On September 7, 2021 at 6 p.m., the City Council will hold the first of two joint workshops with the Planning Commission focused on updating the City’s Development Code to expand housing opportunities for those who live and work in the community consistent with the Major City Goal of Housing and Homelessness. Through community feedback and expert insights provided at the workshop, the City aims to remove barriers to the creation of sustainable, affordable housing and attract developers to create more housing units to meet diverse needs. The second workshop will be held on October 5 at 6 p.m.
“We are committed to proactively expand housing opportunities for all, not only to meet State requirements but more importantly to advance our goals and values as a City,” said Grover Beach Mayor Jeff Lee. “Community input is a key part of updating our codes to enable more housing and I look forward to hearing from the community at our initial workshop on September 7.”
At the workshop, residents will be provided with a project overview, timeline and information on additional opportunities to participate and provide feedback. Workshop participants will also be given an explanation of how changes made to the Development Code will also help facilitate progress on the 2020-2028 Housing Element, which encompasses all housing policies and programs that will be implemented through the year 2028 and serves as a critical blueprint for providing affordable housing opportunities to Grover Beach.
The workshop will be held virtually given current COVID conditions and can be seen on Channel 20 or live-streamed on the City’s website and on www.slo-span.org. Members of the public may provide comment during the workshop by calling (805) 321-6639 to provide public comment via phone (the phone line will open just prior to the start of the workshop at 6 p.m.) or written public comments can be submitted via email to gbadmin@groverbeach.org prior to the workshop no later than 3 p.m.
While the updates to the City’s Development Code will have long-lasting impacts, Grover Beach is already working toward addressing housing for those in need. The City is currently working with local non-profit housing developers to lay the groundwork for a modern, high-quality 53-unit affordable housing project at 164 South 13th Street. Under the Regional Housing Needs Assessment set by the State, Grover Beach must ensure that land within the City is available and zoned appropriately for the construction of 369 housing units, including 148 low and very low-income units, over the next eight years.