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2021 Housing Element Update

The State of California requires that each jurisdiction's housing element be updated every eight (8) years and certified by the State.  The City has updated its Housing Element for the 2021-2029 period.  A major component of this update is the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment ("RHNA"), in which the State estimates each region's housing needs for all income groups.  

If you have specific questions or would like to be added to the contact list for the Housing Element Update please email longrange@beverlyhills.org.

 

IMPORTANT UPDATES 

CITY COUNCIL REVIEW OF REVISED HOUSING ELEMENT

At their regular meeting on March 18, 2024, the City Council adopted the revised version of the 2021-2029 Housing Element. Please find copies of these documents here, which will be submitted to HCD on March 19, 2024:

 

2023 GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

The General Plan and Housing Element Annual Report for the year 2023 will be reviewed by the City Council at their upcoming study session meeting on March 18, 2024, starting at 2:30 PM. This report is presented for informational purposes to the City Council, and is presented at a public hearing to provide an opportunity for public comment.  The report is required to be prepared and submitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and State Office of Planning and Research (OPR) annually.  The agenda for this meeting can be found here, and the report can be found here

 

PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW OF REVISED HOUSING ELEMENT

At a special meeting on Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Planning Commission reviewed a revised version of the 2021-2029 Housing Element that was last adopted on February 21, 2023. The majority of revisions incorporated into this version were prepared in response to the comment letter from the State Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) dated December 15, 2023. The agenda and meeting materials can be found here, and a recording of the meeting can be watched here

The Planning Commission held the public hearing, received public comments, asked questions of staff, and adopted a resolution to recommend the adoption of the revised Housing Element and addendum to the MND to the City Council. 

 

FEBRUARY 6, 2024 PUBLICATION OF REVISED DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT

City staff has been working to revise the Housing Element document in response to the HCD comment letter dated December 15, 2023, and will submit the revised Housing Element to HCD on February 14, 2024.  Please find below the revised redline versions of each section of the Housing Element, as well as the clean (non-redline versions).  An email notification was sent out to the Housing Element interested parties list to notify the availability of this document. 

Minor technical errata were identified and incorporated into the revised Housing Element documents, as noted below. A memorandum regarding these errata was prepared and can be found below. The previous versions of the Housing Element dated 2-6-24 can also be found below for reference. 

REDLINE VERSION OF REVISED HOUSING ELEMENT - 2-6-2024
 HOUSING PLAN - REDLINE - 2-6-24 (ERRATA INCORPORATED)
APPENDIX A - REDLINE - 2-6-24
APPENDIX B - REDLINE - 2-6-24 
  APPENDIX C - REDLINE - 2-6-24 (ERRATA INCORPORATED)
*APPENDIX D - NO REVISIONS MADE
 APPENDIX E - REDLINE - 2-6-24

 

CLEAN (NON-REDLINE) VERSION OF REVISED HOUSING ELEMENT - 2-6-2024
HOUSING PLAN - CLEAN - 2-6-24 (ERRATA INCORPORATED)
 APPENDIX A - CLEAN - 2-6-24
 APPENDIX B - CLEAN - 2-6-24
APPENDIX C - CLEAN - 2-6-24 (ERRATA INCORPORATED)
 APPENDIX D - CLEAN - 2-6-24
 APPENDIX E - CLEAN - 2-6-24

 

MEMORANDUM RE: ERRATA CORRECTIONS
ERRATA MEMO - 2-9-24

 

PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF REVISED HOUSING ELEMENT - 2-6-2024
HOUSING PLAN - REDLINE - 2-6-24
HOUSING PLAN - CLEAN - 2-6-24
 APPENDIX C - REDLINE - 2-6-24
 APPENDIX C - CLEAN - 2-6-24

 

 

2022 Housing Element Annual Progress Report 

At its meeting on March 21, 2023, the City Council will receive the Draft 2022 General Plan Annual Report and Housing Element Annual Progress Report.  The staff report for this item can be found HERE, and the agenda can be found HERE

2022 HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT [SUBMITTED TO HCD 3-31-23]

2022 DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT [DRAFT 3-17-23] 

 

February 21, 2023 Adoption of Amendments to the 2021-2029 Housing Element

On February 21, 2023, the City Council adopted amendments to the 2021-2029 Housing Element (via a revised resolution presented at the meeting and inclusive of the corrections noted in the record) for the 2021-2029 (6th Cycle) planning period, and an addendum to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND). Please see below for relevant documents:

October 12, 2021 Adoption of 2021-2029 Housing Element

On October 12, 2021, the City Council of the City of Beverly Hills adopted the 2021-2029 Housing Element, and the Mitigated Negative Declaration. A recording of the City Council meeting may be viewed here.   

Click here for: the final adopted version of the Housing Element document and Mitigated Negative Declaration

 

HOUSING ELEMENT DOCUMENTS

COMMENT LETTERS FROM HCD

July 30, 2021 Letter: The state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided comments on the City's draft 2021-2029 Housing Element in a letter dated July 30, 2021.

January 14, 2022 Letter: HCD provided further comments on the City's adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element in a letter dated January 14, 2022.

