HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 ORDINANCE NO. 1976
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING SECTION 93.23.17 OF THE
PALM SPRINGS ZONING CODE RELATING TO DENSITY
BONUSES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CASE 5.1458
ZTA.
City Attorney's Summary
This Ordinance is intended to satisfy the requirements of
California Government Code Section 65915(a)(3)(A), which
requires local governments to adopt procedures for density
bonus applications for the construction of affordable housing
units. This Ordinance will add Section 93.23.17 to the Palm
Springs Zoning Code, which will allow the City Council to grant
density bonuses to development projects that include
affordable units. The Ordinance directly adopts the density
bonus criteria, definitions, waivers, and standards as
contained in California Government Code Sections 65915
through 65918.
THE CITY COUNCIL FINDS AND DETERMINES AS FOLLOWS:
A. Action Item HS1.4 of the Housing Element of the City of Palm Springs
General Plan requires that the zoning code be amended to included density bonus
provisions for affordable housing units.
B. Notice of a public hearing of the Planning Commission of the City of Palm
Springs to consider Case 5.1458 ZTA was given in accordance with applicable law.
C. On December 12, 2018, a public hearing on the proposed Zone Text
Amendment was held by the Planning Commission in accordance with applicable law, at
which meeting the Planning Commission voted 7 to 0 to recommend approval of the
proposed amendment.
D. On January 9, 2019, the City Council held a noticed public hearing on the
proposed Zone Text Amendment in accordance with applicable law.
E. The proposed Zone Text Amendment is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et. seq.) pursuant to
Section 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the State Guidelines, because the Ordinance will
not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment and is not a "project," as that term is defined in Section 15378 of the State
Guidelines.
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 2
F. The City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence
presented in connection with the hearing on the Zone Text Amendment, including, but not
limited to, the staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
G. The City Council finds that approval of the proposed Zone Text Amendment
would:
1. Implement Action Item HS1.4 of the Housing Element of the City of
Palm Springs General Plan; and
2. Implement the requirements of California Government Code Section
65915 relative to the adoption of density bonus provisions.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the findings and determinations reflected above are true and
correct, and are incorporated by this reference herein as the cause and foundation for the
action taken by and through this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. Add Section 93.23.17 to the Palm Springs Zoning Code as follows:
93.23.17 Density Bonus
A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish procedures for
implementing State Density Bonus requirements, as set forth in California
Government Code Sections 65915 to 65918, and to increase the production
of affordable housing, consistent with city policies. In order to promote the
construction of affordable units, density bonuses, development incentives,
waivers, and parking alterations shall be granted pursuant to the provisions
of this section.
B. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, unless otherwise apparent from
the context, certain words or phrases used in this section are defined as
follows:
1. "Affordable housing unit" means an ownership or rental dwelling unit
affordable to households with extremely low, very low, low or
moderate incomes as published periodically by HCD for households
in Riverside County or equivalent as approved by the director of
planning. Calculations for the required affordable housing resulting
in fractional units shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 3
2. "Area median income" (AMI) means the median family income in
Riverside County as determined annually by HCD, adjusted for
household size.
3. "Common interest development' means that as defined in Civil Code
Section 4100.
4. "Concession or incentive" means any of the following:
a. A reduction in site development standards or a modification of
zoning code requirements or architectural design
requirements that exceed the minimum building standards
approved by the California Building Standards Commission as
provided in Health and Safety Code Division 13, Part 2.5
(commencing with Section 18901) to provide for affordable
housing costs, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section
50052.5, or for rents for the targeted units to be set as
specified in Government Code Section 65915(c).
b. Approval of mixed-use zoning in conjunction with the housing
project if commercial, office, industrial, or other land uses will
reduce the cost of the housing development and if the
commercial, office, industrial, or other land uses are
compatible with the housing project and the existing or
planned development in the area where the proposed housing
project will be located.
C. Other regulatory incentives or concessions proposed by the
developer or the city that result in identifiable and actual cost
reductions to provide for affordable housing costs, as defined
in Health and Safety Code Section 50052.5, or for rents for
the targeted units to be set as specified in Government Code
Section 65915(c).
