HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-03; Housing Commission; ; Provide input on Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element Update.
Meeting Date: December 3, 2020
To: Housing Commission
From: David de Cordova, Housing Services Manager
Staff Contact: Scott Donnell, Senior Planner
Scott.donnell@carlsbadca.gov, 760-602-4618
Subject: Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element Update
Recommended Action
Provide input on Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element Update.
Executive Summary
As required under state law, City staff and consultants along with guidance from the Housing
Element Advisory Committee (HEAC) and City Council have worked together to create a
comprehensive update to the City’s Housing Element. The Housing Element will provide the city
with a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe, decent
and affordable housing for varying income levels within the community for the next eight years,
from April 2021 through April 2029.
Since the beginning of this year, the HEAC has met to assist in the Housing Element Update
effort. In December 2019, the City Council appointed nine residents to the HEAC. Four of those
residents serve on existing city commissions, including the Housing Commission.
Recommendations of the HEAC have aided staff and will assist decision-makers, such as the
Housing Commission and City Council, with their deliberations on the project.
Discussion
For the 2021-2029 Housing Element planning period, the City Council must adopt an updated
housing element by April 15, 2021. Prior to City Council review, the Housing Commission will
consider the proposed document for recommendation. Public hearings for this purpose will be
held in early 2021.
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.40.060 identifies Housing Commission functions. Some of
these functions relate directly to the Housing Element, such as:
• Establishment of, or amendment of affordable housing programs, policies and
regulations
• Adoption of, or amendments to, the general plan housing element, and related
strategies or programs
• Establishment of, or amendment of programs and services that aim to prevent, reduce
and manage homelessness in Carlsbad
On November 19, 2020, the Housing Commission participated in a special joint meeting along
with the HEAC. During this meeting, the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element was presented to
enable both the Housing Commission and HEAC to concurrently receive an introduction to the
draft plan. This introduction was intended to orient the Housing Commission and HEAC to the
structure and content of the document to help prepare them for their review and input at
subsequent meetings. Housing Commissioners asked a number of clarifying questions and
provided some initial comments on the draft Housing Element, with an understanding that a
fuller discussion of the draft Housing Element would occur at this meeting.
City staff and consultants will be present to assist the Housing Commission in their review of
the Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element. At this time, City staff and consultants would like the
Housing Commission to review the draft document, receive public comment and provide
feedback, paying particular attention to the housing policies and programs (Housing Plan). The
Housing Commission’s input will help the project team refine the plan prior to submitting it to
the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for initial state review.
Environmental Review
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, this action does not constitute a “project”
within the meaning of CEQA in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change
in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment,
and therefore, does not require environmental review.
Public Notification
Public notice of this item was posted in keeping with the Ralph M. Brown Act and it was
available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting date.
Exhibits
1. Draft 2021-2029 Housing Element (previously distributed)