RESOLUTION NO. 2025-51
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GONZALES
DETERMINING THAT THE COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) APPLIES TO THE PROPOSED 6th
CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT, GENERAL PLAN LAND USE TEXT AMENDMENT
AND ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT/MAP AMENDMENTS AS SUPPORTED BY THE
HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE CEQA EXEMPTION TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM PREPARED IN FEBRUARY OF 2025
WHEREAS, local governments are required by Government Code Section 65350 et. seq. to prepare, adopt, and amend general plans; and
WHEREAS, State law requires every general plan to include seven mandatory elements, and the housing element is one of the mandatory elements; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with State law, a draft Housing Element for the 2023-2031 planning period was prepared by the City of Gonzales; and
WHEREAS, on February 29, 2024, the City submitted a Public Review Draft of the 2023-2031 Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review; and
WHEREAS, on May 29, 2024, HCD issued a letter regarding its review of the draft 2023-2031 Housing Element; and
WHEREAS, the City revised its draft 2023-2031 Housing Element in response to each of HCD’s comments; and
WHEREAS, on December 24, 2024, the City received a letter from HCD stating that the 2023- 2031 Housing Element meets most statutory requirements and after implementation of program HE1.1.4 to rezone six parcels (APNs 020-011-001, 223-081-015, 223-081-013, 223-081-012, 223-081-016, 223-081-014) and amend the City’s Industrial Land Use designation in the Geneal Plan to allow for residential, the City will be found in compliance, and
WHEREAS, the City will submit the 2023-2031 Housing Element to HCD for final review of compliance; and,
WHEREAS, to implement Program HE-1.1.4 of the City of Gonzales’s 2023-2031 Housing Element, and as directed by HCD, a General Plan Amendment to adjust the Industrial land use designation to allow multifamily residential uses within the Industrial district by adding a new Affordable Housing Overlay Zone to allow up to 30 units to the acre will be considered by the City; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to the General Plan and Zoning Regulations have been reviewed, studied, and found to be exempt from analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) as more fully described below; and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2025, the Planning Commission of the City of Gonzales held a duly noticed public hearing at which all persons wishing to testify in connection with the proposed actions were heard; and
WHEREAS, on July 14, 2025, the Planning Commission of the City of Gonzales recommended that the City Council determine that the General Plan and Zoning Regulations to implement the 6th Cycle Housing Element are exempt from CEQA; and
WHEREAS, the staff report and supporting materials accompanying this Resolution are found to be true, are adopted as Facts and Findings, and are incorporated by reference in this Resolution; and WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites prior to adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Gonzales approves:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The above recitals are incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. CEQA DETERMINATION. The City finds and determines that the proposed 6th Cycle Housing Element along with the General Plan Land Use Text Amendment are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) subject to Section 15061(b)(3) – the Common Sense Exemption, and will not have a significant, adverse effect on the environment. This determination is supported by the 18-page Housing Element Update CEQA Exemption Technical Memorandum prepared in February of 2025 (Exhibit A to this Resolution),
SECTION 3. CEQA DETERMINATION. The City finds and determines that the proposed Zoning Ordinance Text/Map Amendments, are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) subject to Section 15061(b)(3) – the Common Sense Exemption, and will not have a significant, adverse effect on the environment. This determination is supported by the 18-page Technical Memorandum prepared in February of 2025 (Exhibit A to this Resolution).
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Gonzales at a meeting held on this 4th day of August 2025 by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Jose L. Rios, The Honorable Mayor
ATTEST:
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk
Housing Element Update
CEQA Exemption
Technical Memorandum
City of Gonzales
Prepared for:
The City of Gonzales
Contact: Taven M. Kinison Brown, Community Development Director Community Development Department
147 Fourth Street
Gonzales, California 93926
Prepared by:
PlaceWorks
Contact: Mark Teague, AICP, Managing Principal
101 Parkshore Drive, Suite 200
Folsom, California 95630
[email protected]
February 2025
Exhibit A
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Table of Contents
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Section Page
1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................1
1.1 PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND REQUIREMENTS................................................................... 1
2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION...........................................................................................................2
2.1 REGIONAL LOCATION.......................................................................................................... 2
2.2 PROPOSED PROJECT............................................................................................................ 2
3. FINDINGS CONCERNING CEQA EXEMPTION.............................................................................9
3.1 CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3): COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION.......................... 9
3.2 ANALYSIS IN SUPPORT OF FINDINGS................................................................................... 9
4. REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................17
FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Gonzales’ Sites Inventory Map ...........................................................................................5 TABLES
Table 2-1 Gonzales’ RHNA Summary..................................................................................................3 Table 2-2 Rezoning Sites to Meet Gonzales’ RHNA ............................................................................4 Table 3-1 Proposed 2023 – 2031 Housing Element and CEQA Determination ................................11
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1. Introduction
1.1 PURPOSE
This Technical Memorandum shall serve as an evaluation of the City of Gonzales 2023-2031 (6th cycle) Housing Element Update concerning California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance. This Technical Memorandum was prepared to present: (1) the findings from the CEQA compliance review, as described below; and (2) the recommendations concerning the appropriate CEQA compliance documentation.
