Attachment 5 - Public Commentdevelopment of lower and moderate-income housing units. Please refer to the attached
spreadsheet which details the RHNA deficits.
This point was missed and worse it was suggested without any factual basis there is no requirement
to adjust these sites to reflect the property owners known intent “until project approval”. Given this
is the Staff’s position, LGCA strongly suggests the Town seek HCD technical assistance with regard to
the SB 330 applications for sites B-1 and D-1 so a site inventory can be developed which would meet
Housing Element Law and thus avoid more delay in obtaining HCD site certification. The Town’s
analytical and evidentiary obligations under the Housing Element Law are significant and the
penalties associated with non-compliance are severe.
LGCA is also troubled by the Staff’s recommendation not to “introduce new information that was not
previously reviewed” simply because the new information “may delay HCD’s certification of the
Town’s Housing Element”. First, choosing not to disclose to HCD the SB 330 applications were
received subsequent to filing on March 31, 2023 the Housing Element for HCD review, while
knowing the property owners have no intention of developing the sites as shown in the site
inventory is highly questionable. What is the legal basis for not disclosing the development
intentions of the property owners knowing this information most likely would impact HCD’s
certification?
Secondly, it is unclear to us why there would be a delay in certification if more sites were added to
the site inventory for lower income categories and the development capacities for B-1 and D-1 were
adjusted to reflect the property owners’ plans. In fact, once HCD is fully informed of the SB 330
applications and the inability to meet RHNA by income category, it is highly likely an unchanged site
inventory will be rejected resulting in further delay in certification which is the very outcome the
Town is trying to avoid.
With regard to HCD’s comment letter to Los Altos Hills, you fail to mention the most important point
HCD made which is on point with adding more sites. In the comment letter on page 3, HCD clearly
states that when property owners indicate residential development is highly unlikely in the planning
period, especially at the densities and affordability levels indicated in the element, the element
should address this lack of owner interest and provide alternative sites as needed to accommodate
the Town’s RHNA. HCD could not have made this clearer. This should provide sufficient evidence
that the Town needs to add more sites to accommodate the Town’s RHNA.
Lastly with regard to CFH vs. La Cañada Flintridge there are number of important issues to take note
of. First, in order to avoid the statutory bar under section 65588(c)(4)(C)(iii) the Town must complete
the rezoning required by sections 65583(c)(1)(A) and 65583.2(c). Secondly, the Town cannot be
considered to be in substantial compliance until the rezoning is complete and the builder’s remedy
will remain available to property owners until substantial compliance. Lastly, the Town cannot move
forward with rezoning until the Housing Element has been certified by HCD and the Town adopts a
substantially compliant Housing Element. This is why a certified site inventory must be obtained
before rezoning can be completed.
Please let me know if you have any questions. The LGCA goal is the same as the Town’s - namely to
full comply with RHNA and achieve Housing Element certification as quickly as possible.
Thank you,
Phil Koen
On Behalf of LGCA
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On Aug 4, 2023, at 12:29 PM, Gabrielle Whelan <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Hello, Mr. Koen.
Thank you for your thoughtful email.
One of your questions was about the need for the Town to expand
its Sites Inventory in order to gain HCD certification of the Town’s
Housing Element. Your question is precipitated by the fact that the
Town has received several SB 330 pre-applications, which describe
projects with fewer units and fewer affordable units than were
allocated to the sites in the Town’s Housing Element Sites Inventory.
As you know, if sites are developed with fewer units and fewer
affordable units than described in the Sites Inventory and there is an
insufficient buffer to accommodate those sites elsewhere, the state
“no net loss” provisions kick in. The state “no net loss” provisions
require that, within six months of a project approval resulting in a
shortfall, the Town must rezone sufficient sites elsewhere to make
up the difference.
The Town’s adopted Housing Element contains a buffer of 16% to
accommodate instances in which planning applications are approved
at a density below the density described in the Town’s Housing
Element (The most recent proposed Housing Element revisions
submitted to HCD contain a buffer of 25%). The second phase of the
North 40 project, the Post Office project, and the Los Gatos Lodge
project have submitted SB 330 pre-applications that propose density
and affordability distributions below the density and affordability
distributions described in the Town’s Housing Element. In the event
that formal planning applications are approved that use up the
Town’s buffer, the Town will need to comply with the state’s “no net
loss” provisions. The Town will have six months from project
approval to do so. Town staff has discussed the SB 330 pre-
applications with the HCD reviewer at least twice and HCD knows
that the Town intends to comply with the “no net loss” provisions if
a project approval results in a shortfall.
