CC 03-08-2022 Item No. 2. Housing Element Update - Updated Staff Report_Desk Item
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting: March 8, 2022
Subject
Progress report from EMC Planning Group regarding the Housing Element update
process and discussion and approval of the Housing Element update Stakeholders
Group. This item was initially presented and discussed at the March 1, 2022 Council
meeting.
Recommended Action
Receive report and provide feedback on the progress of the Housing Element update,
review the Stakeholders Group selection process and alternatives, consider approval of
the Stakeholders group membership and/or the establishment of a Housing Element
update Strategy Advisory Sub‐Committee.
Discussion
Background
The City is currently preparing its 6th Cycle Housing Element update, which covers the
planning period of 2023 to 2031. The Housing Element is part of Cupertino’s General Plan
and identifies policies and programs intended to meet the housing needs of the City’s
current and future residents, at all levels of income. State law requires that every city and
county in California adopt a Housing Element every eight years to reflect the Regional
Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) established for each jurisdiction by the State. The
City’s RHNA is 4,588 units for the 2023‐2031 planning period.
Once a jurisdiction’s RHNA has been determined cities must demonstrate that they have
adequate housing sites to accommodate their RHNA. There are guidelines and specific
requirements on site selection, that ensure the City has policies in place to support the
development of housing for persons at all income levels, as specified by State law. The
City is presently in the process of refining and finalizing its site selection inventory, which
has been the focus of two Planning Commission study sessions, held on January 25,
February 22, 2022. Completing the site selection inventory is a key step in the housing
Element update process that will enable the City to define the scope of the Housing
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Element update and assess the update in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA).
On September 21, 2021, the City Council awarded a consultant agreement to prepare the
6th Cycle Housing Element update to EMC Planning Group (EMC). Since that time EMC
and City staff have held two City Council study sessions, on September 28 and November
16, 2021, focusing on the overall Housing Element update process and State requirements
that have greatly expanded the role and extent of public outreach required for the 6th
Cycle. Additionally, a separate Housing Commission study session and community
workshop were held on December 9, 2021. These meetings were followed by the two
previously mentioned Planning Commission study sessions in January and February
2022.
Analysis
On March 1, 2022, EMC provided a status update to the Council on the overall progress
of the Housing Element update and the Stakeholders Group selection process. This staff
report and the attached material from EMC is a follow‐up to the March 1 Council
discussion.
The attached memorandum prepared by EMC discusses the State requirements related
to affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH), which provides additional context for
the role of the Stakeholders Group, initially discussed at the March 1 Council meeting.
EMC’s memorandum also provides alternatives to the Stakeholders Group selection
process and presents the idea of forming a Strategy Advisory Sub‐Committee that would
include Council, Planning Commission and Housing Commission representation.
Next Steps
EMC’s scope of work includes a robust public engagement plan, including public
meetings and study sessions, community workshops, stakeholder group meetings, online
engagement, and translation/interpretation services to be completed in a manner
ensuring that a State‐compliant Housing Element can be presented to the City Council
prior to the State’s January 31, 2023 deadline.
The next immediate step in the Housing Element update process is a third Planning
Commission work session to finalize the sites selection process. The date for the Planning
Commission meeting is currently be scheduled and the meeting will occur in mid to late‐
March. Following the Planning Commission meeting, a sites selection discussion is
scheduled for the April 5, 2022 City Council meeting.
Sustainability Impact
No sustainability impacts.
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Fiscal Impact
No fiscal impact.
Prepared by: Luke Connolly, Senior Planner
Piu Ghosh, Planning Manager
Reviewed by: Benjamin Fu, Director of Community
Dianne Thompson, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Jensen, City Attorney
Approved by: Jim Throop, City Manager
Attachment A – EMC Housing Element update Memorandum