To: Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
From: City of Pleasant Hill Community Development Department Re: City of Pleasant Hill’s 2024 Annual General Plan Progress Report I. Introduction
This report is in response to Government Code Section 65400 requiring cities to provide an annual report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) concerning the status of the General Plan and progress in its implementation.
II. Acceptance by the City Council
On March 17, 2025, the Pleasant Hill City Council adopted Resolution No. -25 approving the General Plan implementation actions contained in this report, along with the Housing Element Annual Progress Report.
III. General Plan
The City of Pleasant Hill adopted its 2040 General Plan in May 2023. A copy is available on the City’s website: https://www.phillca.gov/130/General-Plan.
IV. General Plan Implementation Actions
The following list contains an update of the General Plan implementation actions by the City during 2024, including highlights from the City’s Capital Improvement Program:
1. The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 967 on January 8, 2024, rezoning the housing opportunity sites identified in the 2023-2031 Housing Element, and amending the Pleasant Hill Municipal Code with revised multi-family and new mixed-use development standards (and associated amendments) to accommodate the additional density and potential multi-family development envisioned in the General Plan and Housing Element. (Economics and Economy Element [E] Policy E-2.3; Land Use Element [LU] Policies LU-1.6, LU-1.7, LU-3.5, LU-4.5, LU-8.2; Housing Element [H] Policies H-1.2, H-2.1; Transportation and Circulation Element [TC] Policy TC-6.4; Environmental Element [ENV] Policy ENV-8.4)
2. The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 970 on October 7, 2024, which included updates to the amend provisions related to the purpose and organization of the zoning ordinance, applicability of land use development regulations, residential development standards, accessory structure standards, tree preservation regulations, variances, and reasonable accommodations to remove potential constraints to development and comply with the General Plan and Housing Element. (Goals LU-3, LU-11, LU-8; Policies H-1.2, H-2.2, H2.5, H-4.1; and Housing Element Programs GG and WW)
3. The City is in the midst of updating its zoning ordinance to comply with State law and the General Plan. The update is expected to be completed in 2025. (Housing Element Programs O & R)
4. The City approved various commercial improvements, including Neuro Vet Animal Hospital and The Royale Eatery. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, LU-1, LU-4)
5. The City approved several general daycare uses throughout the City, including Learn and Play Montessori Preschool, L’Academy Preschool, and My Spanish Village. (Goals E-1, E-3, LU-1, LU-4)
6. The City approved new personal service and personal improvement service uses at various locations throughout the City. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, LU-1, LU4)
7. The City approved various improvements to single-family sites throughout the City. (Goals LU-1, LU-3, H-5)
8. The City approved various wireless telecommunication projects throughout the City, which will improve wireless phone coverage. (E Goal E-6, Public Facilities, Services, and Infrastructure Element [PFS] Goal PFS-5)
9. The City approved various residential projects, including a nine-unit townhome development at 230-240 Cleaveland Road with one affordable unit (Density Bonus and SB 330), multiple single-family homes and accessory dwelling units throughout the City. (Goals LU-1, LU-3, Housing Element Programs, I, M)
10. The City continues to review urban lot split development applications pursuant to Senate Bill 9. (Housing Element Program Q)
11. An annual $235,000 payment from the Redevelopment Agency’s Successor Agency to Grayson Creek Apartments (100% affordable), was made in 2024.
These payments will continue until 2031 (totaling $7,820,000) and are included in the Successor Agency’s Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule. (Housing Element Program W)
12. The City completed Code Enforcement activity (closed over 127 cases and fielded over 1,687 email correspondences) throughout the City in part to keep up the physical appearance of the City and to ensure neighborhood nuisances are minimized. (Goal LU-1)
13. The City supported small businesses by investing $500,000 into a Business Support Initiative that funded a Technical Assistance Grant program, a Pleasant Hill Perks e-gift card program, and other initiatives to benefit the City’s local merchants. This Business Support Initiative was funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3)
14. The first program that launched under the Business Support Initiative was the Pleasant Hill Perks e-gift card program. When consumers purchased a Perks card, the program provided the customer with a 50% “Bonus” card (e.g., individuals who bought a $100 Perks card received a second Perks card valued at $50 at no additional cost). While the “Bonus” cards are no longer available and expired 90 days after purchase, the initial Perks cards never expire. Perks cards are redeemable at 68 participating Pleasant Hill retail stores, restaurants, and personal care businesses. The program provides additional shopping and dining funds for residents to support local businesses, while generating extra consumer spending and free marketing for participating merchants.
