CITY OF MERCED
GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
(January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024)
.
INTRODUCTION
Government Code Section 65400 and 65700 requires that all cities and counties submit an annual report on the status of the General Plan and progress on its implementation to their legislative bodies, known as a General Plan Annual Progress Report (APR) .
The State does not have a standardized form or format /content guidance for General Plan APR’s.
State law also requires that all cities and counties create an annual progress report that describes the community’s progress toward implementing their Housing Element. This Housing Element Annual Progress Report (HPR) has detailed data requirements, and the State has developed a standardized spreadsheet format for submitting the required data. The HPR also fulfills certain sta tutory requirements to report other housing information, such as the City’s progress toward meeting its share of regional housing needs, certain rezoning activities, actions taken towards completion of Housing Element programs, and local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the development of housing per Government Code Sections 65584.3(c) and 65584.5(b)(5).
Both reports are to be provided to the California Office of Planning Research (OPR) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1 of each year.
This General Plan Annual Progress Report has been prepared to summarize the status of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan, adopted in January 2012, and steps that have been taken to implement General Plan policies and implementing actions. This report also includes a summary of General Plan and Specific/Community Plan Amendments that were approved from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Highlights of the HPR are also provided at Section II of this report.
The APR and HPR were presented to the Merced City Council at its regularly scheduled meeting of March 17, 2025. After City Council review, both reports will be forwarded to the State by the April 1st deadline.
ATTACHMENT 1
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2023, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2023
I. STATUS OF GENERAL PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS
A) General Plan Elements and Implementation Progress
Each of the seven mandatory general plan elements were prepared and/or updated in full compliance with the General Plan Guidelines established by the Office of Planning and Research, which were in effect at the time of the most rece nt update.
This section contains a summary of actions taken to implement each of the General Plan elements. The table below indicates the date that each of the required elements were last updated along with the same information for the four optional elem ents included in the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan:
General Plan Element Last Update
Mandatory Elements:
Land Use 2015
Circulation 2023
Open Space 2016
Conservation 2016
Housing 2016
Noise 2012
Safety 2016
Air Quality (included in Sustainable Development) 2012
Optional Elements:
Urban Expansion 2015
Public Facilities & Services 2017
Urban Design 2012
Sustainable Development 2012
Comprehensive General Plan Update: In October 2024, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to initiate consultant work on a comprehensive update to the General Plan and to complete Downtown Rail Station Area Planning. The City received proposals from three firms for the General Plan Update and Rail Area Plan and one firm for the General Plan Update only. Interviews were held in February 2025, with contract to be awarded in April 2025 Housing Element Update: The City’s current Housing Element was an 8-year plan covering 2015 through 2023 , and was to be updated by April 1, 2024, per the deadlines established by the State . Under a REAP grant awarded to the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG), the City of Merced and other local jurisdictions participated in a Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element (MJHE) Update, which began work in February 2023 . This regional approach is becoming CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
more common with neighboring counties having completed them or currently undertaking them. Due to various delays, the Draft MJHE was not released for public review until May 2023. After modifications to address public comments, the document was submitted to HCD in August 2024. The City received comments back from HCD in November 2024. The City is addressing HCD’s comments and expects to resubmit next draft at the end of Spring. Prior to that resubmission, the City is managing a rezoning effort to rezone 27 properties as outlined in the Draft MJHE so that the City of Merced can meet the Regiona l Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) per State law. That assigned allocation of 10,517 units can be adequately accommodated by the properties that have been chosen to be rezoned. The rezones were considered and recommended for approval by the City’s Planning Commission in February 2025. These same rezones will be considered for approval by the City Council in April 2025. These rezones must take place before the Multi- Jurisdictional Housing Element (MJHE) can be eligible for adoption. It is expected that the MJHE will be adopted by Summer 2025.
Land Use Element: The Land Use Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. Since that time, two (2) amendments to the Land Use Element text have been approved involving the adoption of the Bellevue Community Plan in 2015 and the Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan in 2023 . One is currently pending to address the SB244 Analysis of Disadvantaged Urban Communities , and 26 amendments to the Land Use Diagram involving a total of approximately 213 acres (out of the 28,575 acres within the Sphere of Influence) have been approved (see Appendix A for details ).
After annexing over 2,200 acres of residential, commercial, and industri al land to the City’s inventory from 2000-2009, due to the economic downturn, only one 15- acre annexation of commercial/industrial land was completed from 2010 to 2019 .
However, in 2024, the UC Merced Annexation involving 1,025 acres (including Bellevue Road) and the Virginia Smith Trust Annexation involving 654 acres were completed per the Annexation Agreement and the provisions of AB 3312 The City is also working on the annexation of 390 acres adjacent to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and 40 acres north of the Regional Sports Park Site (CP -42) at Gerard and Tyler. In addition, Staff is currently working on six annexation requests from private developers totaling 588 acres in North Merced, including the 290-acre University Vista Annexation , the 47-acre Branford Point Annexation, and the 37- acre UC Villages Annexation adjacent to the UC campus per the provisions of AB3312 as well as the 37 -acre M Street Annexation, the 30 -acre Gardner Road Annexation, the 147-acre Rogina Annexation. In 2021, the City established a new Annexation Pre-application process which allows early City Council review. The City has received nine such pre-applications with nine receiving support for moving CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
forward (University Vista, Rogina, Branford Point, UC Villages , Yosemite Lakes, Baxter Ranches, Cone, La Cava and Hunt and two more pending). Since 2012, the City has approved several new commercial developments which will add over 1.2 million square feet of new commercial facilities when completed. Since 2012, the City of Merced has issued permits for over 4,200 new single-family homes and more than 1,700 multi-family units with several others pending in 2024. In addition, the City has approved several large multi-family projects, which will add approximately 1,300 new apartment units when completed. Several affordable housing projects involving over 488 units have also been entitled and some have received funding to complete construction. On a continuing basis, City staff applies the General Plan land use policies regarding the promotion of a variety of housing types, the appropriate locations of new commercial and industrial land uses, and the protection of residential neighborhoods through code enforcement, interface overlay, and other tools.
Circulation Element: The Transportation and Circulation Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan . The Element was amended in 2013 to reflect the changes required for the 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan , in 2015 to reflect the changes required for the Bellevue Community Plan , and an amendment was approved in 2023 involving the use of Vehicle Miles Traveled for the evaluation of transportation impacts under CEQA . Since 2012, five (5) other amendments to the Circulation Element have been approved, two involving the spacing of curb cuts on arterials and the other regarding abandonment of a short segment of Mission Avenue adjacent to Highway 99, one to redesignate a portion of Mission Avenue, west of Coffee Street, to a collector street (approved in 2023 ). The City’s Public Facilities Impact Fee program (revised in March 2022) will help fund needed transportation improvements throughout the Merced Area. In 2020, the City’s Bicycle Advisory Commission was expanded to include pedestrian issues and is now known as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC). In 2024 the City adopted the Merced County Regional Multi-jurisdictional Active Transportation Plan, facilitated by the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG). This replaced the 2019 Alternative Transportation Plan/Safe Routes to School Plan which itself replaced the 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan, all evaluated and recommended for approval by the BPAC. MCAG further facilitated a Multi-jurisdictional Local Roadway Safety Plan. This effort has evaluated the most problematic roadways and intersections for bicyclists and pedestrians and created potential projects to mitigate the issues.
Having been recommended for approval by the BPAC February 2025, this plan is scheduled to be considered for adoption by the Merced City Council in March 2025.
City staff continues to work with MCAG, the County, and Caltrans staff on Regional CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Transportation Plan and Measure V projects. City staff also continues to implement policies relating to circul ation/access and bicycle/pedestrian facilities to all new development projects.
Open Space/Conservation Elements: The Open Space and Conservation Elements were combined into one element, which was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan and was amended in 2016 to address changes required by the adoption of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Unfortunately, since 2012, due to funding issues and the slowdown in residential construction until 2017, no new City parks have been built although the City has been actively applying for grants. The City Parks and Open Space Master Plan was last updated in 2004, and in 2024, a firm was hired to update the Plan to reflect the current Sphere of Influence and new policy direction. The City continues to implement policies regarding the preservation/conservation of the creeks, wildlife habitat, Scenic Corridors, agricultural land adjacent to the Sphere of Influence, soil, and water resources as they apply to individual development projects.
Housing Element: The City’s Current Housing Element was adopted in 2016, per the deadline established under state law , and found to be in compliance with State law by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The Housing Element includes a discussion of Disadvantaged Urban Communities. The federal government requires that each jurisdiction also have a "Consolidated Plan" in order to receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Housing Elements and Consolidated Plans have many similar requirements and features. The City of Merced adopted Consolidated Plans in 2010, 2015, and 2020 . The City is currently updating its Consolidation Plan. Since 2012, the City of Merced has issued permits for over 4,200 new single-family homes and 1,700 multi-family units, with many others pending issuance in 2024. From 2020-23, the City was awarded over $62.8 Million by the State to fund several affordable housing projects involving approximately 488 new units (108 apartments on Parsons Ave, 67 permanent supportive housing units on Park Ave, 96 transitional/permanent supportive units on V St, 20 transitional/permanent supportive units on R St, 156 apartments on Devonwood Dr, and 41 transitional units on 18th St). Several housing related issues were addressed in the 2016 adoption of the Zoning Ordinance Update, including updates to conform to State law regarding density bonuses, by -right housing, homeless shelters, and transitional/supportive housing. Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Accessory Dwelling Units were adopted in 2019 and 2021, and additional amendments to the Zoning Ordinance were adopted in 2022 relating to allowing by-right duplexes in single -family zones, adding residential densities to commercial zones, reduc ing the size of Residential Planned Developments, CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
modifying the Interface Regulations, and allowing exceptions to residential design standards. The City did not make any changes to the Zoning Ordinance in 2024, however, City staff is preparing changes for this year to support 6 th Cycle Housing Element Programs, once the Housing Element is adopted. In September 2021, the City Council authorized a series of actions to promote more housing (affordable and market rate) production in the Cit y. A separate Housing Element Annual Progress Report (HPR) has been prepared and will be submitted to the State by April 1, 2025.
