Mill Valley

Program 37: Housing Element Monitoring

APRs and regular monitoring of implementation

Annual reporting and working to update the Housing Element based on the 6th cycle requirements. In 2022, the City conducted extensive outreach to facilitate input for the update. See Draft Housing Element, Chapter 1 and Appendix B for details (www.cityofmillvalley.org/housingelement)

Programs 18 and 24: Affordable Housing Development Assistance and Fee Deferrals/Waivers for Affordable Housing

Provide financial and regulatory incentives to private developers for affordable housing.

In October 2022, MVMC 5.32 was amended to waive 100% of fees for those affordable housing projects with 10% extremely low income units. As a result, the City of Mill Valley has leveraged additional funding opportunities associated with the proposed affordable housing on a city-owned parcel, known as 1 Hamilton Drive.

Program 5: Preservation of Existing Deed Restricted Affordable Rental Housing

Continue to contract with MHA to ensure compliance with affordability restrictions. Require long-term affordability controls on future affordable housing units.

In 2022, the City extended its ground lease for an additional 10 years allowing Bridge Housing to secure Fannie Mae loan funding and continue to manage the 32-unit affordable family housing units at 651 Miller Avenue through the year 2065.

Program 29: Home Sharing and Tenant Matching Opportunities

Support organizations that facilitate housing sharing; actively promote through senior citizen organizations.

As of December 2022, nine home matches have been established, with three other in home opportunties in process.

Program 36: Community Education and Outreach

Education and outreach on Housing-related issues

Staff coordinates with other local jurisdictions on housing-related matters on a regular and ongoing basis on various topics such as homelessness, diversifying housing, new legislation and affordable housing opportunities. Outreach and discussion occurs through City Council meetings, as well as meetings with the Housing Advisory Committee (see below).

Program 12: Publicly-Owned Land for Affordable Housing.

Prepare inventory of publicly-owned land. Modify City’s zoning regulations to allow residential uses in C-F zones.

The inventory of city-owned and tax exempt parcels was conducted through the Housing Advisory Committee in 2020-2021. In Spetember 2021, City Council deemed the Northern portion of a city-owned parcel at 1 Hamilton Drive has been deemed exempt surplus land. In February 2022, the City executed an exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) with EAH Housing to conduct predevelopment activities to further explore the feasibility of building approximately 40-50 affordable housing rental units on the norther portion of the property. Based on preliminary design and site feasibility, City Council directed the project team (City Staff and EAH Housing) to assemble a development review package for Planning Commission and City Council review and approval.

Program 1: Mixed Use and Multi- Family Residential Design Guidelines

Develop Guidelines and Standards for Mixed use and Multi-Family Zoning Districts SB 2 Funding for Objective Design Guidelines and Standards

Toolkit in progress. Revisiting Multi-family and Mixed Use Development Standards and Design Guidelines that were adopted in 2016 as part of the initial implementation of Housing Program 1. Revisions to the Multi-family and Mixed Use design guidelines and standards are aimed at addressing new state requirements requiring "objective" standards (SB 330, SB 35, Housing Accountability Act, etc.)

Program 38: Housing Advisory Committee

Establish Housing Committee to support Housing Element implementation.

Priority work programs for the Housing Advisory Committee in 2020 and 2021 included leveraging existing, underutilized housing through a Home Sharing Program (HE Program 29 above) and identification of public land to leverage an affordable housing project (HE Program 12 above).

Mixed Use and Multi- Family Residential Design Guidelines (Program 1)

Develop Guidelines and Standards for Mixed use and Multi-Family Zoning Districts SB 2 Funding for Objective Design Guidelines and Standards

Toolkit in progress. Revisiting Multi-family and Mixed Use Development Standards and Design Guidelines adopted in 2016 to address new state requirements requiring "objective" standards (SB 330, SB 35, Housing Accountability Act, etc.)

Historic Preservation Guidelines and Incentives (Program 2)

Identify properties that qualify as a historic resource and clarify overall process for evaluating potential historic resources as part of development review

Work commenced in 2017 for this program and includes developing a Partial Historic Resource Inventory List and a Historic Context Statement. In 2020, staff presented the Historic Inventory List and Historic Context Statement to Planning Commission. City Council will review the documents and provide guidance in 2021.

