Housing Element Process
Developing and adopting Piedmont’s 6th Cycle Housing Element involved an extensive public process.
Broad community feedback was used to make sure policies and programs are inclusive and represent the values and ideas of our diverse population.
Implementation
Here are the recent and upcoming activities related to housing policy implementation.
Activity
Purpose
Timing
Planning Commission study session on Housing Element programs implementation
October 9, 2023 (Video)
Initial overview of forthcoming zoning revisions and Housing Element implementation measures.
Informational only, no decisions.
November 13, 2023 (Video)
Planning Commission study session on zoning ordinance and General Plan
Initial overview of proposed revisions and amendments.
Informational only, no decisions.
Progress update on all housing policy and implementation.
Informational only, no decisions.
City Council informational report on Housing Element implementation
November 20, 2023 (Video)
Planning Commission study session on zoning ordinance, General Plan, and Draft EIR
December 11, 2023 (Video)
Overview and discussion of proposed zoning code revisions and General Plan amendments, including an overview of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Housing Element implementation.
Informational only, no decisions.
Comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Housing Element Implementation Project must be submitted in writing.
Deadline for comments on Draft EIR
December 18, 2023
City Council study session on zoning ordinance, General Plan, and environmental impacts of Housing Element implementation
December 18, 2023 (Video)
Overview and discussion of proposed revisions to zoning code and General Plan amendments.
Informational only, no decisions.
Planning Commission study session on Zoning Code revisions and General Plan amendments
January 8, 2024 (Video)
Continued review and discussion of proposed General Plan amendments and Zoning Code revisions.
Informational only, no decisions.
Responses to Draft EIR public comments available for review
January 16, 2024
Everyone can review the responses to public comments on the Draft EIR.
Planning Commission public hearing on Housing Element implementation measures
January 29, 2024
The Commission will hold a public hearing to consider proposed updates to the Zoning Code and General Plan, and adoption of the EIR for Housing Element implementation.
The Commission will make a recommendation to City Council about whether they should adopt these measures.
Public hearings and adoption
The Housing Element was adopted by the City Council on March 20, 2022. Prior to adoption, the City held the following key public hearings:
[LIST]
State certification
In addition to the City Council’s adoption of the Housing Element, the State of California also has to approve it. The California Department of Housing and Community Development certified Piedmont’s Housing Element on November 9, 2024..
Summary of public engagement methods
These are the public engagement methods we used during the development of the Housing Element:
Focus group meetings
Public workshops and meetings
Housing Advisory Committee meetings
Study sessions with the Planning Commission and Housing Advisory Committee
Public hearings with the Planning Commission, Park Commission, and Recreation Commission (virtual and in-person)
Local community events, such as the Harvest Festival and the Labor Day Car Show
Project website and a digital platform to provide comments directly to the City regarding opportunities and challenges
Regular email bulletins about planning related news, updates, and upcoming events
Banners and flyers throughout the City and along the major roadways of Grand and Highland Avenues
View a list of all public meetings and engagement events
Environmental review
We are required to conduct environmental review of Housing Element implementation. This review includes:
Analysis of the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects
Measures to reduce those environmental impacts to the extent feasible
If there are no direct adverse environmental impacts, a public agency may adopt a brief document known as a Negative Declaration. If the project might cause significant environmental impacts, the public agency must prepare a more detailed study called an Environmental Impact Report.
For this Housing Element, we prepared an Initial Study and Negative Declaration because it is simply a policy document. We have a draft Environmental Impact Report [LINK TO EIR PAGE] for the full implementation of the programs.
City Council public hearing on Housing Element implementation measures
February 20, 2024
The Council will hold a public hearing to consider proposed updates to the Zoning Code and General Plan, and adoption of the EIR for Housing Element implementation.
This will be the first reading of an ordinance adopting the Zoning Code revisions. As an ordinance, these revisions require two readings for final approval.
City Council second reading (final approval) for Zoning Ordinance revisions
March 4, 2024
The City Council will vote again on Zoning Ordinance revisions.
If approved, the revised ordinance would be effective on April 3, 2024.
