Planning Commission recommends City Council submit annual housing element progress report

The Ridgecrest Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council review and submit the city’s annual progress report on the General Plan housing element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation to the state Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), following a staff presentation on this year’s housing activity and steps toward certification.

Heather, a planning staff member presenting the report, summarized recent General Plan work and housing production. She told the commission: "So the total completed units this year was 61." Staff walked commissioners through entitlements and permits, noting that permitted and completed building permits can be filed in one year and finished in another, so the three tallies (entitled, permitted, completed) do not always align. Reported project totals included single‑family units (132 entitled; 21 permitted; 13 completed), two‑to‑four‑unit projects (26 entitled; 24 permitted; 40 completed), and accessory dwelling units (6 entitled; 6 permitted; 5 completed). Staff also said SB9 (state streamlining for certain duplex/split‑lot projects) produced seven projects and 14 infill units in the reporting period.

On the RHNA accounting, Heather said the housing element period target was 1,436 units. She presented two figures for progress: a planning‑cycle total of 129 units (30 low‑income, 78 moderate, 21 above‑moderate) and a separate statement that in the current year the city recorded 54 units (30 low‑income, 17 moderate, 7 above‑moderate). Staff emphasized those counts reflect different reporting windows and classifications and that HCD’s certification process focuses on documentation; Heather said staffing turnover and the large volume of required text and attachments at HCD contributed to the certification delay but that she expected action "in this summer." Heather also noted local economic factors—"we haven't had a market rate apartment complex since 1990"—affect private development feasibility.

Commissioner Cody pressed for clarification after media coverage questioned the city’s compliance; Cody said the presentation "was good news" and thanked staff for explaining that the delay was primarily procedural rather than a lack of local action. No members of the public offered non‑agenda comment.

Chair called for a motion that the commission recommend City Council review the annual progress report and direct staff to submit it to required state agencies. The motion was made, seconded and approved by unanimous vote; the roll call recorded affirmative votes by Ferris, Montreon, Hawkness and Pers.

The report identified several related planning efforts: a recently approved military sustainability element, an almost‑final workforce housing needs assessment expected for commission review in May or June, the launch of an interactive GIS zoning map on the city website, and participation in the Kern County multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan (staff requested public input via an online survey). Staff thanked commissioners for their support and closed the item.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council for its review and for formal submittal to HCD and other required state agencies. No formal council action occurred at this meeting; the commission adjourned at 6:19 p.m.