Goals, Policies, and Programs Drafting Underway
HOUSING ELEMENT
The Housing Element is one chapter in the overall General Plan, and the only Element that must be approved (“certified”) by the State. The GPAC is charged with first focusing on the Housing Element given state-mandated deadlines, but GPAC then will update the other Elements within the General Plan through a similar process. While housing is related to many other aspects of the General Plan, it is useful to keep in mind that the elements must be interconnected and not conflict with one another. The aim is to have a plan that is both comprehensive in its totality with goals and implementation strategies throughout the document that align with one another and avoid overloading a single element with concepts beyond its scope. In particular, the Housing Element has an 8-year timeframe in which to accomplish the intended programs. As the GPAC proceeds through the drafting process and discusses the details of these implementation measures, the Committee may find some of the proposed goals or programs are better suited for inclusion in another General Plan element.
The Goals, Policies and Programs (GPPs) are a significant portion of the Housing Element content as they detail both the larger aims and implementation mechanisms for the Housing Element. In February 2021, staff introduced the GPPs to the Advisory Committee. The Housing Element translates community values into actionable items through the its Goals, Policies, and Programs. The city is required to submit updates on each of the GPPs to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of its Housing Element Annual Progress Report, which also includes data on development towards RHNA goals. Each goal has at least one corresponding policy and program to make clear how the goal will be applied to guide decision-making.
As an example of how the GPPs implement the values in the General Plan – and each element therein – planning staff must ensure that certain proposed development projects, like subdivisions and wireless facilities, are aligned with the General Plan GPPs as part of project review. Many of the GPPs throughout the General Plan are related to each other and some may repeat. For example, both the Land Use and Housing elements provide direction to encourage housing development in Downtown while preserving commercial activity. There are many additional existing plans and policies that affect the GPPs including the Downtown Specific Plan, the Downtown Design Guidelines, Creeks Master Plan, etc. All of these, along with public comment, will be evaluated as part of the considerations when reviewing each program specifically.
Goals
Goals are broad statements that give general direction to inform policies and programs. Think of this as “What do we want to accomplish and why?”
What makes a good goal? A well thought out goal is broad, provides clarity of purpose and intent, and is often aspirational in nature. Housing Element Goals should express the community’s values around housing based on public input. These broad statements will inform more specific policies and programs. While multiple Goals will need to be balanced when making future decisions (e.g. providing more housing, yet preserving open space) Goals should not outright conflict with one another making one or the other goal unachievable. During its meetings in September and October, GPAC established a foundation of goals from which the GPAC can evaluate each subsequent GPP component. The 10 goals established by the GPAC can be found here: https://bit.ly/320eHg1.
Policies
Policies are more specific statements that guide decision making. Think of this as “How will we accomplish our goals?”
Staff has recommended that GPAC consider policies once the Housing Element Programs have been established. Part of the Policy drafting process will be consideration of existing Policies, conversion of some existing Programs into Policies, and development of new Programs to address any gaps in the completeness of the Housing Element
Programs
Programs are concrete implementation measures to execute the goals and policies. Think of this as “What are the specific tasks that are needed to accomplish the goals and policies; who will accomplish them and by when?”
The updated Housing Element will guide where and how the City prepares for new housing in accordance with the 6th Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) Cycle, which spans 2023-2031. Programs are the concrete implementation measures to execute the goals and policies that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Each program must make clear how the goal will be applied to guide decision-making.
Each program must include a title, objective outlining the intent of the program, a responsible party, financing, and a timeline for completion or monitoring. The State of California requires cities and counties to submit an Annual Progress Report (APR) on their housing elements, which describe the amount and type of housing activity and the status of the programs set forth in the Housing Element. The APR is sent to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to track progress towards the City’s RHNA as well as updates on each of the Housing Element Programs.
Over the course of the next several GPAC meetings, staff will present programs within the seven previously established categories (infrastructure, sustainability/environment, diversity, equity and inclusion, affordability, height/density, design and aesthetics, and safety and regulatory compliance). The categories are intended to provide structure for GPAC’s review in considering several aspects of planning for housing, but the categories themselves will likely not be the terminology used in the final drafting of the GPPs.
Program Evaluation
At the October 13, 2021 special meeting, the GPAC voted to establish a series of criteria to be used in assessing the appropriateness, relevance, and need for specific Programs in the Housing Element. Responses to the criteria are intended to be considered in the aggregate, meaning a “no” response to one of the criteria may not be disqualifying. After considering the criteria responses for this program in the collective, the GPAC may determine the program should be not included in the Housing Element.
To date, the GPAC has reviewed Programs for the following categories:
The GPAC will start its first review of Programs for Affordability, Height/Density, and Design/Aesthetics at its December 14th meeting.
Timeline
Planning staff has provided an updated draft timeline for the remainder of the Housing Element development and review process, which can be found here: https://bit.ly/3m3AWZL . This timeline is subject to change as needed, but is provided here as a reference point for the work remaining in the Housing Element update.