INTRODUCTION

The City of Downey adopted its 2021-2029 Housing Element in 2022 and is now actively working to create new housing opportunities in the community and to preserve existing housing. The Housing Element is a plan that guides where and how new housing is built, as required to meet state housing law. Actions underway to implement the housing plan include updating the General Plan Land Use Element and land use map to identify locations for new home development. Changes to the Zoning Code and zoning map will be made to align with the Housing and Land Use Elements to ensure consistency between policy and regulations. A third key action is to create new design standards, called Objective Design Standards, that will be used to review housing applications objectively, thereby removing uncertainties for both developers and community members regarding how new development can be integrated into the existing city fabric. We're also preparing a new chapter of the General Plan called the Environmental Justice Element. This element will address a citywide approach to fair, equitable, and inclusive decision-making regarding actions that improve living conditions for all Downey residents.

This project provides a multitude of opportunities for community members to participate and share their ideas, building on the insights shared during the recent Housing Element update program.

Housing Element Implementation Environmental Documents

• Notice of Intent - Housing Element Implementation
  • Project Locations - Figures 1 through 7
• Initial Study / Negative Declaration - Housing Element Implementation

ZONING CODE AND MAP AMENDMENTS

The 2021-2029 Housing Element calls for several directive changes to the Zoning Code designed to create new housing development locations and to streamline the housing development process. The intent is to reduce housing costs and expand the housing supply. Key Zoning Code amendments being explored include:

• New Locations for Housing:

  1) Create a new residential overlay zone along the commercial corridors of Telegraph Road, Florence Avenue, Imperial Highway, and Paramount, Lakewood, and Firestone Boulevards.

  2) Update three specific plans to allow multi-family housing units.

  3) Prepare new mixed-use zones to allow stand-alone commercial uses, residential uses, or both.

• Revised Development Standards: Eliminate obstacles to housing projects by adjusting requirements for mixed-use and high-density developments. This involves removing the discretionary action of a Site Plan Review requirement, adjusting minimum lot sizes, increasing building height limits, and modifying off-street parking requirements for multi-family housing units. Additionally, increase the allowable residential density for the Multiple-Family Residential (R-3 & R-3-O) zone.

• Create Certainty Through Design Requirements: Introduce objective design standards in the Zoning Code to provide consistency, fairness, and predictability in the design, review, and approval of multi-family residential projects. Unlike design guidelines, objective design standards (ODS) can set forth clear city expectations for design quality.

• Other Zoning Amendments Related to Housing: Address emergency shelter standards and allow employee housing, supportive housing, and low-barrier navigation centers. Also, address Zoning Code definitions and permit processing requirements for group homes consistent with State law.

FOCUSED GENERAL PLAN UPDATE

The Downey General Plan sets forth the city's vision for growth and change, setting goals and policies for land use, housing, and more. This project involves revising the Land Use Element and preparing a new Environmental Justice Element.

• Update the Land Use Element. The Land Use Element will be comprehensively updated to reflect the policy direction set forth in the 2021-2029 Housing Element. A modernized Land Use Element will identify development opportunity areas consistent with the Housing Element and include new goals and policies to move Downey forward on longer-term land use strategies.
• New Environmental Justice Element. New State law effective 2018 requires that the General Plan address the fair and equitable distribution of community benefits and resolve any environmental burdens affecting all individuals, regardless of socio-economic status, race, or ethnicity. The new Environmental Justice Element will focus on preventing disproportionate burdens on vulnerable communities resulting from environmental pollution, degradation, or climate change impacts. The goal is to promote inclusivity, empower communities, and rectify historical and systemic environmental injustices, creating a more sustainable and equitable living environment for all.

 

Link to Environmental Justice Fact Sheet		Link to Environmental Justice Story Map
ENGLISH ESPAÑOL		VISIT

 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Downey residents and others in the community are critical to identifying housing challenges and opportunities. We invite you to participate in community conversations on implementing the Housing Element, to review options for increasing housing opportunities, and to address environmental justice issues. We also want to hear ideas for addressing community needs for public services and infrastructure, especially in areas of environmental justice.

The City looks to implement effective methods for continuous civic engagement with local disadvantaged communities. Community outreach methods will include social media blasts, email blasts, announcements in local print and broadcasting media, flyers, newsletters, fact sheets, and Spanish translation of materials. Community engagement activities will include interviews with community leaders, focus group meetings, community workshops, and an environmental justice survey.