Highlights of the HPR are discussed in Section II of this report . See page 3 for information about the Housing Element Update, expected to be adopted by Summer 2025.
Noise Element: The Noise Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. No amendments to the Noise Element were made during 2024. Noise policies are enforced on an ongoing basis by City staff for individual development projects.
Safety Element: The Safety Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan and amended in 2016 to reflect changes required by the adoption of the Local Hazard Mitiga tion Plan. No amendments to the Safety Element were made during 2024. Since 2012, City staff has applied policies regarding disaster preparedness, seismic safety, flooding, fires, airport safety, crime, and hazardous waste to various development projects as they undergo City review. City programs continue to implement the policies that relate to fire prevention (weed abatement, etc.), community policing, building and fire codes, flood prevention, and annual review and "dress rehearsals" of the City's Emergency Plan.
Urban Expansion Element: The Urban Expansion Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. No amendments were made to the Urban Expansion Element in 2024. In 2014, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) adopted the City's revised Sphere of Influence as outlined in the General Plan. After annexing over 2,200 acres of residential, commercial, and industrial land to the City’s inventory from 2000 -2009, due to the economic downturn, only one 15 acre annexation of commercial/industrial land was completed from 2010 to 2019.
However, in 2024, the UC Merced Annexation involving 1,025 acres (including Bellevue Road) and the Virginia Smith Trust Annexation involving 654 acres were completed per the Annexation Agreement and the provisions of AB 3312. The City is also working on the annexation of 390 acres adjacent to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and 40 acres north of the Regional Sports Park Site (CP -42) at Gerard and Tyler. In addition, Staff is currently working on six annexation requests CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
from private developers totaling 588 acres in North Merced, including the 290-acre University Vista Annexation, the 47 -acre Branford Point Annexation, and the 37 - acre UC V illages Annexation adjacent to the UC campus per the provisions of AB3312 as well as the 37 -acre M Street Annexation, the 30 -acre Gardner Road Annexation and the 147-acre Rogina Annexation. In 2021, the City established a new Annexation Pre -application process which allows early City Council review.
The City has received nine such pre-applications with nine receiving support for moving forward (University Vista, VST, Rogina, Branford Point, UC Villages, Yosemite Lakes, Baxter Ranches, Cone, La Cava and Hunt and two more pending).
Public Facilities & Services Element: The Public Facilities and Services Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan and was amended in 2017 to reflect the change in location for a new Central Police Station . No new amendments to the Public Facilities and Services Element were made in 2024. In 2012, the City adopted a revised Public Facilities Financing Plan along with the Public Facilities Impact Fee program to help fund the over $300 million in transportation, public safety, and open space/parks projects needed to implement the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan.
An update of the Public Facilities Financing Plan and imp act fee program was completed in March 2022. Several master planning efforts for meeting the City's infrastructure needs associated with growth have been completed or are in progress, including working with the County and neighboring jurisdictions on Sust ainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) plans and implementation , updates to the Wastewater Master Plan for collection (expected to be completed in 20 25), preparations for future expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plan t, and others .
The City continues to work with the local school districts on the location of future schools.
Urban Design Element: The Urban Design Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. No new amendments to the Urban Design Element were made in 2024. Since 2012, several implementing actions of the Urban Design Element were completed, including the comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update in 2016 , the first comprehensive update to the Zoning Code since its adoption in the early 1960’s .
The Zoning Ordinance Update completely updated, reorganized, and modernized the Code to be more user friendly and included the addition of several new zoning districts to match General Plan land use designations . From 2017 through 20 22, further Zoning Code revisions were completed to add commercial cannabis business permits (2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024); to add land uses to the Commercial Shopping Center zone (2018, 2020, and 2022); to update the provisions for accessory dwelling CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
units (ADU’s) per State law (2019, 2021, and 2023, with additional amendments pending in 2025 ); to expand various commercial uses in the Downtown area and other commercial zones (2020); to clarify Planning Commission procedures (2021); to modify procedures for tobacco uses near schools (2021); and to allow duplexes by-right in R-1 zones, changed the level of approval for commercial land uses, added residential densities to commercial zon es, reduced the size of Planned Developments, modified the Interface Regulations, updated parking standards per State law, allowed exceptions to design standards, and clarified some definitions (2022). In 2023, the City Council approved an ordinance amending the current code regarding regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU’s) to comply with state law. The ordinance also allows Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW’s) in all zones that allow single -family or multi-family or mixed-use development. In 2019, City staff completed a minor revision to the sign ordinance to address some pressing issues regarding shopping center signs, and in 2023, the long-awaited comprehensive update of the City’s Sign Ordinance was completed. Aesthetic policies involving the undergroun ding of new utilities, minimum landscape standards for new developments, and design review within Planned Developments and the Downtown area are also carried out on an ongoing basis.
Sustainable Development Element: The Sustainable Development Element was comprehensively updated and adopted in January 2012 as part of the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan . No new amendments to the Sustainable Development Element were made in 2024 . In 2012, the City adopted the Climate Action Plan in response to one of the implementing actions in this element. This chapter includes the City’s policies on air quality which are mandatory for jurisdictions within the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. City staff applies its policies regarding air quality, cultural resources, historic preservation, health, and energy conservation on new developments within the City of Merced on an ongoing basis . Mitigation measures for air quality impacts are now routi nely adopted for many large development projects.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
B) Summary of General Plan and Specific Plan Amendments General Plan Amendments (Approved—January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024) Two (2) General Plan Amendment (s) were approved for the period of January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, (see table below) and zero were denied. Six (6) amendments are currently pending.
Reference
No. APN# and Parcel Size Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution
#
GPA 23-04 060-010-040, 60-020-048
654 Acres
4600 Lake Rd 1/16/24 2024-14
GPA 23-05 007-050-009 470 E. Olive 6/17/24 2024-66
A total of 38 General Plan Amendments have been approved since the January 2012 adoption of the General Plan (refer to Appendix A of this report ). Three (3) amendments were approved in 2012, 5 in 2013, 3 in 2014, 5 in 2015, 2 in 2016, 3 in 2017, 2 in 2018, 3 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 3 in 2021, 3 in 2022, 3 in 2023, and 2 in 2024.
Specific and Community Plan Amendments (Approved—January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024)
One new Specific Plan (the Virginia Smith Trust Specific Plan) was adopted in 2024.
There have been zero amendments approved within the City’s eight adopted Specific or Community Plans in 2024. The eight adopted Specific or Community Plans include the Campus North Specific Plan ( originally adopted in 1985 and amended in 1990, 1997, and 2000), the Northeast Yosemite Specific Plan ( adopted in 1989 and amended in 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2020), the Fahrens Creek Specific Plan (adopted in 2001 and amended in 2006, 2015, and 2019 ), the Fahrens Park Specific Plan (adopted in 1978 and amended in 1984, 1990, 1999, and 2013), the Bellevue Ranch Master Development Plan (adopted in 1995 and amended in 2008, 2012, and 2018), the South Merced Community Plan ( adopted in 2008), the Bellev ue Community Plan (adopted in 2015), and the Virginia Smith Trust (VST) Specific Plan (adopted in 2024).
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
C) Other Development Applications Considered
In 2024, the Planning Commission and City Council also considered other development applications which did not involve any amendments to the General Plan. In 2024, the Planning staff considered administrative applications and the Planning Commission and/or City Council held public hearings and considered many applications as shown in the Table below.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION STATISTICS (2024)
Development Applications #
Processed
Abandonments (Streets or Easements) 2
Annexations/Pre-Zoning 2
City-Owned Real Property Requests 23
Commercial Cannabis Business Permits (NEW) 2
Comm. Cannabis Permits (Renewals) 13
Conditional Use Permits (CUP) 9
Design Review (Planning Commission & Staff) 3
Environmental Reviews (i.e. Cat Ex, Neg. Dec.,
Mit. Neg. Dec.) 42
Final Subdivision Maps 12
Land Use Determinations (Public Convenience &
Necessity) 1
Minor Subdivisions (Lot Splits, Mergers, Lot Line
Adjustments) 8
Minor Use Permits & Minor Modifications 17
Restaurant Encroachment Permits 0
Sewer/Water Requests 1
Site Plan Review 18
Street Closures (City Council & Staff) 34
Tentative Subdivision Maps 8
Zone Changes 2
Zoning Ordinance Amendments 1
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
II. HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
As noted previously, a separate Housing Element Annual Progress Report (HPR) has been prepared will be submitted to the State by April 1, 2024. The HPR is submitted to the State in a series of tables in spreadsheet format as per State guidelines. Highlights of the 2024 HPR are presented below.
