Council accepts 2025 housing-element and general-plan progress reports; councilors press on market-rate shortfalls

Planning and housing staff presented the city’s 2025 General Plan annual progress report (VISTA 2035) and housing element annual progress report at the March 17 meeting and the council voted to accept the reports for submission to the state.

Michelle Huang and Yajaira/Yahaira Morales described the purpose of the annual progress report and key accomplishments. Morales said the city’s RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation) cycle 6 allocation is 829 units; from 2023 through 2025 the city has achieved 221 units (27% of the goal). She said delivery has been strongest in lower-income categories: 41 extremely low-income units (54% of that allocation) and 97 low-income units (102% of that allocation). By contrast, the city has issued fewer building permits so far for moderate and above-moderate units.

Staff explained that RHNA accounting counts building permits issued during the reporting year and that the city must submit the APR by April 1. Several council members pressed for more market-rate production, noting the fiscal benefits of increased property tax revenue and warning that failure to produce market-rate units in past cycles left gaps. Council members also emphasized the need for inclusionary requirements and use of affordable housing funds to move lower-income projects where the market will not deliver.

Multiple public commenters raised concerns about displacement, congestion and neighborhood impacts associated with development. After discussion the council moved to approve the resolution accepting the reports and directed staff to submit the housing element progress report and associated documents to the state.