PREPARED BY: GRIFFEN DEMPSEY DATE OF MEETING: 03/17/2025
SUBJECT:
TITLE
CONDUCT PUBLIC HEARING, CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024 TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE OF LAND USE AND CLIMATE INNOVATION
CEQA: Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation 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.
CEQA Compliance Statement
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) 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.
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 (now renamed the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation or LCI) describing the status of the city’s 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 use 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 LCI.
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 (now LCI) 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 LCI’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 and collaborative planning with military lands and facilities.
UPDATE
On March 18, 2024, the City adopted its sixth cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element with Resolution 2024-034; this document was subsequently certified by HCD on May 20th, 2024. Resolution 2024-034 also adopted the Community Health and Environmental Justice element, which replaced the prior Health Element with an updated document integrating the state-required Environmental Justice Element as well as an update to the City’s Safety Element.
In 2021, the City began to undertake a focused update to its General Plan. This update remains ongoing and is nearing completion. The update will coincide with the adoption of the Rumrill Corridor Plan, which will establish a framework for the economic development and future growth of the Rumrill Boulevard corridor. The General Plan update will provide a limited update to all elements aside from the recently updated Housing Element and Community Health & Environmental Justice element. Outdated policies and information are to be replaced, and substantive updates to the Land Use element will implement Housing Element policies and the Rumrill Corridor Plan. Extensive community outreach for these plans has been held and stakeholders have been consulted. Draft documents will be released in the coming months and adoption is expected in July 2025. (For additional information see https://www.sanpabloca.gov/2804/General-Plan-Housing-Element-Update
The 2024 APR (Attachment A) includes the General Plan Implementation Measures and recent planning initiatives that are relevant to the various 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 Annual 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
This item is for informational purposes only. There is no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Att A - 2024 General Plan Element Progress Report
Att B - Resolution Adopting 2024 General Plan APR
Att C - Proof of Publication