While there is no requirement to adjust the Sites Inventory until
project approval, there is nothing prohibiting the Town from
increasing the buffer now. However, Town staff is not
recommending that the Town do so at this juncture. Town staff is
concerned that making the adjustment to the Sites Inventory at this
point in time may delay HCD’s certification of the Town’s Housing
Element by introducing new information that was not previously
reviewed. That said, HCD’s May comment letter asks for the Town
to provide more documentation that there is a “realistic possibility”
that the sites in the sites inventory will be redeveloped. Town staff is
currently working with the Town’s consultant to provide an analysis
of the “realistic possibility” of redevelopment for HCD’s review. If
this analysis demonstrates that there is in fact not a “realistic
possibility” of redevelopment, Town staff will recommend that the
Sites Inventory be expanded.
Thank you also for providing a copy of HCD’s comment letter to Los
Altos Hills. I read that letter to say that, if the jurisdiction does not
have a certified Housing Element within 120 days of January 31,
2023, its rezonings must be completed no later than January 31,
2024. If the jurisdiction has not completed its rezonings by then, its
Housing Element will not be able to be certified until the rezonings
have been completed. (That comports with the Town’s
understanding of the statutory requirement.) In order to make sure
that the Town of Los Gatos’s necessary rezonings are completed by
January 31st, Town staff is recommending that the Town process its
rezonings concurrently with seeking HCD certification.
With regard to the court case, are you referring to the Californians
for Home Ownership v. La Canada Flintridge decision? For
jurisdictions that are part of the Southern California Association of
Governments, state law provides that a Housing Element is out of
compliance if HCD had not approved the Element by October 15,
2022, and the jurisdiction had not adopted the required rezoning by
October 15, 2022. For jurisdictions like Los Gatos that are part of the
Association of Bay Area Governments, if HCD has not certified a
Housing Element by May 31, 2023, the jurisdiction must adopt all
required zoning by January 31, 2024, or the Housing Element will be
out of compliance with state law. In the La Canada Flintridge
decision, the court held that the jurisdiction’s Housing Element was
out of compliance with state law because the jurisdiction had not
completed the required rezoning by the October 15, 2022, deadline.
Here, Town staff is working to complete the rezonings prior to the
January 31, 2024, deadline.
Please let me know if you have any follow-up questions.
Gabrielle Whelan ● Town Attorney
Town Attorney’s Office ● 110 E Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030Desk: 408.354.6818 ● gwhelan@losgatosca.govwww.losgatosca.gov ● https://www.facebook.com/losgatosca
From: Phil Koen <pkoen@monteropartners.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2023 3:20 PM
To: Gabrielle Whelan <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: HCD-comment-letter-January-25-2023.pdf
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello Gabrielle,
I hope you are having a good summer.
I’m writing to you in the hope you will advise the Staff to conform the current HE site
inventory to the SB 330 applications that have been filed for the N40 and the Los Gatos
Lodge parcels. These applications are materially different in terms of total number of
units, development densities, and the income distribution of units to be developed
when compared to the site inventory.
As you know, the housing element relies on these two non-vacant development sites to
accommodate more than 50% of the RHNA for lower income households. Therefore
the housing element must demonstrate based on substantial evidence that the sites
will reasonably be developed as planned in the next 8 years. In reading the SB 330
applications it is very clear that the developers have no intention of developing the
parcels as planned in the site inventory.
Joel Paulson has gone on the record at the last General Plan Committee meeting
categorically stating that the site inventory did not have to be adjusted to reflect the SB
330 applications. We strongly differ with that view and hope you will agree with us.
I have attached the HCD comment letter for Los Altos Hills which squarely addresses
this point. From a simple reading of the letter, HCD will require the Town to make the
adjustment to conform to the SB 330 applications which will require more parcels to be
added to the site inventory to make up the difference. The only reason HCD has not
made this comment to the Town to date is HCD is not aware of these developments.
