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Board adopts housing-element ordinances for sixth‑cycle regional housing need allocation
Summary
The board adopted two ordinances to implement the county's sixth‑cycle housing element, updating zoning map/site inventory and amending multiple sections of county code to accommodate the regional housing need allocation; residents and housing advocates urged stronger SB 244 analysis and earlier program start dates.
The Madera County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 adopted two ordinances to implement programs in the county’s sixth‑cycle housing element, including updates to the zoning map and amendments to several sections of Title 18 of the Madera County Code to accommodate the regional housing need allocation (RHNA).
Jamie Backs, director of Community and Economic Development, told the board the ordinances implement programs and identify sites to meet the RHNA and to allow increased density in certain zoning districts. Backs said the ordinances take effect to put in place the programs identified in the housing element and that the county’s consultant team was available online for technical questions.
Public commenters urged the board to strengthen the element and related analyses. Andrea Rive, policy advocate for Leadership Council, said the county’s SB 244 environmental‑justice analysis for disadvantaged unincorporated communities did not meet statutory requirements in her view. She cited omissions including a lack of specific assessment of safe drinking water availability, a missing discussion of high solid‑waste percentiles near Fairmead and the landfill’s potential impacts, and an absence of detailed financing alternatives targeted to specific communities.
Araceli Ocampo, outreach associate with Leadership Council, asked the county to increase numeric objectives in programs, start some programs earlier in the planning period (which ends Dec. 2032), and pursue measures such as inclusionary zoning, fee reductions for affordable housing, and place‑based infrastructure investments to support low‑income development. Both commenters asked the board to delay final adoption until substantive changes were made; the board did not adopt such delays.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the ordinances on second reading. County staff noted a letter from Chris Hamilton was received and added to the record.
Action details: the ordinances amend multiple sections of Title 18 and add section 18.114.14 (as listed in the agenda) and update the official zoning map (Madera County Code section 18.08.02) to reflect site inventory changes.
Votes: The board adopted the ordinances by a 5–0 roll call vote.
What it means: County staff said the ordinances make the county’s housing programs effective and identify sites to meet the RHNA. Commenters urged additional analytical work on disadvantaged communities and more aggressive program timelines and numeric goals; county staff acknowledged the public input and recorded the written submission for the record.