1.2 STATUTORY AUTHORITY AND REQUIREMENTS
Once it is determined that an activity is a project subject to CEQA, it is then determined whether the project is exempt from CEQA. CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) outlines how a project may be exempt as follows:
A project is exempt from CEQA if:
1) The project is exempt by statute (see, e.g., Article 18, commencing with CEQA Guidelines Section 15260).
2) The project is exempt pursuant to a categorical exemption (see Article 19, commencing with CEQA Guidelines Section 15300), and the application of that categorical exemption is not barred by one of the exceptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2. 3) The activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
4) The project will be rejected or disapproved by a public agency. (See CEQA Guidelines Section 15270(b)).
5) The project is exempt pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.5 of Chapter 3.
The proposed project would be exempt as a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because the implementation of the proposed project would not have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment, as further discussed in Section 3, Findings Concerning CEQA Exemption.
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2. Project Description
2.1 REGIONAL LOCATION
The City of Gonzales is in the central Salinas Valley, approximately 16 miles south of Salinas and 33 miles north of King City. Highway 101 bisects the city from north to south. In Gonzales, the valley floor is roughly six miles wide, with fields dedicated to agriculture production. These agricultural areas extend nearly to the base of the Sierra de Salinas to the west and the Gabilan Mountains to the east. The city is surrounded by prime agricultural land. To the northeast of Gonzales lies Chualar, an unincorporated farming town, as well as Chualar Canyon. Gonzales is the first community encountered when traveling south from Salinas and the Monterey Bay area.
2.2 PROPOSED PROJECT
2.2.1 Project Background
The proposed 2023–2031 Housing Element would replace the existing 2015–2023 Housing Element and serve as the City of Gonzales’s guiding housing policy document to help meet the City’s future needs of housing for all the City’s economic levels.
Ordinarily, as a policy document, the Housing Element would not result in physical changes to the environment but rather encourage the provision of affordable housing within the housing development project within the existing land use designations in the Land Use Element of the General Plan. However, in this instance, the proposed 2023–2031 Housing Element includes programs that require the City to revise the Zoning Code, such as:
1) An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, amending Title 12 Zoning, of the City of Gonzales Municipal Code to add Chapter 12.110 (AHO Affordable Housing Overlay) 2) An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, amending Title 12 Zoning, of the City of Gonzales Municipal Code to add Chapter 12.54 (Reasonable Accommodations) 3) An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, amending Title 12 Zoning, of the City of Gonzales Municipal Code to add Chapter 12.154 (Local Education Agency Lands). 4) An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, amending Title 12 Zoning, of the City of Gonzales Municipal Code to add Chapter 12.156 (Employee Housing) 5) An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, amending Title 12 Zoning, of the City of Gonzales Municipal Code to add Chapter 12.158 (Licensed Residential Care Facilities) 6) An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Gonzales, California, amending Title 12 Zoning, of the City of Gonzales Municipal Code to add Chapter 12.160 (Transitional and Supportive Housing)
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7) Adoption of an ordinance to amend Zoning Code Chapters 12.08 (Definitions), 12.48 (Density Bonus), 12.56 (Summary of Zoning Districts and Permitted Uses), 12.112 (General Applications), and 12.120 (Parking) to include additional definitions, permitted use, and updating parking requirements and density bonus based on State law.
2.2.2 Meeting Gonzales’ Regional Housing Needs Allocation The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is a part of State Housing Element law that determines the projected and existing housing needs for each local jurisdiction in California. State housing law requires each jurisdiction’s Housing Element to demonstrate that the jurisdiction has sufficient land zoned for housing and plans to meet its RHNA, and that there are no unnecessary barriers to the housing approval process to meet the RHNA targets. The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) conducts the RHNA process for jurisdictions in the Monterey Bay region. The City must plan for and help facilitate the development of 1,266 new housing units in the community, as shown in Table 2-1, Gonzales’ RHNA Summary. Accounting for accessory dwelling units, junior accessory dwelling units, vacant sites, nonvacant sites, and the Vista Lucia annexation, the City is projected to have a total of 1,322 surplus units across all income categories.
