Excerpt from the General Plan Initiative. Underline denotes language GPI adds to the 1982 plan.  Strikeout denotes deletions. Use your browser's back button or click here to return to the table. Download entire text of the General Plan Initiative in pdf format (.4MB, requires Adobe Reader).
	Policy H-3.0 Responding To A Community Crisis - The lack of adequate affordable housing in Monterey County has caused, and will continue to cause serious economic, public safety, social, and environmental problems. These problems constitute a community crisis, and without the policies established within this General Plan, new commercial, industrial, and residential developments will make these problems worse. The public health, safety, and welfare require that new developments within Monterey County help provide increased housing opportunities for persons who live and work in Monterey County, and particularly for those persons with very low, low, or moderate incomes. Comprehensive Action Required – In order to respond to the housing crisis faced by working individuals and families within Monterey County, and particularly individuals and families with very low, low, and moderate incomes, the People of Monterey County hereby determine that a comprehensive and affirmative program is required, to increase affordable housing opportunities. Therefore, the People hereby find and determine that the adoption and implementation of all of the following policies is vitally necessary to protect the public health safety and welfare: (a) Community Areas – The County shall plan for residential growth in Community Areas. Community Plans or Specific Plans (hereafter referred to collectively as “Community Plans”) shall be completed for the areas of Pajaro, Castroville, Boronda, and Fort Ord. Upon completion of plans for these areas, Monterey County shall then prepare a Community Plan for Chualar. (b) Inclusionary Housing Requirement - For residential developments of 20 or more units at least 30% of the units shall be affordable to very low, low, moderate income and “workforce” households in perpetuity. Residential developments up to 19 units shall pay an In-Lieu Fee, but all other residential developments shall provide actual inclusionary units as their contribution. The percentage of affordable housing units to be provided shall be as follows: a. Very low income category – 6% (For sale or rental units) b. Low Income Category – 6% (For sale or rental units) c. Moderate Income Category – 8% (For sale units) d. Workforce I Category – 5% (For sale units) e. Workforce II Category – 5% (For sale units) (c) Inclusionary Housing Program. – Monterey County shall implement an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Program that will insure that such inclusionary units will be permanently maintained for rental or sale to persons within the designated income categories. (d) Increased Inclusionary Requirements in Special Cases - For residential developments of 20 or more units on lands owned by Monterey County, including lands on the former Fort Ord, at least 40% of the new housing units constructed shall be affordable in perpetuity to very low, low, moderate, and “workforce” households. Residential developments up to 19 units shall pay an In- Lieu Fee, but all other residential developments shall provide actual inclusionary units as their contribution. This 40% Inclusionary requirement will be achieved as follows: a. Very Low Income Category – 6% [For Sale or Rental Units] b. Low Income Category –10% [For Sale or Rental Units] c. Moderate Income Category – 12% [For Sale Units] d. Workforce I Category – 6% [For Sale Units] e. Workforce II Category – 6% [For Sale Units] The East Garrison Project on the Former Fort Ord shall be excluded from this 40% Inclusionary requirement. For residential developments of 20 or more units on land in the unincorporated area whose General Plan designation is changed from Agriculture or Rural Lands to a designation allowing for an urban development, at least 40% of the new housing units constructed shall be affordable in perpetuity to very low, low, and moderate households. Residential developments up to 19 units shall pay an In-Lieu Fee, but all other residential developments shall provide actual inclusionary units as their contribution. This 40% Inclusionary requirement will be achieved as follows: a. Very Low Income Category – 8% [For Sale or Rental Units] b. Low Income Category –12% [For Sale or Rental Units] c. Moderate Income Category – 20% [For Sale Units] (e) First Right To Rent or Purchase. – Monterey County shall establish, maintain, and either directly administer or cause to be administered a list of persons who live in or who work in Monterey County, and who may wish to rent or purchase new housing to be constructed in the County. The County shall give written notice to persons on this list who may be eligible for such housing whenever a new housing development of five or more units is proposed, and is set for public hearing. When residential housing developments are approved within Monterey County, it shall be a condition of approval that the new residential units constructed shall first be offered for rental or sale to individuals who currently live in or work in Monterey County, and who have indicated their interest in renting or purchasing new housing constructed in the community by having their names placed upon the list maintained by the County for that purpose. (f) Farmworker Housing. – Monterey County shall permit farm worker housing as specified in state law, and unless state law provides otherwise, farm worker housing may be allowed on Agricultural Lands and Rural Lands, on an existing legal lot of record, as a conditional use if the following findings are made: 1) the housing will support agricultural uses on-site; 2) the housing is located to minimize interference with agricultural use of the property and the conversion of commercially productive agricultural lands; 3) the housing is located to minimize impacts on the viewshed and is not on slopes over 25%, within a critical habitat, or within 100 feet of a riparian corridor; 4) the housing complies with all health and safety codes to ensure protection for farmworkers; 5) the housing is permanently restricted to farm worker housing; 6) a deed restriction has been recorded stating that the units shall remain accessory to the agricultural use on site; and 7) all essential services can be provided to support the housing without resulting in a significant unavoidable environmental impact. Such housing units shall not be separated from the parcel on which they have been constructed by a land division, and shall not be used for other than agricultural support purposes. In addition, the redevelopment, reconstruction, and expansion of existing farm worker housing and farm labor camps within the existing development footprint may be allowed as a conditional use where the following findings are made: 1) no additional farmland will be converted from agricultural use; 2) all essential services can be provided without resulting in a significant unavoidable environmental impact; 3) the housing complies with all health and safety codes to ensure protection of farmworkers; and 4) the housing is permanently restricted to farm worker housing.