Malibu Municipal Code § 7.3 Resources and Opportunities

(a) Inventory of Sites for Housing Development

Government Code § 65583(a)(3) requires Housing Elements to contain an "inventory of land suitable for residential development, including vacant sites and sites having potential for redevelopment, and an analysis of the relationship of zoning and public facilities and services to these sites." A detailed analysis of potential development sites has been prepared (see Appendix B) and the results of this analysis are summarized in Table 7-22 below. This analysis also addresses the unaccommodated need from the previous planning period, as required by Government Code § 65584.09 (AB 1233).

Table 7-22 Sites Inventory Summary

As summarized in Table 7-22, this analysis determined that there are sufficient vacant or underutilized sites with appropriate zoning to accommodate the City's housing need for this planning period.

(b) Infrastructure Capacity

Wastewater - There is no municipal sewer service in the City of Malibu. All properties in the City are currently served by individual onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS); with the exception of those served by five small package treatment plants within the City: Latigo Bay Shores, Point Dume, Trancas Canyon, Malibu Mesa, and Maison de Ville. Any new development that is not served by the five treatment plans will be required to install its own OWTS in order to serve its wastewater disposal needs.

Water - Domestic water for City residents is supplied by County Waterworks District No. 29 ("District 29") from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). The MWD obtains its water from the State Water Project and the Colorado River. Wholesalers of water in the Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains areas are the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and the West Basin Municipal Water District. These wholesalers distribute to three retailers, which include District 29, Silvas Park Mutual Water Company, and Las Virgenes Metro Water District. Many of the City's water mains and tanks have been identified by the City and by District 29 as severely undersized. However, for projects located in areas with limited to no service by District 29, property owners may install water tanks to serve the property's needs. With the inclusion of private water tanks, domestic water supply is not expected to limit development.

(Resolution Nos. 14-04, 1/13/14; 13-34, 8/26/13)

(a) State and Federal Resources

Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) - The City does not have any housing that qualifies for CDBG funding. The City receives approximately $80,000 a year in CDBG funding. Of this total, 15% is spent on administration and program services (e.g., Malibu Community Labor Exchange). In recent years, the City has exchanged the remaining funds with other cities as Malibu does not have eligible projects.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program - The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program was created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 in order to provide an alternate method of funding low-and moderate-income housing. Each state receives a tax credit, based upon population, toward funding housing that meets program guidelines. The tax credits are then used to leverage private capital into new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable housing. Limitations on projects funded under the Tax Credit programs include minimum requirements that a certain percentage of units remain rent-restricted, based upon median income.

Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC) - This program provides a federal tax credit for income-qualified homebuyers that is equivalent to 15% of the annual mortgage interest. Generally, the tax savings are calculated as income in order to help buyers qualify to purchase a home. Using an MCC, first-time homebuyers can save between $700 and $2,500 a year on their annual federal tax bill. The program is initiated by the homebuyer applying through a participating lender, who then submits an application to the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission[1]. The City is not involved in administering this process or approving loans.

[1]

http://www.lacdc.org/CDCWebsite/HDP/linkit.aspx?id=81

(b) Local Resources

The City does not currently have a housing department. The only local revenue source for affordable housing is through the City's approval of the Patriot Homes Overlay condominium project. The City Council resolution approving the project requires an in-lieu payment of $30,000 per unit, required at the time of the close of escrow, to be used for programs consistent with the City's Housing Element. An Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which contains in-lieu funds generated through development agreements, was established in 2013 (Ordinance No. 375).

(Resolution Nos. 14-04, 1/13/14; 13-34, 8/26/13)

State law (Government Code § 65583(a)(8)) requires all new construction to comply with "energy budget" standards that establish maximum allowable energy use from depletable sources. These requirements apply to such design components as structural insulation, air infiltration and leakage control, setback features on thermostats, water heating system insulation (tanks and pipes) and swimming pool covers if a pool is equipped with a fossil fuel or electric heater. State law also requires that a tentative tract map provide for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in the subdivision, including designing the lot sizes and configurations to permit orienting structures to take advantage of a southern exposure, shade or prevailing breezes.

Southern California Edison (SCE) and the Southern California Gas Company offer energy conservation programs, including audits of home energy use to reduce electricity consumption, refrigerator rebates, appliance repair and weatherization assistance to qualified low-income households, buyer's guides for appliances and incentives by the Gas Company to switch from electric to gas appliances. Direct assistance to low-income households is provided by the Gas Company through the California Alternate Rates for Energy Program and by SCE through its Energy Management Assistance Program.

Both companies have programs to encourage energy conservation in new construction. SCE's energy rebate program applies to residential developers as well as to individual customers. SCE also offers an Energy STAR new home program and a Sustainable Communities Program, offering design assistance and financial incentives for sustainable housing development projects. The Gas Company's Energy Advanced Home Program is offered to residential developers who install energy-efficient gas appliances that exceed California energy standards by at least 15%.

In addition, simple water conservation techniques can save a family thousands of gallons of water per year, plus many dollars in water and associated energy consumption costs. It is now possible to obtain plumbing products that reduce water waste by restricting the volume of water flow from faucets, showerheads, and toilets. The use of plant materials that are adapted to the climate of Southern California's coastal areas can also measurably contribute to water conservation by reducing the need for irrigation.

A household can save water by fixing dripping faucets and using water more conservatively. In addition, such conservation practices save on the amount of gas and electricity needed to heat water. By encouraging residents to conserve water and install water saving devices, the City can greatly reduce its water consumption needs and expenses.

Actions the City of Malibu has taken to encourage energy conservation include the following:

Finally, the City has recently adopted the Local Energy Efficiency Standards Ordinance and the Landscape Water Conservation Ordinance. The energy ordinance preserves and enhances the environment, by setting forth minimum energy efficiency standards within the City for all new single-family dwellings, multi-family residential construction, nonresidential construction and substantial remodels. The City's ordinance includes measures which are more restrictive than the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24). The water conservation ordinance applies to: 1) projects for a commercial, institutional, or multi-family use or a subdivision, any of which propose a new or altered landscape area, including public agency projects; and 2) projects for a single-family residential use proposing a new or altered landscape area of 2,500 square feet or more; in the case of a project associated with an existing single-family residence, the new or altered landscape area is subject to this Chapter when the landscape area is 5,000 square feet or more. The water conservation standards are intended to promote water conservation while allowing the maximum possible flexibility in designing healthy, attractive, and cost-effective water efficient landscapes.

(Resolution Nos. 14-04, 1/13/14; 13-34, 8/26/13)