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Planning Department unveils racial and social equity plan; commissioners seek stronger tools for review
Summary
Planning staff proposed a two‑phase racial and social equity program including a new community equity division, community engagement strategies and equity metrics. Commissioners praised the effort and asked for standardized assessment tools and broader outreach before Phase 2 adoption.
Planning Department staff presented an initial response to a June 11 Planning Commission resolution aimed at centering racial and social equity in the department’s work, telling the commission on July 30 that the effort will include a new community equity division, expanded engagement, and a metrics‑based implementation plan.
Director Rich Hillis and staff described a two‑phase program: Phase 1 implementation is underway from the department’s 2019 work, while Phase 2 will develop a draft framework for discussion in late summer and a public draft in December for the Office of Racial Equity’s review. Staff said the department has piloted an equity budget tool and plans recruitment, training, and enhanced community outreach focused on historically underserved groups.
Claudia Flores, who presented the Phase 1/Phase 2 status, said staff will compile community input and convene community leaders and technical advisors to refine a racial and social equity definition and metrics. She told commissioners that staff will coordinate closely with the Office of Racial Equity and the mayor’s office and expects an annual reporting cadence to the Office of Racial Equity, with the next statutory update due in 2023.
Members of the public and advocacy groups broadly supported the approach. Corey Smith of the Housing Action Coalition urged the department to share findings regionally and to ensure project sponsors understand and implement equity objectives. Public commenters pressed staff to analyze impacts on tenants and to ensure equity is not sidelined by fee‑based departmental priorities.
Commissioners responded with questions about the commission’s role, the unit mix of future affordable housing, and the need for practical tools. Commissioner Chan urged staff to provide an integrated, standardized racial equity assessment that could be embedded in staff reports so commissioners can evaluate projects consistently. Commissioner Johnson emphasized the need to align the department’s fee‑funding model with equity objectives. Several commissioners recommended more proactive outreach to small organizations and communities with limited digital access.
Staff said they will return with a draft framework and requested the commission’s feedback on questions about metrics, outreach design, and how equity analysis will be applied across project types. The commission did not vote on policy changes at the hearing; staff said they will come back with a more detailed implementation plan and additional community briefings.
