YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - In 2004, Yuba City adopted a General Plan Update to keep up with population and housing growth that city officials continue to conquer. 

Yuba City officials and Planning Commission members met for a special joint meeting March 13 to discuss the town's General Plan Update, among other priorities. Deputy Development Services Director Doug Libby said the future vision of Yuba remains similar, utilizing California Department of Housing and Community Development SB 2 Planning Grants to update housing requirements consistent with state law. 

According to Libby, the objective design standards for the plan include constructing multi-family housing. Yuba City's 2021-2029 Housing Element plan details Yuba's efforts to address housing for the chronically homeless, persons with disabilities, extremely low-income households and farmworker housing. In 2021, a 40-unit apartment complex on New Haven Court and a 176-unit affordable apartment complex for the Richland Village Project opened.

Libby said that Yuba City has been updating other General Plan elements for consistency and making the document more contemporary with modern figures and diagrams. However, it is not a comprehensive update, according to Libby, adding that no land use changes are proposed.

"Staff envisions having one or more workshops with the Planning Commission/City Council to discuss the update before scheduling public hearings for adoption," Libby said. "The city anticipates receiving another grant later this year, which will be utilized to prepare Objective Design Standards to comply with state law."  

City Manager Diana Langely said that City Council members at a January workshop reaffirmed their priorities to enhance the quality of life for the community, beginning with public safety, to "maintain highly- qualified teams to provide services that serve and protect the residents, visitors and businesses."

Next is fiscal responsibility, according to Langley, who said officials continue to maintain Yuba City's financial stability and sustainability while operating the government in a responsive manner. According to the city manager, remaining business-friendly and improving and investing in Yuba City's water, sewer, streets, parks, stormwater and public facilities are priorities.

Yuba City Public Works and Development Services director Ben Moody said at the joint meeting on March 13 that the two groups shared the overarching goal of improving the quality of life for the community.

"The City Council and Planning Commission discussed the importance of consistency, avoiding leapfrog development, communicating clearly and timely regarding development concerns and processes, and developing design and zoning standards that are right for our community," Moody said.

Langely said the Yuba City Planning Commission plays an important role in city planning and development, beginning with appointing and confirming members to review and act on matters. They must act in compliance with the policy direction of City Council members, set by specific municipal codes, adopted regulations and policies, all of which must meet federal and state law.

Much of the commission's work is technical. It reviews land use entitlements that require legislative determinations, specific plans, zone district changes and ordinance updates, and development agreements. When reviewing applications, Langley said, the commission assures compliance before recommending action.

The Planning Commission has specific authority over land entitlements, including permits, subdivision maps, and variances subject to appeal, assuring they remain consistent with zoning ordinances and state laws.

"It is important for the City Council and Planning Commission to have joint meetings so that they can review and discuss processes, receive presentations and updates from staff related to planning and development updates, legislative changes, completed studies," Langley said, "and have an opportunity to discuss the future of planning and development for the city."