REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: SOPHIA PAGOULATOS, Planning Manager
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
HEARING to receive public comment on the 2022 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council:
1. Hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the 2022 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports, and
2. Accept the 2022 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
California law requires that the City of Fresno produce Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports (APR) to document the City’s progress on implementation. The City is required to hold a public hearing on the Housing Element APR to afford the public an opportunity to provide public testimony and written comment on the APR. All comments received will then be forwarded to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the California Office of Planning and Research (OPR). The Housing Element and General Plan APRs are available at www.fresno.gov/housingelement <http://www.fresno.gov/housingelement>.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Housing Element, adopted in 2016, is a coordinated and comprehensive strategy for promoting the production of safe, decent, and affordable housing for all community residents. Based on community input and data, it identifies housing needs and issues and establishes objectives, policies, and programs to address them. The current Housing Element, which is valid through 2023, includes 28 programs which are designed to achieve the objectives in the Element. The APR is a summary of the status of each of those programs for the calendar year 2022.
The City of Fresno General Plan, adopted in 2014, is a long-term vision for the city and includes an implementation action to achieve that vision. The General Plan is organized into 11 elements, or chapters, and includes 659 goals, objectives, and policies. The General Plan APR is a summary of progress on implementation for the calendar year 2022. Both the General Plan and Housing Element APRs are intended for the public and decision-makers and they are required to be submitted to HCD and OPR by April 1 of every year.
Public Participation
Housing Element workshops were held on the following dates and locations to obtain input on housing issues and housing element progress. These workshops were held in partnership with Community Development Corporations that are working with the City on housing element outreach:
• February 25, 2023: El Dorado Park CDC, 1338 E. San Ramon Ave
• March 1, 2023: Lowell CDC, Helm Home, 1719 L Street
• March 1, 2023: Highway City CDC Community Resource Center, 4718 N. Polk Ave
• March 4, 2023: Hidalgo CDC,3550 E. Thomas Ave.
• March 14, 2023: Westside Church of God, 1422 W. California Ave.
Public Notice:
Display ads were placed in the Fresno Bee in English and Spanish to advertise the March 30, 2023 City Council public hearing, the availability of the APRs and the public comment opportunity. The notice was also sent to the City’s 750-person email list of residents interested in housing and planning issues.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because this item does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
N/A
Attachments:
Exhibit A: City of Fresno 2022 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Exhibit B: City of Fresno 2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Exhibit C: Power point presentation
Exhibit D: Highlights Brochure