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CITY OF PACIFICA
170 Santa Maria Avenue • Pacifica, California 94044-2506 (650) 738-7341 • www.cityofpacifica.org
Scenic Pacifica
Incorporated Nov. 22, 1957
General Plan Annual Progress Report for City of Pacifica 2024 Calendar Year
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................2 DATE OF ACCEPTANCE BY CITY COUNCIL........................................................................................2 DATE OF MOST RECENT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE .............................................................................2 IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS ELEMENTS ........................................................................................2 Economic Sustainability Element............................................................................................2 Community Design Element....................................................................................................3 Land Use Element .....................................................................................................................3 Circulation Element..................................................................................................................4 Open Space and Community Facilities ................................................................................5 Conservation Element..............................................................................................................6 Safety Element ..........................................................................................................................7 Noise Element............................................................................................................................7 HOUSING ELEMENT...............................................................................................................................7 ATTACHMENT A: City Council Resolution No. _____.......................................................................10 ATTACHMENT B: Housing Element Annual Progress Report For Calendar Year 2024................11 General Plan Annual Progress Report
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INTRODUCTION
State law requires the City to submit annual reports by April 1st of each year on the status and progress of implementation of its General Plan during the prior calendar year to the City Council, Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (Government Code § 65400). The following discussion complies with the state law requirements.
Staff has conducted a review of the City’s General Plan and prepared the report below outlining notable items related to implementation of elements of the City’s 2040 General Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in July 2022.
DATE OF ACCEPTANCE BY CITY COUNCIL
The City Council of the City of Pacifica accepted the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report at a regular meeting of the City Council on March 24, 2024. The City Council’s consideration of the Annual Progress Report included an opportunity for public comment.
City Council Resolution No. ________ is attached for reference.
DATE OF MOST RECENT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
The City Council adopted the comprehensive 2040 General Plan update (except the Housing Element) to replace the City’s 1980 General Plan on July 11, 2022. The Housing Element was adopted separately on January 22, 2024, with further revisions being considered.
IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS ELEMENTS
Economic Sustainability Element
• ES-I-16: “Shop Pacifica” Campaign. Create a “Shop Pacifica” campaign to support local businesses and decrease retail sales leakage.
City economic development staff continues to implement the “Shop Pacifica” campaign that includes local gift cards used for purchases at participating businesses located within the City of Pacifica. The City economic development staff expanded the “Shop Pacifica” e-gift program to nearly 60 participating businesses, with more than 3,700 e-gift cards distributed (including the City investment in bonus cards valued at $25,000.) This program injected an additional $139,000 into the local economy, benefitting a diverse range of local businesses. With marketing costs at just $1,867, the program's success is measured at 133,798% ROI. Shop Pacifica’s impact on the local economy's reflected by ongoing merchant registrations and a multitude shopping options for consumers, contributing to the vibrancy of Pacifica's businesses and injecting local dollars back into the community.
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• ES-I-19: Host New Events. Promote regionally recognized events as a means of increasing awareness of Pacifica as a destination and fostering a positive image of the City as a place to visit, reside, and conduct business.
City staff supported planning and hosting of multiple annual events in 2023 including but not limited to Fog Fest, the dog surfing competition, LGBTQ+ pride parade, and Blues & Brews musical performance.
Community Design Element
• CD-I-5: High-Quality Multi-Family and Senior Housing for All Income Levels. Support attached, multi-family, and senior housing that relates positively to the street and surrounding areas, is accessible on foot to community amenities including transit, shopping and services, and offers residents a range of amenities, and provide updated, illustrated Design Guidelines that reflect the unique qualities of Pacifica’s neighborhoods.
A building permit was filed on June 24, 2024, for an entitled development proposal, known as the Pacifica Workforce Housing project, to construct a seven multi-family residential building, with a total of 70 residential housing units (including 11 housing units affordable at below-market rate), residential amenity buildings, off-street parking and circulations improvements, open space, and landscaping, and recreational fields and amenities at the former Oddstad Elementary School located at 930 Oddstad Blvd.
