The El Segundo Planning Commission voted 5-0 April 24 to recommend that City Council adopt a live‑work preference policy for new city‑assisted affordable housing projects. The draft policy, developed by consultants RSG with city staff, would reserve preferences for 15% of deed‑restricted units at new city‑assisted rental and for‑sale projects and apply those preferences at initial lease‑up and when vacant units become available during the affordability term.

"As it is drafted now, preferences shall apply to 15% of deed restricted units at new city assisted rental and for sale affordable housing projects," RSG senior analyst Jillian Glickman told commissioners during the presentation. The draft also gives additional preference to households with at least one member who lives in El Segundo, who works in El Segundo (including those who have received and accepted bona fide offers of employment), or who participates in education or job‑training programs located in the city.

Consultants and staff told the commission the policy was designed to mitigate displacement and give priority to people who are already part of the community. "Those key principles include mitigating the effects of displacement on low and moderate income individuals who live or work in the city of El Segundo," a staff presentation stated. The draft also proposes additional preference for public‑safety personnel, school employees and city employees.

Commissioners pressed consultants and staff on implementation details, including how an ongoing preference list would be managed when vacant units become available and who would bear administrative costs. RSG and staff said owners of city‑assisted projects would be responsible for implementing and documenting the preference at initial lease‑up and for ongoing vacancy filling, and that the city would retain oversight and the right to audit. Staff noted the city may need to contract monitoring or auditing services or request resources from City Council when an actual project triggers the requirement.

City Attorney Joaquin cautioned that preferences must comply with federal and state fair‑housing law and with the terms of other funding sources. Staff and consultants said they drafted a conservative 15% set‑aside in part to reduce the risk of disparate‑impact challenges; they also reviewed comparable policies in other California jurisdictions.

Commission discussion focused on two main tradeoffs: (1) how specific the policy should be about which job types receive additional preference (for example, whether to single out sworn first responders, school teachers, or all city employees) and (2) whether the preference should apply to rental units only or to for‑sale affordable units as well. Commissioners generally expressed concern about administrative burden and legal optics of narrow subcategories, and indicated a preference during the meeting to treat rental units as the primary application; staff noted for‑sale affordable units are uncommon and create additional monitoring complexity.

Commissioner votes were recorded by roll call: Commissioner Christian — aye; Commissioner Taylor — aye; Commissioner McCafferty — aye; Vice Chair Inga — aye; Chair McGaughy — aye. The motion as stated on the record was "to adopt res resolution 29 64 recommending city council adopt live work preference and policy for the new assisted affordable housing projects in the city of El Segundo." The commission approved that motion 5‑0 and instructed staff to return recommended ordinance language and administrative procedures to City Council for final action and for further refinement of implementation details, including monitoring and potential resource needs.

Next steps: staff will bring the commission’s recommendation and the draft policy to City Council. Staff and consultants advised that if Council directs implementation, the city and owners will need to finalize administrative procedures — including lottery mechanics, verification standards, and audit arrangements — and confirm compatibility with funding sources and fair‑housing requirements before the preference is applied to a specific project.