TO:
Honorable Planning Commission Chair and Commissioners
THROUGH:
Masa Alkire, Community Development Director
FROM:
Adam Finestone, Planning Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Midyear Status Update on Multi-Family Housing Projects
RECEIVE AND FILE
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Planning Commission receive and file this report on the status of multi-family housing development projects
BACKGROUND:
When the Planning Commission considered the first round of zoning text amendments to implement programs in the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element in 2025, they raised concerns regarding the elimination of their role as a decision-making body on precise development plans (PDPs), which are required for multi-family housing projects containing six or more units that include affordable housing. Because Planning Commission meetings serve as a way to inform the public of projects under consideration, the Commission was concerned that eliminating their role in the PDP process would reduce public awareness of proposed projects. As such, the Commission requested that staff provide periodic updates on the status of proposed multi-family housing projects. Staff already provides an annual update each spring when it presents the Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), and will also be providing semiannual updates in the fall each year moving forward.
DISCUSSION:
The City currently has large multi-family housing projects (those with six or more units) totaling just under 1,600 units either in review or under construction, as demonstrated in Attachment 1 to this report. Projects with a status of “Under Construction” have active demolition, shoring, and/or building permits. Those with a status of “Building Plan Review” have submitted building plans for review by the City. Finally, projects identified as “Preliminary Review” have submitted early-stage design plans for City review. It is at the building plan submittal stage where an applicant has demonstrated a significant financial commitment to move forward with a project.
City staff tracks the City’s progress toward reaching the housing goals set by the Southern California Association of Governments and the California Department of Housing and Community Development as part of their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Attachment 2 is a table showing status of the City’s progress toward reaching its 6th Cycle Housing Element (2021-2029) RHNA obligations. Units count toward the City’s RHNA once building permits are issued. The table was sourced from the 2025 Housing Element APR based on data as of December 31, 2025, with preliminary updates included to reflect the issuance of building permits for 11 deed-restricted affordable housing units this year. A comprehensive review of building permit data is necessary to identify the total number of units for which building permits have been issued.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Planning Commission receive and file this report.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
As this is an informational report only, staff did not conduct any specific outreach ahead of this meeting. However, City staff has conducted a significant amount of outreach in recent years regarding housing issues, including a residents’ forum regarding the Residential Overlay District in spring 2025, informational notices regarding individual projects, noticed public hearings related to zoning text amendments necessary to implement programs in the City’s 6th Cycle Housing Element, and webpages dedicated to Residential Overlay District and State Density Bonus multi-family housing projects and regulations. Staff has also presented Housing Element APRs annually at agendized City Council and Planning Commission meetings. Similar outreach efforts will continue to be provided.
Additionally, at the direction of City Council, the City will be establishing a nine-member housing task force to serve in an advisory role during the preparation of the 7th Cycle Housing Element update. Staff has established a webpage dedicated to the 7th Cycle Housing Element work effort (www.manhattanbeach.gov/7thcycle <http://www.manhattanbeach.gov/7thcycle>) where additional information on the task force can be found. Task force applications will be accepted between October 22, 2026, and November 9, 2026, and the City Council will appoint members to the task force at its December 1, 2026, meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
ATTACHMENT/ATTACHMENTS:
1. Multi-Family Housing Projects
2. RHNA Progress (Source: 2025 Manhattan Beach Housing Element Annual Progress Report; preliminary updates as of October 19, 2026)