5. "Density bonus" means a density increase over the otherwise
maximum allowable gross residential density as of the date of
application by the applicant or, if elected by the applicant, a lesser
percentage of density increase, including, but not limited to, no
increase in density.
6. "Development standard" includes a site or construction condition,
including, but not limited to, a height limitation, a setback
requirement, a floor area ratio, an onsite open-space requirement, or
a parking requirement that applies to a residential development
pursuant to any ordinance, general plan element, specific plan,
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 4
charter, or other local condition, law, policy, resolution, or regulation,
as specified in Government Code Section 65915(o)(1).
7. "Disabled person" means a person who has a physical or mental
impairment that limits one or more major life activities, anyone who
is regarded as having that type of an impairment or, anyone who has
a record of having that type of an impairment.
8. "Disabled veterans" means that as defined in California Government
Code Section 18541 .
9. "Dwelling unit" means a dwelling designed and intended for
occupancy by a household.
10. "Floor area ratio" means the multiplier applied to the total buildable
area of the lot to determine the total floor area of all buildings on a
lot.
11 . "HCD" means California Department of Housing and Community
Development or any successor agency.
12. "Homeless person" means that as defined in the United States
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 11301 et
sect.).
13. "Housing development project' means the construction of five (5) or
more new residential dwelling units, including mixed-use
developments, the addition of five (5) or more residential dwelling
units to an existing building or buildings, and the remodeling of a
building or buildings containing five (5) or more residential dwelling
units. For the purpose of establishing the minimum number of five (5)
dwelling units, Restricted Affordable Units shall be included and
density bonus units shall be excluded.
14. `Incentive," see "concession or incentive."
15. `Income, very low, low or moderate" means an annual income of a
household that does not exceed the amounts designated for each
income category as determined by HCD.
16. "Major transit stop" means that as defined in Public Resources Code
Section 21155(b).
17. "Maximum allowable residential density" means the density allowed
under the zoning ordinance and land use element of the general
plan, or, if a range of density is permitted, means the maximum
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 5
allowable density for the specific zoning range and land use element
of the general plan applicable to the project. Where the density
allowed under the zoning ordinance is inconsistent with the density
allowed under the land use element of the general plan, the general
plan density shall prevail.
18. "Multiple-family residential projects" as applied in this section means
all residential projects exceeding four units per acre and all mixed-
use projects.
19. `Project' means the entire parcel of real property, including all
structures thereon, all or part of which is intended to be rented or
purchased for residential purposes.
20. "Residential hotel' means any building containing six or more guest
rooms or efficiency dwelling units, which are intended or designed to
be used, or are used, rented, or hired out to be occupied, or are
occupied for sleeping purposes by guests, so long as the guest
rooms or efficiency dwelling units are also the primary residence of
those guests, but not including any building containing six or more
guest rooms or efficiency dwelling units, which is primarily used by
transient guests who do not occupy that building as their primary
residence.
21. "Residential unit' means the same as "dwelling unit' as used in
section 91.00.10 (Definitions).
22. "Restricted affordable unit' means a residential unit for which rental
or mortgage amounts are restricted so as to be affordable to and
occupied by very low, low or moderate income households.
23. "Senior citizen housing development' means a housing development
project for senior citizens that has at least 35 units as defined in
California Civil Code Sections 51.3 and 51 .12.
24. "Senior citizen mobilehome park means a mobilehome park that
limits residency based on age requirements for older persons
pursuant to California Civil Code Sections 798.76 and 799.5.
25. "Senior citizens" means individuals who are at least 62 years of age,
except that for projects of at least thirty-five (35) units that are subject
to this subdivision, a threshold of fifty-five (55) years of age may be
used, provided all applicable city, state and federal regulations are
met.
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 6
26. "Special needs housing development' means that as defined in
California Health and Safety Code Section 51312.
27. "Specific adverse impact' means a significant, quantifiable, direct,
and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified written public
health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on
the date the application was deemed complete. Inconsistency with
the zoning ordinance or general plan land use designation shall not
constitute a specific adverse impact upon the public health or safety.
28. `Transitional foster youth" means that as defined in California
Education Code Section 66025.9
29. "Unobstructed access to the major transit stop" means that from the
development, a resident is able to access the major transit stop
without encountering natural or constructed impediments.