TABLE 2-1 GONZALES’ RHNA SUMMARY
Income Category RHNA
Projected
ADUs/JADUs
Vacant Site
Capacity
RHNA
Surplus
Vista Lucia
Annexation3
Nonvacant
Sites4
Very Low 173
24 2731 9 429 0
Low 115
Moderate 321 12 276 (33)
2 26 37
Above Moderate 657 4 709 56 792 6
Total 1,266 40 1,258 32 1,247 43
Notes:
1 Under Implementation Action HE-1.1.4, Affordable Housing Overlay Rezone, an Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) will be applied on 13.66 acres of land across six parcels zoned Industrial with a General Plan designation of Industrial/Manufacturing to meet the lower-income RHNA.
2 It is assumed that a combination of the lower- and above moderate-income (density up to 7 dwelling units per acre) RHNA surplus will meet the moderate-income need. Additionally, any development on nonvacant sites will add additional capacity. 3 Under Implementation Action HE-1.1.3, Annexations, the City will work with LAFCo and project applicants to facilitate applications for the annexation of these parcels to provide additional capacity. Annexations will undergo independent environmental review for CEQA. Annexation is not part of this proposed project. No further analysis is required. 4 Nonvacant sites are assumed to provide additional capacity and are not assumed to meet the RHNA.
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To expand the City’s site capacity for the lower-income RHNA of 288 units, the City will adopt an Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) that will be applied on 13.66 acres of land across six parcels zoned Industrial with a General Plan designation of Industrial/Manufacturing, as shown in Table 2-2, Rezoning Sites to Meet Gonzales’ RHNA. The proposed AHO would provide a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre (du/acre) and a maximum density of 30 du/acre. The proposed AHO will yield at least 273 units to meet the lower-income RHNA.
Figure 2-1, Gonzales’ Sites Inventory Map, shows the location of the proposed project sites.
TABLE 2-2 REZONING SITES TO MEET GONZALES’ RHNA
Site #
Assessor’s Parcel
Number Existing Zoning Proposed Zoning Existing GPLU Total Acreage 1 020-011-001 Industrial I-AHO Industrial/Manufacturing 3.22 2 223-081-015 Industrial I-AHO Industrial/Manufacturing 2.00 3 223-081-013 Industrial I-AHO Industrial/Manufacturing 2.18 4 223-081-012 Industrial I-AHO Industrial/Manufacturing 2.27 5 223-081-016 Industrial I-AHO Industrial/Manufacturing 2.00 6 223-081-014 Industrial I-AHO Industrial/Manufacturing 1.99
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Figure 2-1 Gonzales’ Sites Inventory Map
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2.2.3 Proposed Housing Element Programs
The proposed project includes 26 programs to encourage housing production and outline steps for future housing implementation. Programs were modified to comply with State law, combined to consolidate programs with similar intent to aid in implementation, or eliminated where the City has completed the identified task. These programs are either informational or would not result in physical changes to the environment, except for the programs listed below. Since CEQA requires the City to evaluate the environmental impacts of direct and reasonably foreseeable indirect physical changes, these specific programs are analyzed in Section 3.2, Analysis in Support of Findings.
To support the proposed Affordable Housing Overlay Rezone, the Industrial/Manufacturing land use designation on page 11-46 of the Land Use Element will need to be amended to read as follows (addition in italic underline):
Industrial/Manufacturing
The primary purpose of this designation is to define those areas that are appropriate for heavy industrial and manufacturing uses, the location of which may create land use conflicts with residential uses and schools. The emphasis is on agricultural services but other types of industry compatible with the policies in the General Plan are encouraged. The designation permits industrial parks, light manufacturing, warehousing, wineries, auto and farm equipment sales or repair establishments, feed stores, lumber yards, construction supply companies, and similar compatible uses. Compatible highway-serving uses like gas stations, restaurants, motels, and truck stops are permitted in this area. The maximum permitted Floor Area Ratio is 0.5. Multifamily residential uses are permitted with the applicable Affordable Housing Overlay Zone at a minimum of 20 units per acre and a maximum density of 30 units per acre.
