City Council

PUBLIC HEARINGS PH 1. Amendments to the Lancaster Municipal Code Relating to Landscaping, Water Efficient Landscape Design, and Root Barrier Requirements Recommendation(s): · Introduce Ordinance No. ___, amending Chapter 8.30, repealing and replacing Chapter 8.50, and amending Chapters 8.48 and 12.20 of the Lancaster Municipal Code relating to landscaping installation and maintenance, water efficient landscape design, and root barrier requirements, and adopting by reference the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Sections 490 through 495; and · Adopt Resolution No. ___, adopting the updated City of Lancaster Landscape and Irrigation Design Standards and rescinding and superseding prior editions of the Design Standards. The City’s current water efficient landscape regulations are contained in Chapter 8.50 of the Lancaster Municipal Code and were adopted in 2019. Since that time, the California Department of Water Resources has repealed and readopted the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), with the restructured regulations becoming operative January 2, 2025. As part of these changes, the reference evapotranspiration value applicable to Lancaster was revised from 71.1 inches annually to 65.3 inches annually. Additionally, Assembly Bill 1572 established phased restrictions on the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on specified properties. Properties owned by local governments and public agencies become subject to these restrictions beginning January 1, 2027. PH 2. Public Hearing for City Council consideration to receive comments and file the 2025-2026 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Recommendation(s): 1. Conduct a public hearing and upon accepting public testimony concerning housing and community development needs, priority non-housing community development needs, proposed strategies and actions for affirmatively furthering fair housing, the development of proposed activities, and review of program performance, proposals and questions; 2. Approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) prepared for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to report on specific Federal housing assistance and community development activities undertaken by the City during the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026; and 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute any documents necessary to submit the CAPER, along with any comments received during the public hearing and public comment period to HUD. This report covers the period between July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Submission of this report marks the completion of the first year in the current Five-Year Consolidated Plan cycle spanning July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. As required, the report has been available to the public prior to the public hearing. At the conclusion of the public hearing, the report will be submitted to HUD. In FY 2025-2026, the City successfully carried out the actions outlined in both the One-Year Action Plan and the Five-Year Consolidated Plan. This investment of CDBG and HOME funds was a catalyst for positive change in the community. PH 3. Substantial Amendment to the City’s 2017-2018 Annual Action Plan Recommendation(s): a. Conduct a public hearing and upon accepting public testimony; b. Approve the Substantial Amendment to the 2017-2018 Annual Action Plan (AAP) to allow for the change in end use of the Lancaster Master Plan Community Development (MPCD) Ave J/15th St West Tentative & Final Maps, utilizing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, from the development of affordable housing to the development of a public facility; and c. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute and transmit all necessary documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), including the Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan. HUD requires all entitlement communities receiving CDBG funds, such as the City, to prepare and submit a Consolidated Plan every five (5) years to establish a unified, strategic vision for economic development, housing and community development actions. The Consolidated Plan encompasses the analysis of local community needs and coordinates appropriate responses to those needs and priorities. CLOSED SESSION