A) Housing Development Applications and Annual Building Activity Table A of the 2024 HPR contains all the housing development applications ( 281 applications for a total of 392 units) submitted to the City in 2024, including applications for building permits for all housing units. Table A2 is somewhat duplicative of Table A in that it lists all the building p ermits issued and certificates of occupancy. This included permits issued for a total of 465 dwelling units – 303 building permits issued for single-family dwellings, 4 permits issued for ADU’s, 0 permits issued for a triplex, 0 permits for container homes for a total of 0 suites, 0 permits for the conversion of a hotel into 0 affordable housing units, and 465 permits issued for a total of 156 multi-family units as well as certificates of occupancy for 279 single-family dwellings, 6 ADU;s, 0 JADU, 5 duplexes and 69 multi-family dwellings. Since the entitlement, permit, and construction process of housing units often spans multiple years, many units are reported in several HPR’s as they move through the entitlement process in one year, building permits in the next year, and perhaps construction and certificate of occupancy in the next year. Due to the length of and amount of detail in these Tables, a summary only of the data in Tables A and A2 is shown below on the following page
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
.Table A: Housing Applications Summary
Total Housing Applications Submitted: 281
Number of Proposed Units in All Applications Received: 392 Total Housing Units Approved: 364
Total Housing Units Disapproved: 0
Total Housing Units Pending Approval 28
Table A2: Building Permits Issued by Affordability Summary Income Level 2024
Very Low and
Extremely Low
Deed Restricted 110
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Low Deed Restricted 44
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Moderate Deed Restricted 0
Non-Deed Restricted 0
Above Moderate 311
Total Units 465
B) Regional Housing Needs (2016-2024)
As part of the Housing Element process, the City of Merced’s share of the regional housing needs for an 8 -year period, as defined by the State and then distributed at the regional level by the Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG), is established. Table B of the HPR reflects the City of Merced’s Share of the Regional Housing Needs (RHNA) from 2016 to 2024 as well as the progress in meeting those needs. These numbers are provided on the following page.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Table B: Regional Housing Needs Allocation Progress
Permitted Units Issued by Affordability
Income Level
RHNA
Allo-
cation
by
Income
Level
Projection
Period -
06/30/2023-
01/30/2024
2024
2 0
2 5
2 0
2 6
2 0
2 7
2 0
2 8
2 0
2 9
2 0
3 0
2 0
3 1
2 0
3 2
Total Units
to Date (all
years)
Total
Remaining
RHNA by
Income Level
Very Low
Deed
Restricted 2,543
21 110 - - - - - - - -
131 2,412 Non-Deed
Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Low
Deed
Restricted 1,742
- 44 - - - - - - - -
44 1,698 Non-Deed
Restricted - - - - - - - - - -
Moderate
Deed
Restricted 1,838
1 - - - - - - - - -
3 1,835 Non-Deed
Restricted 2 - - - - - - - - -
Above
Moderate 4,394 209 262 - - - - - - - - 471 3,923
Total RHNA 10,517
Total Units 233 416 - - - - - - - - 649 9,868
Please Note: Units serving extremely low-income
households are included in the very low-income
totals.
Please Note: For the last year of the 5th cycle,
Table B will only include units that were permitted
during the portion of the year that was in the 5th
cycle. For the first year of the 6th cycle, Table B
will only include units that were permitted since
the start of the planning period. Projection Period
units are in a separate column.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
C) Sites Identified or Rezoned to Meet Housing Shortfall Table C of the HPR shows any sites that have been identified or rezoned in order to meet any shortfall of housing sites to meet the City’s share of regional housing needs.
The City’s Housing Element identified adequate si tes to meet the City’s share of regional housing needs, but additional sites have been identified recently . Sites were identified in 2024, but not rezoned. The rezoning of the identified sites is scheduled to be considered by the City Council in April 2 025. This activity is due to the Multi-Jurisdictional Housing Element update.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
D) Housing Element Programs Implementation
Table D of the HPR describes progress of all Housing Element programs, including local efforts to remove governmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of housing as identified in the Housing Element. The City of Merced is toward the end of the Housing Element update. The 6th Cycle Housing Element Document has not been adopted (expected adoption Summer 2025), so therefore with both HCD and public input the currently proposed programs could still change. Because of this, the City has described the programs below that have been adopted by our City Council, though t he Housing Element document from which they are cited is expired.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Table D: Housing Element Program Implementation Status Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.1.a - Evaluate for
Multi-Family Housing
Development
The City will complete
evaluation of vacant and
underutilized parcels
throughout the City to
determine suitability and
feasibility for potential
multi-family
development,
considering at least, but
not limited to, location,
size, circulation, and
available infrastructure.
Staff will monitor and
evaluate whether the
higher density sites are
providing realistic
development
opportunities for low-
income households
through the general plan
annual review process
(Government Code
65400). In addition,
staff will work to educate
the public and decision-
makers about affordable
housing, especially
multi-family
developments, to help
alleviate “NIMBYism”
when developments are
proposed and to ensure
decisions regarding
developments are made
based on adopted plans
and policies. The City
will encourage
developments devoted
exclusively to Senior
housing.
Ongoing
The City maintains a listing of vacant
sites for residential development. The
City strives to update the list on an
annual basis. The City recently
reviewed Table 9.4.4 and 9.4.8 of the
Housing Element and concluded that
the City still has sufficient land
designated for multi-family development
to meet the RHNA requirement for
Extremely Low , Very -Low, and Low -
income households. However, if any
of the sites are developed at market
rate, the City would need to look to zone
additional land for multi -family
development in the near future to
ensure the City could meet its RHNA
allocation. The City advises developers
of multi -family p rojects to host
neighborhood meetings to help educate
the neighborhood on their project. The
City participates in these meetings by
answering questions and helping to
provide education about multi -family
projects. The Planning Department
provides information at the front counter
and on our website to educate the
public about NIMBYism. The City also
provides a Tentative Subdivision
Activity List and Development Activity
List on the Planning Department
website. Additionally, the City has
streamlined the a pproval process for
many projects requiring a discretionary
review; rather than requiring a
Conditional Use Permit before the
Planning Commission or a Site Plan
Review Permit, a staff level approval, is
required.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.1.b - Promote the
use of Residential
Planned
Development Zoning
Expedite processing of
Residential Planned
Development (RPD)
permits to encourage
innovative site planning,
multi-level
developments, clustered
housing design and
planned open space.
Evaluate the use of
incentives, such as
allowing higher
densities, or other
incentives determined to
be appropriate, to
developers providing
childcare centers within
their development.
Provide more education
to the public and
decision-makers
regarding the benefits of
small lot developments.
Ongoing
The City's building permit review
process has been streamlined to allow
for master plan reviews. This allows the
developer to submit specific hous e
plans or in the case of multi -family
development, specific building plans for
review, then pull subsequent building
permits with only a site plan and any
other required documents for an
expedited review. This process is used
within all zones in the City . The City
encourages higher density
developments and the inclusion of
childcare centers within multi -family
developments, but has not yet
developed an incentive program for
such. The City is receptive to small lot
developments and has included a
section in the Zoning Ordinance
(updated in 2016) to address small lot
single-family homes. Recent updates
to the Zoning Ordinance allow duplexes
to be constructed on a single -family lot
within an R -1 zone "by right" (only
building permit review required). The
City has continued to update the Zoning
Ordinance to be in compliance with
state law regarding ADU's and JADU's.
In addition, in 2023, an ordinance was
adopted to allow Tiny Homes on Wheels
(THOW’s) on all lots zoned to allow
single-family, multi-family, or mixed-use
uses.
(Continued on next page)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.1.c - Encourage
Mixed Use
Development
Expand the use of
mixed-use
residential/office/retail
developments in the
City’s core downtown
and other appropriate
commercial centers to
support both affordable
housing and economic
development goals
through priority permit
processing. Proposed
amendments to the
City’s Zoning Ordinance
would allow residential
uses as a principally
permitted use in Central
Commercial (C -C) zone
which encompasses
most of the downtown
area and would be
consistent with the City’s
Downtown Strategy.
The City will promote
development consistent
with the “Downtown
Strategy.” In addition,
proposed changes in the
Zoning Ordinance
update would reduce the
parking requirements for
residential
developments near
approved transit stops.
The use of other
incentives will be
reviewed.
Adoption of
Zoning
Ordinance
update in
2016 /
Development
consistent
with the
"Downtown
Strategy" -
Ongoing
In 2016, the City adopted a
comprehensive update to the City's
Zoning Ordinance. This update
included allowing multi -family
development as a perm itted use in the
Central Commercial Zone (most of the
downtown area). The update also
included parking reductions for mixed -
use developments and developments
near transit stops. The City continues to
promote development in the downtown
area to include mo re housing and
mixed-use developments. In 2020, the
former Tioga Hotel, Tioga Apartments,
opened its doors as an apartment
complex in the downtown area providing
approximately 79 units. Also, in 2020, a
mixed-use development (The Hub) that
included 200 m arket rate units was
approved in the northeast section of the
City and is currently under construction.
A mixed -use project was approved in
2020 at the Northeast corner of G &
Yosemite Avenue. This project consists
of approximately 21 acres with a mixture
of retail commercial, restaurants, a car
wash, and hotel. In addition, 96 multi -
family units are proposed. The retail
portion of the project is currently under
construction with several of the
buildings completed. Another mixed -
use development on Yos emite Avenue
between Compass Pointe Dr. and El
Redondo Ave. was approved in recent
years but has not been constructed.
This development would include a gas
station, car wash, and 220 multi -family
units.
(Continued on next page)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
(Continued on next page)
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.1.d - Review and
Update the City's
Zoning Ordinance to
Assure Compliance
with State Law
Review Zoning
Ordinance at least
annually to assure
compliance with state
law. Complete
comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance update.
Completion
of Zoning
Ordinance
Update by
2016 and
annually
thereafter.