This designation has been applied to 423 acres of land in Gonzales, including 383 acres of land west of Highway 101 and 40 acres of land east of Highway 101. This destination is also used in the urban reserve area.
Implementation Action HE-1.1.4 Affordable Housing Overlay Rezone The City will implement an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone District (AHO) on sites used to meet the lowerincome RHNA . The sites inventory has identified 13.66 acres of land across six parcels with an Industrial with a General Plan Designation of Industrial/Manufacturing and zoned Industrial (I) that will yield at least 273 units to meet the lower-income RHNA. Housing projects permitted within the AHO must comply with all provisions set forth in Government Code Sections 65583.2 (h) and (i), as listed below. ▪ Permit owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses by-right and not require a conditional use permit or other discretionary review or approval for developments in which 20 percent or more of the total units are affordable to lower-income households.
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▪ Ensure that each site can accommodate at least 16 units per site and require that all residential development achieve a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre on sites with the AHO and allow 30 units per acre.
▪ Ensure development standards are appropriate for development to achieve maximum densities.
The proposed Housing Element also includes the following list of programs that require the City to revise the Zoning Code and their proposed changes:
▪ Implementation Action HE-1.2.3: Objective Development Standards o Eliminating density limits and establishing form-based development standards for the Downtown Mixed Use (MU) and Downtown Mixed Use-Commercial Core (MU-CC) zones, aligning with single-room occupancy (SRO) housing.
o Proposing an ordinance to reduce or eliminate parking minimums for commercial or residential uses in the MU and MU-CC districts to encourage downtown redevelopment. o Reducing parking requirements for multifamily projects and complying with state law for emergency shelters.
▪ Implementation Action HE-1.2.4: Density Bonus Programs o Provides developers the option to maximize the use of a site and obtain concessions on land use regulations.
o Amend the Density Bonus Ordinance to defer to statute and clarify that any local supplemental density bonus programs provide bonuses and incentives beyond those of State law. o Include the legislation for the development of housing on local education agency lands. o Include an Urban Agriculture Supplemental Density Bonus Program for projects including at least 500 square feet of edible garden space available to all residents in the development. o Allow a Large Family Supplementary Density Bonus Program for rental developments. o Allow a Universal Design Supplementary Density Bonus Program for projects that incorporate Universal Design features.
▪ Implementation Action HE-1.3.2: Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types O Allowing permanent supportive housing as a by-right use in zones permitting multifamily and mixed-use housing;
O Permitting low-barrier navigation centers as a by-right use in similar zones; O Allowing employee housing in compliance with state health and safety codes; O Permitting junior accessory dwelling units in all single-family dwellings, in line with state law; O Removing constraints on residential care facilities and permitting group homes for six or fewer persons as single-family uses;
O Allowing manufactured homes in residential zones under the same requirements as other single-family homes;
O Increasing density in the R-2 zone to at least 20 units per acre;
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O Reviewing specific plans to ensure alignment with state laws regarding various housing types; O Allowing by-right development with at least 20 units per acre for sites with affordable housing; O Broadening the definition of family and amending emergency shelter definitions to include interim housing solutions;
O Clarifying definitions of transitional and supportive housing, permitting them as residential uses with the same restrictions as other residential uses.
▪ Implementation Action HE-1.3.3: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Production o Updating development standards and introducing new programs, the City aims to make it easier for property owners to build ADUs, assist in financing, monitor affordability, and ensure compliance with State laws.
▪ Implementing Action HE-2.2.3: Housing and Services for Individuals with Disabilities o Enhance housing and services for individuals with disabilities by promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
o Expand housing options that accommodate the needs of people of all ages and abilities by encouraging the use of Universal Design features in housing. o Establish a streamlined procedure for individuals with disabilities to request reasonable accommodations related to zoning laws and land use regulations. Implementing Action HE2.2.4: Farmworker Housing ▪ Implementing Action HE-2.3.1: Anti-Displacement Actions o Amend the Municipal Code to offer enhanced Tenant Relocation Assistance for low- or moderate-income tenants evicted for no-fault just cause o Provide tenant relocation assistance, maintaining and rehabilitating older homes, promoting the preservation of affordable housing, and ensuring the continued affordability of existing housing projects. The program also aims to provide resources for tenants and property owners to support housing stability, prevent housing loss, and maintain the quality of housing stock in the city.
