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.