Update on Alameda County Community Development Agency Planning Projects
Alameda County Community Development Agency Planning Department's update on general plan projects focusing on the Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element, and Safety Element. The General Plan is required by State Law, with specific elements such as Land Use, Circulation, Open Space, Conservation, Noise, and Environmental Justice. The Housing Element update process for the Bay Area's sixth cycle (2023-2031) is detailed, highlighting the requirements for Housing Element revision, evaluation, and compliance with Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing policies.
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Update on General Plan Projects Update on General Plan Projects Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element, Element, Environmental Justice Element, and Safety Element/Community Climate and Safety Element/Community Climate Action Plan Action Plan Housing Planning Commission September 19, 2022 ALAMEDA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
General Plan Required by State Law General Plan Required by State Law (Government Code Section 65300 et seq.) Required Elements: Land Use Circulation Housing Open Space Conservation Safety Noise Environmental Justice (separate element or integrated throughout other elements)
General Plan Projects 2021-2024 Environmental Justice Element Safety Element & Climate Action Plan Housing Element
State law requires each local jurisdiction to revise its Housing Element every eight years. All cities and counties within a region must update their housing elements on the same eight-year cycle. Housing Element Update Process The next cycle for the Bay Area is 2023-2031 (Sixth Cycle). Revised Housing Element deadline for approval by State HCD and Board of Supervisors January 2023. Estimated completion date January 2024.
Evaluate existing Housing Element Assess Housing Need o Existing o Projected Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) o Populations with Special Needs Housing Element Update Required Components Site Inventory & Analysis Governmental & Non-governmental Constraints Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Programs required to implement stated policies and achieve stated goals and objectives Board of Supervisors approval Certification by State HCD
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing AB 686 (2018) requires that housing elements demonstrate the local jurisdiction is affirmatively furthering fair housing. Jurisdictions need to demonstrate compliance with the statute by: Analyzing existing fair housing and segregation issues Identifying fair housing goals Developing strategies to implement these goals Ensuring sites in the inventory are identified in such a way that promotes AFFH
What is the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)? State HCD identifies total number of units, across all income groups, for which the region must plan for the eight-year RHNA period (2023 to 2031). ABAG collaborates with local governments and stakeholders to develop a formula to assign each community a share of the Bay Area s housing need. Each local government must update Housing Element of General Plan and zoning to show how it plans to accommodate its share of the regional need.
Unincorporated Alameda County RHNA Increase from Current Cycle VERY LOW INCOME (<50% of Area Median Income) LOW INCOME (50-80% of Area Median Income) MODERATE INCOME (80-120% of Area Median Income) ABOVE MODERATE INCOME (>120% of Area Median Income) CYCLE TOTAL 2015-2023 430 units 227 units 295 units 817 units 1,769 units 2023-2031 1,251 units 721 units 763 units 1,976 units 4,711 units % Increase 191% 218% 159% 142% 166%
Housing Element Sites Inventory and Analysis must identify specific sites suitable for the development of housing within the planning period that are sufficient to accommodate the jurisdictions share of the regional housing need for all income levels (Gov. Code 65583) must include analysis for each site to demonstrate that the land is suitable for development in the planning period and sites and zoning are sufficient and appropriate to accommodate the jurisdiction s share of the regional housing need for all income levels. must indicate whether the inventory can provide for a variety of housing types, including multifamily rental housing, housing for agricultural employees, transitional and supportive housing, single-room occupancy units and emergency shelters.
July 2022-February 2023 Technical Studies and Issues Evaluation July-October 2022 Sites Inventory July-December 2022 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing July 2022-HE Approval Community Engagement Housing Element Schedule March 2023 Public Review Draft Housing Element April-December 2023 State HCD Reviews Draft Element January 2024 Public Hearing Draft Housing Element February 2024 Final Housing Element Adopted October 2022-February 2024 CEQA Analysis
Environmental Justice Element SB 1000 (2016) Project began October 2021 to be completed early 2023. State law requires cities and counties with disadvantaged or low-income communities (as defined) to incorporate environmental justice (EJ) policies into their general plans. Sixteen Unincorporated Area census tracts meet the low-income definition. EJ Element must be approved upon the adoption or next revision of two or more elements. The 2015 Ashland Cherryland Health & Wellness Element will serve as the basis for the Environmental Justice Element.
