RHNA housing sites. Residential use of any property included within a housing opportunity overlay zone is allowed regardless of the underlying land use category.

4 documents in project