The city of Santa Maria is in the process of updating the housing portion of the Santa Maria General Plan, and is seeking written comments from the public. This section of the plan includes the city’s policy for the development, maintenance, and improvement of housing within Santa Maria city limits.
The proposed document also includes existing land-use policy, and would not change “the location, character, timing, or amount of new development planned for the incorporated area,” according to a press release from the city.
Copies of the preliminary draft housing element, the draft negative declaration, and supporting data are now on file for public viewing in the Community Development Department, 110 S. Pine St, suite 101. A limited amount of copies are also available in the reference section of the Santa Maria Public Library at 420 S. Broadway. All documents are also available on the city’s website at ci.santa-maria.ca.us/54322.shtml.
Written comments on the preliminary draft housing element must be submitted to the city before Oct. 22. Written comments on the draft negative declaration will be accepted until Oct. 31 at 5 p.m.
Comments can be mailed to Brian R. Smith at the Community Development Department, 110 S. Pine St., suite 101, in Santa Maria, or e-mailed to brsmith@ci.santa-maria.ca.us.
On Oct. 21, the city Planning Commission will host a public meeting regarding the 2009 housing element update process. The discussion will be held at the end of the regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting. No decisions will be made at this meeting, but public comments will be encouraged about the preliminary draft housing element. The regular public meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 110 E. Cook St.
The city Planning Commission has scheduled another public hearing on Nov. 4 to consider recommending to City Council that the draft housing element be submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. The Planning Commission public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m., also in the Council Chambers.
For more information, contact Smith at 925-0951, Ext. 244.
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This article appears in Oct 15-22, 2009.