The Resource Management Agency Planning Commission Hearing held on July 31, 2025, in Ventura County focused on critical updates regarding the county's housing element and the development of multifamily housing in the Residential High Density (RHD) zone. The meeting addressed the necessity for the county to demonstrate adequate land zoned for lower-income housing, as mandated by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).

The first significant agenda item discussed was the introduction of two programs aimed at facilitating multifamily development in the RHD zone. Program HEH directs the planning division to revise RHD regulations to align with state laws, specifically removing the requirement that 100% of units in the RHD zone be reserved for lower-income households. This change is intended to alleviate constraints that have hindered development, as the previous requirement was deemed overly restrictive and contrary to government code 65,583.2.

The second program, HED, incorporates feedback from a 2024 infrastructure forum, which convened various stakeholders to address development constraints in the RHD zone. The forum highlighted water supply issues, particularly in El Rio, and proposed solutions, including increasing water storage capacity for local providers.

The meeting also reviewed the current status of RHD zone sites, noting that development standards have remained unchanged since February 2011. The density for these sites will continue to be set at 20 to 22 dwelling units per acre. However, the lack of development on these sites has limited the county's ability to utilize them in multiple housing cycles, making it imperative for the county to take further action to encourage development.

Amendments to the non-coastal zoning ordinance were proposed, particularly in Article 9, to facilitate the construction of multifamily housing in the RHD zone. These amendments aim to ensure consistency with state law and implement the necessary changes outlined in Program HEH.

In conclusion, the hearing underscored the county's commitment to addressing housing needs and overcoming development barriers. The proposed ordinance updates and amendments are steps toward facilitating multifamily housing development, with a focus on resolving water supply constraints and aligning local regulations with state requirements. The county aims to move forward with these initiatives to enhance housing availability for lower-income residents.