The City completed the comprehensive
Zoning Ordinance Update, and the new
Zoning Ordinance became effective
October 19, 2016. The City does an
annual review to ensure compliance
with state laws and would make any
amendments necessary to implement
any new laws. In 2019 the City updated
the ADU Ordinance and made updates
in 2020 and 2021 to comply with
changes to state law. The City was
awarded SB2 Grant Funds which will be
used to update the Zoning Ordinance to
provide provisions for tiny home
development, expand the development
of duplexes in single -family zones as a
"by-right" development, streamline
small-lot development, and update th e
tentative subdivision map process. The
City also implemented a procedure for
reviewing SB 35 applications in 2020
and has updated the Zoning Ordinance
to allow duplexes in R -1 (single-family)
zones, and updated design standards
for residential to remove certain barriers
to construction.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.1.e - Encourage
Alternate Housing
Types
Through priority permit
processing, encourage
the development of
alternate housing
designs that can be built
on smaller footprints.
The Planning Division
will inform potential
developers of the
benefits/cost savings of
alternate housing
designs and smaller
footprints fostering a
larger return on
investment (ROI) with
more units per acre,
thus providing more
affordable housing.
Priority processing
saves developers time
and money to help keep
development affordable
and is also important for
them to meet State and
Federal tax credit
deadlines. The City’s
“Small Lot Design
Guidelines” have been
incorporated in the
comprehensive Zoning
Ordinance update and
setback requirements
have been increased
providing more open
space to encourage the
public to be more
accepting of the small lot
design concept.
Additionally, staff will
encourage
developments to build 2
and 3-story houses to
provide more floor area
on a smaller lot.
Priority
Processing
- ongoing /
Adoption of
Zoning
Ordinance
2016
Ongoing
The updated Zoning Ordinance included
a section on small lots to ma ke the
development of these lots easier for
developers. This section provides
development standards and guidelines
for small lot developments. Small lot
developments require Conditional Use
Permit approval which can typically be
obtained within 60 to 90 days, as
opposed to a zone change process which
could take up to 4 to 6 months. The City
has also added a section to the Zoning
Ordinance for Accessory Dwelling Units
(ADU's) in compliance with state
requirements. The City continues to
update this ordinance in compliance with
state law. Additionally, the City has plans
to add a section to provide for the
development of tiny homes. Although the
Tiny Homes Ordinance has not been
completed to date, the City has been
working on an "off the shelf" design for
ADU's, Duplexes, and Triplexes. This
would allow property owners to use a
design already approved by the City
making the development of an ADU
much quicker and easier. Additionally,
beginning Jan. 1, 2023, Public Facilities
Impact Fees (PFIF) for homes s maller
than the average size of 1,920 s.f. would
be charged a reduced fee proportional to
the percent below the average single-
family home size. There is also no PFIF
required for ADU's small er than 750 s.f.
An ADU larger than 750 s.f. is charged
proportionally.
(Continued on next page)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.1.f - Encourage
the Use of the
Density Bonus
Provision to allow a
50% increase in the
number of units
allowed in medium
and high-density
zones dedicated
exclusively for Senior
Housing, if at least
50% of the units are
affordable to very
low-income
households.
Complete the adoption
of the Draft Zoning
Ordinance which
includes a provision to
allow a reduction in the
number of parking
spaces for “low demand”
uses. Senior housing
could be considered
“low demand,” and be
eligible for such a
reduction.
Adoption of
Zoning
Ordinance
update in
2016
The updated Zoning Ordinance brought
the City's Density Bonus requirements
into compliance with state law. The City
continues to monitor changes to the
Density Bonus law and with its 2023
update includes language that defers to
state Density Bonus law if there are any
ambiguities in the City Code. The
updated Zoning Ordinance also has
provisions for parking reductions when
there is a low demand use such as senior
housing or when located near a transit
stop. In 2023, the City has 2 Density
Bonus applications pending for a total of
210 affordable units.
H1.1.g - Work with
UC Merced to
Develop a Student
Housing Plan
Encourage developers
of affordable housing to
consider subdividing
large lots into smaller
lots more suitable for
affordable housing. This
process is done through
a staff-level approval
with no public hearings
before the City Council
or Planning
Commission. The
process takes
approximately 3 weeks.
Ongoing
The City has coordinated discussions
with developers to provide multi -family
student housing developments. The City
will work to with the developers to provide
housing for make contact with the UC to
discuss the issues related to student
housing in residential neighborhoods. In
2021, the City Council directed staff to
begin the proce ss to annex the UC
Merced Campus using the provisions of
AB 3312, which should lead to more
coordination between the City and UC on
many issues. The City is currently
working on that annexation and is
expecting the annexation to be
completed within the next 6-9 months (+/-
).
H1.1.h - Encourage
the use of the City's
Lot Split Process
(Parcel Map) to
subdivide large
parcels into smaller
parcels that would be
more likely to be
developed for
affordable housing.
Encourage developers
of affordable housing to
consider subdividing
large lots into smaller
lots more suitable for
affordable housing. This
process is done through
a staff-level approval
with no public hearings
before the City Council
or Planning
Commission. The
process takes
approximately 3 weeks.
Ongoing
The City's Lot Split process continues to
be available to all property owners to
create smaller parcels for development.
Lot Split applications are reviewed by the
Minor Subdivision Committee, a staff
level committee, which helps to expedite
the process. The City is also familiar with
the lot split process enacted by SB 9.
Although the City has not processed any
lot splits in accordance with SB 9, we
continue to review projects to determine
if such a lot split would be beneficial.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.2.a - Review
Design Standards,
Update for
Affordability
Deviations to
improvement standards
contained in the
Subdivision Ordinance
may currently be granted
by the Planning
Commission through the
Tentative Subdivision
Map process. To reduce
the need for multiple
case-by-case
considerations, continue
periodic review of
infrastructure and road
requirements. Identify
potential revisions to
reduce
construction/improvement
costs for new
development without
negative impact to quality
or capacity.
Annually
The City’s Engineering Department does
an annual review of the City Standards.
The City is currently working on a
comprehensive update of all the City
Standards. It is anticipated that t he
revised City Standards would be
adopted in 2024.
(Continued on next page)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.2.b - Continue
City Housing
Program
Provide incentives to
encourage affordable
housing development
through the use of grant
funds such as CDBG and
HOME funds.
Ongoing
The City continues to receive CDBG and
HOME funds to be used to help develop
new affordable housing and maintain
existing aff ordable housing units. The
Housing Program works with Habitat for
Humanity, Stanislaus County and the
Fuller Center to perform rehabilitation
projects on owner -occupied single -
family homes and works with developers
to provide new affordable housing
projects (both single -family and multi -
family). Currently, the City is working
several developers on multifamily
affordable housing projects, funded by
various State grants, such as, the
Homekey Grant. Homekey funds a 20
unit - container home project for
homeless veterans, slated to open in
2024. Homekey also funds a hotel
conversion project of 96 units of
permanent supportive housing for
homeless at 13th & V St which was just
completed in 2023. PLHA funds were
dedicated to two multifamily affordable
housing projects, Mercy at 65 units is in
building permit stage and Linc housing is
in pre -development for a 54 -unit
complex. Devonwood Village is
multifamily project awarded HOME,
CDBG, and ARPA funding by the City
and it is in predevelopment, expected to
start construction in summer 2024. The
City continues to work with the Central
Valley Coalition for Affordable Housing
in pre -development for a 68 -unit
affordable housing apartment complex
(Gateway Terrace II). The City also
works with the Merced Rescue Mission,
Habitat for Humanity, Merced, and
Sierra Saving Grace to provide housing
assistance. The City has used HOME &
CDBG funds to help fund a 119 -unit
affordable apartment complex at Childs
& B Street (The Retreat) and is working
to help fund the Mercy Village project on
Park Avenue. The City applied for
Homekey Round 3 grant funds with two
different project developers.
Additionally, the City was expecting
REAP 2.0 funding in the amount of $2.7
million to support one of its four
applications for funding; howe ver with
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
the state budget deficit it's understood
that that funding has been
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.2.b - Continue
City Housing
Program (continued)
slashed by 75%. The city is working
closely with the county on other sources
of funding related to behavior health
recovery services and railway
encampment to housing programs.
H1.2.c - Conduct
studies to identify the
needs of
disadvantaged
communities per
Senate Bill 244
As annexations occur,
conduct studies to
determine the needs of
disadvantaged
communities within the
City Sphere of Influence
in proximity to the
proposed annexation.
Identify the areas
lacking sewer and/or
water availability and
those areas in need of
other revitalization
efforts and other
infrastructure upgrades
(sidewalks, fire
hydrants, etc.).Ensure
that land annexed into
the City for development
can be supplied by the
City’s sewer and water
facilities.
As funds
are
available
and as
annexations
occur
The City is currently working on 6 active
annexations, and has preliminary
applications for 6 additional annexations.
As part of the annexation process, the
City will evaluate each area for
disadvantaged communities. As part of
the annexation process, an evaluation is
conducted to ensure the City can supply
adequate sewer and water to the
annexation area. Additionally, the City is
working with the Merced County
Association of Governments (MCAG) on
a regional Multi -Jurisdictional Housing
Element. The City will a lso be working
on a comprehensive General Plan
Update in 2024. As part of the Housing
Element, the City completed and is
finalizing an SB 244 Analysis.
