Report Prepared by: Julie Nelson, Associate Planner
Title
SUBJECT: General Plan Amendment #16-03 - Adoption of Revised Housing Element
REPORT IN BRIEF
This General Plan Amendment involves the review and adoption of the Revised Housing Element. If adopted, the Housing Element would be forwarded to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for final review.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution No. 2016-34, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California Adopting a Negative Declaration and Amending the Housing Element of the General Plan, with any required changes per HCD.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by the Planning Commission and staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditions by Council; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer back to staff for reconsideration of specific items as requested by Council; or,
5. Continue item to a future Council meeting (date and time to be specified in motion).
AUTHORITY
California Government Code Section 65300 requires all cities and counties to adopt and revise as necessary a General Plan. California Government Code Section 65580 through 65589.8 outline what needs to be included in the General Plan Housing Elements and requires that the Housing Element be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
History and Past Actions
The City's current Housing Element, one of the seven required elements of the General Plan, was adopted in 2009, and was incorporated in the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan as Chapter 9. The Housing Element sets forth policies and programs for the provision of affordable housing throughout the community. Previously, Housing Elements were required to be updated every 5 years, but the schedule was recently changed to require updates every 8 years. The City's Housing Element was scheduled to be adopted by March...
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