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Committee reviews housing element progress and builder’s‑remedy applications; supervisors press for balance with open‑space protections
Summary
County planning briefed the committee on housing element implementation, upcoming ordinance updates, 30 active builder's‑remedy applications and a proposed revision to counts for accessory dwelling units; supervisors raised concerns about reconciling RHNA production with protecting agricultural and open‑space lands.
Planning and Development staff updated the Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee June 25 on progress implementing the county housing element and the status of builder's‑remedy projects.
Sam Gutierrez, a deputy planner, said staff are prioritizing streamlining processing, drafting ordinance updates to comply with state housing laws, and developing objective standards for multifamily housing. He described a planned midcycle review of the housing element and public hearings on ordinance updates this summer.
On builder's‑remedy projects, Gutierrez reported 30 applications in review, 17 deemed complete, 12 incomplete and one project approved by the planning commission (31‑93 McKean Road), which he said had submitted building permits and entered plan check for a 10‑unit project. Staff noted none of the builder's‑remedy projects are located on the county's adopted housing site inventory.
The presentation also outlined an updated method for counting accessory dwelling units (EDUs) that will adjust income distribution reporting for RHNA accounting; staff said credits are received when building permits are issued and that credits for recent methodology changes will appear in next year's submission.
The county council legislative team provided a state legislative update, noting late budget negotiations in Sacramento and highlighting bills of interest, including AB amendments and SB 116. Staff described advocacy with associations and urban counties to influence legislation and emphasized housing‑related budget advocacy such as Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention funds.
Supervisors asked for more clarity on timelines for in‑progress builder's‑remedy applications and voiced concern about the tension between meeting RHNA obligations and protecting the county's largely agricultural and open‑space land base. Staff said they will provide maps and a status chart and return in August with further updates. The committee approved the housing element report by roll call.
