Report Prepared by: Leah Brown, Senior Planner, Development Service Department
Title
SUBJECT: Second Reading and Final Adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to Complete the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Requirements for Compliance with the State Housing Laws
REPORT IN BRIEF
Second reading and Final Adoption of a Zoning Ordinance Amendment to comply with State Housing Laws.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Ordinance 2594, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Amending Ordinance No. 2577, and adopting environmental review #26-0068 (Statutory Exemption).
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt Ordinance as recommended by staff; or,
2. Provide direction on specific revisions to the Ordinance; or,
3. Request additional information; or
4. Continue the matter to a date certain; or
5. Decline to act.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Sections 200, 405, and 1105.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Year 2026/27 Adopted Goals and Priorities, Housing and Homelessness.
DISCUSSION
California Housing Element law requires every jurisdiction to prepare and adopt a housing element as part of its General Plan. State housing element requirements are framed in Government Code, Sections 65580 through 65589, Chapter 1143, Article 10.6. The law requires the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to administer the law by reviewing housing elements for compliance with state law and by reporting its written findings to the local jurisdiction. The Housing Element must identify existing and projected housing needs, establish goals and policies to address those needs, and demonstrate adequate capacity to accommodate the jurisdiction's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Additionally, a certified housing element is a key requirement to qualify for numerous state grants and funding.
State law mandates that housing elements be updated every eight years. The City of Merced last adopted a Housing Element...
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