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City officials say state review of housing element came back largely positive; resubmission, council adoption expected
Summary
Acting City Administrator Brandon Swanson said the California Department of Housing and Community Development gave largely positive comments on the city's housing element amendment; staff will make minor edits, resubmit, and—after a formal state letter—begin the Planning Commission and City Council adoption process.
Acting City Administrator Brandon Swanson said Jan. 9 that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) delivered mostly favorable feedback on the city's draft housing element amendment and that only minor wording edits remain before a formal resubmission.
"Almost everything was a yes, yes, yes," Swanson said, summarizing the state's comments. He said the city expects to receive an official letter from HCD next week and will then follow the required steps: resubmitting the amended document and awaiting state confirmation that it is ready to adopt.
Swanson told attendees the state has up to 60 days to complete its review after resubmission but that the city hopes the review will be shorter because the draft is close to final. Once HCD issues a formal letter saying the document is ready, Swanson said the city will proceed through the Planning Commission and City Council for formal adoption of the housing element amendment.
The housing element work, Swanson said, represents a collaborative effort between city staff and community volunteers; he suggested the project could be entered for planning awards because of the cross‑stakeholder cooperation. No formal vote or adoption occurred at the briefing; the steps described are procedural and contingent on receiving the state's formal letter.
Swanson also tied housing progress to a separate upcoming council item: he said the City Council will consider sending a letter to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District urging removal of a cease‑and‑desist order that has limited the setting of new water meters. He said removing that restriction would allow jurisdictions to support additional development and help meet housing needs. That letter was listed for consideration on the council agenda next week and had not been sent as of Jan. 9.
What happens next: staff will make the minor edits Swanson described, resubmit the housing element amendment to HCD, and await the agency's formal letter before beginning the public adoption process at the Planning Commission and City Council.