30. "Waiver" means the deletion or reduction of any development
standards that would otherwise have the effect of physically
precluding the construction of a development identified and
permitted in this section.
C. Development eligibility, bonus densities, and incentive counts.
1. Eligible developments, bonus densities, and incentive counts. The
developments identified in this subsection are eligible for density
bonuses and/or incentives as well as parking requirement alterations
an waivers. For each development, this section provides levels of
density bonus available and the number of incentives available. For
applicable standards, see subsections E (Density Bonus Standards),
F (Incentive Standards), G (Parking Requirement Alteration
Standards), and H (Waivers Standards).
a. Housing development with low income restricted affordable
units, for sale or for rent. A housing development project that
includes at least ten (10) percent of the total units of the
project for low income households, either for sale or for rent,
shall be granted the following:
i. Density bonus. A project that includes ten (10) percent
low income housing shall be granted a density bonus
of twenty (20) percent. For each one percent increase
above the required ten (10) percent low income units,
the density bonus shall be increased by one and one-
half percent, up to a maximum density bonus of thirty-
five (35) percent. See Table DB 1.
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 7
Table DB 1
i I . .
Percentage Low Percentag
e
Income Units Density Bonus
10 20.0 F- -—--------T--
11 21.5
12 23.0
i 13 24.5
14 I 26.0
15 27.5
16 29.0_�
17 30.5
18 32.0
19 33.5
20 or more 35.0
ii. Incentives. A project that includes at least ten (10)
percent low income units shall be granted one
incentive. A project that includes at least twenty (20)
percent low income units shall be granted two
incentives. A project that includes at least thirty (30)
percent low income units shall be granted three
incentives. See Table DB 2.
Table DB 2
Percentage Low Number o
Incorn Incentives!
10 or more
20 or more 2
3 30 or more
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 8
b. Housing development with very low income restricted
affordable units, for sale or for rent. A housing development
project that includes at least five percent of the total units of
the project for very low income households, either for sale
units or for rent, shall be granted the following:
i. Density bonus. A project that includes five percent very
low income housing shall be granted a density bonus
of twenty (20) percent. For each one percent increase
above the required five percent very low income units,
the density bonus shall be increased by two and one-
half percent, up to a maximum density bonus of thirty-
five (35) percent. See Table DB 3.
Table DB 3
Percentage Very Percentage
Low Income Units Density Bonus
5 20.0
- 6 - T -- 22.5 - - -- J
7 - I 25.0
8 27.5 J
9 _ 30.0
i-.-------- 1
10 32.5 l
— 11 or more 35.0
ii. Incentives. A project that includes at least five percent
very low income units shall be granted one incentive.
A project that includes at least ten (10) percent very low
income units shall be granted two incentives. A project
that includes at least fifteen (15) percent very low
income units shall be granted three incentives. See
Table DB 4.
Table DB 4
Percentage Very Number of
Low Income Units Incentives
5 or more -- I 1
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 9
10 or more 2 J
15 or more 3
C. Market rate senior housing, for sale orfor rent. A senior citizen
housing development or a senior citizen mobilehome park,
comprised of units for sale or for rent, shall be granted a
minimum density bonus of twenty (20) percent, which may be
applied to the senior units only.
d. Common interest development with moderate income
restricted affordable units, for sale. A common interest
development that includes at least ten (10) percent of its units
for moderate income households, provided all of the
development's units are for sale, shall be granted the
following:
i. Density bonus. A development that includes ten (10)
percent moderate income housing shall be granted a
density bonus of five (5) percent. For each one percent
increase above the required ten (10) percent moderate
income units, the density bonus shall be increased by
one percent, up to a maximum density bonus of thirty-
five (35) percent. See Table DB 5.
Table DB 5
Percentage Percentage
Moderate Income Density Bonus
Units
10 5
11 i 6 —-J
1 "
- 12 -- ' --�
13 8 l
14 --9 ---- -_-J
5 � 10
r 17 f 12
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 10
r
Percentage
Moderate Income Percentage
Units Density Bonus
18 13
19 14
20 15
21 16
22 17
-----------
23 18
24 19
25 20
ir-------------------------
26 21
2 27 2
28 23
29 24
30 25
31 26
32 27
2 33 8
34 29
35 30
36 31
37 32
38 33
39 34
40 or more 35
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 11
ii. Incentives. A project that includes at least ten (10)
percent moderate income units shall be granted one
incentive. A project that includes at least twenty (20)
percent moderate income units shall be granted two
incentives. A project that includes at least thirty (30)
percent moderate income units shall be granted three
incentives. See Table DB 6.