The SB 330 applications were received after the Town’s submitted the last draft HE to
HCD for review.
You should work under the assumption HCD will be made aware of these applications.
The Town should be proactive and add more sites now to address the shortfall in low
income units.
If the Town doesn’t add more parcels and submits the current draft of the site
inventory, HCD will undoubtedly reject the HE and require more changes to be made
which will only further delay the certification process. This only harms the Town even
more.
Lastly, a recent court case has found that the builders remedy will remain available to
developers until the Town obtains HCD certification and completes all required zoning.
We hope you agree with our position and will advise the Staff to immediately add more
parcels to the site inventory.
Thanks,
Phil Koen
Analysis of adequacy of Site Inventory
Zipcode APN VL L M A Total Acres
N40 Parcels - Site D-1 inventory
14859 Los Gatos Boulevard 95032 424-07-094 35 17 17 18 87 2.9
16392 Los Gatos Boulevard 95032 424-07-095 9 4 5 5 23 0.78
16260 Burton Road 95032 424-07-053 5 2 3 3 13 0.44
16250 Burton Road 95032 424-07-009 5 2 3 3 13 0.44
14917 Los Gatos Boulevard 95032 424-07-081 45 22 22 23 112 3.74
14925 Los Gatos Boulevard 95032 424-07-115 73 36 36 37 182 6.07
Los Gatos Boulevard 95032 424-07-116 12 6 6 7 31 1.02
>>Total 184 89 92 96 461 15.39
SB 330 Application received by Town 0 88 0 349 437
(Shortfall)/Excess from Site Inventory D-1 (184)(1)(92)253 (24)
Los Gatos Lodge - Site B-1 inventory
50 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road 95030 529-24-032 76 75 51 9 211 7.04
Los Gatos-Saratoga Road 95030 529-24-001 9 9 9 18 45 1.49
Los Gatos-Saratoga Road 95030 529-24-003 1 2 2 3 8 0.28
>>Total 86 86 62 30 264 8.81
SB 330 Application received by Town 0 32 0 126 158
(Shortfal)/Excess from Site Inventory B-1 (86)(54)(62)96 (106)
>>Total Shortfall from Site Inventory for B-1 and D-1 (270)(55)(154)349 (130)
Table 10-3 Total Estimated Housing Site Inventory 646 362 347 642 1,997
Adjusted Table 10.3 Total Estimated Housing Site Inventory 376 307 193 991 1,867
ADU 20 60 60 60 200
Senate Bill 9 96 96
Pipeline Projects 1 200 201
Total 396 368 253 1,347 2,364
RHNA 6th Cycle 537 310 320 826 1,993
(Shortfall)/Excess over RHNA (141)58 (67)521 371
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
2020 W. El Camino Avenue, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
January 25, 2023
Sofia Mangalam, Director
Planning and Building Department
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Dear Sofia Mangalam:
RE: Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element
Thank you for submitting the Town of Los Altos Hills’ (Town) draft housing element that
was received for review on October 27, 2022 along with revisions on January 9, 2023.
Pursuant to Government Code section 65585, subdivision (b), the California
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is reporting the results of
its review. Our review was facilitated by a conversation on December 22, 2022 with
yourself, City Manager Peter Pirnejad, and attorneys Steve Mattas and Claire Lai from
Meyers Nave. In addition, HCD considered comments from Kevin Meyer, YIMBY Law,
South Bay YIMBY, Sasha Zborzek, Adam Buchbinder, Elain Haight, Chuong Vu,
Campaign for Fair Housing Elements, and the League of Women Voters of Los Altos-
Mountain View Area pursuant to Government Code section 65585, subdivision (c).
The draft element addresses many statutory requirements; however, revisions will be
necessary to comply with State Housing Element Law (Article 10.6 of the Gov. Code).
The enclosed Appendix describes these revisions needed to comply with State Housing
Element Law.
