Housing Element Update

The Housing Element is one of seven required elements of the Town's General Plan. Due to the critical nature of limited housing and housing affordability with statewide implications, State law requires Housing Elements to be updated on a regular basis. The Town of Atherton is currently part of an 8-year update cycle (2023-2031) and is working to update the Housing Element. The Housing Element must be reviewed and certified by the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) by January 2023. 

2023-2031 Draft Housing Element

The Town of Atherton has transmitted its Draft Housing Element for the 2023-31 cycle to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The latest version is available at the link below. 

Town of Atherton Draft Housing Element 2023-31 Update (Transmitted August 2, 2022) 

After eight months of public meetings, the Town of Atherton published the initial Draft Housing Element on June 9, 2022 for public review and comment. The Town received over 300 written comments in addition to verbal comments provided at public meetings. The City Council at its July 20, 2022 meeting reviewed the public comments and provided direction to staff to review the Draft Housing Element as follows:  

  • Removal of all proposed multi-family overlay zones (including 23 Oakwood, 170 Atherton and 290 Polhemus).
  • Include the potential subdivision and development of properties utilizing the Town’s existing subdivision standards and SB 9.
  • Retain the existing regulations relating to housing and public and private school sites within the PFS zone (no change to height, setback and retain Conditional Use Permit requirement). Also clarify that any new property acquired by a school would be required to utilize the existing rezoning process to change the land use designation from single family residential to PFS.
  • Expand the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program to include pre-approved ADU plans, and establishment of an ADU rental program.

The revised Draft Housing Element incorporating the above changes was approved for transmittal to HCD by the City Council at its meeting of July 27, 2022.

Upcoming Meetings

The Town will receive comments from HCD in response to the Draft Housing Element in the coming months. Stay tuned for future updates on the Town's response to these comments. 

Join the Conversation and our Email List

Stay up-to-date on the latest information by signing up for the Atherton Housing Element Update Email List.

The Town welcomes your input and comments as part of the update process! See below for the supporting documents discussing housing needs, policies, sites and land use plans. 

Previous Meetings and Supporting Documents

  • October 16, 2019 - City Council - Establishment of RHNA - Click Here 
  • November 4, 2020 - City Council - RHNA Report and Process - Click Here
  • April 28, 2021 - City Council - Housing Element Update Process - Click Here
  • February 24, 2022 - City Council - Housing Element Update - Click Here
  • March 16, 2022 - City Council Meeting - 2021 Annual Report on General Plan Implementation - Click Here
  • March 16, 2022 - City Council Meeting - Housing Strategies Discussion - Click Here
  • April 26, 2022 - Community Open House - To listen to AUDIO ONLY portions of that meeting click here. 
  • May 18, 2022 - City Council Meeting - Housing Strategy Refines - Click Here
  • May 24, 2022 - City Council Meeting - Special Meeting: Housing Strategies - Click Here
  • June 23, 2022 - Planning Commission Special Meeting - Draft Housing Element - Meeting Packet, Staff Presentation, and Meeting Recording
  • July 15, 2022 - Housing Element Public Notice - Click Here
  • July 20, 2022 - City Council Meeting - Housing Element Update - Click Here
  • July 27, 2022 - City Council Meeting - Housing Element Update - Click Here

Overview of Materials  

The Town released a Special Edition Newsletter - Housing Element Update. 

To read the full issue - Click Here.

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