Ross council adopts housing‑element amendment after state finds it in substantial compliance

The Ross Town Council unanimously adopted Resolution 24‑19 to approve the second amendment to the Town of Ross 2023–31 housing element after staff told the council that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) had found the proposed amendment in "substantial compliance" with state law.

Planning director Roberta Feliciano and consultant Andrew Hill summarized HCD's requested clarifications and staff's responses. Key additions in the amendment include language committing the town to adopt objective standards to facilitate workforce housing at the Branson School; a quantification of available square footage in the Civic District for an emergency shelter (included to demonstrate capacity despite no current unmet need); and enhanced justification and CAD‑based analysis demonstrating the feasibility of SB 9 (allowing lot splits and up to four units on single‑family parcels) for representative candidate parcels. HCD also asked for measures to improve housing mobility in a "racially concentrated area of affluence," and staff expanded the draft to propose two additional actions: allowing up to six units under amended SB9 rules if at least two are deed‑restricted to lower‑income households, and commissioning a nexus study to support adoption of an affordable housing fee with proceeds to fund incentives and affordable units.

Andrew Hill noted environmental-review implications: because the town previously certified a housing‑element EIR, staff prepared a memo and concluded an addendum under CEQA is appropriate for these clarifications and amplifications. HCD noted a required finding because the town relies on nonvacant sites (Civic Center and Branson School) for more than 50% of lower‑income RHNA units; staff said owner interest and partnership commitments support the required finding that existing uses will not impede redevelopment.

Council members asked about the meaning of "substantial compliance," the possible range for an affordable‑housing fee and the timeline for a nexus study. Hill pointed to Marin County's fee as an illustrative yardstick (example cited: a 4,000 sq ft new home required a $20,000 fee, or roughly $5 per sq ft) but said a local nexus study is required to set a Ross fee. The program timeframe lists 2025 for the nexus study. After questions and no public comment, the council voted 5–0 to adopt Resolution 24‑19.

The council praised staff and community participants for the multi‑year effort; next steps include preparing the required CEQA addendum and the nexus study to support any future affordable‑housing fee.