These programs propose amendments to Title 12 of the City’s Zoning Code, adding new chapters on reasonable accommodation, local education agency lands, employee housing, licensed residential care facilities, and transitional and supportive housing. In addition, updates will be made to existing chapters, including new definitions, permitted uses, and revisions to density bonus and parking requirements to ensure alignment with State law. The proposed changes are intended to reflect existing State law, with no impact anticipated, as the policy will be fully compliant and can be implemented without requiring a zone change.
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3. Findings Concerning CEQA
Exemption
3.1 CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3): COMMON
SENSE EXEMPTION
The proposed project is exempt as a “common sense” exemption under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because the project involves policies, programs, and actions to meet the County’s RHNA allocation that would not have the potential to cause a significant physical effect on the environment. As it can be seen with certainty there is no possibility that the proposed project would significantly affect the environment; therefore, the project is exempt from CEQA under the common sense exemption.
3.2 ANALYSIS IN SUPPORT OF FINDINGS
Implementation Action HE-1.1.4, Affordable Housing Overlay Rezone, would create a zoning overlay that would allow affordable housing projects to be built at a density of up to 30 units per acre on 13.66 acres of land across six parcels that are currently zoned Industrial. The new AHO zone district overlay will yield at least 273 units to meet the lower-income RHNA. Although the AHO would allow housing in an area that currently does not permit residential land uses, the industrial/manufacturing land use designation and industrial zone district already allow for the construction of industrial buildings. While the existing industrial zone district allows for a caretaker or live/work dwelling units with approval of a conditional use permit, 1 the new AHO zone overlay would expand the potential residential land use and eliminate the need for a conditional use permit for qualifying affordable housing projects.
Because the sites are already zoned for industrial uses, and surrounded by existing urban development, the parcels are served by existing public services sized for industrial land use. The addition of housing would be expected to reduce the demand for some utility services such as water, wastewater, and power, while potentially increasing the demand for public services such as police, fire, schools, and parks. The physical impacts to public services (new buildings or pipelines) are addressed through impact fees and community master plans, and the cost of utility services are covered by connection fees. Development impact and building permit fees pay the capital costs of public facilities that serve a project, such as water, sanitary sewer, circulation system, parks, fire, and police. The City’s Municipal Code Chapter 1.48, Impact Mitigation Fees, includes the fees for these services that are paid at the time of building permit issuance and are not dependent on CEQA.
1 Table 1, Permitted and Conditionally Permitted Uses, in the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 12.56, Summary of Zoning Districts and Permitted Uses.
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Developers are also required to pay impact fees to the Gonzales Unified School District for the construction of educational facilities. The school district’s fee for residential development is currently $4.79 per square foot, and $1.85 per square foot in the area of the District where only high school services are provided (Gonzales 2025).
Physical impacts to biological or cultural resources, dust, odor, and stormwater runoff would be expected to be less than industrial uses because the act of construction (i.e., grubbing, grading, trenching, excavation, paving) is similar regardless of the land use. Additionally, the policies identified in the General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to reduce physical environmental effects would also apply to the proposed project. For example, Policy LU-1.2, Development Pays Fair Share, mandates that new development contribute its fair share toward the cost of capital improvements and facilities needed to support the development. Policy COS-4.3, No Urbanization Outside of Growth Area, would protect biological resources as the policy permits urban development only within the areas designated for urban uses on the Land Use Diagram. In addition, Policy CIR-8.1, Increase Opportunities for Biking and Walking, requires new development to address global warming through the design of transportation/circulation systems that facilitate and encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel; promote personal health, recreation, and enjoyment; and reduce the rate of energy consumption and air pollution (Gonzales 2010).
Although Implementation Action HE-1.1.4, Affordable Housing Overlay Rezone, would amend the zoning code, this change would not substantially alter the land use pattern of the city, and the adopted measures to address physical impacts on the environment would be applied resulting in the same impacts as evaluated in the General Plan EIR.
As mentioned in Section 2.2.1, Project Background, the proposed project includes programs that require the City to revise the Zoning Code, to address development standards and barriers to support a variety of housing types. The proposed amendments to the City’s Zoning Code would not result in significant environmental impacts as these development standards and facilities would still be required to comply with the City’s General Plan and its zoning and land use designations.
