Pacific Grove Housing Element Update, Zoning Ordinance Amendments, and General Plan Amendments

The City of Pacific Grove is advancing a comprehensive land use and housing plan update to meet state housing mandates and environmental regulations, focusing on three core components: revising the Housing Element to align with California Housing and Community Development requirements, amending the Zoning Code to implement increased density targets in key commercial districts including Downtown, Forest Hill, Dennett, Sinex, and Grove Acre, and updating the General Plan and relevant elements for consistency. The Housing Element draft, submitted to HCD in November 2023, December 2024, and May 2025, is under active revision to address state feedback, while zoning changes aim to achieve specific density goals such as 45 dwelling units per acre and adapt to state housing laws. The Land Use Element will be revised to reflect these zoning changes, and the Health and Safety Element will incorporate updated policies on evacuation routes and emergency access to meet current state law standards. Implementation requires coordination with environmental compliance measures under CEQA, including biological surveys for sensitive species, noise and air quality controls, stormwater BMPs, native landscaping, and shoreline view preservation. Key performance thresholds include 80% plant survival in habitat restoration, operational noise limits of 45 dB at night, and the use of Tier 4 Final compliant, non-diesel equipment for construction. All work must adhere to CALGreen, Title 24, and Coastal Act requirements, with an independent, city-approved biologist overseeing compliance and reporting directly to the City to ensure impartiality. A final compliance report is due within 30 days of project completion, and the City retains stop-work authority to enforce environmental conditions. The place of performance encompasses designated sites throughout Pacific Grove, with acceptance finalized through the Community Development Department. While the project involves substantial environmental and planning work, no formal contract value, pricing structure, or federal acquisition clauses are documented, and the procurement is handled as a local government land use and planning initiative under state authority, with primary contact through the City’s Senior Planner and project manager from Rincon Consultants.