Housing Maintenance and Public Information (Program 3)

Residential Building Report (RBR) and Pre-Sale Inspection Program and Public Information

Webpages updated on the City's website to provide information to the public including: housing resources; energy efficiency programs/reimbursements; and home improvement loan programs for low income residents. Viewing the status and past permitting and Planning applications available online. In 2019/20 the City also initiated online application submittals and permitting, and launched the ADUMarin website.

Community Education and Outreach (Program 36)

Education and outreach on Housing-related issues

Staff coordinates with other local jurisdictions on housing-related matters on a regular and ongoing basis on various topics such as homelessness, new legislation and affordable housing opportunities. Outreach and discussion occurs through City Council meetings, as well as meetings with the Housing Advisory Committee (see below).

Energy Conservation (Program 34)

Support Clean energy and energy efficiency

Supported through new Green Building Standards; reimbursement programs for energy efficient toilets and modifying kitchen appliances from gas to electric; and streamlined solar building permits.

JADUs (Program 9)

Incorporate JADUs into ADU Ordinance

Adopted as part of the City's Interim Urgency Ordinance (extended 11/2020)

Green Building (Program 33)

Update Green Building Standards

CalGreen, Tier 1 incorporated into the new 2019 Building Code for Mill Valley.

Home Sharing & Tenant Matching Opportunities (Program 29) and Non-Traditional Housing Types (Program 13)

Support organizations that facilitate house sharing, and actively promote through senior citizen organizations, such as Mill Valley Village and Mill Valley Seniors Club.

In September 2020, the City Council approved a contract with Covia Foundation to assist the City in Home Matching opportunities. As of March 2020, one home match has been established, with several others in process.

ADUs (Program 8)

Review and revise ADU ordinance to provide housing opportunities for the community SB 2 Funding for ADU Website

The City drafted an ADU Ordinance with local square footage incentives to encourage the use of ADUs to accomodate affordable households. However, this Draft Ordinance was not adopted due to new State regulations passed in 2019. As a result, the City adopted an Interim ADU Ordinance in 2019, which was extended by City Council November 2020 to ensure that ADU regulations are in compliance with State Law. In 2021 staff will present a regular ADU Ordinance for consideration of adoption that strives to balance the production of housing units with hazards and safety (see Program 35 below). The County-wide ADU website (ADUMarin.org) was launched in late 2020, which was funded through the SB2 grant. The website provides information on regulations, floor plans, video testimonials and a calculator for establishing approximate costs. Three county-wide webinars have also been hosted to facilitate discussion and interest in ADUs.

Housing Advisory Committee (Program 38);

Establish Housing Committee to support Housing Element implementation.

On March 16, 2020 City Council approved the Administrative Guidelines to expend funds deposited in its local Affordable Housing Trust Fund (HE Program 17) and the Housing Committee's Work Plan. Priorities for 2020 include leveraging existing, underutilized housing through a Home Sharing Program (HE Program 29 below) and identification of public land to leverage an affordable housing project (HE Program 12 below).

Publicly-Owned Land for Affordable Housing (Program 12)

Prepare an inventory of publicly-owned land and examine the feasibility of their use for housing. Consider modifying the City’s zoning regulations to allow residential uses in the C-F zone subject to the approval of a conditional use permit.

City staff has worked through the Housing Advisory Committee on this program, and has conducted an internal audit of public own sites, particilarly those public site that are City owned. In October 2020, Council directed staff to work with a housing consultant to further evaluate public owned sites and identify approximate costs assocaited with an 100% affordable project on City-owned land.

Addressing Natural Hazards (Program 35)

Continue to work with local jurisdictions and through the All Hazards Mitigation Plan and the MV2040 General Plan to address and mitigate natural hazards.

Over 30% of the City's parcels in Very High Fire Severity Zones, and are adjacent to narrow roadways with limited access. In 2020, the City also hosted several study sessions with Planning Commission and City Council to discuss and investigate options to balance fire safety with state ADUs law. Staff is developing data to bring back to Council in 2021 to determine options for regulating ADUs in Very High Fire Severity Zones and/or other areas with natural hazards. Staff also continues to provide information and feedback on proposed state legislation in recognition of surrounding natural hazards.