The project received entitlements last year and will provide multi-family housing for at least 45 units of workforce housing for Pacifica School District employees and up to 25 units of market rate housing, and offers a range of amenities, and relates positively to the street and surrounding areas.
Land Use Element
• LU-I-1: Zoning Consistency. Update the Zoning Ordinance and zoning map and apply zoning to all land within the City, consistent with General Plan and LCLUP policies and land use designations.
In December 2024, staff released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Targeted General Plan Amendments, Rezoning, and Objective Design Standards Program, thus starting the work of updating the Zoning Ordinance for consistency with the General Plan and adopted Housing Element.
• LU-I-2: Land Divisions in the Coastal Zone. Continue to require coastal development permits for all land divisions within the Coastal Zone. Land divisions in the Coastal Zone shall be:
o Designed to minimize impacts to public access, recreation, and coastal resources.
o Designed to minimize site disturbance, landform alteration, and the removal of native vegetation for development or fire safety.
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o Prohibited on properties that include any areas that are within or adjacent to an Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) unless the resulting parcels can be developed without building or requiring vegetation clearance in the ESHA or ESHA buffer, or unless the resulting parcels are set aside for conservation.
o Permitted only in areas with adequate public services to serve development on the resulting parcels.
o Any land division that would result in a parcel that could not be developed in accordance with the policies of this LCLUP is not allowed.
In accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 9, the City processed ministerial approvals with Planning Commission approval of Coastal Development Permits for urban lot splits in the Coastal Zone. The proposed lot splits were required to be consistent with the objective standards of the 1980 Local Coastal Land Plan.
Circulation Element
• CU-I-31: Neighborhood Bikeways. Develop a system of bikeways connecting all neighborhoods to the City’s north-south pathway consistent with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The Esplanade and Palmetto Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project was approved by Planning Commission and City Council in 2024 and will install new and improve existing Class 2 and Class 3 bike lanes along Palmetto Avenue, West Avalon Drive, and Esplanade Avenue. The project will also enhance pedestrian safety by installing quick-build painted bulbout safety zones at pedestrian crossings, curb ramps, high visibility crosswalks, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons at several intersections.
• CI-I-52: Age-Friendly Community. Support mobility programs and improvements that enable mobility for all people, including seniors and people with disabilities.
The City continued to operate several programs to address mobility for all people, including seniors and people with disabilities:
o A senior shuttle program to bring seniors to the Community Center lunch program during weekdays.
o A Connect a Ride program for seniors to access low-cost taxi rides (supported by the generosity of the late Sirkka Niukkanen).
o A Shopping Assistance for Seniors Homebound (SASH) program that pairs a SASH volunteer with a senior who cannot shop due to limited mobility or lack of transportation.
o A Meals on Wheels program to deliver meals to homebound seniors.
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Open Space and Community Facilities Element
• OC-I-4 Emphasize Park Maintenance and Improvements. Enhance existing parks to improve the quality and usability of Pacifica’s park land, and make improvements such that park facilities are equitably distributed throughout Pacifica. In particular:
o Improve existing sports fields in partnership with local non-profit youth and adult athletic groups;
o Add playgrounds or expand play areas at Fairway, Imperial, and Oddstad parks;
o Convert parking area to park space at Oddstad, and make improvements at the park’s entrance.
o Provide an off-leash dog area at a location in the northern part of the City.
Parks, Beaches, and Recreation staff continue to implement the playground equipment replacement project. In 2024, they replaced the infield at Sanchez Park, modernized and replaced the backstops at Fairway Park Baseball Fields. In addition, Parks, Beaches, and Recreation staff continue to work with a consultant to prepare construction drawings for another playground initiative, known as Priority Parks, where 4 playgrounds will receive an extensive complete facility renovation. • OC-I-58: Civic Center. Continue to study the feasibility of developing a new City Hall or Civic Center to provide adequate space for long-term needs and enhance the City’s image.
