In a recent government meeting, the planning commission unanimously approved several key amendments aimed at addressing housing needs in the county. The approved measures include a general plan map amendment, zone reclassification, and two administrative use permits, all of which will now be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration.

The meeting featured a presentation by Director Jennifer Jolly and staff member Megan Aguirre, who outlined a proposed text amendment to allow manufactured mobile home parks in additional zones, subject to specific requirements. This initiative is part of the county's strategy to meet its regional housing needs allocation of over 8,000 dwelling units, which has been challenging due to limited infrastructure access.

The proposed changes will clarify that residential density requirements do not apply to manufactured mobile home parks or farm employee housing. The planning commission had previously recommended that manufactured mobile home parks be allowed in limited agricultural areas, leading to a draft ordinance that underwent public outreach and stakeholder engagement.

Concerns were raised during the outreach process regarding the potential impact of these parks on agricultural areas, including the need for buffers and the preservation of agricultural operations. In response, staff amended the draft to require a 100-foot buffer for new parks in agricultural zones and to allow for flexible screening options.

The commission emphasized that the proposed text amendments would not negatively impact existing services and infrastructure, as new parks would be required to provide adequate infrastructure and pay applicable development fees. The amendments aim to enhance community development while protecting agricultural resources by limiting the parks to specific zones.

The planning commission's decision reflects a commitment to addressing housing shortages while balancing the needs of agricultural communities. The approved amendments will now proceed to the Board of Supervisors, where they will be subject to further review and public input.