Development Code and Zoning Map Update (Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA22-0001 & Zone Change No. ZCG24-0001)

In October 2021, the City Council formally adopted the new 2021-2040 Envision Whittier General Plan and the 2021-2029 Sixth Cycle Housing Element. The General Plan is the City’s community development “constitution” or blueprint since it establishes goals and policies to guide growth, land development, traffic, circulation, housing, conservation, historic resources, environmental justice, and other essential topics over the next 5 years. Measures to implement the General Plan include updating the Zoning Ordinance to ensure consistency in accordance with State law. This Zoning Code Amendment reflects the policy direction identified in the Envision Whittier General Plan, specifically the Land Use and Community Character Element and Housing Element.

The Draft Whittier Zoning Map and update to Section 18.08.010 (Establishment of Zones and Zoning Map) of the Whittier Municipal Code (WMC) would ensure the zones are consistent with the General Plan Land Use Policy Map.

In addition to the zoning code amendments necessary to create consistency with the Housing Element and the General Plan Land Use and Community Character Element, staff is undertaking a review of identified sections of the WMC to make corrections for errors, omissions, and ambiguous or redundant language to eliminate inconsistencies, obsolete or complicated wording, and to ensure consistency with State law.

Draft materials were reviewed and discussed at the following public meetings:

Planning Commission and Design Review Board Joint Study Session- August 15, 2022

MIG and City Staff facilitated a Zoning Code Amendment and Objective Design Standards Study Session with the Planning Commission (PC) and Design Review Board (DRB).  Key comments from the Planning Commission and Design Review Board meeting included establishing standards for open space, off-street parking, and building massing. 

https://online.cityofwhittier.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=3987&doctype=1

Planning Commission and Design Review Board Joint Study Session- June 29, 2023

The purpose of the meeting was to review preliminary draft Zoning Amendment materials. The DRB and PC were provided with updates to the draft documents that demonstrated some of their previous comments had been addressed. In addition, some key points were discussed including expanding walkability throughout the city, unbundling parking standards, and increasing biking and transit opportunities.

https://online.cityofwhittier.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=4222&doctype=1

Design Review Board Study Session- July 26, 2023

MIG and City staff facilitated an Objective Design Standards (ODS) Study Session with the DRB to review preliminary materials. The DRB recommended that new multi-family development projects include more unique design elements such as unique roof planes, building articulation, and parking on the first level with housing units above. The key would be to avoid large, boxy buildings that would not complement the adjacent properties. In addition, they discussed adding smaller public and communal open spaces, such as pocket parks and creating more natural and green areas.

https://online.cityofwhittier.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=4234&doctype=1

Planning Commission Study Session- September 18, 2023

MIG and City staff gave a final presentation to the Planning Commission on the targeted Zoning Code Amendments. The presentation focused on the multi-family and mixed-use residential development standards for objective design, private and communal open space amenities and vehicle/bicycle parking standards developed with incorporation of comments provided by the DRB. The Planning Commission discussion resulted in a request for the following revisions to the draft Zoning Code Amendments:

• Adjust multi-family residential vehicle parking standards to require 1.5 parking spaces instead of 1.0 for each studio unit; and 1.75 parking spaces instead of 1.5 for each one-bedroom unit.
• Adjust multi-family residential bicycle parking standards to require one space per four units instead of one space for two units.
• Increase bicycle parking space requirements by an additional 25 percent if new multi-family residential development is located within one-half mile of a major transit stop (as defined by State law).

https://online.cityofwhittier.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=4268&doctype=1

Planning Commission Study Session- June 17, 2024

MIG and City staff presented Amendments to Titles 17 (Subdivisions) and 18 (Zoning) as well as changes to the existing Zoning Map for review by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission discussion resulted in a recommendation to the City Council for approval with the addition of minor revisions.

https://online.cityofwhittier.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Meetings/ViewMeeting?id=4464&doctype=1 

 *The City Council is set to hear the Development Code Update agenda item on August 13, 2024.*