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SB-477 General plan: annual report.(2021-2022)

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Date Published: 09/07/2021 09:00 PM
SB477:v95#DOCUMENT

Enrolled  September 07, 2021
Passed  IN  Senate  September 03, 2021
Passed  IN  Assembly  September 02, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  August 30, 2021
Amended  IN  Assembly  June 24, 2021
Amended  IN  Senate  May 20, 2021

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 477


Introduced by Senator Wiener
(Coauthor: Senator Caballero)
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Wicks)

February 17, 2021


An act to amend, repeal, and add Section 65400 of the Government Code, relating to housing.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 477, Wiener. General plan: annual report.
Existing law, the Planning and Zoning Law, requires a city or county to adopt a general plan for land use development within its boundaries that includes, among other things, a housing element. That law requires the planning agency of a city or county to provide, by April 1 of each year, an annual report to, among other entities, the Department of Housing and Community Development that includes, among other specified information, the number of applications submitted, the location and total number of developments approved, the number of building permits issued, and the number of units constructed pursuant to a specific streamlined, ministerial approval process.
This bill would, commencing January 1, 2024, require a planning agency to include in that annual report specified information on costs, standards, and applications for proposed housing development projects and specified information on housing development projects within the jurisdiction.
Existing law requires an applicant for a housing development project, as defined, to be deemed to have submitted a preliminary application upon providing all of specified information about the proposed project to the city, county, or city and county from which approval for the project is being sought and upon payment of the permit processing fee.
This bill would, commencing January 1, 2024, require a planning agency to include in the annual report described above the number of times in which a preliminary application for a housing development project expired pursuant to specified procedures.
Existing law, known as the Density Bonus Law, requires a city or county to provide a developer that proposes a housing development in the city or county with a density bonus and other incentives or concessions for the production of lower income housing units, or for the donation of land within the development, if the developer agrees to, among other things, construct a specified percentage of units for very low, low-, or moderate-income households or qualifying residents, including lower income students.
This bill would require the planning agency to include in the annual report described above the number of units in a student housing development for lower income students for which the developer was granted a density bonus.
By adding to the duties of local planning officials with respect to preparing and submitting the above-described annual report to the Department of Housing and Community Development, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 65400 of the Government Code is amended to read:

65400.
 (a) After the legislative body has adopted all or part of a general plan, the planning agency shall do both of the following:
(1) Investigate and make recommendations to the legislative body regarding reasonable and practical means for implementing the general plan or element of the general plan, so that it will serve as an effective guide for orderly growth and development, preservation and conservation of open-space land and natural resources, and the efficient expenditure of public funds relating to the subjects addressed in the general plan.
(2) Provide by April 1 of each year an annual report to the legislative body, the Office of Planning and Research, and the Department of Housing and Community Development that includes all of the following:
(A) The status of the plan and progress in its implementation.
(B) (i) The progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs determined pursuant to Section 65584 and local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.
(ii) The housing element portion of the annual report, as required by this paragraph, shall be prepared through the use of standards, forms, and definitions adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The department may review, adopt, amend, and repeal the standards, forms, or definitions, to implement this article. Any standards, forms, or definitions adopted to implement this article shall not be subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2. Before and after adoption of the forms, the housing element portion of the annual report shall include a section that describes the actions taken by the local government towards completion of the programs and status of the local government’s compliance with the deadlines in its housing element. That report shall be considered at an annual public meeting before the legislative body where members of the public shall be allowed to provide oral testimony and written comments.
(iii) The report may include the number of units that have been completed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65583.1. For purposes of this paragraph, committed assistance may be executed throughout the planning period, and the program under paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.1 shall not be required. The report shall document how the units meet the standards set forth in that subdivision.
(iv) The planning agency shall include the number of units in a student housing development for lower income students for which the developer of the student housing development was granted a density bonus pursuant to subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 65915.
(C) The number of housing development applications received in the prior year.
(D) The number of units included in all development applications in the prior year.
(E) The number of units approved and disapproved in the prior year.
(F) The degree to which its approved general plan complies with the guidelines developed and adopted pursuant to Section 65040.2 and the date of the last revision to the general plan.
(G) A listing of sites rezoned to accommodate that portion of the city’s or county’s share of the regional housing need for each income level that could not be accommodated on sites identified in the inventory required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583 and Section 65584.09. The listing of sites shall also include any additional sites that may have been required to be identified by Section 65863.
(H) The number of net new units of housing, including both rental housing and for-sale housing and any units that the County of Napa or the City of Napa may report pursuant to an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 65584.08, that have been issued a completed entitlement, a building permit, or a certificate of occupancy, thus far in the housing element cycle, and the income category, by area median income category, that each unit of housing satisfies. That production report shall, for each income category described in this subparagraph, distinguish between the number of rental housing units and the number of for-sale units that satisfy each income category. The production report shall include, for each entitlement, building permit, or certificate of occupancy, a unique site identifier that must include the assessor’s parcel number, but may include street address, or other identifiers.
(I) The number of applications submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 65913.4, the location and the total number of developments approved pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65913.4, the total number of building permits issued pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65913.4, and the total number of units including both rental housing and for-sale housing by area median income category constructed using the process provided for in subdivision (c) of Section 65913.4.
(J) If the city or county has received funding pursuant to the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program (Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 50515) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code), the information required pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 50515.04 of the Health and Safety Code.
(K) The progress of the city or county in adopting or amending its general plan or local open-space element in compliance with its obligations to consult with California Native American tribes, and to identify and protect, preserve, and mitigate impacts to places, features, and objects described in Sections 5097.9 and 5097.993 of the Public Resources Code, pursuant to Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004.
(L) The following information with respect to density bonuses granted in accordance with Section 65915:
(i) The number of density bonus applications received by the city or county.
(ii) The number of density bonus applications approved by the city or county.
(iii) Data from a sample of projects, selected by the planning agency, approved to receive a density bonus from the city or county, including, but not limited to, the percentage of density bonus received, the percentage of affordable units in the project, the number of other incentives or concessions granted to the project, and any waiver or reduction of parking standards for the project.
(b) If a court finds, upon a motion to that effect, that a city, county, or city and county failed to submit, within 60 days of the deadline established in this section, the housing element portion of the report required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) that substantially complies with the requirements of this section, the court shall issue an order or judgment compelling compliance with this section within 60 days. If the city, county, or city and county fails to comply with the court’s order within 60 days, the plaintiff or petitioner may move for sanctions, and the court may, upon that motion, grant appropriate sanctions. The court shall retain jurisdiction to ensure that its order or judgment is carried out. If the court determines that its order or judgment is not carried out within 60 days, the court may issue further orders as provided by law to ensure that the purposes and policies of this section are fulfilled. This subdivision applies to proceedings initiated on or after the first day of October following the adoption of forms and definitions by the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but no sooner than six months following that adoption.
(c) The Department of Housing and Community Development shall post a report submitted pursuant to this section on its internet website within a reasonable time of receiving the report.
(d) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2024, and as of that date is repealed.

SEC. 2.

 Section 65400 is added to the Government Code, to read:

65400.
 (a) After the legislative body has adopted all or part of a general plan, the planning agency shall do both of the following:
(1) Investigate and make recommendations to the legislative body regarding reasonable and practical means for implementing the general plan or element of the general plan, so that it will serve as an effective guide for orderly growth and development, preservation and conservation of open-space land and natural resources, and the efficient expenditure of public funds relating to the subjects addressed in the general plan.
(2) Provide by April 1 of each year an annual report to the legislative body, the Office of Planning and Research, and the Department of Housing and Community Development that includes all of the following:
(A) The status of the plan and progress in its implementation.
(B) (i) The progress in meeting its share of regional housing needs determined pursuant to Section 65584 and local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.
(ii) The housing element portion of the annual report, as required by this paragraph, shall be prepared through the use of standards, forms, and definitions adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development. The department may review, adopt, amend, and repeal the standards, forms, or definitions, to implement this article. Any standards, forms, or definitions adopted to implement this article shall not be subject to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2. Before and after adoption of the forms, the housing element portion of the annual report shall include a section that describes the actions taken by the local government towards completion of the programs and status of the local government’s compliance with the deadlines in its housing element. That report shall be considered at an annual public meeting before the legislative body where members of the public shall be allowed to provide oral testimony and written comments.
(iii) The report may include the number of units that have been completed pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65583.1. For purposes of this paragraph, committed assistance may be executed throughout the planning period, and the program under paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583.1 shall not be required. The report shall document how the units meet the standards set forth in that subdivision.
(iv) The planning agency shall include the number of units in a student housing development for lower income students for which the developer of the student housing development was granted a density bonus pursuant to subparagraph (F) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 65915.
(C) The number of housing development applications received in the prior year.
(D) The number of units included in all development applications in the prior year.
(E) The number of units approved and disapproved in the prior year.
(F) The degree to which its approved general plan complies with the guidelines developed and adopted pursuant to Section 65040.2 and the date of the last revision to the general plan.
(G) A listing of sites rezoned to accommodate that portion of the city’s or county’s share of the regional housing need for each income level that could not be accommodated on sites identified in the inventory required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 65583 and Section 65584.09. The listing of sites shall also include any additional sites that may have been required to be identified by Section 65863.
(H) The number of net new units of housing, including both rental housing and for-sale housing and any units that the County of Napa or the City of Napa may report pursuant to an agreement entered into pursuant to Section 65584.08, that have been issued a completed entitlement, a building permit, or a certificate of occupancy, thus far in the housing element cycle, and the income category, by area median income category, that each unit of housing satisfies. That production report shall, for each income category described in this subparagraph, distinguish between the number of rental housing units and the number of for-sale units that satisfy each income category. The production report shall include, for each entitlement, building permit, or certificate of occupancy, a unique site identifier that must include the assessor’s parcel number, but may include street address, or other identifiers.
(I) If the city or county has received funding pursuant to the Local Government Planning Support Grants Program (Chapter 3.1 (commencing with Section 50515) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code), the information required pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 50515.04 of the Health and Safety Code.
(J) Internet website links to the information required in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 65940.1.
(K) All of the following information, with respect to the prior year, regarding each housing development project located within the local agency for which an application was submitted, a development was approved, or a building permit was issued:
(i) (I) Whether the application was submitted pursuant to Section 65852.2 or 65852.22, or if an application was submitted pursuant to both Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22.
(II) Whether the application was submitted pursuant to Section 65852.2, if the application was approved pursuant to a local ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 65852.2 or pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 65852.2.
(ii) Whether the project is seeking any bonus, concession, or waiver under Section 65915, and if so, the bonus, concession, or waiver as requested and as approved. Each bonus, concession, or waiver shall be recorded.
(iii) Whether the project was submitted pursuant to Section 65913.4.
(iv) Whether the project was submitted pursuant to Section 50675.1.2 of the Health and Safety Code.
(v) (I) Whether the project received an exemption from, or was subject to streamlining with respect to, the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code) pursuant to Section 65457, Sections 21080.50, 21081.3, 21094.5, 21099, 21155.1, 21155.2, 21155.4, 21159.22, 21159.23, 21159.24, 21159.25, or 21159.28 of the Public Resources Code, or Sections 15168, 15183, 15183.3, 15303, or 15332 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
(II) This clause does not apply to a project that is not subject to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code due to ministerial approvals.
(vi) Whether the project was submitted pursuant to Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 21163) of Division 13 of the Public Resources Code.
(vii) Whether the project was submitted with a preliminary application pursuant to Section 65941.1.
(L) The progress of the city or county in adopting or amending its general plan or local open-space element in compliance with its obligations to consult with California Native American tribes, and to identify and protect, preserve, and mitigate impacts to places, features, and objects described in Sections 5097.9 and 5097.993 of the Public Resources Code, pursuant to Chapter 905 of the Statutes of 2004.
(M) The following information with respect to density bonuses granted in accordance with Sections 65915 and 65915.7:
(i) The number of density bonus applications received by the city or county.
(ii) The number of density bonus applications approved by the city or county.
(N) With respect to preliminary applications submitted in accordance with Section 65941.1, the number of instances in which a preliminary application expired pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 65941.1.
(b) If a court finds, upon a motion to that effect, that a city, county, or city and county failed to submit, within 60 days of the deadline established in this section, the housing element portion of the report required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) that substantially complies with the requirements of this section, the court shall issue an order or judgment compelling compliance with this section within 60 days. If the city, county, or city and county fails to comply with the court’s order within 60 days, the plaintiff or petitioner may move for sanctions, and the court may, upon that motion, grant appropriate sanctions. The court shall retain jurisdiction to ensure that its order or judgment is carried out. If the court determines that its order or judgment is not carried out within 60 days, the court may issue further orders as provided by law to ensure that the purposes and policies of this section are fulfilled. This subdivision applies to proceedings initiated on or after the first day of October following the adoption of forms and definitions by the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), but no sooner than six months following that adoption.
(c) The Department of Housing and Community Development shall post a report submitted pursuant to this section on its internet website within a reasonable time of receiving the report.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2024.

SEC. 3.

 No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because a local agency or school district has the authority to levy service charges, fees, or assessments sufficient to pay for the program or level of service mandated by this act, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code.