These programs would not result in significant environmental changes to the environment, would comply with State law, and would not result in substantial new changes. Table 3-1, Proposed 2023 – 2031 Housing Element and CEQA Determination, shows that each major program intends to update policies to comply with State law. The new development would occur on land currently designated and zoned to allow residential uses to occur under the City’s General Plan and Zoning, except for the six parcels identified in the Implementation Action HE-1.1.4, Affordable Housing Overlay Rezone. In addition, subsequent amendments to the City’s land use or zoning regulations would be subject to separate CEQA review at the time the amendments are prepared. In addition, future by-right development would still be subject to federal, state, and local regulations related to land use, such as the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, wetland conservation, and construction air quality permitting. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the proposed project would not significantly affect the environment and is exempt from further CEQA analysis.
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TABLE 3-1 PROPOSED 2023 – 2031 HOUSING ELEMENT AND CEQA DETERMINATION Program California State Code Sections CEQA Determinations Implementation Action HE-1.2.3: Objective Development Standards The City will amend its Zoning Code to include development standards that are clear, objective, and compliant with state law. [New]
Action (A): Eliminate density limits and develop form-based objective development standards for the Downtown Mixed Use (MU) and Downtown Mixed Use-Commercial Core (MU-CC) zone districts. Align the objective development standards with single-room occupancy (SRO) housing.
Action (B): Present a recommended ordinance regarding the elimination or reduction of parking minimums on commercial or residential uses in the MU and MU-CC zone districts to incentivize the redevelopment of downtown commercial lots and retain a mix of uses in the City’s commercial areas.
Action (C): Amend the City’s Zoning Code to use the reduced parking requirements for all multifamily projects (Government Code § 65915) and comply with the management standards for emergency shelters pursuant to state law (AB 139).
California Code, Government
Code Section 65915
Assembly Bill 139
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
Implementation Action HE-1.2.4: Density Bonus Programs
The City will encourage the development of housing through density bonus programs.
Density Bonus Law provides developers the option to maximize the use of a site and obtain concessions on land use regulations. [New]
Action (A): Amend the Density Bonus Ordinance to defer to statute and clarify that any local supplemental density bonus programs provide bonuses and incentives beyond those of State law.
Action (B): Pursuant to Government Code § 65914.7 (AB 2295 of 2022), amend the City’s Code to include the legislation that goes into effect on January 1, 2024, for the development of housing on local education agency (LEA) lands. City staff will conduct direct outreach to school districts annually to assess development opportunities.
Action (C): Amend the Zoning Code to include an Urban Agriculture Supplemental Density Bonus Program for projects including at least 500 square feet of edible garden space available to all residents in the development.
Action (D): Amend the Zoning Code to allow a Large Family Supplementary Density Bonus Program for rental developments of five or more dwelling units that provide more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the rental units for large families (three-bedrooms), or at least twenty percent (20%) as 4+ bedrooms.
Action (E): Amend the Zoning Code to allow a Universal Design Supplementary Density Bonus Program for projects that incorporate the following Universal Design features in more than twenty percent (20%) of units, at a minimum: at least one stepless entry on an California Code, Government
Code Section 65915
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
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Program California State Code Sections CEQA Determinations accessible path of travel, a complete livable entry floor, including 32 inches clear width doorways & hallways, and the provision of all environmental controls at accessible heights.
Implementation Action HE-1.3.2: Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types The City will update its Zoning Code to accommodate a variety of housing types and comply with state law. (Source: 2015-2023 Gonzales Housing Element HE-1.1.1 & HE-1.1.2, modified) Action (A): Allow Permanent Supportive Housing, as defined in Government Code Section 65650, to be a by-right use in all zones where multifamily and mixed-uses are permitted. (California Government Code § 65650, AB 2162)
Action (B): Allow Low Barrier Navigation Centers to be a by-right use in zones where multifamily and mixed-uses are permitted, including the nonresidential zones where multifamily is permitted. (California Government Code § 65660) Action (C): Allow Employee Housing, consistent with California Health and Safety Code, as follows,
• H & S section 17021.5 which requires employee housing for six or fewer employees to be treated as a single-family structure and permitted in the same manner as other dwellings of the same type in the same zone,
• H & S section 17021.6 which allows no more than 36 beds in group quarters (or 12 units or less) designed for use by a single family or household to be treated as an agricultural use, and
• H & S section 17021.8 which requires that a development is subject to a streamlined, ministerial approval process and is not subject to a conditional use permit (CUP) if the development is an eligible agricultural employee housing development.
