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Board readopts Santa Clara County housing element after final changes requested by state HCD
Summary
The Board readopted the county's revised housing element and will submit it to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). HCD told county staff that the minor revisions before the board would allow the county to be deemed in compliance; final HCD certification may take up to 60 days.
Planning staff returned to the Board on Jan. 28 seeking readoption of the county—s housing element after final clarifications requested by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Michael Meehan, principal planner, told the board HCD reviewed the December 2024 draft and indicated the minor changes now before the supervisors would enable the county to be deemed compliant with state housing element law.
The board unanimously voted to readopt the revised housing element. County staff said they would immediately resubmit the adopted document to HCD; HCD then has up to 60 days to issue final certification, though the department said it often responds sooner. County staff and county counsel noted that draft certification by HCD is required before certain legal windows close and before affected projects can be definitively judged under the state—s builder's remedy process.
Supervisor Renes pressed for clarity on the timeline and emphasized the need for county staff to communicate the process to residents worried about so‑called builder's remedy projects. County counsel said the county must await HCD—s formal certification letter; once the letter issues, the county moves into implementation of the element's programs over the next planning cycle.
Ending: The board readopted the housing element; staff will submit it to HCD and return with any further administrative steps after HCD issues the certification letter.