Table DB 6
- .-_.. ------- -
Percentage Number of
Moderate Income Incentives
Units
10 or more 1 1
20 or more 2
30 or more 3
e. Housing for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, or
homeless persons. A housing development project that
includes at least ten (10) percent of the total units of the
project for transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, or
homeless persons; provided these units are at the affordability
level of very low income housing, and provided an affordability
restriction of fifty-five (55) years is recorded against these
units, shall be granted a density bonus equal to twenty (20)
percent of the number of these units.
f. Land donated for very low income housing. A housing
development project that, by way of the application for
subdivision map, parcel map, or other residential
development approval, donates land to the city that satisfies
the requirements of California Government Code Section
65915(g) to include ten (10) percent the total units of the
project for very low income households shall be granted a
density bonus of fifteen (15) percent. For each one percent
increase above the required ten (10) percent very low income
units, the density bonus shall be increased by one percent, up
to a maximum density bonus of thirty-five (35) percent. See
Table DB 7.
Table DB 7
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 12
Percentage Very Percentage
Low Income Units � Density Bonus
10 15
11 -T 16
12 17
13 18
14 19
15 20
16 21
17 22
23
19 I 24
20 25
21 26
22 27
23 28
77------- -2-4---
29
--T25 30
26 31
2-7 ---- --- 32
28 T 33
29 34
30 or more 35
9. Child care facility included with a housing development
project. A housing development project, which conforms to
the requirements of subsections C.1.a (Housing Development
with Low Income Restricted Affordable Units, for Sale or for
Rent), C.1.b (Housing Development with Very Low Income
Restricted Affordable Units, for Sale or for Rent), C.1 .c
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 13
(Market Rate Senior Housing, for Sale or for Rent), C.1.d
(Common Interest Development with Moderate Income
Restricted Affordable Units, for Sale), or C.1 .e (Housing for
Transitional Foster Youth, Disabled Veterans, or Homeless
Persons) of this section, and includes a child care facility
located on the premises of, as part of, or adjacent to, the
project, shall be granted one of the following:
i. An additional density bonus that is, for purposes of
calculating residential density, an increase in the floor
area of the project equal to the floor area of the child
care facility included in the project; or
ii. An additional incentive that contributes significantly to
the economic feasibility of the construction of the child
care facility.
h. Condominium conversion to moderate or low income housing.
Subject to the requirements of California Government Code
Section 65915.5, a housing development project that involves
the conversion of apartments into condominiums and that
includes at least thirty-three (33) percent of the total units of
the project for low or moderate income households or fifteen
(15) percent of the total units of the project for lower income
households, shall be granted one of the following:
i. A density bonus of twenty-five (25) percent; or
ii. Up to three incentives of, in the aggregate, equivalent
financial value to the density bonus of twenty-five (25)
percent.
2. Ineligible developments.
a. Vacated rental property, generally. A housing development
project is ineligible for a density bonus, incentives, parking
alterations, or any other concessions provided in this section
if the development is located on any property that includes a
parcel or parcels on which rental dwelling units are or, if the
dwelling units have been vacated or demolished in the five-
year period preceding the date of the application described in
subsection A (Application), have been subject to a recorded
covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to levels
affordable to persons and families of low or very low income;
subject to any other form of governmental rent or price control;
or occupied by lower or very low income households, unless:
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 14
i. The proposed housing development replaces those
units, as defined in subsection C.2.c (Replacement);
and
ii. Either of the following applies:
A. The proposed development, inclusive of the
units replaced pursuant to this subsection,
contains affordable units at the percentages
required in subsections C.1.a (Housing
Development with Low Income Restricted
Affordable Units, for Sale or for Rent), C.1.b
(Housing Development Very Low Income
Restricted Affordable Units, for Sale or for
Rent), C.1.c (Market Rate Senior Housing, for
Sale or for Rent), C.1.d (Common Interest
Development with Moderate Income Restricted
Affordable Units, for Sale), or C.1.e (Housing for
Transitional Foster Youth, Disabled Veterans, or
Homeless Persons); or
B. Each unit in the development, exclusive of a
manager's unit or units, is affordable to, and
occupied by, either a low or very low income
household.
