CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF HOLLISTER
Minutes of Special Meeting
February 12, 2024
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION NOTICE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Casey called to order the joint special meeting of the City Council of the City of Hollister and Hollister Planning Commission on February, 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the City Council Chambers at 375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95023.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Perez, Resendiz, Morales, Burns, and Mayor Casey present.
Planning Commissioners Belong, Henderson, and Lenoir present.
Attendee Name
Title
Status Arrived
Mia Casey
Mayor
Present
Rick Perez
District 1
Present
Rolan Resendiz
District 2
Present
Dolores Morales
District 3
Present
Tim Burns
District 4
Present
Kevin Henderson
Planning Commission Chair
Present
Carol Lenoir
Planning Commissioner
Present
Christina Ross
Planning Commissioner
Absent
Steven Belong
Planning Commissioner
Present
Luke Corona
Planning Commissioner
Absent
Mary F. Lerner
City Attorney
Present
Jennifer Woodworth
City Clerk
Present
Carlos Reynoso
Police Chief
Present
David Mirrione
City Manager
Present
Gordon Machado
City Treasurer
Absent
VERIFICATION OF AGENDA POSTING
City Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported the agenda for the joint special meeting City Council of the City of Hollister and Hollister Planning Commission of February 12, 2024 was posted on the bulletin board at City Hall on February 9, 2024 at 4:18 p.m. per Government Code Section 54954.2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Resendiz led the Pledge of Allegiance.
A. STUDY SESSION
1. 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE - JOINT STUDY SESSION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Planning Manager Eva Kelly provided the staff report and introduced Bryant DeLaTorre who presented the City's draft Housing Element. Mr. DeLaTorre described public outreach and feedback regarding the draft Housing Element, the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), proposed sites selection for housing, proposed housing policies, and next steps for the Housing Element.
Councilmember Burns requested information regarding the level of public engagement compared to other agencies.
Mr. DeLaTorre explained that the level of engagement is average to that of other jurisdictions with other municipalities having varying levels of public feedback. City staff utilized multiple public outreach strategies and provided multiple engagement opportunities, including social media posts, email and mailing lists, community meetings, Spanish language materials and meetings, outreach at public events, etc.
Councilmember Resendiz inquired how other municipalities are meeting their needs for low and very low housing requirements.
Mr. DeLaTorre reported other municipalities have utilized a variety of strategies, such as increased housing density, mixed use developments, and other zoning modifications.
Mayor Casey requested and received information regarding the potential penalties if the City has not adopted its updated housing element prior to the state's deadline.
Commissioner Belong inquired regarding potential grants to address local limitations, such as sewer capacity.
Mr. DeLaTorre reported local constraints are typically addressed by the local Council of Governments.
Mayor Casey expressed concern regarding building high density housing near the intersection of Highway 25 and San Felipe Road due to a lack of services and transportation in the area.
Ms. Kelly stated various goals and proposed development included in the draft General Plan Update will help address these concerns, such as walkability, mixed use developments, etc.
Mayor Casey opened public comment at 7:56 p.m
Karson Klauer recommended the City have a dedicated staff contact for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and recommended creation of pre -approved ADU plans for the public. Mr. Klauer expressed concern that the proposed density for the sites do not match financial constraints of construction.
Dennis Martin with the Building Industry Association of the Bay Area recommended the City pause work on the Housing Element until the General Plan Update is complete. Mr. Martin stated his organization views the City's impact fees and building uny uouncil Monday, February 12, 2024 Page 2 of 3
permit as the highest in the region and requested the City include information regarding the fees in the constraints section of the document.
Julio Rodriguez supported higher density housing development to provide housing for a large percentage of the City's population that needs low- or very -low-income housing options. Mr. Rodriguez supported infill development.
Mayor Casey closed public comment at 8:05 p.m.
Commissioner Lenoir requested the City of Hollister be included as a service provider to provide a discount to low-income seniors as part of the Housing Resources Section of the Housing Element. Commissioner Lenoir supported addressing housing needs for seniors, farm workers, and the differently abled in the community.
Chair Henderson inquired if economic feasibility is confirmed throughout the time of the Housing Element.
Ms. Kelly reported various policies, such as a fee study, would address the economic feasibility of development in the City.
Councilmember Burns supported the creation of standard plans for ADUs in the City to simplify their development and approval process. Councilmember Burns suggested translating the Housing Element and General Plan Update into Spanish.
Councilmember Resendiz suggested additional public engagement with the Latino community, such as translating the City's website into Spanish, providing the presentation from the meeting in Spanish, etc.
Mayor Casey requested staff correct a typo in Table B-1 on page B-2 related to County population growth for 2035. Mayor Casey expressed concern regarding the economic feasibility of building low-income housing to meet RHNA requirements and proposed higher densities included in the draft Housing Element, Acting Development Services Director Eva Kelly reported this information is reviewed annually as part of General Plan report. Ms. Kelly stated the housing densities included in the draft Housing Element are unprecedented in the City, so there is currently no historical data on the feasibility of the densities. Ms. Kelly reported standard plans for ADUs are required by January 1, 2025, and the City's website currently has the functionality to be translated into Spanish for users.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Morales moved, and Councilmember Perez seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:46 p.m. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
/l
J,ennifer Modworth, MMC
City Clerk
city council Monday, February 12, 2024 Page 3 of 3