San Rafael council adopts 2024 General Plan progress report, directs staff to submit housing data to state

San Rafael—ity Council voted 5-0 on March 17 to accept the city'024 General Plan 2040 annual progress report and directed staff to forward the document to the California Department of Housing and Community Development with a correction to the Northgate unit total.

Planning manager Margaret Kavanaugh Lynch presented the report and the underlying housing figures, saying, "We had 440 dwellings submitted in calendar year 2024, and 227 of them were entitled." She also corrected an earlier number for the Northgate project, saying the correct entitlement total is 1,422 units.

The report maps the distinction between entitlements (planning approval) and building permits. Staff and council members emphasized that many projects are entitled but have not reached construction because developers must secure financing and building permits. Community economic development director Micah Hinkle told the council the city is working to help entitled projects move toward construction by improving dev- support services and permitting systems.

Kavanaugh Lynch summarized program outcomes included in the staff packet: a $1,000,000 award to support a sanctioned camping area along the Mahan Creek Path serving roughly 65 participants with case management; $5,999,241 in county partnership funds for encampment-resolution efforts; and 40 permanent supportive-housing units under construction at 3301 Kerner Boulevard. The staff presentation also noted 34 accessory dwelling units were entitled and permitted in 2024, with three completed and 12 of those counted as low-income by square-foot rules.

Councilmembers pressed staff on RHNA implications, whether the state would accommodate lower production because of market constraints, and how ADUs and senior housing count toward state tallies. Staff said HCD uses the annual report for program monitoring and analysis, that many pipeline units are still dependent on market financing, and that staff will continue engaging with HCD on unit-counting questions for specialized housing types.

Mayor Mary Kate and council members praised the breadth of work covered in the report and thanked staff for compiling the material. Vice Mayor Bushey moved to accept the report and direct submittal to HCD; the motion passed on a 5-0 roll call vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize edits noted in the meeting and transmit the annual progress report to HCD by the statutory deadline.