2021-03-29 (Special Meeting)65
SPECIAL MEETING
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
March 29, 2021
5:00 P.M.
The Cypress City Council conducted this meeting via webinar/teleconference in
accordance with California Governor Newsom's Executive Orders N-29-20 and COVID-
19 pandemic protocols.
Mayor Peat called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Cypress City Council, also acting as the Ex -Officio Governing Board of Directors of the
Cypress Recreation and Park District
Mayor Jon Peat (via webinar/teleconference)
Mayor Pro Tem Stacy Berry (via webinar/teleconference)
Council Member Anne Hertz (via webinar/teleconference)
Council Member Frances Marquez (via webinar/teleconference)
Council Member Paulo Morales (via webinar/teleconference)
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Peter Grant (via webinar/teleconference)
City Attorney Fred Galante (via webinar/teleconference)
Director of Planning Alicia Velasco (via webinar/teleconference)
City Clerk Alisha Farnell (via webinar/teleconference)
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes — three minutes per speaker, unless
extended by the City Council)
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item No. 1: Receive and File Public Comments Submitted for the March 29, 2021
Special City Council Meeting
The City Clerk reported that 13 public comments were received regarding the workshop
item. Submitted comments were provided to the City Council prior to the start of the
meeting and were added to the Agenda packet online for public viewing.
No action was taken.
WORKSHOP SESSION
Item No. 2: Housing Element Update 2021-2029 — Strategies to Meet the City's
Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA)
The Planning Director provided a report on this item.
City Council discussion ensued.
Mayor Peat called for a short recess at 7:05 p.m.
Mayor Peat reconvened the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
Mayor Peat called for. public comments on the workshop item.
Sitaram Birda, Cypress, spoke regarding the number of housing units assigned to
Cypress and open space.
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Glenn Button, Cypress, spoke regarding the RHNA allocation and development
expectations.
Ed Kraemer, Cypress, spoke regarding state mandates, RHNA allocation, alternative
options, and expressed opposition to Scenario 3.
Cynthia Guerra, affordable housing advocate, spoke regarding policies and strategies to
create affordable housing.
Steve Mauss, Cypress, spoke regarding Scenario 3 and the need for clarity in determining
site viability.
Brooke Nafarette, Cypress, spoke regarding housing production requirements and the
possibility of eminent domain.
Jodee Tochi, Cypress property owner, spoke regarding rezoning, property restrictions,
redevelopment of Lincoln Avenue, and development on railroad right of way.
Blaze Bhence, Cypress, spoke regarding redevelopment of older housing tracts,
unutilized land at Forest Lawn or in business park areas, and redevelopment of railroad
right of way.
Brittney Cook, Cypress, spoke regarding the parcels under consideration on Cerritos
Avenue, the distribution of selected sites throughout the City, and solicitation of housing
developers.
Charlie Koo, Fullerton, spoke on behalf of Miracleland Baptist Church and stated the
church has been located at that site for 50 years and they have no intention to sell or
move the church property.
Dave Pedneault, spoke regarding State impositions on local government, increasing
housing prices, neighboring cities, and traffic.
Elizabeth Hernandez, Cypress, spoke in opposition to any new housing at 5252 Orange
Avenue and regarding impacts of new housing on schools, traffic, infrastructure, and
single family home values.
Jane Tochihara, Cypress, spoke regarding her commercial property on Lincoln Avenue.
Angie Suk, spoke regarding small businesses on Lincoln Avenue, the use of vacant
businesses on Katella Avenue for housing, and redevelopment of railroad property for
housing.
Jennifer Park, Cypress, spoke in opposition to 4321-4371 and 4421-4499 Cerritos
Avenue being included as opportunity sites in the Housing Element Update.
Ryan Park, Buena Park, spoke regarding his business on Lincoln Avenue and the
economic hardships businesses are facing due to COVID-19.
Sarah White, Cypress, expressed concerns about impacts on infrastructure, traffic, and
schools associated with new housing.
Wendy Tochihara, Huntington Beach, spoke regarding communication and outreach
regarding the Housing Element Update and the impacts to the business community on
Lincoln Avenue.
Camille Brown, Cypress, spoke regarding development of the railroad property.
Irene Hwang, spoke regarding her mother's business on Lincoln Avenue and the impacts
to the business community on Lincoln Avenue.
Glenn Morikawa, spoke regarding the City's Master Plan and infrastructure, as well as
soliciting State feedback throughout the Housing Element Update process.
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Colien Janssen, Cypress, spoke regarding the opportunity the Housing Element Update
provides to plan for the future of the community.
Jaquelyn French, Cypress, spoke regarding housing impacts on infrastructure, schools,
and the ability of current small business owners on Lincoln Avenue to obtain equitable
rentals in future mixed use spaces.
Maureen Weedon, Cypress, expressed concerns regarding the impacts of new housing
on the City's infrastructure and existing property values.
Kyle Kelley, Huntington Beach, asked what occurs if the number of required units are not
developed due to not enough property owners selling land to developers.
The Planning Director and City Attorney provided responses to address various questions
and comments made by the public.
City Council asked further questions of staff and discussion ensued.
It was moved by Mayor Peat, and seconded by Council Member Morales, to eliminate the
opportunity site properties on Cerritos Avenue and move the associated 150 units to
Lincoln Avenue and consider increasing density on Lincoln Avenue up to 60 units per
acre where appropriate to allow the 150 units to be accounted for.
The motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Marquez, Hertz, Morales, Berry and Peat
NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
Item No. 3: Authorize the Mayor to Send a Letter to South Coast Air Quality
Management District Opposing Proposed Rules 2305 and 316
Council Member Morales spoke on the item.
City Council discussion ensued.
It was moved by Council Member Morales, and seconded by Council Member Hertz, to
authorize the Mayor to send a letter to South Coast Air Quality Management District
opposing Proposed Rules 2305 and 316.
The motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 5 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Marquez, Hertz, Morales, Berry and Peat
NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Peat adjourned the meeting at 9:31 p.m. to an adjourned Regular Meeting, to be
held on Monday, April 12, 2021, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Executive Board Room.
ATTEST:
a
CITY CLERK OF THE ITY OF
CYPRESS
OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS