SECOND READING - Consideration of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 21, Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 27 and 68 of the Lake County Zoning Code to Implement General Plan Sixth Cycle Housing Element Policies HE-38, 38, HE-59, HE-60, HE-61, HE-71, HE-72 and HE-73 (Staff requests another first reading, due to addition of text)

Summary

This ordinance proposes amendments to Chapter 21 of the Lake County Zoning Code across multiple articles (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 27, and 68) to implement specific policies from the Sixth Cycle Housing Element. The amendments aim to reduce governmental obstacles to housing development by:

• Policy HE-38: Designating several types of residential development as a use by right in certain zoning districts, subject to objective standards.
• Policy HE-59: Allowing supportive housing and services as a use by right in specific commercial and residential zones with access to support services.
• Policy HE-60: Modifying regulations for emergency shelters by removing setbacks to other facilities, eliminating parking requirements, removing minimum bed requirements, and increasing maximum stay lengths.
• Policy HE-61: Permitting agricultural employee housing with a Minor Use Permit in certain zoning districts, subject to objective standards.
• Policy HE-71: Declaring mixed-use commercial and residential development as a use by right in certain zoning districts and removing parking requirements.
• Policy HE-72: Designating multi-family development with 20 or more units as a use by right in certain zoning districts, subject to objective standards.
• Policy HE-73: Designating Low Barrier Navigation Centers as a use by right in certain zoning districts, subject to objective standards.

The ordinance also includes specific amendments to various sections of the zoning code to incorporate these policies, including definitions and development standards for agricultural employee housing, supportive housing, and low barrier navigation centers. The proposed changes are considered exempt from CEQA review as they are required by state law to implement the Housing Element and are not expected to have a significant environmental effect.

Citizen Impact

This ordinance aims to streamline housing development by making various housing types, including multi-family, supportive housing, and emergency shelters, easier to permit. It could lead to increased housing availability and potentially more diverse housing options within the county, while also establishing clearer regulations for agricultural employee housing and low-barrier navigation centers.

Confidence

high