In total, over 6,000 Pleasant Hill Perks cards have been purchased, ranging in value from $5 to $100. All of the Perks cards combined represent $476,541 in redemptions at the 68 local businesses. (Goals E-1, E-2, Policy E-3.2)
15. The Technical Assistance Grant Program is also a part of the Business Support Initiative. This program provides grants up to $7,500 to assist retail stores, restaurants, and personal care businesses to enhance their technical capacity across several categories, including:
➢ Website improvements
➢ Online ordering capability
➢ Social media strategy & content
➢ Professional photos
➢ Business videos
➢ Graphic design
So far, 42 Pleasant Hill businesses have received grants. (Goals E-1, E-2, Policy E-3.2)
16. Collaborate on cross-marketing efforts with the City’s economic development partners and assist them with City special event and signage permits, to increase awareness of downtown businesses, and economic activity citywide. These partners include Vestar (the Downtown Pleasant Hill Shopping Center property manager), Chamber of Commerce, Visit Pleasant Hill, and Recreation and Park District. For example, the City collaborated with Vestar to organize and promote the Downtown Light Up the Night Event and Holiday Tree Lighting in December. (Goals E-1, E-2, E-3, E-5)
17. Facilitate special events that promote quality of life and support local businesses. For example, the City:
➢ Facilitated the successful return of Off the Grid (outdoor food truck event).
➢ Partnered with the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park District to sponsor 11 special events.
➢ Assisted the Chamber of Commerce with its special event permit for the Art, Wine & Music Festival.
➢ Collaborated with Vestar to organize and promote Light Up the Night holiday event. (Goals E-1 and E-2)
18. Served on the Visit Pleasant Hill (VPH) Board of Directors to assist VPH with carrying out their annual requirements and obligations, and to help promote the City’s hotels, attractions, and businesses. VPH continues to work on implementation and marketing campaigns to increase visibility of Pleasant Hill hotels and encourage more overnight hotel stays. In addition to increasing hotel usage, Stay Pleasant Hill also gives a boost to all of the City’s businesses by bringing additional visitors into the City to shop and eat at all of our local businesses, and by providing free marketing for many of our establishments. (Goals E-1, E-3. E-4, E-5)
19. Identified a Night Market operator and is currently reviewing their application to launch a Friday evening market that will take place twice a month in the Diablo Valley Plaza, which will help to further activate the northern part of the City.
20. Assisted and supported several restaurant expansions from other cities into Pleasant Hill, including Isla Grand Restaurant, Crumbs Breakfast and Lunch, The Royale, and Cali Kid Burgers.
21. Intersection and Crosswalk Improvement Project No.05-23: This project constructed improvements at multiple intersections located near schools throughout the City for increased pedestrian safety. The improvements include pedestrian-activated flashing stop signs and beacons, speed humps, and enhanced crosswalks. These improvements will increase pedestrian safety yearround and include pedestrian-activated flashing stop signs and beacons, speed humps, enhanced crosswalks, and new ADA-compliant curb ramps. In addition, the project also included adding a new all-way stop at the intersection of Morello Avenue and Viking Drive and the installation of high visibility crosswalks at Paso Nogal Road /Netherby Drive and Morello Avenue. This project is funded by Measure K, Sidewalk Maintenance/Gap Closure program and the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program. (Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC-5, TC-6).
22. Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 2024 (BPMP): The Pleasant Hill BPMP (adopted in March 2024) assesses the City’s existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and makes recommendations for future facilities and programs.