H1.2.d - Pursue
funding strategies to
assist disadvantaged
communities
Apply for funding such
as the Community
Revitalization and
Investment Authority
(AB 2) that focus on
addressing distressed
Annually
The City applied for the ongoing
Permanent Local Housing Allocation
(PLHA) funding for the available years of
2019-2022, and will continue to monitor
all available funding and apply when
appropriate to do so. The City is also
applying for a Pro -Housing designation
through the state and PIP funding. The
City established a housing opportunity
trust fund, that was started with a
$500,000 budget allocation from our City
Council to be budgeted annually on an
ongoing basis. In addition, the City
Council adopted policy mandates for
affordable housing with an option to pay
in-lieu fees. The in -lieu fees would be
added to the fund. The current fund
balance is approximately $860,000.
(Continued on next page.)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.3.a - Participate
in Joint Development
Agreements
Continue City staff
exploration and pursuit
of feasible development
agreements for joint
public/private
development of
affordable rental and
ownership housing,
including senior
housing, “special needs”
housing, farmworkers,
supportive and
transitional housing, or
emergency shelters for
the homeless within the
City. Said development
agreements shall ensure
affordable housing mix,
appropriate covenants
of affordability terms,
and conditional
recapture provisions.
Specifically, the City will
invite developers of
affordable housing to
participate in Joint
Development
Agreements. Special
focus will be placed on
agreements for the
development of housing
for extremely low-
income households.
The City’s goal is to
execute one agreement
annually to achieve 50
units of low-mod
housing.
Use development
agreements to
encourage the
construction of childcare
centers within affordable
housing developments.
Ongoing
The City continues to work with the
Central Valley Coalition for Affordable
Housing and enter into joint development
agreements to provide affordable
housing. Such agreements were used
for the development of the 119 -unit
affordable apartment project at Childs &
B Street (The Retreat), completed in
2022. And the 96 unit all affordable
project at 1213 V Street. This
development will provide units for
extremely low and very low -income
households as well as permanent
supportive housing units. The City
recently went out for an open dated RFP
to find qualified affordable housing
developers. Based upon this effort, the
City entered into Exclusive Negotiating
agreements with Linc Housing, CC915,
and Fuller Center for properties owned
by the Housing Successor Agency to sell
10 parcels at $1 each for the
development of extremely low to low-
income housing. The City gran ted $6.5
million in ARPA funds for the
development of affordable housing at
Devonwood Village, Bella Vista, and
1213 V Street.
On April 4, 2022, the City Council
adopted Resolution No. 2022 -15, which
implements the City’s Regional Housing
Needs Allocatio n Unit Production Plan.
The plan was updated in 2023 to include
in-lieu fees. This plan requires private
developers to provide 5% of the total
units within a project affordable or pay an
in-lieu fee. This requirement would be
executed through the use of a
Development Agreement. The fees
would be deposited into the City's
Housing Opportunity Trust Fund.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe in
H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.3.b - Encourage
the construction of
childcare centers
within new housing
developments
through the use of
Joint Development
Agreements.
The City recognizes the
need for quality
childcare. In addition,
the City recognizes the
large amount of traffic
and emissions
produced by the
numerous trips families
make throughout the
City in going to and
from childcare centers.
The City also
recognizes that many
families who need
affordable housing,
especially female-
headed households,
need childcare on-site
(within apartment
complexes) or within
close proximity to their
home or transit
services.
December
2019/Ongoing
The City encourages development of
childcare centers within all housing
developments. However, an incentive
program has not been developed. The
Bella Vista project on Parsons Avenue
is slated to have a Head -start
Classroom on site. This project is
expected to be constructed in 2024.
The city approved a new daycare
center, which will be complete in early
2024, which is in a commercial center
but right next to single family housing.
H1.4 - One-Stop
Permit Center Fast
Tracked Processing
Continue the City's
current procedures for
processing
development proposals
and approving permits;
accelerating the
approval process for
affordable and senior
housing developments.
Every 2 years
Procedures remain in place to expedite
the approval process for affordable and
senior housing. City staff reviews these
procedures every 2 years to determine
if changes or updates to the current
procedures need to be made. The City
has implemented a review process in
compliance with SB 35. The City was
awarded over $600,000 in SB2 and
LEAP funding for various projects to
promote housing. The City completed
projects to develop an "off -the-shelf"
plan for ADU's and pre-designed duplex
and triplex units to help expedite the
development process and reduce
development costs.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.5.a - Encourage
Homeowners to
Construct Second
Units
Continue to publicize the
Second Unit Ordinance
and the income benefits
of second unit
construction to
homeowners in the City.
Link this promotion with
information on the
availability of low-
interest rehabilitation
loans and other funding
programs to support
second unit
development and
provide technical
support as necessary to
interested homeowners.
Provide information on
second units and their
benefits via the City’s
website, monthly
newsletter, and
brochures at the front
counter.
Ongoing
The City provid es information to
customers when they inquire about
building second units, now known as
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The
City's Zoning Ordinance which includes
the regulations for ADUs is available on
the City's website. The City adopted an
updated A DU ordinance in 2023 and
continues to update the ordinance to be
in compliance with state law. In 2023, the
City completed work on an "off-the-shelf"
ADU and cottage home project; as well
as a pre -approve Duplex and Triplex
program. The project results i n free pre-
approved building plans for homeowners
to save while encourage building
secondary units.
H1.6.a - Apply for
Funding to Support
New Housing
Construction
Continue to seek
potential funding
sources and actively
pursue funding for
affordable housing.
Ongoing
The City continues to actively seek
different funding opportunities to help
support the development of affordable
housing. The City currently receives
CDBG and HOME Funds, as well as Cal-
Home First Time Home Buyer funds. The
City received funds from the Affordable
Housing Sustainable Communities
(AHSC) program through HCD for the
Childs & B Street project. The City has
also received ARPA funds of which a
$6.5 million was designated for
affordable housing developments. The
City received over $29 million in
Homekey funds with project development
partners for extremely low-income
permanent supporting multi -family
housing. Additionally, the City has a
PLHA award committed to two affordable
housing projects. The City is working o n
submitting it's HOME -ARP plan for an
additional $1.9 million in HUD funding for
affordable housing.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.6.b - Provide
Assistance for
Private and Nonprofit
Applicants to State
and Federal
Programs
Assist private individuals
and nonprofit
organizations in applying
for State and Federal
funds at least once each
year. Assistance may
take the form of
information referral,
consultation regarding
program applications,
and/or lobbying by local
officials on behalf of the
applicant. Special focus
will be given to
applicants applying for
funding to assist in the
development of
extremely low-income
housing.
Annually
The City has assisted in assem bling the
funding for the Childs and B Street
project, Homekey projects, at 13th & V,
and South R St. as well as providing
letters of support and commitment to
assist affordable housing developers in
various grant application. The City has
also consulted other developers on
possible funding opportunities and
assists with completing form needed for
developers to received Federal and State
tax credits. The City is working on
completing its State application for a Pro-
housing Designation and has established
a Housing Opportunity Trust Fund.
In 2022, the City published an RFQ to
select affordable housing developers.
Through this RFQ, the City has found
several partners to work with on
affordable housing development.
H1.7.a - Continue
Continuum of Care
Development and
Participation
The City will continue to
work with Merced
County and the Merced
County Association of
Governments to
implement the
Continuum of Care to
address the homeless
issues in Merced. The
City will continue to
research funding
opportunities for
homeless and
transitional shelters and
will work with other
agencies to ensure the
needs of the homeless
community are met.
FY 2015-
2016,
annually
thereafter
as funds
become
available
The City continues to participate in the
Continuum of Care through the Housing
Department. Typically, City employees
have participated in the annual Homeless
Count, but due to COVID -19, that count
was not performed in 2020 or 2021. The
count resumed in 2022 with efforts from
the City, County, an d community
volunteers.
(Continued on next page.)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.7.b - Promote and
Develop Housing to
Meet Special Needs
Assist private and
nonprofit developers,
such as the Central
Valley Coalition for
Affordable Housing, by
identifying potential sites
and financial resources
for the construction of
housing to meet special
needs. Such projects
might include, but are
not limited to senior
housing, including
congregate care
facilities; housing for
people with physical and
mental disabilities;
transitional housing for
the homeless; an
emergency shelter for
the homeless; and
housing for large
families, extremely-low-
income families, and
farmworkers. The City
will provide further
assistance to the
identified need of
additional emergency
shelter facilities by
applying for Proposition
46 funding to provide for
such facilities or by
supporting other agency
applications.
Annually
The Housing Program works with the
City’s Community Housing Development
Organization (CHDO) to complete at
least one project annually to provide
housing to those with special needs. The
City will continue to work with the CHDO
and any other agencies in an effort to
provide more affordable housing for
extremely low, very low, low-income and
special needs households. The Childs &
B Street Project was completed in 2022,
in conjunction with a private developer
and the Central Valley Coalition for
Affordable H ousing. This project
provides 119 units for affordable housing,
including 30 permanent supportive
housing units for a special needs
population. Additionally, the City has
been working with UP Holdings to
develop a Home -Key project for 93
transitional hous ing units and 66
permanent supportive housing units. A
homeless veterans project located at
South R St is underway with the aid of
another Homekey grant and City
contributions.
H1.7.c - Assist in
Obtaining Funding for
Farmworker Housing
The City shall apply for
or support applications
for funding for farm
worker housing. The
City shall periodically
review available funding
programs to identify
additional funding
sources for farmworker
housing.
