Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 22.25 Special Use Incentives (a-Series Zones)

As of the effective date of this ordinance, the following economic development and healthy communities incentives shall be applicable to new development on properties in A-series zoning districts in the 90805 zip code. In all other areas of the City, the Special Use Incentives of the A-series zoning districts may only be applicable in areas that have been designated as Community Development Block Grant Areas by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. If a project utilizes multiple incentive options, the maximum cumulative parking reduction allowed for a project cannot exceed more than thirty percent (30%) of the total required parking for said project.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The gross square footage (GFA) of the ground floor educational, community-based non-profits, and institutional uses (including schools, libraries, museums, government Offices, facilities, or civic uses), of up to nine thousand (9,000) Sq. Ft. GFA, shall not count toward the maximum FAR of a parcel or project if the following conditions are met:

A. The use is located primarily on the ground floor (use may be multi-story, only ground floor GFA shall be exempted).

B. The ground floor occupancy is designed to meet the Design of Ground Floor Retail and Pedestrian-Oriented Uses standards of Sections 22.30.060.A and 22.30.060.B.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Establishment and maintenance of stores that sell fresh foods in proximity to established neighborhoods should be incentivized.

A. Minimum Fresh Foods Requirement. Any grocery or food market that devotes thirty percent (30%) or more of selling space to perishable fresh food items shall qualify to utilize the following incentives. Incentives may be used individually or together where the configuration requirements are met.

B. Intensity Incentive. The total gross square footage (GFA) of a grocery market shall not count toward the maximum FAR of a parcel or project.

C. Parking Incentives if not within a high-quality transit area per AB 2097. Grocery market required parking spaces:

1. Shall be counted as guest spaces for any residential units developed as part of a horizontal or vertical mixed-use project;

2. Shall reduce by one (1) space per one thousand (1,000) Sq. Ft. if located within a one quarter (1/4) mile of a transit stop and bicycle parking is provided on-site, or if the grocery market is developed in a vertical mixed-use format;

3. The two incentives listed above may be used individually or together where the configuration requirements are met.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Projects that provide the following community benefits may qualify for development incentives:

A. Commercial space incentives for workforce development employment strategies. Projects which provide commercial space for enterprises that employ through a local workforce development organization, including the Pacific Gateway Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Network (PGWIN), shall qualify for incentives, subject to the following:

1. Employment of PGWIN trainees will be a requirement of the occupier of qualified commercial space for a minimum of five (5) years.

2. Annual certification of compliance with the above shall be completed through PGWIN and provided to the Planning Bureau.

B. Historic market commercial rents for community businesses. Projects which provide commercial rents at a historic market rate to existing local businesses shall qualify for the corresponding incentives, subject to the following:

1. "Historic market rate" rents shall be defined as the average per-square-foot market rent for the local market for the last three (3) years prior to the proposed lease agreement. Maximum annual rent increase shall be limited to four percent (4%);

2. An existing local business shall provide evidence of business history, including business license history, with the City of Long Beach of at least five (5) years in the corresponding local market, to the satisfaction of the Department of Community Development; and

3. Submit annual certification of the lease agreement rate to the City of Long Beach Department of Community Development; a minimum commercial lease length of five (5) years is required to qualify.

C. For projects that comply with either or both of the community benefit requirements, said projects will qualify to have the corresponding commercial space(s) exempted from maximum floor area limitations and parking requirements.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

A. The City of Long Beach seeks to minimize future greenhouse gas emissions from the building sector while lessening the impact of climate change stressors on the local community, including extreme heat, air quality, drought and flooding. In addition to meeting all Green Building Standards contained in Section 21.45.400, parking incentives may be provided to one hundred percent (100%) non-residential projects that demonstrate additional strategies to reduce GHG emissions or to lessen the impact of documented climate stressors on the local community.

B. Projects may qualify for reduction in parking requirements in exchange for providing on-site or off-site climate mitigation or adaptation measures commensurate with the savings associated with the requested parking reduction, up to a maximum parking reduction of thirty five percent (35%). Measures must meet the geographic needs of the local community as demonstrated in the City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Eligible measures include but are not limited to:

1. Tree planting.

2. Photocatalytic tiles to improve air quality.

3. Cool roof and/or cool wall materials.

4. On-site solar installations (for example as shade structures over parking spaces).

5. Bus shelter amenity improvements.

6. Additional bicycle amenities.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Table 25-1: Permitted Uses in Special Use Incentives (A-Series) Zones

(ORD-26-0013 § 6, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)