AERIAL VIEW of Huntington Beach housing area (Shutterstock).
Another challenge to State of California’s housing mandates could be coming from Huntington Beach.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the city council, there’s an agenda item submitted by Mayor Gracey Van der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns and Councilmember Casey McKeon asking to put before voters a proposed charter amendment stating that “no city-initiated general plan amendment or zoning change may be approved by the city where the related environmental review finds [it] presents ‘significant and unavoidable’ negative impacts to the environment, without first receiving approval by a voice of the people.”
The proposal also calls for an amendment in the charter stating that “city planning and zoning is a local municipal affair beyond the reach of state control or interference.”
If approved, a proposed ballot initiative would come back within 30 days to be placed on the November 2024 general election ballot.
In the request for the proposed charter amendment, the proponents cited the state-mandated “regional housing needs assessment” which requires that Huntington Beach zone for – but not necessarily build – 13,368 – new residences.
The memo refers to that as “the state’s misguided and onerous high-density development standards” and claims that Huntington Beach – as a charter city – controls its own planning and zoning.
The council will meet in the council chambers at 2000 Main St. with a closed session at 5 p.m., and a 6 p.m. regular meeting.
Categories: Huntington Beach
Is it EVER wrong to allow the citizens of city to determine/vote on the environment that they will live in when that environment is threatened by outside agencies, who have no cares or concerns for that cities residents?
Because, that’s exactly what the “Statement of Overriding Considerations” that the State requires in any Housing Element as a condition for approval.
Well hey at least it’s we the people deciding! I hope the mainly wealthy people in HB, my city, where I am homeless bc of severe health issues and no family or friends here, lots of abuse and trauma so I have no way of making money. Anyway I hope people realize everyone, esp the disabled and elderly, which there are a lot of homeless in this category that deserve housing, and just bc they can’t afford an ocean view or living by the ocean doesn’t mean they should never get to experience that! These people deserve a safe place to live to give them human dignity and make them feel just as valued as everyone else! If you are poor in wealthy cities like HB it’s starting to get really hard to live here bc of insane pricing and honestly peoples attitudes are atrocious and judgemental when they have no idea how tough it is to try to make it with severe disabling health issues and esp those women that are elderly too! It breaks my heart they are homeless for years before anyone helps them! And living in a homeless shelter is almost worse than being on the streets, esp how they treat you! Things need to change HB and Cali. These are human beings! We are human beings. We deserve just as much respect as everyone else! Stop giving non profits all the power and money! They are not housing those in need quick enough and people are dying often while waiting, in horrible conditions in shelters or on the streets, for housing and case workers to do their job and bc you have to go through a non profit (this is a huge part of the problem bc “overhead” is being used frivolously with no accountability and there must be a time limit on housing these people! If they are in a shelter, they should be mandated to house them within 6 months or no more money!! They are using these poor disabled people for the money they get, while treating them awfully, and btw the food is atrocious. We all get sick all the time. And it’s def not well balanced meals with fiber and fruits/veggies and they refuse to help you if you have food allergies, isn’t that discrimination?! In Huntington Beach?! The Mercy House HB is a horrific place to live and most people are treated like trash! There is no excuse for this nonsense. None. I have complained many times for abuse from staff and the homeless here but no one will listen to me or help me. With severe PTSD it’s a nightmare living in these conditions, it’s freezing, and the bathrooms are disgusting! We are all sick all the time. It’s not even real housing. It’s a big fine like structure and we have to shower in mobile units on wheels that are falling apart! I’ve had men come into my bathroom while I was using it several times bc the doors were awful and don’t lock properly! The state/city needs to interview the homeless here and find out what’s really going on! Shame on you Mercy House and HB and California!! Stop killing your own homeless bc you can’t help them quick enough!