City to update housing policies

The City Council and Planning Commission participated in a joint study session to hear a presentation on the progress of the city's Housing Element.

On Nov. 18, David Barquist of RBF Consulting walked the council and commission members through a detailed PowerPoint presentation that outlined the reasons for the update, state and legislative requirements and the various steps and components involved in completing the process.

In response to a question from Councilman Leonard Paulitz, Barquist explained his team is gathering data to develop an "existing conditions baseline" of the housing stock in Montclair.

From there, the consultant will develop a menu of housing policies that will ultimately be recommended to the commission and council for consideration.

Barquist indicated it is his goal to have the Housing Element completed and submitted to the state Department of Housing and Community Development for approval by early spring.

Earlier this month, the first of two community workshops on the Housing Element update was conducted by the consultant at the Police Department.

City staff and members of the public and local organizations participated in a "Post-It note" exercise to discuss perceived housing challenges and opportunities in Montclair.

The consultant will include the ideas and suggestions discussed during that exercise in the 

analysis of existing conditions as the process moves forward.

The public will be afforded another opportunity to provide its input on the Housing Element update at a second workshop at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Police Department's community room, 4870 Arrow Highway.