Annually
The City assisted Visionary Homes on a
grant opportunity for a 108 unit apartment
complex on Parsons Avenue that
includes Farmworker Housing. They
were awarded HCD funding via the Super
NOFA. To show added support, the City
committed $3.5 million in ARPA funding
to the Parsons Ave project. The City will
continue to monitor funding opportunities
and will apply when appropriate.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.7.d - Assess the
need for Farmworker
Housing
Work with farm owners
and central labor
providers to determine
the number of
farmworkers who may
need housing. The
resulting report should
address permanent
workers, seasonal
resident works, and
migrant workers.
December
2019
The City has not met with farm owners
and central labor providers to date. This
is still a goal, but the City has focused its
efforts on addressing the homeless issue
within the City and providing additional
housing through the devel opment of
affordable housing projects.
H1.7.e - Provide
incentives for the
development of
farmworker housing
Provide fast-track permit
processing: offer a
reduction in the number
of parking spaces
required based on the
number of vehicles used
for transportation;
Explore the use of
modified site
development standards,
e.g. - street widths,
paving, curbs/gutters,
placement of public
works improvements, or
landscaping.
Ongoing
The City has not received any
applications for farmworker housing to
apply any of these processes.
H1.7.f - Consider
amending the Zoning
Ordinance to allow a
reduction in parking
requirements for
persons with
disabilities.
Complete the adoption
of the Draft Zoning
Ordinance which
includes a section to
allow the reduction in
required parking spaces
for uses considered to
be “low demand.” This
could include parking
requirements for
developments for
persons with disabilities.
December
2016
Completed with the adoption of the
Zoning Ordinance Update in 2016.
H1.8.a - In-fill and
Multi-family Lot
Inventory
Develop an inventory of
available infill and multi-
family lots. The
inventory will include
location, parcel sizes,
amenities, and available
infrastructure. The City
will keep said inventory
current and information
will be made available to
developers.
Ongoing
This inventory is updated as needed and
is made available to the public. Currently
the City has a project funded by SB2 to
conduct an infill study, it is slated for
completion in early 2023.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H1.8.b-Prioritize City
efforts to encourage
residential
development by
focusing on in-fill
development and
densification within
the existing City
Limits.
City staff will encourage
development within the
existing City Limits and
especially within the
City’s Core Area. Staff
will analyze vacant and
underutilized land to
identify constraints to in-
fill development. Using
the information found in
the analysis, staff will
develop an “In-fill
Strategy.” Staff will work
with neighborhood and
business groups, as well
as with other interested
organizations, to identify
and address their
concerns and
preferences related to
in-fill development. In
addition, staff shall
consider providing
incentives such as
reduced fees or priority
permitting for in-fill
developments,
especially within the
City’s Core Area.
Ongoing
Staff continues to work with developers to
develop in-fill sites. The City provides a
Tentative Subdivision Map Activity list
and a Development Activity list on the
Planning Department website to provide
information on current developments and
future subdivisions. The City updated its
policy on infill development by expanding
areas of opportunity for reduced Public
Facilities Impact Fees to encourage in-fill
development and de velopment in
underutilized areas. Additionally, the City
completed an Infill Study in 2023, the
resulting report is posted on the City
website to encourage and define areas of
infill opportunity.
H1.8.c - Provide
Ample Land Through
Planned Annexations
The City will continue to
monitor residential land
availability and
encourage and pursue
annexations as
necessary to maintain a
10-year supply of zoned
vacant residential
property.
Ongoing
The City is currently working on 5
annexation applicati ons that would add
over 7,000 housing units, plus more than
2,000,000 square feet of commercial
uses. Additionally, the City is processing
8 preliminary annexation applications, all
of which would include land for housing.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H2.1.a - Continue the
Housing
Rehabilitation Loan
Program
Continue to allocate
monies from the City's
Affordable Housing
Program and expand the
City's Housing
Rehabilitation Grant
Program.
Ongoing
The City continues to receive CDBG and
HOME funds to be used to help develop
new affordable housing and maintain
existing affordable housing units. The
Housing Program works with Habitat for
Humanity, Stanislaus County to perform
rehabilitation projects on owner-occupied
single-family homes and works with
developers to provide new affordable
housing projects (both single -family and
multi-family). The City also works with
Sierra Saving Grace and the Merced
Rescue Mission to provide funding for
housing as sistance. The City was
awarded a CAL -HOME grant for
rehabilitation of homes, ADU
construction and first -time home buyer
assistance. The City also works with
Self-Help Enterprises for down -payment
assistance and rehabilitation assistance.
H2.1.b - Identify and
Notify Owners of
Substandard Units
Notify property owners
regarding available
rehabilitation programs
to remedy code
violations.
Continuous
The City's Code Enforcement Officers
work with the Inspection Services
Department to identify substanda rd
housing. Property owners are given an
opportunity to correct violations and may
be eligible for funding through the
Housing Department. The City's Building
and Housing Board of Appeals hears
appeals regarding citations issued by the
Code Enforcement o fficers related to
substandard housing.
H2.1.c - Provide
Public Information on
Preventative
Maintenance and
Energy Conservation
Utilize information
dissemination programs
such as the City's
website and monthly
newsletter to educate
the public on low-cost
preventative
maintenance, as well as
energy conservation
measures, they can take
to prolong the life and
quality of their home and
reduce their long-term
utility and maintenance
costs.
Ongoing
The City continues to provide information
on homeowner maintenance through the
dissemination of brochures and
information on the City's website.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H2.1.d -
Conservation of At-
Risk Units
The City will continue to
contact owners and
operators of such units
at least annually to
monitor when/if the units
are being considered for
conversion. The City
will, as needed, assist
potential non-profit
buyers to apply for
California Housing
Finance Agency funding
to purchase and operate
“At-Risk” facilities for
continued affordability.
The City will investigate
possible incentive
programs to encourage
property owners to keep
their properties
affordable. Staff will
work with the Housing
Authority to determine if
they offer programs that
will assist property
owners in maintaining
their property as
affordable units.
Annually
The City continues to monitor units that
have a covenant for affordability and
make contact with property owners as
needed when units are considered to be
"at-risk" of losing their affordability. An
annual review is done to ensure existing
affordable units are maintained as
affordable.
H2.1.e - Energy
Conservation
The City shall continue
to assist low-income
homeowners and
renters in securing
energy audits through
local utility companies.
Informational flyers
should be provided at
City offices and other
public buildings to
advertise funding
sources for making any
necessary changes such
as energy conservation
fixtures and devices. All
projects funded through
the Housing Program
shall be designed to
meet all state energy
efficiency standards.
The City will also
continue to promote its
participation in the
HERO program.
Ongoing
The City Housing Department continues
to provide infor mation on energy
efficiency and to ensure that all projects
undertaken through the Housing
Department meet the minimum energy
standards required by the California
Energy Code.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H2.1.f - Encourage
Energy Conservation
and Weatherization
The City will continue to
assist low/moderate
income families in
obtaining information
and participating in the
Community Action
Agency's weatherization
program.
Ongoing
The City Ho using Program continues to
refer homeowners to the Community
Action Agency for assistance with energy
conservation and weatherization.
Additionally, any new projects
constructed through the Housing
Program are constructed to meet current
energy conservation standards.
H2.2 - Apply for State
and Federal Funds to
Support Housing
Conservation and
Rehabilitation
Identify and apply for
funding at the State and
Federal levels to help
finance housing
conservation and
rehabilitation in the City.
Annually
The City Housing Program Supervisor
and Development Services Director
review funding opportunities and applies
for those funds when appropriate. The
City currently received CDBG & HOME
funds to assist in the rehabilitation and
conservation of existing housing units for
income eligible households. The City has
a CAL HOME grant to aid in rehabilitation
of housing and first-time home buyer
assistance.
(Continued on next page.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H3.1.a - Pursue State
and Federal Funds
for Down Payment
Assistance
Continue the City’s
revolving loan fund and
grant fund programs to
provide low-interest
loans to first-time low
and moderate-income
homebuyers. Expand
utilization of the loan
program to provide an
“affordability gap”
between housing prices
and household incomes
to sustain a live/work
environment. The loan
program is funded
through state, CDBG,
and HOME funds.
There are established
guidelines setting forth
terms and conditions for
loans. Annually review
loan amount caps, need
for requirement
changes, etc., to meet
changing housing
markets. The City will
continue to apply
annually, or as available,
for CalHOME and
BEGIN, and NSP funds.
The City will explore and
pursue all other
available funding as it
becomes available. The
City will strive to assist
at least one developer
annually to apply for
state and/or federal tax
credits. Funding
assistance is identified
at the beginning of each
fiscal year through the
Housing Program’s
Annual Action Plan.
FY 2015-
2016,
annually
thereafter
In 2022, the City was aw arded $2.5
Million in CalHome funds for down
payment assistance, owner occupied
rehabilitation, ADUs and JADUs, and
mobile homeowner occupied
rehabilitation.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H3.1.b - Coordinate
with Local Agencies
to Provide Housing
Assistance to
Extremely Low, Very
Low, and Low-
Income Households
Work with other
agencies to assist in
identifying and procuring
funding for extremely
low, very low, and low-
income rental programs.
Examples of other
agencies include, but
are not limited to,
Housing Authority
(Housing Choice/Section
8), Community Action
and Salvation Army
(displaced person’s
temporary assistance
and limited financial
grants), and Continuum
of Care partners
(transitional housing and
homeless shelters).
Ongoing
The City continues to work with the
Merced County Housing Authority, the
Community Action Agency, the Salvation
Army, and other Continuum of Care
partners to provide funding for income -
eligible households. Recently the City
implemented a program in conjunction
with the Merced Rescue Mission and
Sierra Saving Grace to provide deposit
assistance for income -eligible
households to obtain permanent rental
housing and assistance with utilities.