November 28, 2022 Letter: The City resubmitted a revised version of the Housing Element in response to their January 14, 2022 letter on September 28, 2022.  HCD provided further comments on the City's revised 2021-2029 Housing Element in a letter dated November 28, 2022.

May 12, 2023 Letter: The City resubmitted the recently adopted version of the Housing Element (adopted by City Council on February 21, 2023). HCD provided further comments on the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element in a letter dated May 12, 2023.

December 15, 2023 Letter: The City resubmitted a revised draft version of the Housing Element in response to their May 12, 2023 letter on October 18, 2023.  HCD provided further comments on the City's revised 2021-2029 Draft Housing Element in a letter dated December 15, 2023.

 

FINAL ADOPTED 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT

Adopted on February 21, 2023: Amendments to 2021-2029 Housing Element

Adopted on October 12, 2021: 2021-2029 Housing Element

 

FINAL INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION

Addendum to the Adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Amendments to the Adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element (adopted 2-21-2023)

Adopted Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 2021-2029 Housing Element (adopted 10-12-2021)

  • Comments on the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration were accepted up until October 11, 2021, and responses to the comments have been included as exhibits to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration.

 

SUBMITTALS TO HCD

June 3, 2021 Submittal (Draft Housing Element): Draft Housing Element submitted to HCD on 6-3-2021.

October 18, 2021 Submittal (Adopted Housing Element): Adopted Housing Element submitted to HCD on 10-18-2021.

September 28, 2022 Submittal (Revised Housing Element): Revised Housing Element submitted to HCD on 9-28-2022.

March 13, 2023 Submittal (Re-adopted Housing Element):  Adopted Amended Housing Element submitted to HCD on 3-13-2023.

October 18, 2023 Submittal (Revised Housing Element): Revised Housing Element submitted to HCD on 10-18-2023.

 

REVISIONS TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT

Revised September/October 2021 Version: In response to the comments provided by HCD in a letter dated July 30, 2021, staff revised the 2021-2029 Housing Element, and presented it to the Planning Commission at the September 23, 2021 regular meeting. Please see the Planning Commission staff report (part 1 and part 2) and agenda for more information on the revisions, and please see the revised Housing Element document (September 23, 2021 version) here: 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT DOCUMENT. The Planning Commission suggested minor changes to the Housing Element, which were incorporated into the version that was subsequently adopted at the October 12, 2021 City Council meeting. 

Revised August/September 2022 Version: In response to the comments provided by HCD in a letter dated January 14, 2022, staff revised the 2021-2029 Housing Element and presented it to the Planning Commission at their August 25, 2022 regular meeting, and to the City Council (as a C Item) at their September 20, 2022 study session meeting. Please see the Planning Commission staff report, and the City Council staff report.

Revised February 2023 Version: In response to comments provided by HCD in letters dated January 14, 2022, and November 28, 2022, staff revised the 2021-2029 Housing Element and presented it to the City Council for adoption on February 21, 2023.  The City Council adopted the amendments to the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element by resolution, and the redline version can be found here.  The red colored track changes show revisions made in response to the January 14th HCD letter, and the blue colored track changes show revisions made in response to the November 28th HCD letter. 

 

DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT

Draft Housing Element (June 2, 2021 Version): The Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element was presented to the Planning Commission at its May 27, 2021 meeting, during which the Commission provided comments and thoughts on the draft. The City Council was also recently informed of the City's submittal of the Draft Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) at its June 1, 2021 meeting. Staff submitted the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element to HCD on June 2, 2021. 

The Draft Housing Element as submitted may be found here: DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT 2021-2029

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

CITY COUNCIL REVIEW OF REVISED HOUSING ELEMENT

At their upcoming regular meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM, the City Council will review and consider adoption of the revised Housing Element. The agenda for this meeting can be found here, and the meeting materials can be found here (part 1) and here (part 2). 

As noted on the agenda, there are several methods to participate in the meeting and provide public comment: 

 

PAST EVENTS & MEETINGS

Meeting Date Meeting Type Topic and Link
November 9, 2023 Planning Commission Regular Meeting The Planning Commission reviewed revisions to the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element, and an Addendum to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration, and unanimously approved the resolution recommending adoption of the revised Housing Element and Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) to the City Council. The staff report can be found here, and the meeting agenda can be found here
February 21, 2023 City Council Formal Meeting The City Council reviewed and adopted amendments to the adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element, and an Addendum to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration. *Please skip ahead to Item F-1 (timestamp: 4 hours, 0 minutes).
September 20, 2022 City Council Study Session City Council informed of Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element submittal to HCD. *Please note that the City Council did not discuss this item, but it was placed on the agenda as an informational item only.
August 25, 2022 Planning Commission Regular Meeting The Planning Commission reviewed revisions to the adopted Housing Element that were prepared in response to comments provided from the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
October 12, 2021 City Council Formal Session City Council reviewed the Housing Element document, and adopted a resolution to adopt the 2021-2029 Housing Element and to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration. *Please skip ahead to Item F-3 (timestamp: 3 hours, 22 minutes). 
October 12, 2021 City Council Study Session City Council reviewed and discussed the revised Housing Element document
September 23, 2021 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Planning Commission reviewed the revised Housing Element document and adopted a resolution recommending approval to the City Council.
June 1, 2021 City Council Study Session Council informed of Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element submittal to HCD. *Please note that the City Council did not discuss this item, but it was placed on the agenda as an informational item only.
May 27, 2021 Planning Commission Study Session Review of Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element
April 28, 2021 Community Meeting

