But recent growth trends have slowed, prompting housing officials to slash the number of residential units they think would be needed to accommodate revised growth forecasts from 6,099 to 3,131 for inclusion as the most significant update to the housing plan, which must get state approval.
“Clearly, lower targets make it easier for everyone,” said Bill Kane, chairman of the Planning Commission.
Glendale’s growth rate has slowed from 2.5% between 1980 and 1990 to 1.2% now, according to the Southern California Assn. of Governments.
Revising targets to match reality is important so that the city doesn’t risk failing to meet goals that could negatively affect grant funding opportunities, Kane said.
City officials cite the dwindling amount of easily developable land, home prices, interest rates and the overall state of the economy as driving forces behind the slowing population growth.
The draft update goes Wednesday to the Planning Commission, which is expected to recommend that the City Council approve the change for submission to state housing officials later this month.
Any revisions to the update would have to be made and approved by June, when the final reports are due.
If the state Department of Housing and Community Development accepts the update, Glendale would be well on its way to meeting the goal of 3,131 units, having already processed 1,322 units through August 2007, according to the draft housing plan.
And that doesn’t count the 287-unit Verdugo Gardens high-rise that won city approval last week or the 68-unit affordable housing project the Housing Authority approved in the same breath for San Fernando Road.
In September, the City Council also gave final approval to a 16-story, two-tower downtown building that will add nearly 200 residential units to the city’s housing stock.
