Residents of Long Beach have an upcoming opportunity to engage with their city planners at Bixby Park Community Center on February 10th. According to a recent city press release, the event will focus on housing initiatives, rezoning efforts, and offer a workshop on the Enhanced Density Bonus (EDB) Ordinance. The open house is designed to foster community input ahead of a series of city council meetings set to shape the future of the city's housing policies.
The event, taking place from 4:30 to 6 p.m., is part of the "Planning for Housing" series by Long Beach's Community Development Department, and the HOME Community Roadshow focusing on housing, homelessness, and community engagement on these pressing issues. The press release notes that a range of topics, including zoning, urban planning, and accessory dwelling units, will be open for discussion. It's a chance for locals to have a direct line to department heads and city staff, who are tasked to translate the public's concerns and suggestions into actionable policies.
Long Beach's proactive efforts are not just about zoning maps and regulatory language; they also have a human focus. The Office of Homeless Strategy and Partnerships is playing an integral role, utilizing the open house as a platform to deepen the dialogue around homelessness. It signals an administration deeply engaged with the fabric of its community, striving to align the city’s endeavors with the broader goals of the Sixth Cycle Housing Element and state housing mandates.
The city's press release emphasizes the importance of public feedback in shaping Long Beach's housing policies. This event serves as one in a series intended to meet the local community's needs through equitable, inclusive housing policies. Attendance is encouraged, and while pre-registration is not mandatory, it is recommended via the Long Beach Community Development Department’s webpage—additional details, including resources on the upcoming event, and the city’s current housing initiatives, can also be found on their website.
For those requiring language assistance, the city has arranged on-site Spanish interpretation services, with others available upon prior request. These arrangements underline Long Beach’s commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that diverse community voices can be heard and understood in the planning process. For more information or media inquiries, interested parties can reach out to Craig Nakano, Community Information Officer for the Community Development Department.
