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Planning director reports housing element acceptance, upcoming rezonings and an AI plan-review pilot
Summary
The Planning and Building Department told the San Mateo County Planning Commission on March 12 that the Department of Housing and Community Development has accepted the countyhousing element; staff will seek rezonings and consultant support and will present a contract for an AI plan-review pilot in April.
At the end of the March 12 meeting the Planning and Building Department director reported three items of countywide significance: the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has accepted San Mateo Countyhousing element, the department released a request for proposals for consultant assistance on the required rezonings, and staff plans to bring a contract to develop an AI-assisted plan review system to the board in April.
Director Monowitz told the commission that HCD accepted the countyhousing element plan and that the Board of Supervisors will be asked to adopt the housing element at its March 25 meeting. He said the county will not be in full compliance until the associated rezonings are completed and that the department has issued a request for proposals to obtain consultant help to prepare those zoning amendments; Monowitz said proposals have been submitted and staff intends to bring a contract to the board at its first April meeting.
Monowitz also reported that one at-risk grant was transferred to Redwood City when that partner was already in compliance; no other grants were lost. He said the department aims to complete rezonings before year-end but hopes to move faster if possible.
The director added that on Feb. 25 the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the "Get There Together" transportation demand management plan for the Mid-Coast and expressed interest in pursuing some implementation actions from the plan. Finally, Monowitz said the department plans to return in April with a contract to develop an AI plan-review system aimed at increasing the speed and accuracy of plan checks and permitting reviews.
Commissioners asked for access to draft materials; Monowitz said the current plan materials are available on the Planning and Building website and credited staff leads Will Gibson and Barat Singh for the housing element work. No formal action was taken; items were reported for information and future board action.
