Here are some of the things the...

Here are some of the things the City Council discussed at Monday’s

meeting:

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The council adopted a new building code requiring developers to

include affordable housing in residential projects. The ordinance was

first conceptualized by the Planning Commission and has been the

policy for most residential building, but was never formally adopted

into law.

WHAT IT MEANS

All new housing projects built in city limits that include three

or more units must make 10% of their project affordable housing.

Developments with less that nine homes can pay a special in-lieu fee

to opt out of the requirement.

At its next meeting, the council will look at whether the

affordable housing created by the ordinance can be prioritized for

people who either work or live in Huntington Beach.

FATS, OILS AND GREASE

The city adopted new regulations for Surf City restaurants to

reduce the disposal of fats, oils and grease down sewer drains. Over

time, build up from the substances clog sewer lines and can lead to

spills and plumbing problems.

WHAT IT MEANS

The city will distribute a video to area eateries encouraging

better kitchen practices to reduce the amount of fats, oils and

grease that get washed down the drain. County health officials will

conduct random inspections to ensure that restaurants are

implementing the proper safeguards and a new fee structure will be

introduced to pay for the program.

DNA EQUIPMENT

The council approved a request by Police Chief Ken Small to donate

the department’s DNA identification equipment to the Orange County

Sheriff’s Department. The equipment was purchased for a special city

crime lab that never materialized due to funding constraints.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Sheriff’s Department will continue to offer free DNA analysis

for the Huntington Beach Police Department. The county law

enforcement agency was eager to take possession of the equipment and

continue its crime lab work, Small said.