Planning commission recommends Calistoga Municipal Code changes to implement sixth-cycle housing element

The Calistoga Planning Commission on July 23 unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that the City Council amend the Calistoga Municipal Code to implement programs from the city’s sixth-cycle housing element.

Lauren Clark, the city’s assistant planner, told commissioners the housing element, adopted Aug. 1, 2023, included 80 actions and that staff brought forward 14 code-change items whose deadlines fall in August 2025. Clark said the proposed amendments are intended to implement state law where required and to carry out council direction where applicable.

Key proposed changes described in staff materials and discussed at the meeting included: allowing agricultural housing by right on parcels zoned for agricultural uses in the rural residential hillside (RRH) district (for agricultural housing specifically), expanding objective design standards for additional sites, allowing adaptive reuse of non‑storefront ground-floor commercial spaces in the downtown district, permitting low‑barrier navigation centers and supportive/transitional housing in specified zones, amending parking requirements to one space for studios and one‑bedroom units and authorizing fee waivers for reasonable-accommodation applications. Clark said the amendments are generally not a project under CEQA and that multifamily applications remain subject to cost-recovery fees.

Commissioners discussed the interaction between state law and local design review. Commissioner Towey and Commissioner Buickeneri voiced general support. Commission discussion noted that agricultural-housing changes required by state law are intended to treat agricultural housing similarly to other residential uses in the district. A planning consultant, identified as Masterko with m Group, told the commission the proposed changes would “treat these uses the same as other residential uses in the zoning district,” and clarified that the only residential district that requires a use permit now is RRH; the proposal would allow agricultural housing by right in that district for agricultural housing projects, while other hillside housing would remain subject to existing requirements.

Because one commissioner recused himself earlier on proximity grounds for some parcels, the commission first took an interim vote — on parcels 5, 6 and 7 shown in the packet — which passed. After the recused commissioner rejoined the meeting, the commission moved to adopt the full resolution recommending Municipal Code amendments and voted 4–0 with Vice Chair Pinsky absent.

Why it matters: The code changes are intended to meet state law requirements and the city’s housing-element commitments; several changes affect where and how agricultural employee housing, smaller units and adaptive reuse can be developed in Calistoga.

Votes at a glance: The commission took two recorded actions. First, an interim motion to proceed on parcels 5, 6 and 7 passed by roll call while one commissioner was recused. Second, the commission adopted a resolution recommending that City Council adopt the proposed Municipal Code amendments; the final roll call on the resolution recorded four ayes and no nays (Vice Chair Pinsky absent).

Next steps: The resolution will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration. Staff suggested some items implement state law and some reflect council direction; council action will determine final code language and any additional CEQA review.