Amended Housing Element Draft

In 2024, the Town began implementation of its 6th Cycle Housing Element. As part of this effort, staff initiated work on several programs identified in the Housing Element implementation schedule, including development of MFZ-ODS. During the third quarter of 2024, as initial discussions on the MFZ-ODS began, community feedback raised broader concerns that prompted a reevaluation of the existing programs and overarching goals of the Housing Element, including the consideration of zoning alternatives. At its regular meeting on April 17, 2025, the City Council voted to proceed with an amendment to the adopted Housing Element and authorized a $256,000 contract extension for MBI. This action expanded MBI’s scope to include preparation of the Housing Element Amendment (HEA), while continuing support for implementation of the multifamily zoning program. Development of the MFZ-ODS began with a study session at the May 1, 2025 Planning
Commission meeting, where MBI presented the initial draft (Version 1). The Commission provided feedback that informed subsequent revisions. At its May 15, 2025, meeting, the City Council voted to streamline the multifamily zoning program by suspending several alternative zoning approaches previously under consideration. As part of this direction, the Council also approved a reduction in the site area for the Twin Oaks multifamily opportunity site. These changes narrowed the scope of both the adopted Housing Element and the MFZ-ODS, and have since been incorporated into the draft Housing Element Amendment. MBI returned to the Planning Commission on June 5, 2025, with a revised draft of the MFZ-ODS (Version 2), along with a response-to-comments matrix summarizing how feedback from the Commission and Town Committees had been addressed. A third draft (Version 3) was presented at the July 10, 2025, Planning Commission meeting, which included additional updates and an overview of the revised response matrix.

The Draft Amendment can be found here:
https://www.losaltoshills.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/7569/Housing-Element-Draft-Amendment

The draft Housing Element amendment is available for public review and comment from July 25 through August 1, prior to submittal to HCD. Public comments will continue to be accepted during this period and afterward, either by email at planning@losaltoshills.ca.gov or in person at the Planning Commission meeting on August 7, 2025.