The City completed construction on a substantial renovation to the Civic Center at Santa Maria Avenue and Francisco Boulevard. The project added a new elevator tower to enhance ADA access, restored the exterior to wood siding that matches its original design, and remodeled the interior floorplan of the City Hall building. The project also substantially renovated the interior and exterior of the Community Development and Engineering Building. City staff moved back into the buildings in July 2024.
• OC-I-63: Senior and Community Services. Continue to use available funding sources to maintain and enhance the City’s Senior Services program, including meal services, transportation, and counseling. In addition, continue to support non-profit service providers in offering other needed community services.
See Policy No. CI-I-52, above.
• OC-I-66: Future Use of City Hall. Explore the possibility of attracting cultural uses as part of the Civic Center Facilities Project.
Revised City policy of rentals of internal building spaces, including community center, chambers, and civic center, for expanded public use.
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Conservation Element
• CO-I-54: Climate Action Plan for Greenhouse Gas Reductions. Maintain and update the Climate Action Plan that focuses on feasible actions the City can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from government, businesses, and residents in Pacifica.
In May 2023, the City Council established the Climate Action and Adaptation Task Force through Resolution No. 50-2023. The Task Force was created to develop and draft for Council adoption an update to the City’s Climate Action Plan, now titled the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP).
Since its inception, the CAAP Task Force has met monthly as a public body and has worked extensively in subcommittees. Members have also participated in key regional and state-level climate action groups, including San Mateo County’s Regionally Integrated Climate Action Planning Suite (RICAPS), the CA Climate and Energy Collaborative’s Local Energy Resources Network (LERN), and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA. The Task Force has conducted widespread community engagement efforts, including community-wide surveys, targeted focus groups, and interactive public outreach at local events. The planning process involved residents, community groups, City staff, Task Force members, and consultants.
The Task Force is drafting the CAAP that outlines strategies for reducing emissions in three broad areas: energy, water, and solid waste; transportation and land use; and food and consumption. It provides key actions necessary for Pacifica to achieve its climate goals, addressing both municipal operations and ways residents, organizations, and businesses can contribute to emission reductions. The final version of the plan is expected to be prepared for formal adoption by the City Council in late spring 2025.
• CO-I-71: Inclusive Engagement. Expand notification efforts for major policy documents and projects within Pacifica’s Coastal Zone to unrepresented communities outside of Pacifica.
Planning staff conducted 9 public meetings in 2024 to engage the community on the City’s Local Coastal Land Use Plan (LCLUP). These public meetings ranged from an allday, in-person community question and answer study session (March 2, 2024), to numerous public hearings with the City Council to revise policy language proposed by community members and agencies such as the North Coast County Water District and the California Coastal Commission. Through the City’s extensive community engagement and outreach, the City Council reached a majority agreement on October 28, 2024, and adopted a revised LCLUP that addresses many community members concerns raised over the course of the year. The City’s adopted LCLUP is General Plan Annual Progress Report
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currently pending California Coastal Commission’s certification and is expected to go to a hearing in spring 2025.
Also see CO-I-54 above for additional discussion of community engagement.
Safety Element
• SA-I-99: Multi-Jurisdictional Approach. Participate in State or regional efforts to develop a clear legislative and regulatory framework to manage the wildland-urban interface, including implementation of the MJ-LHMP.
In 2024, nine jurisdictions in San Mateo County formed the Safety Element Collaborative (“Collaborative”) to coordinate updates to their safety elements.
Through a competitive RFP process facilitated by San Mateo County, PlaceWorks was selected as the consultant, and Community Planning Collaborative served as the project manager from the Collaborative’s formation through the RFP process and will continue in that role through project completion.
The project team completed a vulnerability assessment and hazard mapping, which included developing a geodatabase of hazard data and mapping, a GIS database of community assets, lists of sensitive populations and critical assets, GIS layers of evacuation constraints analysis results, a vulnerability assessment summary, and an online map viewer. The project remains on track for completion in spring 2025.
