Planning commission recommends zoning changes to expand special-needs housing

Ravina Soroya, an associate planner with Sutter County, told the Planning Commission the amendments respond to the county's 2021 housing-element implementation program H4D and are intended to bring the zoning code into compliance with state law and the county's housing element.

"This project is being proposed to specifically carry out housing element implementation program H4-D," Soroya said, describing four specific code changes: permitting agricultural employee housing wherever agricultural uses are allowed; allowing low-barrier, housing-first navigation centers by right in mixed-use and nonresidential zones that permit multifamily; allowing 100% affordable developments with supportive units by right in general commercial zones; and revising emergency-shelter parking so only employee parking is required. She said staff is supportive and asked the commission to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.

Commissioners asked no substantive questions, and the commission opened and closed the public hearing after seeing no members of the public wish to speak. The Chair moved to approve the item consistent with staff recommendations and the motion was seconded; the commission recorded affirmative votes and forwarded the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Next steps: the county will forward the recommended zoning amendments to the Board of Supervisors for final action. No implementation timetable was specified in the hearing record.