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Kingsburg awaiting HCD response after housing‑element amendments submitted
Summary
City staff updated council on the housing element amendment process and said Kingsburg has submitted alternative site capacity documentation to the state Department of Housing and Community Development and is awaiting HCD’s reply.
City staff told the Kingsburg City Council on Feb. 5 that the city has submitted materials to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) explaining alternatives to upzoning four overlay parcels and is now awaiting HCD’s response.
Community Development Director Holly Owen said the housing element is a state‑mandated eight‑year policy document that identifies current and projected housing needs, suitable development sites and time‑specific programs. Kingsburg participated in a multi‑jurisdictional housing element process in 2022, which the council adopted on July 17, 2024; HCD provided a letter of substantial compliance on Sept. 16, 2024, the director said.
Owen said the council previously adopted related text amendments to Title 17 on Dec. 4, 2024 but did not adopt housing overlay zone upzoning for four parcels. The council directed staff to work with HCD to examine alternative options to meet the city’s lower‑income site capacity without rezoning those parcels. Staff submitted a cover letter and attachments to HCD on Jan. 29, and the ball is now with HCD, Owen said.
Why it matters: Housing elements and HCD certification affect a city’s compliance with state housing law and its ability to rely on its adopted land‑use plan for the statutory planning period. Alternatives to upzoning are meant to show “adequate realistic capacity” on other sites for lower‑income housing, per staff’s summary.
Next steps: Staff will await HCD’s response and return to council if HCD requests further changes or if staff needs direction. The presentation was informational; no council action was required or taken.
