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 and so everyone rushes in in December before that code year changes and they get permitted," she said, noting that permits issued in one calendar year may be completed in a later year.

Key figures contained in staff—s presentation: - Single-family: 408 units entitled; 13 permits issued in the calendar year; 11 single-family units completed and received occupancy during the year. - Two- to four-unit (including SB 9 duplexes and lot-splits): 86 units entitled (including one tract map with roughly 60 units); 26 units permitted; 31 units completed in the calendar year. - Accessory dwelling units (ADUs): 7 entitled and permitted; 3 occupied. - Totals reported for the year: 501 units entitled; 46 permitted; 45 completed.

Staff also reported progress toward the current RHNA cycle: 61 moderate-income units and 14 above-moderate-income units have been recorded toward the city—s RHNA targets during the reporting period. The presentation identified several recent and ongoing projects and actions that affect housing and land use, including infill in Ridgecrest Heights, a new residential tract on Abigail, zoning amendments clarifying accessory structures and medium-density residential uses, and a conditional use permit approved for a project called High Desert Haven.

Commissioners discussed next steps and related planning work. Staff said the city is awaiting additional comments from HCD on the housing element update before launching a rezoning program intended to bring zoning into alignment with the adopted housing element. Staff also told commissioners that the city has been awarded a federal grant that will fund two related efforts: an update to the city—s military sustainability element to adopt the 2011 ACU study maps (and potential zoning changes to address noise compatibility) and a housing-development study for the installation. Staff said the city will also begin work on the Kern multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan and that a standard building plan is nearing completion and will be available at the public counter.

During the presentation staff showed recent public-works and parks projects, including landscaping and paving at Leroy Jackson Park (near the tennis/pickleball courts), repairs to splash-pad drainage, resurfaced tennis courts, a paved walking path and lighting at the skate park, and the new Ridgecrest medical transport office on Richcrest Boulevard.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of agenda: motion carried, 5 ayes (recorded at the start of the meeting). - Approval of minutes (09:24 and 11:12): motion carried; roll call indicated 3 ayes and 2 abstentions (only three commissioners eligible to vote on that item). - Election of chair and vice chair: Chairman Cox was elected chair (4 ayes recorded for Cox in the roll call taken for that vote); Bill Ferris was nominated and approved as vice chair/co-chair ("all in favor" recorded; no dissent announced). - Recommendation to city council to submit the annual housing element progress report to HCD and OPR: motion carried, roll call 5 ayes.

The commission asked staff to return with draft rezoning and commercial design standard language after the housing element process and state review are complete. Staff requested that city council be asked to accept the report and direct submission to HCD and OPR as the next administrative step; the planning commission—s 5-0 recommendation sends that request forward.

The meeting continued with committee reports and a discussion of upcoming work on commercial design standards; commissioners emphasized the desire for measurable, non-arbitrary design criteria and for outreach to developers and the public before finalizing new zoning standards.