Planning Commission Meeting September 2nd, 2026

The City of San Clemente Planning Commission held a meeting on September 2, 2026, primarily focused on a public hearing regarding the city's Inclusionary Housing Program (IHP) update. The Commission discussed inconsistencies between the housing element and zoning code, specifically the affordable housing set aside requirements, which currently vary between 4% and 15%. Staff and consultants presented a technical memorandum analyzing peer cities' policies and recommended maintaining a 15% set aside, but Commissioners expressed concerns about feasibility, local context, and the adequacy of the report's methodology. Public comments opposed increasing the set aside percentage and state mandates. The Commission ultimately voted to recommend the City Council initiate a zoning amendment to establish a consistent 4% set aside requirement, urge updating the in lieu fee due to its outdated and inadequate status, and investigate a tiered approach to set aside requirements and in lieu fees based on project size. The Commission also addressed fraudulent fee collection attempts targeting applicants and discussed upcoming training opportunities for commissioners.