Carmel-by-the-Sea staff say housing element draft nearly complete; HCD review next

City staff said Friday that Carmel-by-the-Sea is close to producing a full draft of its updated housing element and laid out the next steps in a formal review process.

The staff member said the city has been working with a resident group on draft amendments and that a first full draft is nearing completion. “We are very near, having a a a first full draft that's gonna go through the formal process,” the staff member said.

City staff described the procedural sequence that will follow: a package of the amendment and updated maps will be released for a seven-day public comment period, after which the city will submit the formal draft to HCD for a 60-day review. If HCD’s review returns without further required changes, the city plans to move the item to the planning commission and city council for adoption.

The staff member said the process included multiple meetings with the state housing department and local resident stakeholders. “We had a great meeting this week, once again, with our friends at HCD. We've gone through all of the draft amendments that we've made, and all systems seem to be go,” the staff member said.

No dates were given in the discussion for the public release, HCD submission, or the subsequent planning commission and council hearings. The speaker thanked community members and resident participants for their involvement in drafting amendments.

The council meeting packet listed the housing element update as an upcoming agenda item; staff noted maps still need to be redone and the amendment packaged before the seven-day public release.

City staff did not present a draft ordinance or request council action during the remarks; they described only the administrative next steps and timeline for external review and internal hearings.