For your information, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1398 (Chapter 358, Statutes of 2021), if
a local government fails to adopt a compliant housing element within 120 days of the
statutory deadline (January 31, 2023), then any rezoning to make prior identified sites
available or accommodate the regional housing needs allocation (RHNA), including for
lower-income households, shall be completed no later than one year from the statutory
deadline pursuant to Government Code section 65583, subdivision (c)(1)(A) and
Government Code section 65583.2, subdivision (c). Otherwise, the local government’s
housing element will no longer comply with State Housing Element Law, and HCD may
revoke its finding of substantial compliance pursuant to Government Code section
65585, subdivision (i). Please be aware, if the Town fails to adopt a compliant housing
element within one year from the statutory deadline, the element cannot be found in
substantial compliance until these rezones are completed.
Item 4.1 Attachment 2
Sofia Mangalam, Director
Page 2
Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing
element is essential to effective housing planning. Throughout the housing element
process, the town should continue to engage the community, including organizations
that represent lower-income and special needs households, by making information
regularly available and considering and incorporating comments where appropriate.
Please be aware, any revisions to the element must be posted on the local
government’s website and to email a link to all individuals and organizations that have
previously requested notices relating to the local government’s housing element at least
seven days before submitting to HCD.
Several federal, state, and regional funding programs consider housing element
compliance as an eligibility or ranking criteria. For example, the CalTrans Senate Bill
(SB) 1 Sustainable Communities grant; the Strategic Growth Council and HCD’s
Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities programs; and HCD’s Permanent
Local Housing Allocation consider housing element compliance and/or annual reporting
requirements pursuant to Government Code section 65400. With a compliant housing
element, the Town will meet housing element requirements for these and other funding
sources.
For your information, some general plan element updates are triggered by housing
element adoption. HCD reminds the town to consider timing provisions and welcomes
the opportunity to provide assistance. For information, please see the Technical
Advisories issued by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research at:
https://www.opr.ca.gov/planning/general-plan/guidelines.html.
HCD appreciates the work and assistance the Town’s housing element team provided
during the update and review. We are committed to assisting the Town in addressing all
statutory requirements of State Housing Element Law. If you have any questions or
need additional technical assistance, please contact Reid Miller, of our staff, at
Reid.Miller@hcd.ca.gov.
Sincerely,
Paul McDougall
Senior Program Manager
Enclosure
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 1
APPENDIX
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
The following changes are necessary to bring the Town’s housing element into compliance
with Article 10.6 of the Government Code. Accompanying each recommended change, we cite
the supporting section of the Government Code.
Housing element technical assistance information is available on HCD’s website at
https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/hcd-memos. Among other
resources, the housing element section contains HCD’s latest technical assistance tool,
Building Blocks for Effective Housing Elements (Building Blocks), available at
https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-community-development/housing-elements/building-
blocks and includes the Government Code addressing State Housing Element Law and other
resources.
A. Review and Revision
Review the previous element to evaluate the appropriateness, effectiveness, and progress
in implementation, and reflect the results of this review in the revised element. (Gov. Code,
§ 65588 (a) and (b).)
The review requirement is one of the most important features of the element update. The
review of past programs should describe progress in implementation of previous actions,
including results compared to objectives and evaluate the effectiveness of actions to make
appropriate adjustments in the current planning period. Specifically, the prior element
included Program 19 (Support Foothill College). This Program was geared toward
promoting housing variety and affordability, housing mobility and inclusion into the Town
given the lack of multifamily zoning. Yet, the current element does not evaluate past
commitments, progress or effectiveness and merely states a new program is included. For
example, the Program committed to amend the general plan and zoning to permit
multifamily as well as meeting with developers and applying for funding to encourage
affordable multifamily development.
The element omits the depth and importance of this commitment and did not discuss or
evaluate the effectiveness of multifamily zoning, lack of alternative measures taken and
outreach efforts. To address this requirement, the element must fully describe past
commitments, progress in implementation, evaluate effectiveness and then discuss
appropriate adjustments in the current planning period. Given the apparent lack of
effectiveness and success in developing multifamily choices and affordability, this analysis
should particularly focus on zoning for a variety of housing types, including multifamily and
discuss significant actions to promote housing choice, affordability, and mobility to facilitate
inclusion beyond the regional housing need allocation (RHNA) and beyond complying with
related state laws (e.g., ADU law and SB 9).
