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Council approves first reading of ordinance to add ministerial multifamily development standards
Summary
Montclair's council approved the first reading of Ordinance 26-1017 (adding Chapter 11.79 to the municipal code) to convert an earlier urgency ordinance into a regular ordinance facilitating ministerial approvals for multifamily housing; public hearing closed with no public speakers and the ordinance will return for second reading July 6.
The Montclair City Council voted to approve the first reading of Ordinance 26-1017, which adds Chapter 11.79 to the Montclair Municipal Code to adopt additional development standards that facilitate ministerial approvals for multifamily housing citywide.
City Manager Starr and planning staff said the ordinance is a follow-up to an urgency ordinance adopted April 20, 2026, and was required to comply with the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the city's housing element. The presentation reiterated points made at the prior meeting and explained that HCD had found the housing element in substantial compliance.
Council opened the public hearing on the ordinance but received no public comment and then discussed a previously raised property-owner question about potential future conversion obligations. Staff clarified that the change does not require immediate action by property owners but only affects future redevelopment choices and was presented as an economic advantage when pursuing housing projects.
Councilmember discussion concluded with a motion and an electronic roll-call vote. The city clerk read ordinance number 26-1017 by title; the council recorded the first-reading adoption by an electronic vote recorded as 4-0-1, and the ordinance is scheduled for a second reading on July 6. If adopted on second reading, staff said it would become effective 30 days after adoption absent other direction.
The item will return in July for second reading and formal adoption.
