- At long last, our Housing Element (HE) for the 6th Cycle (2023 - 2031) has been approved and certified by CA Housing and Community Development (HCD). While the City officially adopted the update to the HE back in January of 2023, our update was not approved and certified at that time. Despite the fact tha tthe City complied with all requirements of the Housing Element, HCD requested that the City zone for a greater numberr of units than was required, and allow more permissive rules regarding housing mobility, ADUs, units per parcel, etc.
Each time a modification is requested by HCD, the City has complied. To do so, the law requires that the change first be heard by the Planning Commission, then at times be heard two separate times by Council. There have been at least 3 such requests, and with each the City asks if we make the requested changes would it be sufficient. Unfortunately those questions were left unanswered - there is no rule that governs how HCD operates and they have complete discretion whether the certify a proposed HE regardless whether it is compliant with the law. Nevertheless, the City resubmitted the HE with changes requested several times. Each time carried long delays in responses, and the responses were to ask for additional changes thus beginning the process again.
I'm pleased to report the HE was finally approved and found in compliance as of April 2026.
- We also received a report of ongoing projects related to overall City beautification, traffic safety, and weed abatement. I have asked for a schedule of regular maintenance so residents can be aware of what to expect in their neighborhoods. And while this list is focused on what is immediate, it is a great start to sharing the work that is going on throughout the City.
- The City has also begun publishing information around City finances, and a City Manager Newsletter regarding the overall financial outlook.
