Manuel Acosta

The City Council approved several resolutions on the consent calendar. These included a resolution reciting the results of the recent Special Municipal Election, a resolution authorizing the Acting City Manager to execute documents required for the collection of the city's transaction and use tax, and a resolution authorizing the examination of sales or transactions and use tax records.

The Planning Commission conducted a study session regarding the Land Use Element Update and the Residential and Mixed-Use Zoning Development Standards and Design Guidelines. City staff and consultants delivered a presentation on these topics, followed by a period where commissioners asked questions, offered feedback, and received responses. The commission ultimately voted to receive and file the report.

The City of Bell Gardens Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Specific Plan is a comprehensive initiative designed to guide future development and foster affordable, transit-supportive, and safe neighborhoods. The plan addresses connectivity challenges, improves safety for residents and active transportation users, and proposes five development opportunity districts. These districts will provide new housing, commercial uses, parks, and various safety and public realm improvements, while enhancing regional connectivity and cultivating active transportation networks. It establishes goals, infrastructure improvements, and zoning updates to direct future development in the TOC Specific Plan area.

The Open Space and Recreation Element of the Bell Gardens General Plan focuses on preserving existing open spaces, parks, and recreational facilities to meet the community's needs. Key areas of focus include protecting and maintaining current open spaces, exploring opportunities for additional park land, maximizing recreational resources, and implementing programs for park maintenance and safety. The plan aims to address the deficit in parkland by expanding open space through land acquisition and multi-use corridors, while also emphasizing the importance of joint use facilities and cooperative agreements with other entities.

The 2021-2029 Housing Element for the City of Bell Gardens focuses on addressing the housing needs of its residents by analyzing demographic and economic characteristics, housing stock, and special needs populations. Key strategies include identifying available land, promoting mixed-use development, facilitating ADU construction, and implementing policies to address governmental and non-governmental constraints on housing development. The plan aims to meet the RHNA allocation by encouraging a variety of housing types, providing incentives for affordable housing, and streamlining permit processes.