SAN PABLO HOUSING ELEMENT/GENERAL
PLAN REVISION UPDATE STATUS
PLAN NO. 2208-0002
SAN PABLO CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
BACKGROUND
San Pablo General Plan last updated in 2011
Housing Element 5th Cycle Plan adopted in 2015
Combined General Plan/Housing Element update
initiated in 2021 with receipt of SB2, LEAP , REAP and
PDA grants and approval of agreement with Dyett &
Bhatia (Resolution 2021-025)
Housing Element required by HCD to be updated with
new Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Cycle 6
(2023-2031)
San Pablo’s 6th cycle RHNA requirement is for 746 new units – progress is underway
HOUSING ELEMENT STATUS
The first draft Housing Element update was published on August 19th & available for public review for 30 days
Public hearing held by Planning Commission on August 30, 2022 and by City Council on September 19, 2022
Submitted to Housing and Community Development (HCD)
by deadline of September 30, 2022.
HCD review letter dated December 27, 2022 and received on January 3, 2023.
Review letter notes that City has complied with many of the statutory requirements, but requests additional
analysis in an 11-page appendix with 60 items required for resubmittal and certification.
HOUSING ELEMENT STATUS
Housing Elements were required to be certified by HCD by January 31, 2022. Almost all Bay Area communities missed this deadline
In February 2023, Staff and consultant modified the project approach to focus on Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element, and revisions to Safety Element (along with CEQA review) as a first phase to help advance the Housing Element Update report made to City Manager for Council Update on February 21, 2023 and to Planning Commission on February 28, 2023
City Council agreed to reschedule its planned Housing Policy Workshop until after the City adopts its new Housing Element.
Goal was for City to submit a Second Draft in a form that HCD determines can be compliant and certifiable.
REVISED APPROACH
• Phase I – Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element, and minor necessary text amendment to Safety Element. An Addendum to the previously prepared General Plan EIR is anticipated to be prepared for this phase. • Phase II - Land Use Element, other updates to the General Plan, and Rumrill Corridor Plan. A second Addendum is anticipated to be prepared. • Phase III - Amendments to zoning ordinance, zoning maps, and other implementation actions to occur to implement the Housing Element and General Plan update. (Note: Housing Element alone has 55 programs for implementation) HOUSING ELEMENT STATUS Cont.
A fully revised Second Draft Housing Element has now been completed City staff and consultant to meet with HCD staff on August 31, 2023 to review major revisions and discuss potential for certification
City to post the revision on the City’s website and notify interested parties at least 7 days prior to official submittal to HCD
HCD then has 60 days to review the second (or subsequent) draft submittal Additional public hearings and opportunities for comment to be provided Once HCD submits a letter stating that it substantially complies with State law, it can be considered for adoption by City Council.
City to then submit to HCD for final review and certification within 90 days. Housing Element adoption to be accompanied by other first phase products (i.e., EIR Addendum, Environmental Justice Element, and Public Safety update).
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Phase I (Housing, Environmental Justice, Safety):
August 31: Meet with HCD to determine readiness for submittal September 11: Release revised Draft Housing Element for 7-day public review/comment period [Note – schedule assumes only minor revisions requested by HCD at August 31, 2023 consultation] September 18: Resubmit revised draft Housing Element to HCD for review (up to 60-day review) October 9: Consultant submits administrative draft Public Health/Environmental Justice Element to City for review November 13: Consultant submits administrative draft CEQA Addendum to City for review November 20 (or before): HCD completes review of Housing Element December 19: Planning Commission Hearing on revised Housing Element/Environmental Justice Element January 8, 2024: City Council Hearing and adoption of Housing/Environmental Justice Element January - February TBD: City Council Housing Policy Workshop Phase II (Land Use, Rumrill, other elements): January –June 2024 Phase III (Implementation): June 2024 – April 2025
NOTE: SCHEDULE WILL MODIFY IF HCD REQUIRES A THIRD OR SUBSEQUENT SUBMITTAL QUESTIONS?