AGENDA
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 AT 5:00 P.M.
Any records relating to an agenda item, received by a majority or more of the Council less than 24 hours before the meeting, shall be available for inspection online and at City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, and placed with other agenda-related materials on the table in front of the Council Chamber prior to the meeting.
Sign Language interpreters may be requested by calling (415) 485-3066 (voice), emailing [email protected] or using the California Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing “711”, at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request. To request Spanish language interpretation, please submit an online form at https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/request-for-interpretation/.
In-Person:
City Hall Council Chambers
1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA 94901
Watch Online:
Watch on Webinar: https://tinyurl.com/spcc06-04-26
Watch on YouTube: www.youtube.com/cityofsanrafael
Listen by phone: (669) 444-9171
ID: 816-6529-1613#
Members of the public may speak on Agenda Items.
STUDY SESSION
a. 2026 Second City Council Housing Study Session
Presentation on Housing Development in San Rafael and Potential Changes to Housing Policies and Review Procedures and Accompanying Work Plan Implications (CED) ADJOURNMENT:
____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting:
Disposition:
Agenda Item No: SM a
Meeting Date: June 4, 2026
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Community and Economic Development
Prepared by:
Alexis Captanian, Housing Manager
Margaret Kavanaugh-Lynch, Planning Manager
Greg Minor, Assistant Director
City Manager Approval: ______________
TOPIC: 2026 SECOND CITY COUNCIL HOUSING STUDY SESSION
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION ON HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN SAN RAFAEL AND
POTENTIAL CHANGES TO HOUSING POLICIES AND REVIEW
PROCEDURES AND ACCOMPANYING WORK PLAN IMPLICATIONS
INTRODUCTION:
In light of the new regulatory landscape for housing development in California, City staff are facilitating two City Council study sessions in the first half of 2026 to (i) clarify what project elements local governments can influence, (ii) identify the types of housing San Rafael wants to encourage, and (iii) present policy and process adjustments for City Council consideration. The first study session took place on February 2, 2026 and focused on state and local land use regulations. This second session will center on the City’s affordable housing requirements as well as follow-up from direction provided at the first study session.
GOALS OF THE SECOND STUDY SESSION:
The goals of the second study session are as follows:
(1) Establish a baseline understanding of the City’s affordable housing requirements and how state density bonus law (SDBL) has impacted them; and
(2) Receive input from the City Council on whether:
i. the City should retain or amend its Below Market Rate (BMR) development standards given recent guidance issued by the California Department of Housing and Community Development regarding concessions under SDBL; and
ii. staff should deprioritize evaluation of the inclusionary percentage and affordability level considering other priorities identified in the City’s strategic plan. (3) Confirm whether staff should explore amendments to the downtown’s density requirements in light of resource and workplan implications identified following the first study session.
STUDY SESSION AGENDA:
The study session will commence with a staff presentation focusing on the following themes:
1. Overview of steps needed to explore making amendments to the Downtown’s Density Requirements (20 minutes)
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
a. Staff will present a discussion of the steps needed to pursue this option as well as estimated resources needed.
2. City’s Affordable Housing Requirements (approximately 25 minutes) a. Requirements for Residential Development Projects, including development standards, inclusionary percentage, and affordability levels
b. Impact of State Density Bonus Law
3. Potential Affordable Housing Policy and Process Adjustments (approximately 15 minutes) The remaining time will allow for discussion and comments from the public and City Councilmembers followed by direction from the City Council on potential policy and process adjustments.
BACKGROUND RESOURCES:
Below staff have provided resources with more details to complement the study session presentation.
A. City of San Rafael Affordable Housing Requirements
1. Ordinance 1990 (February 2021)
2. Resolution 14890 (February 2021)
3. Resolution 15179 (December 2022)
B. California Department of Housing and Community Development 2026 Housing Law Fact Sheet
1. Housing Accountability Act (Fact Sheet pp.30-35)
2. Housing Crisis Act (Fact Sheet pp.36-40)
3. Housing Element Law (Fact Sheet pp.40-45)
C. City of San Rafael Development Resources
1. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Regarding Development in San Rafael
2. Major Projects Webpage