The BPMP provides Recommendations, Goals, and Policies that are consistent with the 2040 General Plan – Transportation and Circulation Element specifically, and more broadly consistent with General Plan themes such as sustainability, mobility, and public safety. This includes goals and policies from the Economics, Land Use, and Environment Elements. The BPMP represents a shift in the City’s transportation development strategy from an automobileoriented focus to a “complete streets” focus in order to balance the needs of multiple modes of travel. The BPMP provides general improvement recommendations and design guidelines for the City to promote consistent, safe, and efficient integration of bicycle and pedestrian facilities on City streets and near transit facilities. The BPMP supports the City in competing for Federal, State, or Local grant funding opportunities by serving as the policy document that such grant sources require to ensure projects provide a cohesive vision for bicycle pedestrian projects. The BPMP also provides policy recommendations to ensure that private development projects that benefit from new facilities pay their fair-share towards those facilities via the city’s traffic mitigation fee program. The BPMP includes buildout of a well-connected network of bikeways that will provide comfort and safety to bicyclists of all ages and abilities, meeting the needs of those that are interested in bicycling but are concerned about the adequacy of existing facilities. The BPMP recommends the implementation of a new collision database to track trends that may require proactive change, as well as identify positive design treatments that can be expanded throughout the City. The plan also recommends expanding bicycle and pedestrian facilities that support the City’s most vulnerable users, schoolaged children, through expanded Safe Routes to School programs. Having an approved BPMP that identifies projects will help the City qualify for grant funding that promotes the build-out of a continuous active transportation network within the City. (Goals LU-7, TC-1, TC-4, TC-5, TC-6, TC-8, TC-9, TC-11, TC-12).
23. Taylor Boulevard Improvement (Civic Drive to Ruth Drive) Project 01-23. The Taylor Boulevard Improvement Project (Civic Drive to Ruth Drive) constructed a new traffic signal at the intersection of Taylor Boulevard and Civic Drive, new sidewalk on the north side of Taylor Boulevard between Civic Drive and Ruth Drive, new sidewalk on both sides of Civic Drive, and new striping on Norse Drive. Project highlights include the installation of: 1,300 linear feet of new ADA-compliant concrete sidewalk, new traffic signal at Taylor Boulevard/Civic Drive, advanced pedestrian and bicycle safety features at the new traffic signal, new crosswalks across Civic Drive and Taylor Boulevard, 10 new ADA curb ramps, 390 linear feet of new bike lanes, 58,000 square feet of pavement micro-surfacing treatment, new signage and striping improvements, installation of an additional 105 linear feet of new ADAcompliant concrete sidewalk and 2 ADA curb ramps; installation of an additional 510 linear feet of new bike lanes on Norse Drive, installation of an additional 12,350 square feet of pavement micro surfacing treatment on Norse Drive, replacement mulch areas with sod and irrigation to match existing grass area adjacent to the Police Department and installation of pavers in the Civic Drive median. The Project provides new bicycle and pedestrian connections to Valley View Middle School, College Park High School, Diablo Valley College, the City Police Department, Community Center, YMCA, and other office complexes on the north side of Taylor Boulevard. The project is funded through Measure K, Traffic Mitigation Fund, and two Transportation Development Act (TDA) grants. (Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC-5, TC-6).
24. The Contra Costa Boulevard Improvement Project (Viking Drive to Harriet Drive) No. 02-23 includes enhancements along Contra Costa Boulevard (CCB) between Viking Drive and Harriet Drive. Key project elements include modifications to the traffic signals and intersection geometry at CCB and Taylor Boulevard, a new traffic signal at CCB and Alan Drive, ADA upgrades, traffic striping modifications, bicycle lanes, median re-configuration, LED street lighting, and drought-tolerant landscaping. This project is the fifth and final phase of the City’s overall CCB Corridor enhancement. The final project design consists of “complete streets” improvements along approximately 0.25 miles of CCB between Harriet Drive and Viking Drive. Project improvements include safety and access for all users (pedestrians, transit riders, bicyclists, and motorists) and modernization of street aesthetics. Construction has already started and is scheduled to be completed in April 2025. The project is funded by Measure J grant funds, SB1 funds, Measure K funds, Unified Lighting District Funds, Traffic Mitigation Funds, Traffic Congestion Relief Funds, and reimbursements from PG&E and the City of Concord. (Goals TC-1, TC-3, TC5, TC-6, TC-8, TC-9).
