Planning commission receives 2024 General Plan annual report; members highlight housing, homelessness and wildfire risks

The San Luis Obispo Planning Commission voted to receive and file the City'024 General Plan annual report at a regular meeting; the motion passed unanimously 5-0. Assistant Planner Ethan Estrada presented the report and recommended the commission forward it for final review and acceptance by the City Council.

The report summarizes the city's development and policy activity for 2024 and provides data on housing production, homelessness response, transportation, water supplies and emergency preparedness. Commissioners questioned trends in residential growth, progress toward the city's RHNA allocation, homelessness programs and a newly released set of wildfire-hazard maps that expand the area subject to high-risk design and code requirements.

Estrada told the commission the Community Development Department recorded 264 planning applications in 2024 and issued 574 building permits that resulted in a net total of 442 residential units accounting for demolitions. "The 442 units consisted of 19 single family units, 96 accessory dwelling units, and 234 multifamily units," he said. Exempting certain downtown and affordable units, staff reported 342 units were added to the housing stock under the city's growth-management rules. The city—igure of housing stock subject to the growth-management policy is 23,748 units; the calculated average annual residential growth rate for…