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MCOG holds public hearing on RHNA draft methodology after HCD rejects initial submission
Summary
Staff told the Mendocino Council of Governments that HCD assigned 6,456 housing units to the region, rejected MCOG’s initial methodology under its interpretation of statute, and staff will refine the methodology with local jurisdictions for board action in March.
Mendocino Council of Governments staff presented a revised regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) draft methodology during a public hearing Feb. 2, saying the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) assigned the region 6,456 units and declined MCOG’s appeal.
James, the staff lead, said the first methodology—used in the prior cycle—was submitted, reviewed, and then returned by HCD, prompting a more data-driven revision. “The allocation that we received was 6,456 units for the Mendocino County region,” he said. He added that MCOG appealed the allocation but the appeal was unsuccessful.
A second staff speaker explained that MCOG believes both methodologies complied with statute but that HCD is interpreting statute to require MCOG’s allocation, not only the methodology, to be fully complete. “They are essentially requiring us to have our allocation, not just the methodology, but our allocation fully complete,” staff said. Staff noted the revised methodology included language allowing manual adjustments by local development staff, which HCD rejected.
No members of the public in the chambers or online offered comments on the RHNA methodology at the hearing. Staff said they had noticed the hearing voluntarily to allow public input and will continue to work with local jurisdictions to refine language and address HCD concerns. The item requires no immediate board action and is expected to return for MCOG board consideration in March, pending continued coordination and HCD review.
The hearing and staff explanation clarified the immediate procedural path: MCOG will post public materials and continue to revise the methodology in consultation with jurisdictions and HCD. The board closed the public hearing at 01:38 and reconvened as the regional transportation planning agency to continue the agenda.
