Hybrid options are available for members of the public to participate. To participate remotely:
https://ZoomRegular.CityofVallejo.net
Option to join by phone:
Dial (669) 900-6833
Enter Meeting ID: 914 0075 0676#
Press *9 to digitally raise your hand from the phone
For additional instructions on how to speak during public comment, please visit, www.cityofallejo.net/publiccomment
CALL AND NOTICE OF
JOINT SPECIAL MEETING
AT 6:00 PM
OF THE
VALLEJO CITY COUNCIL &
PLANNING COMMISSION
COUNCI CHAMBERS
555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo,
California
APRIL 18, 2022
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE VALLEJO CITY COUNCIL & THE VALLEJO PLANNING COMMISSION:
You are hereby notified that I do call the Vallejo City Council and the Vallejo Planning Commission in special session to consider only the matters stated on the agenda listed below.
NOTICE: Members of the public shall have the opportunity to address the City Council and Planning Commission concerning any item on the agenda before or during consideration of that item. No other items may be discussed at this special meeting.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. ROLL CALL
4. PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS
A. PRESENTATION FROM CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD) ON RECENT HOUSING LEGISLATION
5. INFORMATION CALENDAR
NOTICE: Members of the public wishing to address the Council and Planning Commission on Action Calendar Items may do so in person by submitting a completed speakers card to the City Clerk or via ZOOM (https://ZoomRegular.Cityofvallejo.net), or via phone, by dialing (669) 900-6833. Enter Meeting ID: 914 0075 0676#. Press *9 to digitally raise your hand from the phone. For additional instructions on how to speak remotely during public comment, please visit, www.cityofvallejo.net/publiccomment. Each speaker is limited to five minutes pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section 2.02.420. In person speakers will be recognized first.
A. PRESENTATION TO THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND
THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE UPDATE OF THE HOUSING AND
SAFETY ELEMENTS AND THE ADDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE ELEMENT TO THE GENERAL PLAN
Recommendation: Receive a presentation from the City’s consultant, PlaceWorks, on the update of the Housing and Safety elements and the addition of the new Environmental Justice element of the General Plan. Hear from the public and provide input to the consultant and staff.
Contact: Margaret Kavanaugh-Lynch, Planning Manager 707-648-8604 [email protected]
6. ADJOURNMENT
Dated: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Robert H. McConnell, Mayor
I, Dawn Abrahamson, City Clerk, do herby certify that I have caused a true copy of the above notice and agenda to be delivered to each of the members of the Vallejo City Council and the Planning Commission, at the time and in the manner prescribed by law and that this agenda was posted at City Hall, 555 Santa Clara Street, CA at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 12, 2022.
Dated: Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Dawn G. Abrahamson, City Clerk
INFORMATIONAL ITEM 5.A.
DATE: April 18, 2022
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Christina Ratcliffe, AICP, Interim Planning and Development Services Director Margaret Kavanaugh-Lynch, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION TO THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE UPDATE OF THE HOUSING AND SAFETY
ELEMENTS AND THE ADDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT TO
THE GENERAL PLAN
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a presentation from the City’s consultant, PlaceWorks, on the update of the Housing and Safety elements and the addition of the new Environmental Justice element of the General Plan. Hear from the public and provide input to the consultant and staff.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
It is appropriate that the City Council and Planning Commission jointly hear and comment on the first presentation of the Housing, Safety and Environmental Justice element update.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In California, each city and county must adopt a Housing Element to plan for the housing needs of the community at all economic levels, including low income households and households with special needs. The Housing Element is an opportunity for the community to establish goals, policies, and programs to address local housing needs. The Housing Element is one of seven required elements of the City’s General Plan, which serves as the blueprint for how the city will grow and address changing needs for development.
Every eight years, the City is required to update its Housing Element and have it certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The City’s last Housing Element Update was adopted in 2015. The current update to the Housing Element will guide housing development in Vallejo in the 2023-2030 planning period. The community will have multiple opportunities to participate in the planning process, which is expected to run through the end of 2022. It is anticipated that the Council will adopt the Housing Element and that it will be approved by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in early 2023.
Housing Element
The Housing Element includes a review of the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and existing and projected housing needs. The new Housing Element will also incorporate new state housing laws and develop a housing strategy with measurable, attainable policies and programs to implement the strategy.
In addition to updating the Housing Element, the project includes an update to the City’s Safety Element and a new Environmental Justice Element, as well as environmental review of the documents, which will then become a part of the General Plan. All three of these elements are required by the State.
Safety Element
The Safety Element must be updated every eight years along with the Housing Element. The Safety Element
Date: April 18, 2022
Subject: PRESENTATION TO THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE UPDATE OF THE HOUSING AND SAFETY
ELEMENTS AND THE ADDITION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT
TO THE GENERAL PLAN
helps communities protect communities against natural disasters and other public safety concerns, such as fires, floods, and earthquakes.
The Safety Element must also evaluate how climate change affects such hazards locally, identify risks posed to vulnerable persons and community assets, and assess currently available means by which to protect against these threats.
Environmental Justice Element
Environmental justice is defined by the state as "the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." Topics included in the Environmental Justice element include:
Improving air quality
Providing access to food, physical activity, and public facilities Civic engagement in the public decision-making process Safe and sanitary homes
Reducing health risks
Prioritizing improvements that address the needs of disadvantaged communities While the existing General Plan contains policies and goals to address some of the above-mentioned topics, the Environmental Justice Element is not currently a stand-alone element.
Adding this element along with these updated elements will further guide the future of Vallejo, helping to ensure that all members of the community may be sheltered and live in a safe and just environment.
On-going outreach to the community to gain meaningful input is a part of this process. Workshops, stakeholder meetings, and consultations, as well as public hearings, will continue through the coming year.
This joint meeting of the Council and the Planning Commission is the first public meeting for this very important project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact of this informational item. The project is funded through grants.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an informational item only and is not subject to CEQA. An environmental document will be prepared and presented prior to this project coming to the Planning Commission for a recommendation and action by the Council.
ATTACHMENTS
None
CONTACT
Margaret Kavanaugh-Lynch, Planning Manager 707-648-8604 [email protected]