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St. Helena
Housing Element Update

Welcome

The Housing Element Update is a pivotal opportunity to address housing issues and plan to increase housing production in St. Helena. Throughout the Update process, the City and its consultants (Housing Element Team), will work with the public and stakeholders to evaluate housing issues, constraints, and opportunities and create policies and programs to ensure St. Helena is positioned to meet its housing needs.

As the Update progresses, this website will be your primary source for information. Please check back for drafts of project documents and opportunities to engage in the Update process. This website will also be used to announce­ dates and times of events and meetings.

2023-2021 Housing Element Certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development

On September 25, 2023, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) found the City's 2023-2031 Housing Element in substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law. Use the buttons below to download the final certified Housing Element, as well as HCD's finding letter. 

Download the Certified 2023-2031 Housing Element
Download HCD's September 25, 2023, Finding Letter

Housing Element and Public Health, Safety and Noise Elements Adopted!

On May 9, 2023, the City Council adopted the Housing Element and Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element Updates.

Use the buttons below to download the documents.

Download the Adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element

HCD Comments on the Adopted Housing Element

On July 10, 2023, following 60-day review of the Adopted Housing Element, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) issued a comment letter outlining the remaining revisions that are needed to achieve compliance with State law. In July 2023, the Project Team revised the Housing Element accordingly and met with HCD staff on August 22, 2023, to review the proposed changes. Following this meeting, the City posted the Housing Element (showing track changes) to the Project website for one-week prior to resubmitting the revised document for final review and certification. Comments on the draft will be taken through August 29, 2023. 

Please use the buttons below to view and download the comment letter and revised Housing Element.

Download HCD's Comment Letter on the Adopted Housing Element
Download the Revised Adopted 2023-2031 Housing Element

Public Hearing Draft
Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element

The Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element describes the natural and manmade hazards that could impact people and property in the City. The overall goal of the Safety Element is to reduce the potential short and long-term risk of death, injuries, property damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from fires, floods, droughts, earthquakes, landslides, climate change, and other hazards.

Click the button below to download the latest draft of the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element. 

Download the Public Hearing Draft

Public Hearing Draft Housing Element Available Now!

The City has revised the Housing Element to respond to a second round of comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Please use the button below to download the revised document.  

The City has also provided a document identifying the City's response to each of HCD's comments. Click the button below to download. 

Download the Public Hearing Draft Housing Element
Download the Public Hearing Draft Showing Track Changes
Download the City's Responses to HCD Comments

HCD Comment Letter on the Revised HCD Review Draft Housing Element Update

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) completed it's 60-day review of the Draft Housing Element on April 7, 2023. 

Click the link to download HCD's formal comment letter on the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. 

Read more

Revised HCD Review Draft Housing Element Available Now!

The City has revised the Housing Element to respond to comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Please use the button below to download the revised document. 

Following a required 7-day review period, the City will submit the revised draft to HCD for a second required review. HCD will have 60-days to complete their review. Following HCD review, the City will submit the document to the Planning Commission for recommendation and to the City Council to consider adoption.  

The City has also provided a document identifying the City's response to each of HCD's comments. Click the button below to download. 

Download the Revised HCD Draft Housing Element
Download the City's Responses to HCD Comments

HCD Comment Letter on the HCD Review Draft Housing Element Update

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) completed it's 90-day review of the Draft Housing Element on December 6, 2022. 

Click the link to download HCD's formal comment letter on the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element Update. 

Read more

HCD Review Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element

Following the 30-day public review period, the City took 10 business days to consider comments and revise the document. The HCD Review Draft Housing Element was submitted to HCD on September 7, 2022 for initial (90-day) review. Please use the button below to download the HCD Review Draft Housing Element.

Download the HCD Review Draft Housing Element

PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NOISE ELEMENT (SAFETY ELEMENT) UPDATE

In order to address new State legislation, additional updates to the General Plan are required as a result of the Housing Element Update. State law requires the Safety Element to be updated at the same time as the Housing Element update.

The Safety Element describes the natural and manmade hazards that could impact people and property in the City. The overall goal of the Safety Element is to reduce the potential short and long-term risk of death, injuries, property damage, and economic and social dislocation resulting from fires, floods, droughts, earthquakes, landslides, climate change, and other hazards.

This update is not intended to be a comprehensive update to the Safety Element since the City’s General Plan was adopted in 2019. Rather, new legislation requiring information on impacts resulting from climate change and new policy related to resiliency and climate adaptation will be added to the Safety Element.

📅  Schedule

  • Summer 2022
    Public Review Draft Safety Element
  • Fall 2022
    Joint Study Session with Planning Commission and City Council
  • Winter 2022
    Adoption Hearings

📝  Questions?

For more information about the Safety Element update, contact Aaron Hecock, Senior Planner at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Public Review Draft Safety Element Available Now!

Click the button below to download the Public Review Draft Safety Element. To send comments, please use the green “Comments” button on the right side of the page. Comments will be take through October 10, 2022. 

Download the Public Review Draft Safety Element Update
Download the Climate and Vulnerability Assessment
Download the Notice of Availability
Descarga el Aviso de Disponibilidad

Public Review Draft Housing Element

The Public Review Draft is available for download below. Public comments on the draft were taken from June 29 to July 30, 2022. 

Download the Public Review Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element Update
Download the Notice of Availability
Descarga el Aviso de Disponibilidad
Download comments received on the Draft

Public Comments Summary

Click here to view a PDF of public comments received through January 25, 2022. 

Download PDF

Why should I get involved?

The Housing Element Update process provides all residents, property owners, and businesses with the chance to help guide the future of housing in St. Helena. A successful Housing Element will reflect the community needs and character.  In order to do this, we need public input to guide the ideas considered for the Housing Element.

Join the Conversation

Provide your email address to stay up to date on meetings and key milestones. The Housing Element Team will send out timely emails throughout the process regarding upcoming events, workshops, meetings, and project documents.

Click the orange "eMail List" tab on the right edge of this website to sign up.

The Housing Element Process

  • Outreach

    Public Outreach/Community Engagement

    (Ongoing throughout Project)
  • Phase 1:

    Project Initiation

    (Winter 2021)
  • Phase 2:

    Housing Element Update

    (Spring 2021-Spring 2022)
  • Phase 3:

    Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element Update

    (Fall 2021-Summer 2022)
  • Phase 4:

    Public Review Draft Housing Element

    (Spring-Summer 2022)
  • Phase 5:

    HCD Review and Coordination

    (Summer 2022)
  • Phase 6:

    Environmental Documentation

    (Summer-Fall 2022)
  • Phase 7:

    Public Review and Adoption

    (Fall 2022)
Read More
Housing Element Contact:

Aaron Hecock
Senior Planner

Phone

(707) 339-2952

Email

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

City of St. Helena

1088 College Avenue
St. Helena, CA 94574

Questions? Contact Us:

Aaron Hecock, Senior Planner
(707) 339-2952
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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eMail List

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By clicking the "Send" button below, you are requesting to be added to the e-mail list for the update of the Housing and Safety Elements. You will be sent e-mail announcements about upcoming meetings, events, and documents.

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By clicking the "Send" button below, you are requesting to be added to the e-mail list for the update of the Housing and Safety Elements. You will be sent e-mail announcements about upcoming meetings, events, and documents.