25. Police Department Underground Storage Tank (UST) Replacement Project PSC-01-23 provided for the removal and replacement of the existing UST located at the Police Department rear parking lot. On September 25, 2014, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 445, requiring all single walled USTs designed and constructed before January 1, 1997, to be permanently closed no later than December 31, 2025. The existing UST system, designed in 1996 and installed in 1997, consisted of a 12,000-gallon single walled tank, related piping, a fuel pump, fuel island, and overhead canopy. As such, CCHS notified the City that the UST was identified as one such tank, and therefore must be closed by December 31, 2025. The Police Department Underground Storage Tank Replacement Project involved the closure in place of the existing single walled UST and installation of a new double walled UST in compliance with State regulations. The project was funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. (Goals HS-8).
26. Grayson Creek Restoration and Mitigation Project: Project highlights included the following construction activities: removed invasive plants and vegetation at three outfall locations; installed specified plants, shrubs, jute netting, and hydroseeding at three outfall locations; installed temporary irrigation systems at three outfall locations; berm and swale grading at the storm water detention basin empty lot, adjacent to Grayson Creek, to restore the damage caused from previous years heavy storm events. The project was funded with Measure K funds.(Goals ENV-2, ENV-3).
27. Annual Creek Maintenance Program: The Annual Creek Maintenance Program is a citywide maintenance effort that began after flooding in January 1997.
Since then, the City works with property owners that abut one of the many creeks in the City (Murderer’s, Matson, Grayson, Ellinwood, Linda, North and Belle Ditch) to clear them of debris and vegetation that have accumulated and grown over the years, in accordance with the City’s “Directions and Guidelines for Creek Maintenance.” (Goal ENV-3).
28. Storm Drain Improvement Program: This program provides installation of new storm drain facilities and the upgrade and/or repair of existing storm drain facilities. Projects funded through this program will be implemented per the priority list included in the City’s Storm Drain Master Plan. Projects are prioritized based on several factors including safety, right-of-way impacts, ability to meet green infrastructure requirements, cost, localized flooding impact, and maintenance. The 2024 Storm Drain Maintenance Project No. 04- 24 will consist of, but is not limited to, clearing and grubbing; demolition; excavation and construction of a new 36 inch 45-degree concrete collar at the outfall of the culvert in Murderer’s Creek, and installation of a storm drain manhole and flap gate at the existing angle point at 507 Masefield Drive and 575 Boyd Road. (Goal ENV-2).
29. Storm Drain Maintenance Program: This program provides for the maintenance of existing storm drain facilities, including: metal storm drain facilities, storm drain pipes, valley gutters, storm drain inlets, curbs/gutters, and roadside drainage ditches. The program will repair or replace deteriorated and nonfunctional facilities. (Goal ENV-2)
30. Existing Street Signing & Striping Maintenance Program: This program funds the maintenance of pavement striping, markings, reflectors, curb painting and signs which degrade due to exposure to natural elements and vehicular wear and continuous upkeep. These are important roadway features and are required for the safe movement of vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles on the roadway. (Goals TC-9, TC-10)
31. Pleasant Hill Climate Action Plan: As part of the 2040 General Plan there was an associated Environmental Impact Report. As part of this analysis was a mitigation measure that required the preparation of a Climate Action Plan. This plan would include targets to be consistent with SB32, with a reduction of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and AB1279 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
Work on the plan has started, with work anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025 (Goals ENV-8.1, ENV-8.3).
V. Housing Element Reporting Requirements
More detailed information on Housing Element Programs and related implementation actions is provided in the Housing Element Annual Progress Report as approve by the Pleasant Hill City Council on March 17, 2025 and subsequently submitted to OPR and HCD.
VI. 2024 General Plan Amendments
The City of Pleasant Hill did not process any applications for General Plan amendments during the 2024 calendar year.
VII. Contact
Troy Fujimoto, City Planner
City of Pleasant Hill
[email protected] or (925)671-5224