The public has until June 19 to review the county's second draft housing plan.

The County of Monterey released the second draft version of its 2023-2031 housing plan, known as a housing element, on Thursday, June 12. The public has seven days, until June 19, to review and submit comments.

The county is now late by about 18 months in achieving a certified housing element with the California Department of Housing and Community Development. 

A first draft of the plan went to the state in August last year, nine months after the initial deadline. State HCD officials reviewed it and sent it back in November, requiring changes. 

The latest draft reflects those changes—one of the more significant changes is a reduction in the number of housing units proposed. The first draft suggested adding over 10,000 units, when the state was only requiring 3,326, with a buffer that would take the number to 3,824.

The new draft calls for 6,264 units that could be built on already entitled/proposed sites or opportunity sites. That number also includes encouraging the construction of an estimated 368 accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. 

Of those 6,264 units, 1,256 would be very low-income, 939 would fall in the low-income category, with another 760 in the moderate category and 3,309 classified as above moderate.

The first draft also suggested building higher density low-income units on land located far from services. It was criticized by developers and citizen groups alike for being unworkable and said it could lead to urban sprawl and increased greenhouse gas emissions. In the most recent draft some sites have been eliminated or modified.

The new draft also includes new programs to give incentives to developers and promote further development of affordable housing, among others. 

The draft can be found here. It includes information on how to get more information and an email for sending in comments.