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Madera council adopts housing element update; HCD had issued conditional compliance

Madera City Council · February 5, 2026

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Summary

The council adopted the 2024–2032 housing element after consultants said HCD issued a letter of conditional compliance; the plan identifies RHNA capacity (6,240 units), rezones for 82 parcels (123.4 acres), density increases for R‑2/R‑3 zones and 27 implementation programs to meet state requirements.

The Madera City Council unanimously adopted a general plan amendment to update the 2024–2032 housing element after a staff presentation from Community Development Director Will Tackett and consultant Hannah Creightman of Michael Baker International.

Staff told the council that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a letter of conditional compliance on Jan. 16; adoption of the housing element is the local step required before the city prepares and implements the rezones needed for full compliance. The presentation said the city’s RHNA for the cycle is 6,240 total units, and staff proposed rezoning 82 parcels (about 123.4 acres) to increase R‑2 and R‑3 densities (R‑2 will change from 0–14.52 up to 0–20 units/acre; R‑3 from 0–24.2 up to 20–50 units/acre). The element includes 27 programs across six categories: housing production, removing governmental constraints, preservation and rehabilitation, special needs, affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH), and community outreach.

The consultant emphasized that listing a site as an 'opportunity site' does not require property owners to build housing but demonstrates capacity to meet RHNA. Councilmembers asked about CEQA applicability; staff said rezones implementing the housing element are exempt from CEQA under state law (SB‑131/SB‑related exemptions cited during the presentation) but clarified projects within rezones will still be subject to project‑level environmental review when developers propose specific projects.

Council voted unanimously to adopt the housing element; staff will notify HCD of adoption and begin the rezoning work described in the document to reach full substantial compliance.