Action (D): Allow JADUs within all single-family dwellings and ensure all ADU/JADU requirements are compliant with State law. (Government Code § 65852.2) Action (E): Review site plan permit approval findings to identify and remove any potential constraints. Allow Residential Care Facilities for 7 or more persons as a permitted use in all zones residential uses of the same type, subject only to clear, transparent, objective standards. In addition, permit group homes for six or fewer persons as a single-family use. (Health and Safety Code Section 1566.3)
Action (G): Allow Manufactured Homes – Amend the City’s Zoning Code to permit manufactured homes in the same manner, in the same zones, and only subject to the same requirements as other single-family residential uses. (Government Code § 65852.3) Action (H): Increase the allowable density in the R-2 zone district to at least 20 dwelling units per acre.
California Code, Government
Code Sections 65583(a)(5), and
65583(c)(3).
California Code, Government
Code Section 65662; Assembly
Bill 101
California Code, Health and
Safety Code - Sections
17021.5, 17021.6, and
17021.8
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
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Program California State Code Sections CEQA Determinations Action (I): Review existing Specific Plans to determine if amendments are needed to ensure consistency with State laws related to transitional housing, supportive housing, group homes, Low Barrier Navigation Centers, and ADUs. If deemed inconsistent with State law, the City will amend the Specific Plans to bring them into compliance.
Action (J): When 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households on sites identified to accommodate the lower income RHNA that was previously identified in past Housing Elements, development shall be by-right at a density of at least 20 units per acre. (Government Code § 65583.2(i)).
Action (K): Include a broadened definition of family that provides zoning code occupancy standards specific to unrelated adults and does not limit the number of persons within the residence, and complies with fair housing laws. In addition, the City will amend the definition of emergency shelter to include other interim interventions, including, but not limited to, a navigation center, bridge housing, and respite or recuperative care.
Action (L): Clarify the definitions of transitional housing and supportive housing in the City’s Zoning Ordinance and permit as a residential use subject only to the restrictions that apply to other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.
Implementation Action HE-1.3.3: Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Production Due to recent updates in State law, the City will update development standards for ADUs.
Additionally, the City will establish new programs to further promote the development of ADUs to help facilitate multi-generational living and reduce overcrowding. [Source: 2015- 2023 Gonzales Housing Element HE-3.1.4, modified]
Action (A): Develop a pre-approved ADU program.
Action (B): Provide informational materials on the City’s website that contain information on ADUs and AB 916 allowances.
Action (C): Post an ADU hotline and an electronic copy of the California Department of Housing and Community Development ADU Handbook on the City’s website and make physical copies available at City Hall.
Action (D): Amend the Zoning Code to allow for the construction of one unrestricted ADU for every affordable ADU deed-restricted to lower and moderate-income residents for 15 years.
Action (E): Perform free on-site assessments for property owners interested in developing an ADU or JADU.
Action (F): Assist qualified homeowners with applications for HUD funding for ADU development.
Section 66315 of the California
Government Code
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
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Program California State Code Sections CEQA Determinations Action (G): Maintain an inventory of ADU production and affordability. Affordability levels will be monitored through the development of an affordability survey. The survey will be sent to property owners on the City’s ADU inventory list on an annual basis.
Action (H): Determine if ADU production is occurring at the projected rate to meet the 6th cycle RHNA. If ADU development progress is determined to not meet the per-year average of the housing production goals when completing the Housing Element Annual Progress Report, the City will adopt an amendment to the ADU development regulations allowing two attached, one detached, and one JADU to further facilitate ADU production within six months.
Action (I): Explore the feasibility of allowing two ADUs with a shared wall as a means to facilitate the development of affordable housing, reduce overcrowding, and support multi-generational housing.
Action (J): Upon receipt of HCD’s comments on the City’s ADU Ordinance, update the ordinance consistent with State ADU law.
Implementing Action HE-2.2.3: Housing and Services for Individuals with Disabilities The City acknowledges the diversity of individuals' abilities and the fact that many individuals experience temporary or permanent changes in their ability to perform tasks. With the goal of broadening services and housing options that are fully functional and accommodate the needs of people of all ages and abilities, the City will encourage the use of Universal Design features in housing and create a formalized procedure for reasonable accommodation requests. See also Program HE-1.2.4 for Implementation Actions related to Zoning Code amendments that incentivize projects that incorporate Universal Design features. [Source:
2015-2023 Gonzales Housing Element HE-3.1.3 and HE-3.1.5, modified] Action (A): Create a Universal Design fact sheet and make available online and at the permit counter. The fact sheet will be made available in both English and Spanish.
Action (B): Meet with housing developers to encourage the incorporation of Universal Design features in tract homes.
