CITY OF PACIFICA
COUNCIL AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
10/6/2025
1 SUBJECT:
Joint presentation by the HEART of San Mateo and Community Development staff to provide an overview of current State and Federal laws that apply to housing development projects, basics of affordable housing and financing, and discussion of Pacifica’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Density Bonus Ordinance.
PROJECT LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDED CEQA STATUS:
Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to § 15378 of the CEQA Guidelines because the discussion is not a “project,” as defined, because it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive presentation and, in consideration of 2023-2031 Housing Element, provide direction on updates to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Density Bonus Program Ordinance, as well as feedback for further research and analysis.
PREPARED BY:
Samantha Updegrave, LEED AP
Community Development Director
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> DISCUSSION:
With the certification of Pacifica’s 2023-2031 Housing Element on September 19, 2025, and the completion of the related Rezoning Program, staff has begun to turn attention toward our ongoing implementation work. The purpose of this joint study session with the City Council and Planning Commission is to create a foundation of knowledge and common language, and receive feedback and direction on updates to Pacifica’s Inclusionary and Density Bonus ordinances.
The Housing Endowment and Regional Trust of San Mateo County, referred to as HEART, will present along with Community Development staff. HEART is a 20 plus-year old joint powers authority created by the San Mateo County jurisdictions to facilitate the creation of affordable housing. In late 2023, HEART launched the Housing Consulting Services program to help local communities improve their housing programs and policies, launch new programs, and meet goals set out in the housing elements. Currently, HEART is under contract to provide services to eight cities, including Pacifica.
Pacifica City Council 2
October 06, 2025
In the presentation, City staff and HEART will provide an overview of:
· Housing Accountability Act, Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (SB 330), and State Density Bonus laws that establish the regulatory framework for market-rate and affordable housing development projects;
· Affordable housing, financing, and development;
· Themes of Housing Element Implementation Programs - housing production, affordable housing, modernization, and compliance with State law; and · Local inclusionary and density bonus provisions.
Council / Planning Commission Direction Requested
The Inclusionary Ordinance (PMC Title 9, Article 47) and Resolution No. 24-2007 (Attachment A) establishing in-lieu fees was adopted in 2007 with no subsequent amendments. The Density Bonus Program Ordinance (PMC Title 9, Article 41) was originally adopted in 1986 and last amended in 1992. Both ordinances require updates to align with best practices, and comply with State law. Given the extent to which these provisions are out of date, the anticipation of new housing development applications, and policies in the adopted Housing Element, staff seeks direction and feedback on the following:
· Updates to existing Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, inclusionary fee resolution, and Density Bonus Program Ordinance
· Future study or analysis needed to inform potential substantive changes ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
This is an informational item and discussion, therefore there are no alternative actions provided.
RELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND WORK PLAN
Goal 3: Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing.
Action C: Prioritize Housing Element program implementation.
FISCAL IMPACT
This is an information item and discussion, with no immediate fiscal impact. Updates to the Inclusionary and Density Bonus Program ordinance are within the scope of HEART’s current Housing Consultant Services contract with the City. Future study, analysis, and revisions may require the expenditure of funds, which would need to be considered at the time.
ORIGINATED BY:
Community Development Department
ATTACHMENT LIST:
Attachment A_City Council Reso No 24-2007 (PDF)