b. Vacated rental property, condominium conversion. An
applicant for a condominium conversion described in
subsection C.1 .h (Condominium Conversion to Moderate or
Low Income Housing) shall be ineligible for a density bonus,
incentives, parking alterations, or any other concessions
provided in this section if the condominium project is proposed
on any property that includes a parcel or parcels on which
rental dwelling units are or, if the dwelling units have been
vacated or demolished in the five-year period preceding the
application subsection D.1 (Application), have been subject to
a recorded covenant, ordinance, or law that restricts rents to
levels affordable to persons and families of low or very low
income; subject to any other form of governmental rent or
price control; or occupied by lower or very low income
households, unless:
i. The proposed condominium project replaces those
units, as defined in subsection C.2.c (Replacement)
below; and
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 15
ii. Either of the following applies:
A. The proposed condominium project, inclusive of
the units replaced, contains affordable units at
the percentages set forth in subsection D.1
(Condominium Conversion to Moderate or Low
Income Housing); or
B. Each unit in the development, exclusive of a
manager's unit or units, is affordable to, and
occupied by, either a low or very low income
household.
C. Replacement. For purposes of this subsection C.2 (Ineligible
Developments), "replace" shall mean either of the following:
i. If any dwelling units described in subsections C.2.a
(Vacated Rental Property, Generally) or C.2.b
(Vacated Rental Property, Condominium Conversion)
are occupied on the date an application as described
in subsection D.1 (Application) is submitted, the
proposed housing development shall provide at least
the same number of units of equivalent size, to be
made available at affordable rent or affordable housing
cost to, and occupied by, persons and families in the
same or lower income category as those households
in occupancy. For unoccupied dwelling units described
in subsection C.2.a (Vacated Rental Property,
Generally) in a development with occupied units, the
proposed housing development shall provide units of
equivalent size to be made available at affordable rent
or affordable housing cost to, and occupied by,
persons and families in the same or lower income
category as the last household in occupancy. If the
income category of the last household in occupancy is
not known, it shall be rebuttably presumed that lower
income renter households occupied these units in the
same proportion of lower income renter households to
all renter households within the jurisdiction, as
determined by the most recently available data from
the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development's Comprehensive Housing Affordability
Strategy database. All replacement calculations
resulting in fractional units shall be rounded up to the
next whole number. If the replacement units will be
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 16
rental dwelling units, these units shall be subject to a
recorded affordability restriction for at least fifty-five
(55) years. If the proposed development is for-sale
units, the units replaced shall be subject to covenant
requirements of subsection I (Covenants).
ii. If all dwelling units described in subsection C.2.a
(Vacated Rental Property, Generally) have been
vacated or demolished within the five-year period
preceding the application, the proposed housing
development shall provide at least the same number of
units of equivalent size as existed at the highpoint of
those units in the five-year period preceding the
application to be made available at affordable rent or
affordable housing cost to, and occupied by, persons
and families in the same or lower income category as
those persons and families in occupancy at that time,
if known. If the incomes of the persons and families in
occupancy at the highpoint is not known, it shall be
rebuttably presumed that low-income and very low
income renter households occupied these units in the
same proportion of low-income and very low income
renter households to all renter households within the
jurisdiction, as determined by the most recently
available data from the United States Department of
Housing and Urban Development's Comprehensive
Housing Affordability Strategy database. All
replacement calculations resulting in fractional units
shall be rounded up to the next whole number. If the
replacement units will be rental dwelling units, these
units shall be subject to a recorded affordability
restriction for at least fifty-five (55) years. If the
proposed development is for-sale units, the units
replaced shall be subject to the covenant requirements
of subsection I (Covenants).
