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Sonoma commission recommends city council adopt ordinances to implement housing element programs
Summary
The planning commission unanimously recommended that city council adopt two ordinances to implement Housing Element Programs 15 and 20. Key changes include adding definitions and by‑right allowances for low‑barrier navigation centers, supportive and transitional housing, clarified employee housing and SRO standards (150–500 sq ft), emergency shelter capacity increased from 15 to 30 beds in the public zone, and by‑right multifamily development where 20% of units are affordable on three identified sites.
The Sonoma City Planning Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 20 to recommend that the City Council adopt two ordinances to implement housing element Programs 15 and 20, directing staff to finalize language with the modifications discussed at the hearing.
Community Development Director Jennifer Gates said the ordinances update Sonoma Municipal Code to align with recent state law changes and to provide local processing and operational standards for several specialized housing types: low‑barrier navigation centers; supportive and transitional housing; residential care facilities; employee (agricultural) housing; single‑room occupancy (SRO) units; and emergency shelters. Gates told the commission that staff added or revised definitions, updated land‑use tables and included new processing standards where state law allows local adjustments.
Key changes and clarifications from the presentation and commission discussion…
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