The City Council adopted the Annual Growth Policy for 2025 on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
The Municipal Code requires the council to decide how much growth and what type of growth the city will allow, according to the staff report prepared by Contract Planner Kelly Ribuffo.
“Southern California Edison (SCE) is not currently in any stage of water rationing. Fresh water allocations assigned to applicants on the Fresh Water Allocation List will be honored and a waiting list has been established for projects pending availability of new freshwater allocation,” Ribuffo wrote.
“However, at this time no new freshwater allocations will be assigned until SCE completes construction of Phase II of the desalination system expansion, with an estimated completion at the beginning of 2025. Once construction is complete, a water availability assessment will be completed to determine the available water supply and potential water surplus. SCE will notify the City once the assessment is complete with an anticipated timeline for when water will be available for new allocations,” Ribuffo wrote.
The projects that will be allowed are:
“The repair, in-kind replacement, remodeling or enlargement of existing commercial and residential structures, subject to specified conditions;
“• In-fill projects involving limited new construction and subject to specified conditions;
“• Residential tract development, if specified conditions can be met;
“• An ADU or JADU is not allowed in any location within the City unless the water provider indicates there is sufficient water by issuing a water allocation or that no allocation is needed (Avalon Municipal Code§ 9-5.605(a)(3)), or the ADU or JADU is required by state law;
“• Infrastructure projects authorized by the City/Successor Agency;
“• Projects which the Planning Commission determines will not have growth inducing effects; and
“• Projects which are not in-fill in nature or involve existing residential or commercial structures but for which CEQA documents have been adopted and findings made that explain why the resulting growth is beneficial to the City and its residents,” Ribuffo wrote.
“Almost all of the above development categories require confirmation from SCE that adequate fresh water is available to support the proposed project. Planning staff continues to coordinate with SCE regarding review of new planning applications within the city. Potential development applications that staff are aware of are reflected on the current SCE waitlist and/or would fall into one of the above development categories. Therefore, if a water allocation becomes available in 2025, entitlements for these projects would not be delayed by the implementation of the Annual Growth Policy as recommended,” Ribuffo wrote.