D. Application processing and review.
1. Application. An application for a density bonus, incentives, parking
requirements alterations, and/or waiver or any other provision in this
section shall:
a. Be submitted in conjunction with an applicable development
permit application;
b. Be made on a form provided by the department of planning;
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 17
C. Be accompanied by applicable fees;
d. Include reasonable documentation, using forms prepared by
the city, and supporting materials that demonstrate how any
concessions and/or incentives requested by applicant result
in identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide the
affordable housing;
e. Include reasonable documentation and supporting materials
that demonstrate how a requested modification to or waiver of
an applicable development standard is needed in order to
avoid physically precluding the construction of the proposed
project at the densities authorized under this section or with
the concessions and/or incentives requested; and
f. Include any other documentation or materials required by this
section or by the city for the purpose of density bonus,
incentives, parking requirements alterations, and/or waivers
or any other provision in this section.
2. Review authority. Applications shall be reviewed by the review
authority charged to review the applicable development permit
application.
E. Density bonus standards. Developments eligible for density bonuses as
provided in subsection C (Development Eligibility, Bonus Densities, and
Incentive Counts) may receive the density bonuses as provided below:
1. No waiver required. The granting of a density bonus shall not require
or be interpreted to require the waiver of a local ordinance or
provisions of a local ordinance unrelated to development standards.
2. Density calculation. The area of any land required to be dedicated
for street or alley purposes may be included as lot area for purposes
of calculating the maximum density permitted by the underlying zone
in which the project is located.
3. Fractional units. All density bonus calculations shall be rounded up
to the next whole number including the base density, restricted
affordable units, and the number of affordable units required to be
eligible for a density bonus.
4. Minimum number of dwelling units. For the purpose of establishing
the minimum number of five dwelling units in a project, the restricted
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 18
affordable units shall be included and density bonus units shall be
excluded.
5. Other discretionary approval. Approval of density bonus units shall
not, in and of itself, trigger other discretionary approvals required by
this Code.
6. Other affordable housing subsidies. Approval of density bonus units
does not, in and of itself, preclude projects from receipt of other
government subsidies for affordable housing.
7. Optional density bonuses. Nothing in this section shall be construed
to prohibit the city from granting a density bonus greater than what is
described in this section for a development that meets the
requirements of this section or from granting a proportionately lower
density bonus than what is required by this section for developments
that do not meet the requirements of this section.
8. Lesser percentage of density bonus. If elected by the applicant, a
lesser percentage of density increase, including, but not limited to,
no increase in density, is permissible.
9. Additional Density Bonus. The City Council may approve a density
bonus that exceeds the density bonus limitations identified in
subsection C by resolution upon making findings that the additional
density bonus will assist in accomplishing the goals of the Housing
Element of the City of Palm Springs General Plan and Regional
Housing Needs Assessment.
F. Incentive standards. A development eligible for incentives as provided in
P 9
subsection C Eligibility,Eli Bonus Densities and Incentive
(Development 9 Y�
Counts) may receive incentives or concessions as provided in subsection
F.1 (On-Menu Incentives) or F.2 (Off-Menu Incentives).
1. On-menu incentives. The City Council has determined that the on-
menu incentives listed below would not have a specific adverse
impact.
a. Lot coverage. Up to twenty (20) percent increase in lot
coverage limits.
b. Lot width. Up to twenty (20) percent decrease from a lot width
requirement.
C. Floor area ratio. In zone districts with a floor area ratio
maximum, an increase in the maximum floor area equal to the
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 19
floor area of the affordable housing units for the housing
development project, up to a thirty-five (35) percent increase
in the floor area maximum.
d. Height. Up to an eleven (11) foot increase in the allowable
height.
e. Yard/setback. Up to twenty (20) percent decrease in the
required width or depth of any individual yard or setback
except along any property line that abuts a property zoned for
single-family.
2. Off-menu incentives. An applicant may request an incentive not
included in subsection F.1 (On-Menu Incentives), so long as such
incentive meets the definition under state law. The review authority
will determine whether any such requested off-menu incentive may
have a specific, adverse impact.
3. Denial of requested incentive. The reviewing authority may deny a
request for an incentive only if it makes a written finding, based on
substantial evidence, of any of the following:
a. The concession or incentive does not result in identifiable and
actual cost reductions, consistent with the definition of
"concession" or "incentive," to provide for affordable housing
costs, as defined in Health & Safety Section 50052.5, or for
rents for the targeted units to be set as specified in subsection
I (Covenants).
b. The concession or incentive would have a specific, adverse
impact upon public health and safety or the physical
environment or on any real property that is listed in the
California or Palm Springs Register of Historical Resources
and for which there is no feasible method to satisfactorily
mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact without
rendering the development unaffordable to low-income and
moderate-income households.
