The Fortuna Planning Commission voted unanimously to direct staff to submit the city’s 2024 general plan and housing element annual progress reports to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI).

Community Development Director Sherry Meads told the commission the reports summarize what Fortuna accomplished in 2024 and are required by the state, with submissions due by April 1. “The general plan is the city’s highest level policy document,” Meads said, and the annual progress report measures achievements toward the plan’s goals, policies and programs.

The reports show 38 new market‑rate housing units received building permits in 2024 — an increase of about 13 units from the previous year — while the city remains “significantly short” of meeting affordable housing requirements, Meads said. She noted Fortuna’s housing element expires in 2027 and staff will begin seeking a consultant to start the next update, which typically takes several years. Meads also summarized implementation changes, including online inspection scheduling through the OpenGov permitting system and continuing glitches since its launch.

Meads reviewed other highlights from 2024 including progress on the Mill District specific plan — which had an environmental impact report completed in 2024 and was adopted earlier in 2025 — and continued regional collaboration on economic development and business support. On parks and open space, she said the city received grants including a State Coastal Conservancy award and a $1,000,000 grant to acquire land along Riverwalk Drive. That acquisition will create roughly 74.25 contiguous acres of publicly owned forest and include a land return to the Wiyot Tribe for ceremonial, restoration and public access uses.

Public safety and infrastructure updates in the report included a more than 9.5% reduction in Group A crimes in 2024, the police department’s voluntary special needs alert program, and the police move into a remodeled facility at 2600 Newberg Road in June 2024. The fire protection district provides services across about 26 square miles and a population of about 17,000 and reported fleet and equipment status during the year.

Commissioners who spoke praised the summary and thanked staff for compiling the report. There were no public comments during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes from Feb. 25 meeting — motion passed (roll call not specified; chair announced approval on voice vote).
- Motion to submit the 2024 general plan and housing element annual progress reports to HCD and LCI — motion passed by roll call; Commissioners Calkins, Doris, Hawley, Vice Chair Nichols and Chair Kine voted yes.

Staff communications after the vote included notice of Commissioner Bennett’s resignation and that “Rusty” has become a full‑time commissioner. Staff also reported a new assistant administrative assistant had cleared background checks and was expected to start on April 7.

The planning commission’s action directs staff to file the statutorily required annual reports with HCD and LCI and to continue work on the housing element update ahead of the 2027 expiration. The commission adjourned following routine closing business.