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 2
B. Housing Needs, Resources, and Constraints
1. Affirmatively further[ing] fair housing in accordance with Chapter 15 (commencing with
Section 8899.50) of Division 1 of Title 2…shall include an assessment of fair housing in
the jurisdiction. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(10)(A).)
Income and Racial Concentration of Affluence (RCAA): The element briefly mentions
incomes in the Town compared to the region as well as the entire Town’s status as a
RCAA. The element should include specific analysis of income and RCAA at a regional
level (Town compared to the broader region). The analysis should at least address
trends, conditions, coincidence with other fair housing factors (e.g., race, highest
resource, overpayment), effectiveness or absence of past strategies (e.g., lack of
publicly assisted housing and lack of multifamily zoning), local data and knowledge and
other relevant factors. The element must add or modify meaningful programs based on
the outcomes of this analysis, including actions to improve housing mobility within and
beyond Town boundaries (not limited to the RHNA).
Identified Sites and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH): The element includes
some general discussion and conclusions that identified sites for lower-income households,
while concentrated on three sites in a proposed multifamily housing overlay, do not
exacerbate existing patterns of development in the Town. In addition, the element should
include analysis to support these conclusions, including the number of units per site by
income group for each of the AFFH categories relative to the existing patterns (number of
households), impacts on patterns of disproportionate housing needs (e.g., overpayment,
overcrowding, displacement) and expanding on the reasoning for apparently isolating the
RHNA for lower-income households. Further, if the inventory continues to isolate the RHNA
for lower-income households in certain areas, the element must have commensurate
programs related to housing mobility and new opportunities in higher opportunity areas
(beyond RHNA and throughout the Town) to promote inclusion and AFFH throughout the
Town.
Local Data and Knowledge: The element does not address this requirement. The
element must include local data, knowledge, and other relevant factors to discuss and
analyze any unique attributes about the Town related to fair housing issues. The
housing element should complement federal, state, and regional data with local data
and knowledge where appropriate to capture emerging trends and issues, including
utilizing knowledge from local and regional advocates and service providers. For
example, the element could include information from code enforcement officers related
to housing conditions, lack of public investment in affordable housing and relationships
with the college.
Contributing Factors to Fair Housing Issues: Based on the outcomes of a complete
analysis, the element should re-assess contributing factors and prioritize those factors
then formulate appropriate policies and programs.
2. Include an analysis of population and employment trends and documentation of
projections and a quantification of the locality's existing and projected needs for all
income levels, including extremely low-income households. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd.
(a)(1).)
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 5
Electronic Sites Inventory: For your information, pursuant to Government Code section
65583.3, the Town must submit an electronic sites inventory with its adopted housing
element. The Town must utilize standards, forms, and definitions adopted by HCD.
Please see HCD’s housing element webpage at https://www.hcd.ca.gov/planning-and-
community-development/housing-elements for a copy of the form and instructions. The
Town can reach out to HCD at sitesinventory@hcd.ca.gov for technical assistance.
Zoning for a Variety of Housing Types:
• Employee Housing: The element includes a program to amend zoning to permit
employee housing similar to single-family uses pursuant to Health and Safety
Code section 17021.5. However, the element should also discuss compliance
with Health and Safety Code sections 17021.6 and 17021.8 and add or modify
programs if necessary. For example, Section 17021.6 requires employee
housing consisting of no more than 12 units or 36 beds to be permitted in the
same manner as other agricultural uses in zones allowing agricultural uses.
• Emergency Shelters: The element notes emergency shelters are permitted in the
R-A zone but should also clarify these uses are permitted without discretionary
action. In addition, the element lists several development standards that may
impact capacity and the analysis should account for these factors. The element
should also include specific commitment to amend development standards which
appear to be constraints or contrary to state law including spacing or proximity
provisions, bed limits and parking requirements. Finally, if intending to identify a
new zone, the element should discuss potential capacity and include specific
commitment to amend zoning appropriately, including development standards
that comply with Government Code section 65583, subdivision (a)(4). Finally,
statute was recently amended to specify how to demonstrate suitable sites and
sufficient capacity to accommodate the need for emergency shelters. Future
submittals may need to address these requirements. For more information and
applicable timing, see HCD’s AB 2993 memorandum at
https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/planning-and-community/ab2339-
notice.pdf.
