During the Riverbank City Council and LRA Regular Meeting on March 12, 2024, significant discussions centered around the ongoing development of the city's housing element, particularly focusing on the East and West sides of Riverbank. The meeting highlighted the historical development patterns of these areas, with the East Side being the initial hub of growth, followed by the West Side, which has seen a recent boom.

City officials outlined the current timeline for the housing element, emphasizing the completion of technical updates that include demographic and employment data, as well as special housing needs. A site inventory is being developed, with plans to finalize it by April. This inventory will be presented in a workshop open to the Planning Commission and City Council, allowing for public input on identified sites.

The draft of the housing element is expected to be completed by June. Before submission to the state, the draft will undergo a public review period lasting 30 days, during which it will be accessible on the city’s website and promoted through local media. Following state review, which lasts 90 days, any necessary revisions will be made public, ensuring transparency in the process.

Community engagement remains a priority, with a recent workshop held on February 20 and another planned for May to discuss the site inventory. Additionally, the city is preparing to conduct stakeholder interviews with local builders and will launch an online survey to gather further public feedback.

As the city progresses with its housing element, officials are committed to ongoing community input and data collection, including a fair housing analysis. The meeting underscored the importance of these developments in addressing housing needs and ensuring compliance with state law, marking a critical step in Riverbank's growth and planning efforts.