Second Community Meeting on Housing Element Update

March 11, 2021 Planning Commission Study Session Update on RHNA, Outreach, Timeline, and Potential ADU Ordinance
February 1, 2021 Community Meeting Community Meeting on Housing Element Update
November 12, 2020 Planning Commission Study Session RHNA, Constraints on Housing Production and Housing Policy Strategies
October 22, 2020 Planning Commission Study Session Existing Conditions and Current Context
August 13, 2020 Planning Commission Study Session Introduction to Housing Elements and RHNA

 

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT 

We want to hear from you! 

Please take this brief survey that discusses the topic of Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations in the City. 

Click here for survey

Relevant documents, public meeting notices and other resources will be posted here, check back often.  Send us an email at housingelement@beverlyhills.org so that we can add you to our mailing list for information and updates regarding the Housing Element Update. 

 

What is the Housing Element? 

State law requires each jurisdiction to adopt a General Plan, which is a comprehensive, long-term plan for its physical development. General Plans include several "elements" that address various topics. The Beverly Hills General Plan includes the following elements:

  • Land Use
  • Historic Preservation
  • Economic Sustainability
  • Open Space
  • Circulation
  • Conservation
  • Noise
  • Safety
  • Public Services
  • Housing

While most portions of a General Plan are updated every 20-25 years, State law requires that the Housing Element be updated every 8 years. Housing Element planning periods are sometimes referred to as "cycles". The City's current Housing Element covers the planning period extending from 2014 to 2021, which is referred to as the "5th Housing Element cycle" in reference to the five required updates that have occurred since the comprehensive revision to State Housing Element law in 1980. All cities in the Southern California Association of Governments ("SCAG") region are required to prepare a Housing Element update for the 6th Housing Element cycle, which spans the 2021-2029 period. The SCAG region includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Imperial counties.

The City's 2014-2021 Housing Element focused on the following goals:

  • Conserve and improve the existing housing stock
  • Provide new housing opportunities 
  • Promote equal housing opportunities for all residents
  • Mitigate potential governmental constraints 

The Housing Element portion of the General Plan Annual Report provides information on the City's progress on these goals.  The most recent report can be accessed here.  With public input and direction from the Planning Commission and the City Council, these goals will be updated for the 2021-2029 Housing Element.

Check this page often for updates. Relevant documents, public meeting notices and other resources will be posted here.

 

For more information, see the Housing Element Update FAQ.

 

What is the Timeline for the Housing Element Update?

Housing Element Update Process Timeline

 

What is the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)?

The Regional Housing Needs Assessment ("RHNA") is a part of State housing element law that determines the projected and existing housing needs for each jurisdiction in the State.  In its Housing Element, the City must demonstrate to the State that there are no unnecessary barriers to the housing approval process in order to meet the RHNA allocation for the City.

On September 3, 2020, SCAG released its final draft allocation of housing units for each jurisdiction in its region, which can be found here. The City has received a final allocation (click here for more information) of 3,104 new units for this upcoming planning period.  Additional information on RHNA can be found at Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and at California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

SCAG has prepared pre-certified housing data for the City, which can be found here.  This data was utilized as baseline information for the updated Housing Element. 

 


safety Element update

As required by state law, the City is now working to prepare an updated version of the Safety Element of the General Plan.  The Safety Element is a chapter of the General Plan that analyzes potential risks related to natural disasters and public emergencies, and includes goals and policies to help prepare and mitigate such hazards.  The City's last update of the Safety Element occurred as part of the General Plan comprehensive update in 2010, and can be found here. The City's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (covering the period from 2017-2022) was adopted in 2019, and is a subsection of the Safety Element focused on disaster prevention. The updates to the Safety Element will include an assessment of climate change risks and resiliency methods, and the risk of fire for land in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, among other topics. 

 
Project status

At its May 10, 2022 meeting, the City Council adopted the updated Safety Element, and it will now become part of the City's General Plan document.  The revised Safety Element document may be viewed here

 

PAST PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS

May 10, 2022 City Council Meeting - At this meeting, the City Council adopted the revised Safety Element document.

March 24, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting - At this meeting, staff presented the revised Safety Element documents, which includes revisions per the comments provided by CAL Fire and the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 1977 recommending approval of the Safety Element to the City Council.

January 13, 2022 Planning Commission Study Session - At this meeting, staff presented a brief overview of the Safety Element Update project and the next steps regarding submittal of the draft Safety Element to state agencies for review. 

November 18, 2021 Planning Commission Study Session - At this meeting, staff presented a brief overview of the Safety Element Update project. 

 

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact:

Chloe Chen, Senior Planner

phone: (310) 285-1194

email: cchen@beverlyhills.org

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