4. An analysis of potential and actual governmental constraints upon the maintenance,
improvement, or development of housing for all income levels, including the types of
housing identified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), and for persons with disabilities as
identified in the analysis pursuant to paragraph (7), including land use controls, building
codes and their enforcement, site improvements, fees and other exactions required of
developers, and local processing and permit procedures... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd.
(a)(5).)
Land Use Controls: While the element generally describes land-use controls and
identifies constraints on development, it then concludes the new multifamily overlay
zone will address these constraints. However, the element should discuss the
constraints on existing allowable uses and add or modify programs as appropriate. In
addition, the element, based on public feedback (p. 9) notes the line contour formula
may be a constraint but should include specific analysis as a potential constraint. This
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 6
analysis should also discuss story poles. The analysis should address impacts on
housing supply (number of units), cost, feasibility, timing and ability to achieve
maximum densities.
In addition, the Town does not contain any provisions for development on sites less
than one acre, severely impacting housing choices since Town incorporation (p. 112)
and there are no multifamily units in the Town. Essentially, there is a lack of a variety of
minimum lot sizes and allowable densities. The lack of a variety of lot sizes and
densities can impact housing supply, choices and affordability. As a result, the element
should include analysis of the impacts of a large lot land use pattern and include
programs as appropriate such as establish zoning for a variety of lot sizes and densities
regardless of RHNA. These programs should further commit to appropriate
development standards to facilitate intended densities.
Finally, the element lists various standards to implement Government Code sections
65852.21 and 66411.7 (SB 9) but should also analyze those standards, compliance with
the law and add or modify programs as appropriate to comply with state law.
Fees and Exaction: The element lists total development fees for single-family and
multifamily development but should also list the various fees that comprise the total fees
per unit. For example, the element should list and evaluate the various impact fees per
unit for impacts on housing cost.
Processing and Permit Procedures: While the element generally describes processing
and permitting procedures, it must still list and evaluate the site development permit and
design review, including typical approval findings, typical number of hearings if
applicable, and timing and then evaluate impacts on housing supply, cost, feasibility and
approval certainty.
Constraints on Housing for Persons with Disabilities: The element concludes the Town
has a definition of family that does pose a constraint to housing for persons with
disabilities. However, the element should evaluate its potential impacts, including
impacts on unrelated persons. For example, the element could explain the application of
provisions such as “close social or economic or psychological commitments to each
other” and whether that impacts unrelated persons.
On/Off-Site Improvements: The element generally describes some on-site
improvements but identify the actual standards and any off-site improvements applied to
typical development then analyze impacts on housing costs and add or modify
programs if appropriate.
Codes and Enforcement: The element explains that code enforcement is generally
reactive in response to complaints but should also discuss which building code is
utilized (e.g., 2022) and identify and analyze any local amendments for impacts on
housing costs.
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 7
Other Local Ordinances: The element must analyze any locally adopted ordinances that
directly impacts the cost and supply or residential development (e.g., inclusionary
requirements, short term rentals, growth controls).
5. An analysis of potential and actual nongovernmental constraints upon the maintenance,
improvement, or development of housing for all income levels, including… …the length
of time between receiving approval for a housing development and submittal of an
application for building permits for that housing development that hinder the
construction of a locality’s share of the regional housing need in accordance with
Government Code section 65584... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (a)(6).)
Approval Times: The element must identify the length of time between receiving
approval for housing development and submittal of application for building permits and
discuss any hindrances on construction.
C. Housing Programs
1. Identify actions that will be taken to make sites available during the planning period with
appropriate zoning and development standards and with services and facilities to
accommodate that portion of the city’s or county’s share of the regional housing need
for each income level that could not be accommodated on sites identified in the
inventory completed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) without rezoning, and
to comply with the requirements of Government Code section 65584.09. Sites shall be
identified as needed to facilitate and encourage the development of a variety of types of
housing for all income levels, including multifamily rental housing, factory-built housing,
mobilehomes, housing for agricultural employees, supportive housing, single-room
occupancy units, emergency shelters, and transitional housing. (Gov. Code, § 65583,
subd. (c)(1).)
