The Planning Commission of El Segundo convened on April 24, 2025, to discuss key policies regarding affordable housing in the city. A significant focus of the meeting was the proposal for a "live-work" preference in new assisted affordable housing projects. The commission debated whether to establish a first preference for this model, which aims to balance residential and commercial uses within the same space.
Commission members expressed varying opinions on the necessity of a first preference. Some argued that it should not overshadow other important considerations, while others supported the idea of presenting multiple options to the City Council for further deliberation. Ultimately, the commission reached a consensus to recommend a live-work preference, along with a structured approach for managing the lifespan of rental units, which had been a point of contention in previous discussions.
The commission also addressed the administrative responsibilities associated with the proposed policy, emphasizing the need for property management to handle the bulk of the work to minimize the burden on city resources. After thorough discussion, a motion was made to adopt Resolution 2964, recommending the City Council implement the live-work preference and policy changes for new affordable housing projects. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 5-0.
The meeting concluded with a recognition of the time taken for deliberations and a suggestion to continue discussions on related topics in future meetings. The commission's recommendations will now be forwarded to the City Council for consideration, marking a significant step in El Segundo's approach to affordable housing development.