Planning Commission recommends city council submit housing element annual progress report to state

The Ridgecrest Planning Commission voted to recommend that city council review the city—s annual housing element progress report and direct staff to submit it to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor—s Office of Planning and Research (OPR).

The report, presented by city planning staff, lists entitlements, permit issuances and units completed during the reporting period and explains how those actions relate to the city—s general plan and the region—s RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) targets. Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the recommendation to send the report to council and the state.

The housing report is the city—s annual summary of planning and permitting activity. Heather (city planning staff) told commissioners the report is required by HCD and OPR and includes separate counts for single-family, two- to four-unit, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multifamily projects. "This report is required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Planning and Research," Heather said. She also explained why permit and completion counts may differ year to year: "The California building code changes every couple years…