H3.1.c - Minimize
Governmental
Constraints on
Housing
Development,
Improvements, and
Maintenance
Review governmental
processes and
regulations to identify
any potential constraints
to the development,
improvement, or
maintenance to housing.
2016,
annually
thereafter
The City continues to review our
development processes and regulations
to identify any potential constraints. The
adoption of the new Zoning Ordinance in
October 2016 eliminated some of the
previous constraints by bringing the City's
Zoning O rdinance into compliance with
state requirements. The Housing
Department completed an update of the
City's Analysis to Impediments to
Housing in 2020. The City is reviewing
that document and working on
addressing any areas that may need to
be improved as a result of the analysis.
Through City Council and staff efforts, the
City has enacted a Prohousing Policy to
aid in development of affordable housing
to meet RHNA requirements.
(Continued on next page.)
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H4.1.a - Provide
Ongoing Public
Information on
Affordable Housing
Issues and Programs
Establish a community
notification list including,
but not limited to,
Housing Authority,
Chamber of Commerce,
schools, grocery and
drug stores, PSAs,
Community Resource
Counsel, civic and
service organizations,
and community centers.
Distribute information
flyers and give public
presentations on
affordable housing
issues and programs in
the City of Merced to
such groups, in addition
to City residents,
developers, and local
lenders, by placing
program brochures,
copies of City
documents, and other
pertinent information in
the City libraries and at
the Merced Civic Center.
In addition, make this
information available to
community-based
groups serving lower
income residents, such
as the Lao Family
Community Center, and
add information to the
City website. Consider
a program for builders’
and developers’
informational meetings
to explain available
programs and
designations, as well as
a program to educate
first time homebuyers on
the process of
purchasing a home.
Ongoing
The Housing Department provides
information on their website regarding
available programs, current plans, and
other information for tenants, landlor ds,
and property owners. All required public
notices are also available on the Housing
Department website. All notices required
under the HUD Community Outreach
Guidelines are provided in English,
Spanish, and Hmong. The notices are
published in two loc al newspapers as
well as on the City’s website. The City
hosted a series of community outreach
and input meetings in 2022, directly
related to our 2023 Annual Action Plan
process, that included a discussion of
HOME-ARP funding for affordable
housing. The public and our agency
partners were invited to attend these
open forum public meetings.
Additionally, the City hosts three annual
town hall meetings to discuss areas of
interest for our community; Hmong and
Spanish interpreters are made available.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H4.1.b - Establish a
Tenant and Landlord
Education Program
Continue work with the
County Housing
Authority, the Merced
County Rental Housing
Association, and other
relevant organizations.
Provide sponsorship of
Fair Housing and
Tenant/Landlord
relationships and rights
workshops to educate
tenants and landlords on
their rights and
responsibilities.
Ongoing
Fair Housing matters are referred to
Project Sentinel who is the outside
agency contracted to handle fair housing
issues. Additionally, contact information
is provided to the Central California legal
services for tenant/landlord disputes, and
issues of substandard housing within the
City of Merced are referred to the City's
Code Enforcement Department. The City
has a Fair Housing Information page on
the City's Housing Webpages.
H6.1.a - Use CDBG
funds for fair housing
enforcement,
education, and
technical assistance
activities.
Continue to contract with
an outside agency to
provide Fair Housing
information to the City's
residents.
Ongoing
The City continues to contract with an
outside agency (Project Sentinel) for fair
housing enforcement.
H6.1.b. - Prepare a
HUD Consolidate
Plan every 5 years
Prepare a Consolidated
Plan every 5 years to
include certification that
the City will affirmatively
further fair housing,
conduct an analysis to
identify impediments to
fair housing choice, and
take actions to
overcome the effects of
any impediments
identified.
Every 5
years
The City Council approved the
Consolidated Plan covering 2020 to 2024
on November 16, 2020 , and it was
approved by HUD in 2021.
H6.1.c - Prepare an
Analysis of
Impediments to Fair
Housing every 5 to 7
years
Prepare and Analysis of
Impediments (AI) every
5 to 7 years and take
steps to address all
barriers to affordable
housing identified in the
report.
Every 5 to
7 years to
prepare
the report.
Actions to
address
barriers to
affordable
housing
are an
ongoing
task.
The City Council approved the most
recent Analysis of Impediments on
November 16, 2020. The City continues
to review the impediments identified and
work on ways to remove or reduce those
impediments.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
Name of Program Objective Timeframe
in H.E Status of Program Implementation
H6.2 - Ensure all
new, multifamily
construction meets
the accessibility
requirements of the
federal and State fair
housing acts through
local permitting and
approval processes.
Review all applications
for multifamily
construction to ensure
all federal and State fair
housing acts are being
complied with. This
shall be done through
building permit review or
other review as required
(i.e., CUP, etc.).
Ongoing
All multi -family housing projects are
reviewed during the entitlement process
and building permit process to ensure
compliance with all federal and state fair
housing acts are being complied with.
H6.3 - Encourage a
range of housing
types to be
constructed in
subdivisions and
large developments
Promote Neighborhoods
that contain a variety of
housing types, as
allowed by the R-1, R-2,
R-3, R-4, and P-D zones
of the Merced Zoning
Ordinance.
Ongoing
The City's Zoning Ordinance allows a
wide range of housing types in all
residential and many commercial zones.
E) Commercial Development Bonus
Table E of the HPR shows any affordable housing units approved within a commercial development per Government Code Section 65915.7. The City has not utilized this program and thus had nothing to report in 2024.
F) Units Rehabilitated, Preserved, or Acquired
Table F of the HPR is an optional table where j urisdictions may list (for informational purposes only) units that do not count toward RHNA, but were substantially rehabilitated, acquired or preserved. Units may only be credited to the RHNA when a jurisdiction has included a program in its housing elem ent to rehabilitate, preserve or acquire units to accommodate a portion of its RHNA which meet the specific criteria as outlined in Government Code Section 65583.1(c)(2).
The City has no such program that meets those criteria.
G) Locally Owned Land That Has Been Sold
Table G of the HPR is an optional table which identifies any sites, that were owned by the local jurisdiction that were identified in the Housing Element as required to meet the regional housing needs, that were sold or disposed of in the reporting year.
The City of Merced has no such sites to report at this time.
H) Locally Owned Surplus Sites
Table H of the HPR shows property that is locally owned or controlled that has been declared Surplus pursuant to Government Code Section 54221 or identified as CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
excess pursuant to Government Code Section 50569. The City has 10 sites that were declared surplus sites in 2017. These sites are listed in Table H.
I) Units Constructed Pursuant to Government Code Section 65852.21 and Applications for Lot Splits Pursuant to Government Code Section 66411.7 (SB 9)
This table was removed from the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
CITY OF MERCED January 1, 2024, to
General Plan Annual Progress Report December 31, 2024
J) Student Housing Development for Lower Income Students Table J identifies sit es that were developed for student housing for lower income student for which a density bonus was a pproved. The City approved projects with 161 Density Bonus units in 2024, but none included housing specifically for students. Therefore, the City has no information to report.
Appendix
A) General Plan Amendments (2012-Present)
APPENDIX A 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Page A-1
Appendix A
General Plan Amendments
(Approved Since January 3, 2012, Adoption of General Plan; unless otherwise noted, all of the below are changes to the Land Use Diagram, Figure 2.3.)
Reference
No.
APN# and
Parcel Size
Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution #
GPA
#11-04
170-010-001
to -039;
170-030-001
to -028;
170-022-001
to -003;
170-041-001
to -0113; &
170-044-001
(8.5 acres)
Northeast Corner of
Bellevue Road &
Barclay Drive
Low Medium Density
Residential (LMD) to
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN)
January 17,
2012
(CC Res
#2012-08)
GPA
#11-05
231-040-004
(n/a)
Northeast Corner of
Yosemite Avenue &
G Street
Curb Cut Allowed
(Exception to General
Plan Policy)
January 17,
2012
(CC Res
#2012-07)
GPA
#12-02
59-240-027
&
59-240-036
(5.6 acres)
Southeast Corner of
Childs Avenue &
Canal Street
Low, Low Medium, &
High Medium Density
Residential
(LD/LMD/HMD) to
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN)
November 19,
2012
(CC Res
#2012-81)
GPA
#12-01
58-020-058
(Portion of
8.2 acres)
Building #3 of
Fahrens Park Plaza
at Southeast Corner
of Highway 59 &
Buena Vista Drive
Business Park (BP) to
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN)
January 22,
2013
(CC Res
#2013-03)
GPA
#12-03
231-040-002
(7.5 acres)
Southwest Corner of
Mercy Avenue &
Mansionette Drive
Low Density Residential
(LD) to
Professional/Commercial
Office (CO)
May 6, 2013
(CC Res
#2013-19)
APPENDIX A 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Page A-2
Reference
No.
APN# and
Parcel Size
Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution #
GPA
#13-01
Citywide Citywide Bicycle Transportation
Plan Adopted; Revisions
to Figure 4.9 and pages 4-
24, 4-25, & 4-26
September 16,
2013
(CC Res.
#2013-44)
GPA
#13-03
034-122-013
034-122-014
(1.4 acres)
South side of E. 21st
Street, 380 feet west
of Yosemite Park
Way
High Medium Density
Residential (HMD) and
Commercial Office (CO)
to Thoroughfare
Commercial (CT)
October 17,
2013
(CC Res.
