***CITY LETTERHEAD***
April 18, 2025
The Honorable Mark González
California State Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 6150
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: AB 647 (González, M.) Housing Development Approvals: Residential Units.
Notice of OPPOSITION (As of 3/28/25)
Dear Assembly Member González,
The City of Cotati must oppose your AB 647 (González), which would disregard statemandated local housing elements and force cities to allow up to eight housing units — only one of which is required to be affordable — on lots with an existing single-family home or in an area zoned for eight units or less, without any environmental review or public input.
AB 647 would empower developers to bulldoze nearly any home and replace it with eight new units. Once those units are constructed, Government Code Section 66323(a)(4) requires local jurisdictions to allow up to an additional eight ADUs on the same lot, bringing the total allowable units to sixteen, while simultaneously ignoring existing height limits, density requirements, and parking standards.
The City of Cotati appreciates your desire to pursue a proposal that boosts housing production.
Unfortunately, AB 647 ignores local flexibility, decision-making, and community input, which are critical components that, when coupled with ongoing, dedicated funding, can help spur desperately needed housing construction in the state.
AB 647 and other ministerial or by-right housing approval processes fail to recognize the extensive public engagement and costs associated with developing and adopting zoning ordinances and state-mandated housing elements that are certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. It is concerning that cities are being forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars on housing plans only to have them pushed aside and replaced with one-size-fits-all zoning dictated by the Legislature.
For these reasons, the City of Cotati regretfully must oppose AB 647 (González).
Sincerely,
NAME
TITLE
CITY/TOWN of ______________
cc. Your Senator & Assembly Member
Your League Regional Public Affairs Manager (via email) League of California Cities, [email protected]