Noise Element
There was no reportable action on implementation of the Noise Element.
HOUSING ELEMENT
On January 22, 2024, the City Council adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element of the General Plan which covers what is known as the 6th Cycle RHNA, or RHNA 6.
Staff has prepared the Calendar Year 2024 APR in the format prescribed by HCD (Attachment B). Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and submitted it electronically to HCD on Month Day, 2025 after City Council accepted the report on March 24, 2025.
This is the second APR associated with the 2023-2031 Housing Element. The City’s RHNA 6 allocations for the planning period 2023-2031 is 1,892 housing units. This is an increase of 1,479 units or a 358 percent increase, compared to the RHNA 5 allocation. The 2024 APR prepared by staff demonstrates the number of housing units for which the City granted planning entitlements (i.e., discretionary approvals), building permits, and certificates of occupancy during the 2024 calendar year.
The APR is a routine item required by state law to report on housing-related activities in the prior calendar year and is not a policy document guiding housing-related actions to be undertaken by the City. The APR must be considered by the Council at a public meeting where members of the public have an opportunity to provide comments. Members of the General Plan Annual Progress Report
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public may comment on the APR during public comment as part of consideration of the item.
Acceptance of the APR is a routine matter, and the report is informational only.
The APR also highlights other accomplishments and milestones achieved throughout the 2024 reporting period. Staff reports the following observations as compared to the 2023 APR reviewed by Council in terms of housing unit production:
• In 2024, housing unit production, measured by building permits, remained relatively stable at 20 units, a slight decrease from 2023's 24 units. Similarly, 41 Certificates of Occupancy (C/Os) were issued, slightly below the previous year's 48. • In 2024, 39 of the 41 C/Os issued were for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), representing 95% of C/Os. ADUs comprise 71 percent of the C/Os that were issued in 2023: 44 units. These ADUs were units categorized as 'SFD - ADU Existing Area,' 'SFD - ADU Detached,' and 'SFD - ADU Attached.'
• The City received applications for 50 ADUs in 2024, of these, ## were approved ministerially and ## received a building permit in 2024. • The City continues to process applications under the state law known as Senate Bill 9, or SB 9. SB 9 allows for ministerial approval (i.e., no discretionary review) of two residential unit projects and/or urban lot splits of existing lots for projects that meet the qualifying criteria in the law. Five SB 9 applications have been submitted, one of which was approved in 2024. These applications consist of an urban lot split only (4 applications) and combined two residential unit and urban lot split (1 application). • Two housing units were entitled in 2024 through the processing of residential development applications, a figure consistent with typical years, though lower than 2023's unusually high number due to a project with a single large entitlement. The City of Pacifica does not have an entitlement process for ADUs which are processed ministerially.
• In 2024, the City received applications for 397 housing units, a substantial increase from 64 in 2023. This increase is largely due to the following two applications: Pacifica Gateway (225 units) and Sea Cove (117 units).
Accomplishments Housing Element Program Implementation:
• Initiated regulatory framework development for RHNA sites (Housing Element Program HE-I-1), including 11 actions addressed in a published Draft EIR; Final EIR expected May 2025.
• Advanced ADU development (HE-I-4) and as a result increased ADU production through support of ADU Resource Center, including the upcoming launch of an online plans gallery, supporting the ADU Accelerator Program, enhancing the ADU OneStop shop, and developing pre-approved 'building permit ready' ADU plans. • Advanced infrastructure capacity improvements (HE-I-13) by including Vallemar/Rockaway projects in 5-Year CIP.
Attachment A: City Council Resolution No.______
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Attachment B: Housing Element Annual Progress Report For Calendar Year 2024 4937-3651-9720 v1
ATTACHMENT A: City Council Resolution No. ____________
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ATTACHMENT B: Housing Element Annual Progress Report For Calendar Year 2024