The most recent version of the draft is the January 16, 2024 Revised Submitted Draft Housing Element (RSDHE), 1/16/24 RSDHE
Welcome to the Housing Element, a pivotal opportunity every decade to shape the future of housing in our community!
Since 1969, Housing Elements have been integral chapters of local General Plans in California. These elements analyze a community’s housing needs across income levels and devise strategies to address them. Updates are mandated every eight years. The 5th Cycle Housing Element spanned the planning period of 2015-2023. Now, we embark on the 6th Cycle Housing Element update, covering 2023-2031.
Our updated Housing Element is crucial in planning for the types and quantity of homes needed by 2031, as defined by RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Allocation). In October of 2022, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG) finalized the 6th Cycle RHNA plan for 2023-2031, allocating 1,125 additional housing units in Pacific Grove. Although the City of Pacific Grove doesn't construct these homes, we ensure that our plans, policies, and programs are updated to facilitate the construction of the mandated units.
This updated Housing Element comprises goals, policies, programs, and objectives to facilitate housing growth in Pacific Grove, aligning with our RHNA and associated state and federal housing requirements. For further insights, check out this informational video: Housing Element Explainer 2022 (wistia.com).
Building a more affordable future is a collaborative endeavor. We invite you to delve into "Why Affordability Matters" in the City's Welcome Home Strategy, completed in 2021 as well as the City's Council Goals for more information and history on PG's affordable housing goals.
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Program EIR
Program EIR: Pacific Grove Housing Element Update, Zoning Amendments, and General Plan Amendments Project
Project Description: The proposed project consists of the following components:
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Housing Element update, which includes a program to rezone sites in the Commercial-Forest Hill, Commercial-Downtown, and some Unclassified districts;
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Zoning Amendments to implement Housing Element Programs, including updates to the zoning map; and
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associated General Plan Amendments.
The draft Housing Element was submitted to the California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) for the first round of HCD review on November 2, 2023, and is undergoing revisions to address HCD comments.
The zoning amendments would include modifications to the Zoning Code to meet target densities as well as compliance with State housing laws as identified in the Housing Element. The Land Use Element would be updated for consistency with the Housing Element update and Zoning Amendments. The Health & Safety Element update would involve updated information, policies, and implementation measures consistent with the current requirements of state law. This includes additional details related to evacuation routes and emergency access.
NOP public comment was open January 26, 2024, to February 28, 2024 for a 30-day public comment period on the scope of the EIR for the Pacific Grove Housing Element Update, Zoning Amendments, and General Plan Amendments Project. The EIR Public Scoping Session was held at the Planning Commission on February 15, 2024, for receipt of verbal comments on the scope of the EIR.
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Formal Comment Letter on RSDHE: The City received the comment letter from the California Department of Housing and Community Development on January 31, 2024, available online: 1/31/24 Formal HCD Comment Letter
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1/16/24 Revised Submitted Draft Housing Element (RSDHE): The City revised the Submitted Draft 6th Cycle Housing Element based on preliminary comments from HCD during their initial 90-day review period ending January 31, 2024. The RSDHE was resubmitted to HCD on January 16, 2024 and is available online: 1/16/24 RSDHE.
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HCD Comment Matrix: The revisions within the RSDHE can be viewed as redlined track changes beginning on page 1-22, coinciding with HCD’s preliminary comment matrix, available online: HCD’s 1/10/24 preliminary comment matrix.
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Written Comment: The RSDHE was available for a 7-day public comment period from January 17, 2024, to 5:00 PM on January 24, 2024. Written comments received during this period are available online: 7-Day Written Comment on RSHE 1/17/24-1/24/24.
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11/2/23 Submitted Draft Housing Element (SDHE): The SDHE was revised to incorporate public comment received during the 30-day public comment period and Council's direction on October 18, 2023 and transmitted to HCD on November 2, 2023, available online: 11/2/23 SDHE.
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9/15/23 Initial Public Review Draft Housing Element (DHE): The DHE was released on September 15, 2023, available online: 9/15/23 DHE.
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30-Day Written Comments Received: Written comments received on the DHE during the 30-day public review period (9/18/23 - 10/17/23) are available online: 30-day Public Comment 8/18/23 - 10/17/23.
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Public Hearings for DHE transmission to HCD: Two public hearings on the DHE were held at Planning Commission, followed by one public hearing at City Council prior to final revisions and submission to HCD on November 2, 2023. Public hearings for the DHE are as follows:
Planning Commission:
City Council:
- February 14, 2024
- March 6, 2024
- April 3, 2024
Per Council's friendly amendment to the First Amendment to the Housing Element Contract with Rincon Consultants, Inc., staff will provide a monthly status update to the Council throughout the process, leading to an adopted and certified Housing Element.
