Tiburon reports RHNA obligations of 639 units, details progress and legal win on housing-element EIR

Community development staff updated the Tiburon Town Council on Feb. 18 about implementation of the town's housing element and RHNA obligations for the 2023' 2031 planning cycle.

Staff said the town's RHNA allocation for the cycle is 639 units and explained "adequate sites" (a state-defined inventory of zoned, feasible and developable land the town has identified to meet its allocation). The current housing-element inventory lists 17 adequate sites; staff said the town has developer interest on several parcels and one active application for 1801 Tiburon Boulevard, a proposed nine-unit multifamily project proceeding under state density-bonus and ministerial approval rules.

Through the reporting period (01/01/2023 through the end of last year), staff reported permitting three new single-family homes and 51 accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Staff described outreach steps (an ADU survey via ABAG, new online housing resources) and noted that the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) may undertake mid-cycle reviews; if the state flags noncompliance the town could face corrective action, fines or, in extreme cases, loss of certification and the potential "builder's remedy."

Town counsel briefed the council on litigation: on Feb. 2 a published decision upheld the town's general-plan environmental impact report (EIR), finding programmatic review appropriate for the housing-element sites; petitioners have until March 16 to seek California Supreme Court review before the decision is final.

Council members asked follow-up questions about the distinction between numbered and lettered sites in the inventory, how infrastructure and transit considerations affect allocations, and whether unused allocations carry into the next cycle (they do not). Staff said it will return with an April progress report and continue implementation work.