Planning Commission Staff Report
Report Prepared by: Kim Espinosa, Temporary Director of Development Services and Diana Lowrance, Deputy Director of Development Services
Title
SUBJECT: Study Session on Housing Element Progress and General Plan Update and Central Merced/Downtown Rail Station Area Plan Request for Proposals
ACTION: Discussion/Questions
SUMMARY
Staff will provide an update on the preparation of the City's Sixth Cycle Housing Element. The City's Sixth Cycle Housing Element was due to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on January 31, 2024. This update will review the City's strategy for meeting the required Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), including the timeline for the zone changes needed to meet the RHNA shortfall, and the next steps in the Housing Element update process. Staff will also provide an update on the General Plan Update and Central Merced/Downtown Rail Station Area Plan Request for Proposals (RFP), which was issued in October 2024.
RECOMMENDATION
No action required. Discussion and questions only.
Body
DISCUSSION
Housing Element
The Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) led the creation and coordination of the effort to create a multi-jurisdictional housing element (MJHE) for the sixth cycle housing element update. Jurisdictions participating in the joint effort included the County of Merced, and the cities of Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos, and Merced. MCAG led the public outreach portion of the MJHE including stakeholders/community member interviews, surveys, a project website, community events, and community workshops.
A Public Review Draft Merced's Sixth Cycle Housing Element (HE) was released on May 13, 2024, for a 30-day public review period (May 13 - June 12, 2024). On May 20, 2024, a report was presented to the City Council. On August 9, 2024, the Public Review Draft was submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). On November ...
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