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Agenda Item 15.

City Council Meeting

Meeting Date:

03/07/2017

Subject:

General Plan Annual Report for 2016

RECOMMENDATION

Receive report and public comment. Direct staff to transmit a copy of the report to the State Office of Planning and Research and Department of Housing and Community Development.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

In 2003, Brea comprehensively updated its General Plan. Included with its adoption was an implementation program identifying the community vision for the future and establishing the fundamental framework to guide future decision-making about development, resource management, public safety, public services, and general community well-being. State Government Code Section 65400 requires an annual report be given to the legislative body on the status of implementing the goals of the General Plan. This report also covers the efforts made during the last year in implementing the programs of the Housing Element as well as building permit activity to show the progress made towards achieving our Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) allocation.

The City continues to move forward in the implementation of the Goals and Policies of the General Plan in 2016. A few key achievements include:

In 2016, 201 new residential units were released for occupancy in Brea. The majority of the units came from the dwellings units in the La Floresta and the Trailview Townhomes projects. The units are a mix of single-family residential, multi-family residential and townhomes units. The breakdown is as follows: 42 multi-family stacked flats, 32 townhomes and 114 single-family units from the La Floresta project and 13 townhomes from Trailview. Trailview is the first neighborhood trailhead connection via Orange Avenue to the Tracks at Brea trail providing direct pedestrian access and bicycle connection to this community facility.
The City has worked extensively with state and federal agencies to integrate planning and funding of recreation and trail facilities to implement related General Plan Goals and Policies. Segment 3 of the Tracks at Brea trail opened in March 2016 and includes a drinking fountain, seating areas, bike repair station and soon-to-be-installed restrooms and fitness stations. Completion of construction for Segment 4 is anticipated in Fall/Winter 2017. The community is enjoying biking, walking, and exercising on the completed sections of the Tracks and are excited for the completion of Segment 4.
The goals of Brea Envisions are to engage and inform the community, identify a community vision, assist in updating several City planning documents and develop a Community Strategic Plan to guide future policy decisions. Brea Envisions is divided into three phases. Phase I developed the community’s values, needs and opportunities through a series of surveys, interviews, events, and workshop activities. Phase II utilizes the community themes resulting from Phase I to develop strategic initiatives. Phase III will confirm the strategic initiatives with the community and finalize the Community Strategic Plan. Staff anticipates the process to be complete Spring, 2017.
The City is reducing its overall water consumption and is on right track to meet the 20 percent water reduction goal by 2020. In 2016, the City was able to achieve a 15 percent water reduction. Approximately 140 leak surveys were performed to assist resident and business. Leak surveys help reduce non-revenue water, such as pumping rates and raw water treatment costs, reduce liability, reduce repair costs, avoid system contamination and test on both sides of the meter.
The Brea Community Center remains the focal point for ongoing community services. The annual attendance of the center was just over 450,000 people. Classes and programs offered in 2016 include fitness and wellness programs, English as a Second Language and preventative medical screening.

FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY

The project has no impact on the General Fund.

The Brea General Plan continues to serve as an effective guide for the orderly growth and development of our community. The City is taking steps through Brea Envisions in completing the Community Strategic Plan. This document is a precursor to updates for several City Policy documents including a focused General Plan Update, a Parks, Recreation Human Services Master Plan, a new Cultural Arts Master Plan and an organizational Strategic Plan. The 2016 Annual Report on the General Plan demonstrates the City’s commitment to implement the Goals and Policies of this vision document and is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the prior year. It also reports on Brea’s progress in meeting our share of Reginal Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) established through the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The report is available for the Community’s review on the City’s website.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Cynthia Campana, Assistant Planner
Concurrence: Jennifer A. Lilley, AICP, City Planner

Attachments
General Plan Annual Report for 2016
Implementation Guide
Housing Implementation Program
Housing Worksheet 2016
Housing Successor Annual Report