PREPARED BY: GRIFFEN DEMPSEY DATE OF MEETING: 03/04/2024
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING AND CONSIDER RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023 TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF PLANNING AND RESEARCH
CEQA: Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) reporting requirements do not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Conduct public hearing and adopt resolution
Body
Compliance statements
FY 2023-25 Council Priority Workplan Compliance Statement
The City of San Pablo’s General Plan relates to all five of the City Council Major Policy Goals contained in the FY 2023-25 City Council Adopted Workplan, effective May 1, 2023, as amended. These Major Policy Goals include building a healthy community, enhancing community resilience, expanding housing options, focusing on economic development and diversification, and improving public safety.
BACKGROUND
California Government Code Section 65400 requires general law cities to prepare and submit an Annual Progress Report (APR) to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) describing the status of the General Plan and progress on its implementation to their legislative bodies by April 1 of each year. The APR provides local legislative bodies and the public with information regarding the implementation of the General Plan for their city or county. APRs also inform the public on the progress in meeting the community’s goals. The APR provides enough information for decision-makers to assess how the General Plan was implemented during the 12-month period. The APR also explains how land uses decisions relate to adopted goals, policies and implementation measures of the General Plan. The General Plan APR is required to be considered by the City Council at a public meeting, during which it should receive any public comments. Once accepted by the Council, the APR is sent to HCD and OPR.
San Pablo’s current General Plan 2030 was adopted on April 18, 2011, by Resolution 2011-046. Government Code Section 65040.2 requires the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) to adopt and periodically revise the State General Plan Guidelines (GPG) for the preparation and content of general plans for all cities and counties in California. The San Pablo General Plan 2030 complies with the OPR’s General Plan Guidelines of being comprehensive, internally consistent, and long-range. San Pablo’s General Plan 2030 provides a vision for the future by establishing guidelines that reflect City policies, goals, and efforts while enhancing quality of life. The General Plan was released before the issuance of recent guidelines, such as required consultation with Native American tribes, collaborative planning with military lands and facilities, and the inclusion of an Environmental Justice element. As a result, the plan is not consistent with these updated guidelines. However, the plan’s Health Element covers many of the topics that are mandated in the Environmental Justice element.
In 2021, the City began to undertake an update to its General Plan, in conjunction with the required Housing Element Update. This General Plan Update will incorporate the new state-mandated Environmental Justice Element, as well as appropriate consultation with all relevant outside parties. The first draft of the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element update was made available for public review on August 19, 2022 at <https://www.sanpabloca.gov/2804/General-Plan-Housing-Element-Update> and following public review and hearings by the San Pablo Planning Commission and City Council, it was submitted to HCD for review on September 30, 2022. Review comments from HCD were received on January 3, 2023. Following two previous submittals and a second review letter from HCD, the City has finalized the requested revisions and made a further revised second draft of the Housing Element update available for public review on February 16, 2024. The second draft was presented to Planning Commission for adoption recommendation on February 27, 2024 along with the new Health and Environmental Justice Element including amendments to the Health Element of the General Plan and amendments to the Safety and Noise Element of the General Plan, and will be presented to City Council on March 18, 2024 for formal adoption. After adoption, HCD will have 60 days to review and certify the updated Housing Element.
The 2023 APR (Attachment A) includes the General Plan Implementation Measures and recent planning initiatives that are relevant to the different Elements within the General Plan and related policies. The report includes a brief description of each Planning initiative, and identifies the General Plan Element(s) and Policies that are relevant to each initiative. The APR also discusses General Plan modifications and amendments that have occurred and are underway. The APR also identifies major development applications processed and references the Housing Element Progress Report. In addition, the APR includes any policy decisions that have been made as a direct impact from General Plan policies, including new ordinances, amendments, environmental assessments, and major studies and/or plans.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with submittal of the City’s General Plan Annual Progress Report.
ATTACHMENTS
Att A - Resolution
Att B - 2023 General Plan Element Progress Report
Att C - Proof of Publication