As noted in Finding B3, the element does not include a complete site analysis,
therefore, the adequacy of sites and zoning were not established. Based on the results
of a complete sites inventory and analysis, the Town may need to add or revise
programs to address an additional shortfall of sites or zoning available to encourage a
variety of housing types. Additionally, the element should be revised as follows:
• Shortfall of Sites: The element describes a shortfall of sites and indicates
rezoning will occur to accommodate the RHNA. While the element includes
Program A-1 (Availability of Adequate Sites for New Housing to meet the RHNA),
it must specifically commit to acreage, allowable densities, appropriate
development standards, anticipated units and meet all requirements pursuant to
Government Code section 65583.2, subdivisions (h) and (i).
• Program A-3 (Town-owned Sites): The Program should go beyond reviewing
sites and commit to identify sites, including a schedule of actions to facilitate
development, compliance with the Surplus Land Act and numerical objectives.
• Program E-2 (Emergency Shelters): The Program should specifically commit to
remove or modify development standards or identify an additional zone based on
a complete analysis as described in Finding B3.
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 8
• Program E-4 (Transitional and Supportive Housing): The Program commits to
amend zoning to comply with AB 2162 (By-right Permanent Supportive Housing)
but should also specifically commit to permit transitional and supportive housing
as a residential use in all zones allowing residential uses and only subject to
those restrictions that apply to other residential dwellings of the same type in the
same zone. These requirements are separate and in addition to AB 2162.
• Program E-9 (Single Room Occupancy (SRO)): The Program should explore and
establish additional zoning opportunities given the lack of results in the prior
planning period.
• Future Zones: The element should commit to allow uses as appropriate in any
future zones, including in the multifamily zones or other zones that may be
created as a result of a complete analysis of zoning for a variety of housing
types. For example, future zoning may need to incorporate transitional and
supportive housing and ADUs.
2. The Housing Element shall contain programs which assist in the development of
adequate housing to meet the needs of extremely low-, very low-, low- and moderate-
income households. (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(2).)
The element must include a program to assist in the development of adequate housing
to meet the needs of lower and moderate-income households, including ELI and special
needs households. These actions should be significant and specific, given the lack of
implementation and results in the prior planning periods. Examples of actions include
proactive an annual outreach to developers of affordable housing, assisting with
funding, supporting funding applications, land acquisition, priority processing, fee
waivers, concessions and incentives beyond State Density Bonus Law, assistance with
infrastructure and site improvements and monitoring and adjustment at least annually.
3. Address and, where appropriate and legally possible, remove governmental and
nongovernmental constraints to the maintenance, improvement, and development of
housing, including housing for all income levels and housing for persons with
disabilities... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(3).)
As noted in Findings B4 and B5, the element requires a complete analysis of potential
governmental constraints. Depending upon the results of that analysis, the Town may
need to revise or add programs and address and remove or mitigate any identified
constraints.
4. Promote and affirmatively further fair housing opportunities and promote housing
throughout the community or communities for all persons regardless of race, religion,
sex, marital status, ancestry, national origin, color, familial status, or disability, and other
characteristics... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(5).)
As noted in Finding B1, the element must include a complete analysis of AFFH. The
element must be revised to add goals and actions based on the outcomes of a complete
analysis. Goals and actions must specifically respond to the analysis and to the
identified and prioritized contributing factors to fair housing issues and must be
significant and meaningful enough to overcome identified patterns and trends.
Town of Los Altos Hills’ 6th Cycle (2023-2031) Draft Housing Element Page 9
Actions must have specific commitment, discrete timing, geographic targeting and
metrics or numerical targets. Programs, as appropriate, must address housing mobility
enhancement, new housing choices and affordability in higher opportunity areas
(throughout the Town), place-based strategies for community preservation and
revitalization and displacement protection. For example, the element must add
significant and meaningful housing mobility and new housing choices and affordability
actions (not limited to the RHNA) to overcome the existing patterns in the Town related
to the broader region.
5. Develop a plan that incentivizes and promotes the creation of accessory dwelling units
that can be offered at affordable rent... (Gov. Code, § 65583, subd. (c)(7).)
While the element includes Program A-7 (ADU Tracking and Monitoring) to monitor
ADU production and affordability and adopt another ADU program, if necessary, the
Program should commit to rezoning if production and affordability is significantly not
meeting assumptions in the sites inventory.