San Rafael staff to brief council on housing rules; study session Feb. 2, appeals set for Feb. 17

City planning staff said on Jan. 27 that the City Council will hold a study session on housing development at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, to discuss the changed regulatory landscape for housing projects and whether the role of the Planning Commission should be adjusted.

Assistant Director Greg Minor told commissioners the department was asked to provide a forum for conversations about policy and process adjustments in light of new state rules and that staff will present an overview document in advance. "We've been asked as a department to provide a forum for conversations about that and what policy and process adjustments might be needed," Minor said. The materials were targeted to be available online the week of the council session.

Minor said follow‑up study work on affordable housing requirements is targeted for April 9. He also reported that the city has received three appeals on a recently considered project (referred to as the "700" project in the staff update) and expects those appeals to be heard by City Council on Feb. 17; another appeal from a property owner (900 A Street/1030 3rd Street) may be resolved in a meeting with the city attorney prior to the council hearing.

Staff encouraged commissioners to attend or observe the Feb. 2 study session and to submit comments in advance if they cannot attend. Minor said the session will be a Brown Act meeting and open to public comment and direction from council members; no immediate action will be taken at that meeting unless council directs otherwise.

The study session and the upcoming appeals give the Planning Commission an opportunity to review council direction and potentially provide feedback on modifications to development review procedures and housing policy.