C. The concession or incentive would be contrary to state or
federal law.
4. Additional Incentives. The City Council may approve incentives in
excess of the limitations identified above by resolution upon making
findings that the additional incentives will assist in accomplishing the
goals of the Housing Element of the City of Palm Springs General
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 20
Plan and Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
G. Parking requirement alteration standards.
1 . General parking requirement. Developments eligible for density
bonuses and/or incentives as provided in subsection C
(Development Eligibility, Bonus Densities, and Incentive Counts)
must comply with the applicable parking provisions of section
93.06.00 (Off-Street Parking), unless the development qualifies for a
parking requirement alteration as provided in subsections G.2 (On-
Menu Parking Requirement Alterations) or G.3 (Off-Menu Parking
Requirement Alterations).
2. On-menu parking requirement alterations.
a. For any development eligible for a density bonus. Upon the
request of the developer, the city shall not impose a parking
requirement, inclusive of handicapped and guest parking, of a
development, that exceeds the following requirements:
i. For zero (0) to one (1) bedroom, one onsite parking
space.
ii. For two (2) to three (3) bedrooms, two onsite parking
spaces.
iii. For four (4) and more bedrooms, two and one-half
parking spaces.
b. For low or very low income housing near major transit stop.
Upon the request of the developer, the city shall not impose a
parking requirement, inclusive of handicapped and guest
parking, that exceeds one-half parking spaces per bedroom
if:
i. The development includes the maximum percentage of
low or very low income units; and
ii. The development is located within one-half mile of a
major transit stop; and
iii. There is unobstructed access to the major transit stop
to the development.
C. For senior housing developments with only rentals and
transportation. Upon the request of the developer, the city
shall not impose a parking requirement, inclusive of
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 21
handicapped and guest parking, that exceeds one-half
parking spaces per bedroom if:
i. The development is a senior housing development;
and
ii. The development consists solely of rental units,
excluding a manager's unit or units, at a housing cost
affordable to low income families; and
iii. The development shall have either paratransit service
or unobstructed access, within one-half mile, to fixed
bus route service that operates at least eight times per
day.
d. Special needs housing development with only rentals and
transportation. Upon the request of the developer, the city
shall not impose a parking requirement, inclusive of
handicapped and guest parking, that exceeds 0.3 parking
spaces per bedroom if:
i. The development is a special needs housing
development; and
ii. The development consists solely of rental units,
excluding a manager's unit or units, at a housing cost
affordable to low income families; and
iii. The development shall have either paratransit service
or unobstructed access, within one-half mile, to fixed
bus route service that operates at least eight times per
day.
e. No change to incentive count. A request pursuant to these on-
menu parking requirement alterations shall neither reduce nor
increase the number of incentives to which the applicant is
entitled pursuant to subsections C (Development Eligibility,
Bonus Densities, and Incentive Counts) or F (Incentives
Standards).
3. Off-menu parking requirement alterations. An applicant may request
parking requirement alterations beyond those provided in subsection
G.2 (On-Menu Parking Requirement Alterations) as an incentive
pursuant to C (Development Eligibility, Bonus Densities, and
Incentive Counts) or F (Incentives Standards).
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 22
4. Optional parking requirement alterations. This section does not
preclude the city from reducing or eliminating a parking requirement
for development projects of any type in any location.
5. Provision of parking. If the total number of parking spaces required
for a development is other than a whole number, the number shall
be rounded up to the next whole number. For purposes of this
section, a development may provide onsite parking through tandem
parking or uncovered parking, but not through on-street parking.
6. Parking study. Notwithstanding the parking requirement alterations
available in subsections G.2 (On-Menu Parking Requirement
Alterations) and G.3 (Off-Menu Parking Requirement Alterations), if
the city or an independent consultant has conducted an area-wide or
jurisdiction-wide parking study in the last seven years from the date
of the application described in subsection D.1 (Application), then the
city may impose a higher parking requirement not to exceed the
requirement described in subsection G.2.a (For Any Development),
based upon substantial evidence found in the parking study, that
includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of parking availability,
differing levels of transit access, walkability access to transit
services, the potential for shared parking, the effect of parking
requirements on the cost of market-rate and subsidized
developments, and the lower rates of car ownership for low and very
low income individuals, including seniors and special needs
individuals. The City shall pay the costs of any new study. The City
shall make findings, based on a parking study completed in
conformity with this paragraph, supporting the need for the higher
parking requirement.
