State planning law requires local jurisdictions to annually provide the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) with an annual progress report on implementing the general plan housing element and general plan activities. 

These reports provide an excellent summary of all development activity, or lack thereof, across jurisdictions in California. Over time, I will cover all the major Bay Area cities' reports. 

The City of Dublin has released its progress report, and the results will be reviewed and discussed at the planning commission meeting on March 18th. 

Key Highlights

General Plan Updates

The General Plan guides the city’s growth, and in 2024, the following updates were made:

  • Dublin Fallon 580 General Plan Amendments: 
    • Converted 42.6 acres from open space to parks/public recreation land.
    • Ensured compliance with California’s “No Net Loss” law, maintaining capacity for 74 affordable housing units.
  • Measure II Open Space Initiative: 
    • Revised provisions related to Dublin’s 2014 Open Space Initiative.

Housing Development & Progress Toward RHNA Goals

The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) for Dublin (2023-2031) requires the city to plan for 3,719 housing units, broken down by income category.

  • RHNA Targets vs. Housing Permits Issued (2023-2024): 
    • Very Low Income: 1,085 units required → 0 permits issued
    • Low Income: 625 units required → 1 permit issued
    • Moderate Income: 560 units required → 0 permits issued
    • Above-Moderate Income: 1,449 units required → 475 permits issued
    • Total Permits Issued (2023-2024): 476 units
    • Remaining RHNA Goal: 3,243 units

Major Housing Projects Approved in 2024

  • Dublin Fallon 580 Project 
    • 238 residential units (7 low-income, 11 moderate-income).
  • The Dublin Centre Project (“The DC”) 
    • 494 market-rate units.
    • Affordable housing component: 6 moderate-income units, 52 low-income ADUs, 53 moderate-income ADUs.
  • Dublin Commons Project (Pending Approval) 
    • 1,510 total units with 164 affordable units (104 low-income, 60 moderate-income).

Affordable Housing & Community Initiatives

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 
    • 12 permits issued in 2024, with 1 low-income deed-restricted.
    • New incentives: Pre-approved ADU plans, permit fee waivers, and an ADU Accelerator Program.
  • Support for Affordable Housing Developers 
    • $5 million loan approved for Sunflower Hill at Grace Pointe, providing housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
    • Regional Street Senior Housing Project: 113 affordable senior units.
    • Amador Station Project: $7.1 million city loan + $6.2 million from county/state housing funds.
  • First-Time Homebuyer Assistance 
    • 1 homebuyer loan issued in 2024.

Homelessness & Community Support

  • $62,500 allocated for homeless assistance services.
  • Key partnerships: 
    • Tri-Valley Haven (homeless shelter & food pantry).
    • CityServe of the Tri-Valley (crisis intervention & homelessness prevention).
    • Goodness Village (tiny home community).
    • Open Heart Kitchen (meal service).

Policy & Zoning Updates

  • Density Bonus & Inclusionary Zoning: Updated policies to encourage more affordable housing development.
  • Emergency Shelters & Transitional Housing: Zoning code amendments to ensure compliance with state regulations.
  • Parking Requirements Near Public Transit: Reduced to comply with AB 2097, facilitating transit-oriented development.
  • Green Building Guidelines: Adoption of low-carbon concrete requirements.