City of Monterey Park

This document presents the City of Monterey Park's 2014-2021 Housing Element, a policy and programmatic framework designed to address the community's housing needs. The plan focuses on five strategic objectives: conserving and improving existing housing stock, reducing governmental constraints on housing development, ensuring the provision of adequate housing sites, assisting in the development of affordable housing, and promoting equal housing opportunities. It outlines goals, policies, and programs to guide future housing development and manage associated environmental impacts.

This document details the Monterey Park Housing Element, a state-mandated update to the city's general plan covering 2021-2029. The plan's objectives include accommodating housing for all socio-economic segments, facilitating accessible housing, removing construction barriers, preserving affordable housing, and ensuring equal housing opportunities. It involves analyzing community characteristics, identifying housing constraints, and mapping potential sites to meet regional housing needs without requiring rezoning. The Housing Element serves as a policy and planning document to address housing affordability challenges.

The meeting focused on the city's economic development strategy. Key discussion points included thanking the staff and the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) for their support, summarizing key elements of the strategy, and highlighting the 17 districts and redevelopment areas. The strategy preparation involved a detailed economic study, surveys, focus groups, brand work, an Urban Design Team review of the pedestrian linkage plan, and an economic performance analysis. The aim is to create community wealth by integrating the strategy with business processes and budgeting, coordinating with various departments, and continuously updating the strategy.

The workshop focused on economic development strategies, including expanding retail and restaurants in the downtown area, creating destination retail and entertainment, and enhancing pedestrian linkages. The urban design consultant recommended ways to enhance and give identity to the different corridors in the city, including cohesive signage, wayfinding, public art, and a parking master plan. The workshop also discussed incentivizing parcel consolidation and building on tourism. The branding was also discussed, including conducting confidential feedback surveys with City influentials and qualitative focus groups.

The meeting included acknowledgements and appreciation for the hard work as mayor, a reorganization of the Mark City Council, and the oath of office and presentation of business cards to the new Mayor. The outgoing year's address thanked family, the community, and council members, highlighting collaboration and staff contributions. The strategy focused on making the city the best place to live, work, and play, emphasizing community safety, budget surpluses, and infrastructure improvements. There was recognition of the city as business-friendly, with a high number of new business licenses issued, and efforts to streamline permitting and building systems. The meeting also covered the 10-year master parks program and the importance of community engagement and diversity.