City staff announces housing-element update, staffing additions and project tweaks; fee schedule update expected by fall

City staff told the Santa Paula Planning Commission on May 27 that the city filed its housing-element report in April and will present an update at the commission’s June meeting to show what was reported to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

Staff also announced two personnel changes in the Community Development Department: Monica Lopez moved from the police records unit into an administrative-analyst role supporting budget work, and Eileen Ramos, a recent Cal Poly Pomona graduate, will start next week as a community-development technician.

On development projects, staff said revisions to a proposed project near the former Kmart site reduced some of the denser building types adjacent to existing residences. Staff described changes such as converting a fiveplex into a threeplex and other adjustments intended to increase spacing between new buildings and neighboring homes.

Separately, staff reported the city is updating its entire fee schedule, including development-related in-lieu fees. The fee schedule review is underway, the presenter said, and staff expects the update to be completed by the end of summer, with September as a target month. Staff noted the last comprehensive fee update was February 2016.

Staff also reminded commissioners of two community events: the Chamber Awards at the Palacio (date referenced) and the State of the City event June 16 at the agricultural museum, which staff said would include department booths and a mayoral update.

The commission had no additional items for future agendas at the meeting and adjourned at approximately 6:46 p.m.