Community Development Agency outlines two-year work plan: LAMP, off-site standards and capacity building prioritized

The Community Development Agency (CDA) gave the Board a midyear update and previewed its 2026–28 work plan. CDA staff said earlier planning and permit workloads are at an “unprecedented” scale for Marin, and outlined three organizing goals for the next two years: (1) carry out mandated initiatives required by state law (for example, Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) septic regulations and housing-element compliance tasks); (2) implement Elevate CDA to strengthen internal capacity and finish organizational assessments; and (3) support community needs through projects and policy tools (including off‑site improvement standards that the department plans to scope and bring back to the Board for contract authorization).

Staff reported progress on housing projects (support for Golden Gate Village revitalization and other pipeline projects), enforcement of priority community initiatives, and recent work to address displacement and substandard housing in West Marin. CDA said off-site improvement standards (standards for public-right-of-way and related construction requirements) are being prioritized for the more urbanized parts of the county; staff plan to return with a recommended contract initiation and community engagement timeline, with an anticipated Board item in coming weeks to start consultant work.

Supervisors urged clearer prioritization and a reorganization of work-plan items into thematic “buckets” (housing, economic vitality, infrastructure) and emphasized urgency on off-site standards and staffing capacity in DPW and CDA. Staff agreed to refine the plan, map mandated items versus discretionary initiatives, and return with a more consolidated presentation and timing. The Board did not take final action on the work plan at the workshop but staff said a revised plan and requests for one-time staffing/capacity funding will return for consideration.