#2013-46)
GPA
#13-02
34-011-007
&
34-011-024
(1.93 acres)
Northeast corner of
G Street and E. 23rd
Street
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN) and
Low Density Residential
(LMD) to General
Commercial (CG)
November 4,
2013
(CC Res.
#2013-49)
GPA
#13-05
230-220-055
(2.6 acres)
Northwest corner of
M Street and
Yosemite Avenue
Low Density Residential
(LMD) to Professional/
Commercial Office (CO)
January 21,
2014
(CC Res.
#2014-03)
GPA
#14-01
30-163-003;
30-164-008;
030-163-004;
030-164-006
(0.79 acres)
815 W. 23rd Street
820 W. 23rd Street
825 W. 23rd Street
830 W. 23rd Street
Low Density Residential
(LD) to Professional/
Commercial Office (CO)
December 1,
2014
(CC Res.
#2014-47)
GPA
#13-04
007-290-040
(N/A)
West Side of G
Street, 165 Feet
North of Park
Avenue
Curb Cut Allowed
(Exception to General
Plan Policy)
December 15,
2014
(CC Res.
#2014-48)
GPA
#14-03
Citywide Citywide Merced Hazard
Mitigation Plan Adopted;
Revisions to Safety
Element (pages 11-1, 11-
2, & 11-30)
(Implementing Action
1.1.g also changed to
match page 11-30 in Ch.
14-Policy Index, page 14-
68)
March 16,
2015
(CC Res.
#2015-09)
APPENDIX A 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Page A-3
Reference
No.
APN# and
Parcel Size
Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution #
GPA
#14-02
APN List
available on
request
(2.4 square
miles)
Area bounded by G
Street, Farmland
Avenue, Lake Road,
and Cardella Road
Adoption of Bellevue
Community Plan;
Revisions to Figures 2.3
(Urban Expansion
Chapter) and 3.1 (Land
Use Diagram); Executive
Summary (page I-viii);
Land Use (pages 3-40,3-
56,3-71,3-72,3-73 & 3-
90); and Circulation
Elements (pages 4-3, 4-
5,4-14,4-20,4-21,4-39,4-
40,4-80,4-88,4-89, & 4-
91).
April 6, 2015
(CC Res.
#2015-11)
GPA
#14-04
206-070-006
(6 acres of a
10.4-acre
parcel)
Southeast corner of
Pacific Drive &
Horizons Avenue
Low Density Residential
(LD) to Village
Residential (VR)
July 20, 2015
(CC Res.
#2015-29)
GPA
#14-06
008-310-038;
008-310-050
(5.42 acres)
Southeast corner of
Yosemite Avenue &
McKee Road
Low Density Residential
(LD) to Neighborhood
Commercial (CN)
August 3, 2015
(CC Res.
#2015-34)
GPA
#15-02
007-250-020
(0.92 acres)
Southeast corner of
West Olive Avenue
& M Street
Professional/Commercial
Office (CO) to
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN)
August 3, 2015
(CC Res.
#2015-31)
GPA
#16-02
Citywide Citywide Revisions to Conservation
(Ch. 7) and Safety (Ch.
11) Elements to Address
Flooding, includes Pages
7-40, 11-10, 11-11, 11-12,
Figure 11.4, New Figure
11.5a, and Pages 11-32
through 11-42.
June 7, 2016
(CC Res.
#2016-18)
APPENDIX A 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Page A-4
Reference
No.
APN# and
Parcel Size
Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution #
GPA
#16-03
Citywide Citywide Adoption of a New
Housing Element
[Entire Chapter 9
Replaced—Refer to City
Website for complete
Element]
July 18, 2016
(CC Res.
#2016-34)
GPA
#17-01
231-040-021
(4.54 acres)
Northwest corner of
Yosemite Ave &
Mansionette Drive
High Medium Density
Residential (HMD) to
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN);
Revisions to Public
Facilities & Services
Element, including new
page 5-6 and Figure 5.2
on page 5-5.
May 15, 2017
(CC Res.
#2017-28)
GPA
#16-06
008-010-070;
008-010-071
(17.25 acres)
Southwest corner of
Yosemite Ave &
Lake Road
(extended)
Low Density Residential
(LD) to High Medium
Density Residential
(HMD) for 16.25 acres
and Neighborhood
Commercial (CN) for 1
acre
June 5, 2017
(CC Res.
#2017-33)
GPA
#15-03
061-250-092
(77.5 acres)
Northeast and
Southeast corner of
Campus Parkway &
Coffee St
Reconfiguration of the
High Medium Density
Residential (HMD) to 8
acres and Regional
Community Commercial
(RC) to 69.5 acres
August 7, 2017
(CC Res.
#2017-44)
GPA
#18-01
224-030-018
(5.88 acres)
Southwest corner of
M Street &
Arrowwood Drive
Open Space/Park/
Recreation) (OS/PK) to
Low Density Residential
(LD)
Sept. 17, 2018
(CC Res.
#2108-59)
GPA
#15-04
057-200-042
(7.83 acres)
Northwest corner of
Highway 59 & Santa
Fe Drive
Open Space/Park/
Recreation) (OS/PK) to
Thoroughfare
Commercial (CT)
Oct. 1, 2018
(CC Res.
#2018-60)
APPENDIX A 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Page A-5
Reference
No.
APN# and
Parcel Size
Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution #
GPA
#18-03
206-050-017
(10.73 acres)
Southwest Corner of
San Augustine Drive
& Pacific Drive
Business Park (BP) to
High Medium Density
Residential (HMD)
March 18, 2019
(CC Res.
#2019-09)
GPA
#19-01
N/A
(380 linear
feet of right-
of-way)
Mission Avenue
between Highway
99 and Coffee St
Amend Circulation
Element to Remove
Mission Avenue from
Highway 99 to Coffee St
May 20, 2019
(CC Res.
#2019-25)
GPA
#19-02
008-310-053
(0.52 acres)
Southeast Corner of
McKee Road and
Yosemite Avenue
Low Density Residential
(LD) to Neighborhood
Commercial (CN)
Oct. 7, 2019
(CC Res.
#2019-63)
GPA
#19-03
231-040-004
& -005
(21.5 acres)
Northeast corner of
Yosemite Avenue
and G Street
From “Professional/
Commercial Office”
(CO) to “Neighborhood
Commercial” (CN)
Jan. 22, 2020
(CC Res.
#2020-03)
GPA
#20-02
58-030-037
(3.38 acres)
Northeast corner of
West Olive Avenue
and Highway 59
Professional/Commercial
Office (CO) and
Industrial (IND) to
Business Park (BP)
May 3, 2021
(CC Res.
#2021-32)
GPA
#21-01
32-183-039
through -042
(0.88 acres)
565, 575, 601, &
609 Q Street (South
of W. 6th Street)
Low Density Residential
(LD) to High Medium
Density Residential
(HMD)
July 19, 2021
(CC Res.
#2021-70)
GPA
#20-01
58-470-001
thru -033,-
035,-036; 58-
480-001 thru
-017; 58-
480-034 thru
-044
(6.39 acres)
South Side of
Devonwood Drive
between
Loughborough and
Austin Avenues
Low Medium Density
Residential (LMD) to
High Medium Density
Residential (HMD)
Aug. 16, 2021
(CC Res.
#2021-77)
GPA
#21-03
170-010-001 to
-039; 170-021-
001 to -034;
170-022-001 to
-003; 170-023-
001 to -008;
170-024-001 to
-012; 170-030-
001 to -028;
170-041-001 to
-003; 170-042-
001 to -007;
170-043-001 to
-007; 170-044-
001 to -037
(8.5 acres)
Northeast Corner of
Bellevue Road and
Barclay Way
Neighborhood
Commercial (CN) to Low
Medium Density
Residential (LMC)
April 18, 2022
(CC Res.
#2022-19)
APPENDIX A 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Page A-6
Reference
No.
APN# and
Parcel Size
Location
General Plan
Amendment Approved
City Council
Approval Date
& Resolution #
GPA
#22-02
061-390-027
(4.59 acres)
East Side of Parsons
Avenue, South of
Highway 140
Thoroughfare
Commercial (CT) to High
Medium Density
Residential (HMD)
May 2, 2022
(CC Res.
#2022-21)
GPA
#21-02
058-030-028
(6.95 acres)
Southeast Corner of
Loughborough Dr
and Meadows Ave
Regional/Community
Commercial (RC) to High
Medium Density
Residential (HMD)
June 21, 2022
(CC Res.
#2022-32)
GPA
#23-01
N/A
(Adoption of
VMT
Guidelines)
City-wide Amend the
Transportation Element
Policy T-1.8 to include
Thresholds and
Guidelines for VMT
April 3, 2023
(CC Res
#2023-24
GPA
#22-03
N/A
(1500 linear
feet of right-
of-way)
Mission Avenue
from Coffee St to
Tower Road
(extended)
Amend Circulation
Element to change a
section of Mission
Avenue from a Divided
Arterial to a Collector
May 1-2023
(CC Res.
#2023-31)
GPA
#23-02
058-030-005
6 acres)
North side of Olive
Ave, east of
Highway 59
Commercial Office (CO)
to Business Park (BP)
Aug. 21, 2023
(CC Res
#2023-69)
GPA
#23-04
4600 Lake
Road
060-010-04
060-020-048
East side of Lake
Road south of
Bellevue
Adopt the VST Specific
Plan changes to the
University Community
Plan
1/16/24
(CC Res
#2024-14)
GPA
#23-05
470 E. Olive
007-050-009
South side of E.
Olive East of G St.
Change from R2 to BP 6/17/24
(CC Res
#2024-66)
(Revised—03/07/25)