- City Manager's Report (April 5, 2024) - Click here
- City Manager's Report (March 22, 2024) - Click here
- City Manager's Report (March 8, 2024) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (February 23, 2024) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (February 9, 2024) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (January 19, 2024) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (December 22, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (November 17, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (October 20, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (October 6, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (September 22, 2023) - Click Here
- City Social Media Post (September 14, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (August 18, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (August 4, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (July 7, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (June 23, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (June 9, 2023) - Click Here
- City Social Media Post (April 26, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (February 17, 2023) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (November 18, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (November 4, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (October 21, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (October 7, 2022) - Click Here
- City Social Media Post (September 29, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (September 23, 2022) - Click Here
- City PGUSD Board Meeting Video (September 15, 2022) - Click Here
- City Housing Presentation (September 15, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (September 9, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (August 19, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (August 5, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (July 22, 2022) - Click Here
- City Social Media Post (July 18, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (July 8, 2022) - Click Here
- City Manager's Report (June 17, 2022) - Click Here
- City Social Media Post (June 14, 2022) - Click Here
- City Managers Report (June 3, 2022) - Click Here
- Good Old Days (May 8, 2022) - Click Here
- Victorian Corner Restaurant (May 4, 2022) - Click Here
- Farmer’s Market (April 18, 2022) - Click Here
- City Social Media Post (March 28, 2022) - Click Here
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Housing Element Advisory Committee (May 15, 2023)
For the slides, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
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Housing Element Advisory Committee (February 6, 2023)
For the slides, Click Here. For notes, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
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Virtual Housing Element Workshop (October 6, 2022)
For the slides, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
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Housing Element Advisory Committee (September 26, 2022)
For the slides, Click Here. For notes, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
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Housing Element Update Workshop (July 25, 2022)
For the slides, Click Here. For the agenda, Click Here. For other materials presented, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
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Housing Element Advisory Committee (July 18, 2022) For the slides, Click Here. For the agenda, Click Here. For notes, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
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Regional Housing Element Workshop (May 23, 2022) For the slides, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here
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Housing Element Advisory Committee (May 16, 2022)
For the slides, Click Here. For the agenda, Click Here. For notes, Click Here. For a recording of the meeting, Click Here.
Housing Needs Survey
Balancing Act Tool
Balancing Act Tool Summary Here
Data Link Here
Why you should get involved?
Many people in our community find it difficult or impossible to find housing that meets their needs. Rising rents and home prices along with limited housing choices means that many people who grow up in Pacific Grove end up having to leave and live elsewhere, and the vast majority of people who work in Pacific Grove - teaching our kids, helping run the City, or working in the many restaurants, stores, golf courses, and hotels that are the core of our economy - have to commute in, some from long distances. The cost of our housing shortage is high - economically, environmentally, and socially.
What happens next?
After the Housing Element is certified by the state, it becomes part of Pacific Grove's General Plan - guiding our growth and development over the next 8 years.
Timeline/Next Steps
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September 2023: Release Draft Housing Element Update for 30-day Public Review.
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Oct/Nov 2023: Planning Commission and City Council Study Sessions.
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Nov-Feb 2024: Submit Draft to state HCD for initial 90-day review.
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February 2024: Revise the draft based on state HCD’s comments.
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April 2024: Hold public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council to consider the revised Element for adoption. (revised timeline TBD / action on hold per 2/21/24 Council direction to seek alternative sites and/or methods to avoid the need for the three Unclassified sites containing estimated build-out capacity of 497 units and find alternative sites to meet RHNA plus 20% buffer).
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May 2024: Submit Adopted Draft to state HCD for follow-up 60-day review and certification. (revised timeline TBD / action on hold per 2/21/24 Council direction to seek alternative sites and/or methods to avoid the need for the three Unclassified sites containing estimated build-out capacity of 497 units and find alternative sites to meet RHNA plus 20% buffer).
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2023-2031: Housing Element implementation and annual monitoring.
Monterey County Weekly: Small Pacific Grove begins planning for a 14-percent jump in housing units, per state mandate. To read the article, click here.
KSBW Action News: Pacific Grove Required to meet 'unrealistic' housing goal. To read the article or watch the news story, click here.
| The Housing Division of the City of Pacific Grove is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, sustainable, and thriving community by administering programs that enhance, preserve, and expand access to safe, affordable housing for all residents, free of discrimination and undue barriers. |
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