From: Omar Lopez
To: _PLANCOM - Planning Commission
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 3/13/2025 - Item 11.1(a) Public Comment Date: Monday, March 10, 2025 11:08:53 AM
Attachments: 2025_0313_Santa Rosa PC_Item 11.1(a).pdf
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Good morning,
Attached is Generation Housing’s public comment letter on Item 11.1(a) for the Santa Rosa Planning Commission meeting on 3/13/2025.
All the best,
_____
Omar Lopez | Senior Program
Associate
He/Him/His/El
Generation Housing
(707)267-3928 | 427 Mendocino Ave, Suite 100 | Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Attachment 10
March 13th, 2025 Santa Rosa Planning Commission 100 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95401 Re: Item 11.1(a): Housing Element Amendment Public Hearing Dear Chair Weeks, Vice Chair Duggan, Commissioners, and Staff, Generation Housing continues to support the proposed amendment to the 2023-2031
Housing
Element,
which
includes
the
transfer
of
641
RHNA
units
from
the
County
of
Sonoma
to
the
City
of
Santa
Rosa.
This
transfer
is
a
logical
and
necessary
step
following
the
annexation
of
34.93 acres
in
northwest
Santa
Rosa,
ensuring
that
the
City
appropriately
plans
for
its
housing
obligations
and
expands
housing
opportunities
for
residents.
Last week, we conveyed this same support to the City Council, when they were considering
approving
the
RHNA
transfer.
We
appreciate
the
opportunity
to
reaffirm
this
position
before
the
Planning
Commission.
Additionally, we recognize the importance of the two clerical corrections being incorporated
into
this
amendment
to
maintain
the
accuracy
and
integrity
of
the
Housing
Element.
Ensuring
that
Santa
Rosa’s
housing
policies
are
both
clear
and
up
to
date
is
critical
for
meeting
the
City’s
long-term
housing
goals.
We urge the Planning Commission to recommend approval of this amendment to the
City
Council.
This
action
will
help
Santa
Rosa
fulfill
its
housing
commitments
while
reinforcing
the
City’s
leadership
in
addressing
regional
housing
needs.
In partnership, Stephanie Picard Bowen Deputy Director, Generation Housing
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
651 Bannon Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
March 11, 2025
Jessica Jones, Deputy Director
Planning and Economic Development Department
City of Santa Rosa
100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Dear Jessica Jones:
RE: City of Santa Rosa’s 6
th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Amendment to the Housing
Element
Thank you for submitting the City of Santa Rosa’s (City) draft amendment to the housing element that was received for review on February 28, 2025. Pursuant to Government Code section 65585, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is reporting the results of its review.
On April 7, 2023, HCD found the City’s housing element in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq) and as of this writing, the City continues to comply with State Housing Element Law. This draft amendment does not impact the April 7, 2023 finding of substantial compliance. The element will continue to comply with State Housing Element Law once the amendment has been adopted, submitted, and reviewed by HCD pursuant to Government Code section 65585.
Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing element is essential to effective housing planning. Throughout the housing element process, the City should continue to engage the community, including organizations that represent lower-income and special needs households, by making information regularly available and considering and incorporating comments where appropriate. Please be aware, any revisions to the element must be posted on the local government’s website and to email a link to all individuals and organizations that have previously requested notices relating to the local government’s housing element at least seven days before submitting to HCD.
Pursuant to Government Code section 65583.3, subdivision (b), the City must utilize standards, forms, and definitions adopted by HCD when preparing the sites inventory and submit an electronic version of the sites inventory. While the City has submitted an electronic version of the sites inventory, if changes occur or have occurred since prior
Jessica Jones, Deputy Director
submittals, any future adopted version of the element must also submit the electronic version of the sites inventory.
Several federal, state, and regional funding programs consider housing element compliance as an eligibility or ranking criteria. For example, the CalTrans Senate Bill (SB) 1 Sustainable Communities grant, the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, and HCD’s Permanent Local Housing Allocation consider housing element compliance and/or annual reporting requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65400. With a compliant housing element, the City continues to meet housing element requirements for these and other funding sources.
HCD appreciates the City’s hard work and diligence during the housing element process and looks forward to receiving the re-adopted element. If you have any questions or need additional technical assistance, please contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Paul McDougall
Senior Program Manager