Santa Fe Springs General Plan Update and Targeted Zoning Code Amendments

This small city in southeastern LA County began as a sulfur-spring spa, became one of the richest oil fields in petroleum history, and is now home to many automotive and aerospace manufacturing companies. And it needed housing.

In early 2020, Santa Fe Springs completely overhauled its General Plan, for the first time in 27 years. It now includes a new Environmental Justice Element and an updated Housing Element for the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment, to accommodate nearly 1,000. GIS analysis identified underutilized industrial properties (measuring quality of life metrics, including classifying hazardous waste and contamination data) that could easily and safely transition to multifamily housing. A program-level environmental impact report with project level analysis for the selected housing sites, ensured projects can now be fast-tracked through the entitlement process.

To put new zoning regulations in place to implement new land use and housing policies, MIG completed focused Zoning Code Amendments. This work included creating standards for new mixed-use and high-density residential zones and provisions for nonconformities to address adjacencies of industrial uses and residential neighborhoods. The regulations anticipate extension of light rail service to the City, with a new transit-oriented development zone that will for much greater development intensities than currently exist in this suburban community.