Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 1, No. 3 - September 19, 2019
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The Canine Companions for Independence pups chilling out, as they took a much-needed break from their recent training class. Photo: Hawthorne PD
Hawthorne Council Objects to
Possible Housing Unit Mandates
By Brian Simon
As it moves towards updating its housing
element, the City of Hawthorne could
find itself in a bit of a jam in the future. A
presentation from Interim Planning Director
Sherri Repp-Loadsman at the most recent City
Council meeting outlined the potentially huge
number of additional local housing units the
State of California may require in Hawthorne
down the line. “Scary times might be coming
forward,” she warned.
The Southern California Council of
Governments (SCAG) is in the process of
developing the 6th cycle Regional Housing
Needs Assessment (RHNA) covering the
period of October 2021 through October
2029, with adoption of the plan scheduled
for October 2020. The RHNA, according
to SCAG, “quantifies the need for housing
within each jurisdiction during specified
planning periods.”
SCAG’s initial overall regional estimate
for the 6th cycle was 675,000 housing units,
but the California Departing of Housing
and Community Development (HCD) blew
that out of the water when it announced its
target of the substantially higher 1,344,740.
“Everyone is still in shock,” Repp-Loadsman
said, adding that if SCAG mandates this
number, “you’re going to ruin many cities”
that simply don’t have the capacity to add
this many units.
Under the HCD methodology formula,
Hawthorne’s share of the 6th cycle RHNA
has three potential options with 5,509, 7,251
and 1,422 housing units respectively. Repp-
Loadsman thought it likely the third and lowest
option would be rejected. The methodology
includes considerations for share of population,
share of population within high-quality
transit areas, share of regional undersupply
of building permits issued, and local input/
future vacancy/replacement need. Hawthorne’s
proposed allocations are mostly in line with
those of other neighboring cities, with the
exception of Manhattan Beach’s (which
Repp-Loadsman referred to as the “outlier”
of the group) markedly lower numbers.
For the 5th cycle still in progress, Hawthorne’s
mandate was 683 housing units These
break down into very low, low, moderate and
above moderate income brackets. Hawthorne
has already exceeded its total quota, with
821 units provided. But while it has more
than satisfied its goals for the final three
categories, it lags markedly in the area of
“very low” – with only nine units out of the
170 target. Repp-Loadsman pointed out that
there is “not a lot of vacant space” available
in town for very low income residential.
The majority of the total units consist of
new construction, but also includes some
repurposing/renovation in the mix.
Repp-Loadsman expressed concern that if
Hawthorne challenges the RHNA, it may not
be successful…and that challenges by other
cities may result in increases to Hawthorne’s
numbers since subtracting from one city
inevitably adds to another. The Council
ultimately voted unanimously to reject the
HCD numbers -- and in a second action,
directed staff to send a letter to SCAG recommending
that the latter appeal the HCD
methodology. Repp-Loadsman indicated that
SCAG is indeed expected to file an objection.
Meanwhile, the City must have its new
housing element update in place by October
2021 or face potentially heavy fines.
During the oral communications portion
of the meeting, local Ramona Tract resident
Lucy Ravitch asked the Council to consider
an ordinance change that will allow shortterm
rental operations in Hawthorne – at
See City Council, page 5
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