Action (C): Amend Municipal Code to establish a simple, administrative procedure wherein persons with disabilities seeking equal access to housing may request reasonable accommodation in the application of zoning laws and other land use regulations, policies, and procedures. This action will replace the existing reasonable accommodations review process.
Action (D): Create a bilingual brochure on reasonable accommodation for the public and make available both online and at City Hall.
California Code Regulations,
Title 2, Section 11068
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
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Program California State Code Sections CEQA Determinations Implementing Action HE-2.2.4: Farmworker Housing
The City will take an active role towards addressing this issue to ensure that farmworkers have access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing. See also Programs HE-1.2.4 and HE1.3.2 for Zoning Code amendments that incentivize the development of affordable housing and a variety housing types. [Source: 2015-2023 Gonzales Housing Element HE-3.1.6, modified]
Action (A): Continue to seek funding for farmworker housing through the Joe Serna Jr.
Farmworker Housing Grant Program at least every other year.
Action (B): Meet with surrounding jurisdictions and local organizations to collaborate on the implementation of the actions included in the Farmworker Housing Study and Action Plan for Salinas Valley and Pajaro Valley. Coordinate with the County of Monterey in their efforts to support and promote the development of farmworker housing (County HE Program H-5.G).
Action (C): Create a fact sheet on farmworker housing and make available online and at City Hall.
Action (D): Reach out to agricultural employers and non-profit developers operating in the region to identify site opportunities for the development of permanent housing for agricultural employees or rehabilitation of existing farmworker housing and provide technical assistance on funding applications and throughout the entitlement process, at least every other year.
Action (E): Amend the Municipal Code to adopt the opt-in provisions of the Farmworker Housing Act of 2019 (AB 1783 – Rivas).
California Code, Health and
Safety Code – Sections 17021.5,
17021.6, and 17021.8
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
Implementing Action HE-2.3.1: Anti-Displacement Actions The City acknowledges the need to not only produce housing but preserve the existing housing stock and take action to prevent displacement of low-income communities and communities of color. [Source: 2015-2023 Gonzales Housing Element HE-4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3,
5.3.1, modified]
Action (A): Amend the Municipal Code to add commitments for Tenant Relocation Assistance that provides enhanced relocation payments beyond the requirements of CA Civil Code 1946.2 to Gonzales tenants earning low or moderate incomes evicted for no-fault just cause.
Action (B): Post a bilingual (Spanish/English) fact sheet regarding the Tenant Relocation Assistance text amendment on the housing webpage of the City’s website.
Action (C): Assess options upon sunset of the Tenant Protection Act for eligibility of local provisions within the purview of State law.
California Civil Code Section
1946.2(b)
No impact as this policy
would be compliant with
existing State law and can be
implemented without a zone
change.
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Program California State Code Sections CEQA Determinations Action (D): Maintain an active rehabilitation program by applying for the use of federal and state programs to assist lower-income homeowners and renters in the maintenance and rehabilitation of their properties.
Action (E): Continue to promote the preservation and rehabilitation of older homes and affordable homes at risk of conversion in Gonzales. Demolition of older homes will be discouraged unless: (1) the home poses a health or safety hazard and cannot be economically restored, or (2) the replacement housing will provide additional needed dwelling units and will be architecturally compatible with the neighborhood.
Action (F): Continue to implement the City’s Rental Housing Inspection program. Rental dwelling units, except units owned or managed by government agencies, are inspected every three years. [Source: 2015-2023 Gonzales Housing Element HE-4.1.2, not modified] Action (G): Monitor the continued affordability of the affordable housing projects in the City, including Gonzales Family RAD, South Canyon RAD (Casa de Oro, Los Ositos), Canyon Creek Apartments, and Fanoe Vista. The City will do so in cooperation with the developers and owners of the individual affordable housing projects.
Action (H): Establish or partner with the Monterey County Housing Authority to provide a listing of affordable units available Citywide and post a link on the City’s website. Include methods (in-person, online, mail) for provide
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4. References
Gonzales, City of. 2025. City Of Gonzales Housing Element Update Sixth Housing Element Cycle 2023- 2031. https://gonzalesca.gov/services/community-development/city-gonzales-6th-cycle-housingelement-update#:~:text=The%20City%20has%20received%20a,Cycle%20(2023%2D2031). ______. 2010. Gonzales 2010 General Plan Environmental Impact Report—Volume 1. https://gonzalesca.gov/sites/default/files/2018-09/Gonzales_GP_DEIR_Volume_1_Web.pdf.
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