Speakers urge Vallejo planning commission to accelerate housing-element actions and inclusionary zoning

VALLEJO, Calif. — Two community speakers told the Vallejo Planning Commission on Oct. 20 that the city must accelerate implementation of housing-element programs — including an inclusionary zoning ordinance and renter-protection measures — to address rising rents and student homelessness.

"Please expedite the passing of ordinances that were promised to prevent Vallejo from teetering over the edge of a looming housing disaster," Eli, who identified himself as a board member of several local organizations including Vallejo Family Forward and the Vallejo Homeless Union, told the commission. He said federal benefit cuts could cause people to lose housing rapidly and cited student housing instability in Vallejo.

Paul Theis, of the Sierra Club in Solano County, said Vallejo has permitted a very small share of its stated goals for very-low- and low-income housing during the current housing cycle and asked that some form of affordable housing be included in upcoming market-rate projects. "Why can't Vallejo be part of that windfall?" Theis asked, urging staff to explain why housing-element ordinances have not yet been brought forward and to provide a clear way forward.

Council Member Matulik acknowledged the public comments and reiterated that commissioners can develop a work plan and suggested commissioners review General Plan 2040 and specific plans to better evaluate projects when they come before the commission. Director Pollitt said staff had found a way to fund outreach work for one time-sensitive housing-element program — renter protection and housing stability (program F113) — by folding it into the early phase of a grant-funded downtown specific plan. Pollitt said an RFP for the downtown specific plan is in its final review and is expected to be issued in early November.

Pollitt and the secretary also reminded commissioners to respond to an email about availability for a joint meeting with the city council scheduled provisionally for Monday, Nov. 24, to continue inclusionary-housing discussions. The meeting is intended to advance the inclusionary-zoning workshop series and commercial linkage discussion referenced by commissioners.

Speakers and commissioners underscored urgency. The commission did not take formal action on housing-element ordinances at this meeting but staff committed to report back with updates and a proposed timeline as outreach and RFP work proceeds.

"Our housing element is almost three years into a seven-year housing cycle," Theis told the commission, asking staff and the commission to move more quickly. "Preliminary studies shouldn't take long; the facts are staring us in the face."