Priority Priority Communities Communities Sixteen Unincorporated Area census tracts meet the low- income definition. Ashland (5) Castro Valley (5) Ashland San Lorenzo (1) Cherryland Hayward Acres Cherryland (4) San Lorenzo (parts) Hayward Acres (1) Castro Valley (parts)
EJ Element must cover: pollution exposure and air quality equitable access to public facilities equitable food access civic engagement in the public decision-making process equitable access to safe and sanitary homes equitable access to physical activity
Partner Organization Outreach Ashland Cherryland Healthy Communities Collaborative (ACHCC) Environmental Justice Bucket has met monthly since March 2022 Representatives of County agencies and departments, plus service providers and CBO s For the purpose of the project, the EJ Bucket includes representatives of Hayward Acres, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley, as well as Ashland and Cherryland
Existing Conditions Ground-truth/provide context for data on existing EJ-related needs and community assets Provide input if we ve missed key needs or assets Goal Setting and Policy Crafting Role of the ACHCC EJ Bucket Share strategic goals and direction of org/ agency/ dept that contribute to EJ Provide input on policy measures to be included in the EJ Element Review/refine draft policies Contribute to implementation planning Community Engagement Review/provide input for Community Engagement Strategy Assist with community engagement/capacity building Review feedback from community engagement process
Community Survey Open May through August in English and Spanish 29 responses in English, 22 responses in Spanish Results are being tabulated to inform goals, policies & programs. Workshop #1 May 19th Presented overview of project and existing conditions. Attendees responded to polling questions and provided verbal comments on six topic areas. 57 total attendees Community Outreach Process Workshop #2 August 25th Continued discussion of issues and solutions related to six topics. 94 total attendees Workshop #3 Fall-Winter TBD Review Draft Plan and receive community feedback County website to sign up for email list: Direct outreach by Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center Promotores Advertised through MACs, ACHCC, existing community meetings and events, partner agencies, schools, etc. Project website
EJ Element Schedule Stakeholder Engagement with ACHCC Community Engagement January-April: Discussed existing conditions, community needs and assets, community engagement strategy Plan Development Survey May-August May 19 Workshop #1 (Project overview) Oct/Nov Public Review Draft EJ Element May-September: Crafted policy, reviewed community input Aug 25 Workshop #2 (Issues and Solutions) Dec/Jan Final Draft EJ Element Nov Workshop #3 (Review Draft Plan) October Winter 2023: Review/refine draft policies, implementation planning Early 2023 Approval
The update process for the two elements has been combined to comprehensively address climate adaptation and greenhouse gas emission reduction. Safety Element & Climate Action Plan Work began in May 2022 and is expected to be completed in November 2023.
SB 379 requires that policies and programs regarding climate adaptation and resilience be added to the Safety Element. Safety Element must be updated on same cycle as Housing Element to address wildfire risks and to identify emergency evacuation routes. Safety Element Information and maps in all sections will be updated to reflect all changes since the last comprehensive update.
Overall objective to reduce community- wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated within the unincorporated areas of the County. Revision process will consider: state objective of carbon neutrality by 2045 life-cycle GHG accounting net zero GHG targets equity and environmental justice in climate planning the interplay between climate mitigation and climate adaptation Community Climate Action Plan
Safety Element & CCAP Schedule August 2022 Climate action planning background report September 2022 Complete Community Engagement Plan October 2022 Virtual Workshop #1 (Project Overview and Initiation) December 2022 Final Climate Vulnerability Assessment April 2023 Virtual Workshop #2 (Strategies and Actions) May 2023 Complete Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Analysis October 2023 Virtual Workshop #3 (Draft Plan) November 2023 Final Safety Element, CCAP, & Implementation Plan
Contact Information Liz McElligott, Alameda County Planning Department Elizabeth.mcelligott@acgov.org, 510-670-6120 Planning Department Website: http://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/ EJ Element Website: http://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/Env-Justice-of- General-Plan.htm Safety Element/CCAP website: http://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/ccapse.htm Housing Element Website: Coming Soon