H. Waiver standards.
1. Waivers or reductions. An applicant may apply for a waiver or
reduction of development standards that will have the effect of
physically precluding the construction of a development identified in
subsection C (Development Eligibility, Bonus Densities, and
Incentive Counts) at the densities or with the concessions or
incentives permitted under this section, and may request a meeting
with the city to discuss the proposed waiver or reduction.
2. No Change in other incentives. A proposal for the waiver or reduction
of development standards described in subsection H.1 (Waivers or
Reductions) shall neither reduce nor increase the number of
incentives or concessions to which the applicant is entitled pursuant
to this section.
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 23
3. Denial of requested waiver. The reviewing authority may deny a
request for a waiver under this section if it finds the waiver would:
a. Waive or reduce a development standard that would not have
the effect of physically precluding the construction of a
development meeting the criteria of this section at the
densities or with the incentives permitted under this section;
or
b. Have a specific, adverse impact upon health, safety, or the
physical environment, and for which there is no feasible
method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific adverse
impact; or
C. Have an adverse impact on any real property that is listed in
the California or Palm Springs Register of Historical
Resources; or
d. Be contrary to state or federal law.
I. Covenants.
1. Covenant required. Prior to issuance of a building permit for a
development identified in subsection C (Development Eligibility,
Bonus Densities, and Incentive Counts) that qualified for a density
bonus, incentive, and/or parking alteration, the developer must
record a restrictive covenant against the development as provided in
subsection 1.2 (Covenants for Specific Developments).
2. Covenants for specific developments.
a. For rental developments for low or very low income
households. For a development that contains rental housing
for low or very low income households, a covenant acceptable
to the city shall be recorded with the Riverside County
Recorder, guaranteeing that the affordability criteria will be
observed for at least fifty-five (55) years from the issuance of
the certificate of occupancy or a longer period of time if
required by the construction or mortgage financing assistance
program, mortgage assistance program, or rental subsidy
program.
b. For for-sale developments for very low, low, and moderate
income households. For a for-sale development that contains
housing for initial occupants of very low, low, and/or moderate
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 24
incomes, an equity sharing agreement acceptable to the city
and consistent with the for-sale requirements of California
Government Code Section 65915(c)(2) shall be recorded with
Riverside County Recorder.
3. Private right of action. Any covenant described in this section must
provide for a private right of enforcement by the city, any tenant, or
owner of any building to which a covenant and agreement applies.
4. Conflict of durations. If the duration of affordability covenants
provided for in this section conflicts with the duration for any other
government requirement, the longest duration shall control.
J. State regulations. All other provisions of California Government Code
Sections 65915 to 65918, and any amendments thereto, not specified
herein are incorporated by reference into this section.
SECTION 3. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to
be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, the remaining sections and/or provisions of this
Ordinance shall remain valid. The City Council hereby declares that it would have
adopted this Ordinance, and each section or provision thereof, regardless of the fact that
any one or more section(s) or provision(s) may be declared invalid or unconstitutional or
contravened via legislation.
SECTION 4. The proposed Zone Text Amendment is not subject to the Califomia
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) pursuant to
Section 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the State Guidelines, because the Ordinance will
not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the
environment and is not a "project," as that term is defined in Section 15378 of the State
Guidelines.
SECTION 5. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage
and adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect thirty (30) days after passage.
Ordinance No. 1976
Page 25
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY
COUNCIL THIS 23RD DAY OF JANUARY, 2
ROBE T M N
MAYOR
ATTEST:
AN'fHONY 4. Mtj!f,
CITY CLER
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. 1976 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a
regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on the 9"' day of January, 2019, and
adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 23'd day of January, 2019,
by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Holstege, Middleton, Roberts, and Mayor Moon
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tern Kors
ABSTAIN: None
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Springs, California, this 3 t 6' day of 'tea 2csY�1
ANfHONYJ JI
CITY CLER