Dear Pleasant Hill Neighbors and Community Supporters,

I am writing to you all to provide an update on the Proposed 2023-2031 Pleasant Hill Housing Element, and specifically address the proposed rezoning of Paso Nogal Hill and Morello Terraces for high density development.  As of this posting, 8/22/23, we collectively make up over 2,407 signed and dedicated supporters that oppose the City of Pleasant Hill’s May 18th decision to adopt the proposed 2023-2031 City of Pleasant Hill Housing Element. Let me emphasize that again… 2,407 SIGNED AND DEDICATED SUPPORTERS!

On July 31, 2023 the California Department of Housing Community Development (HCD) provided a response to the City of Pleasant Hill 2023-2031 proposed Housing Element (available on the 2040 General Plan Website at https://pleasanthill2040.com/images/docs/ccoPleasantHillAdoptedOut073123.pdf *PLEASE READ*

**Please note that as of 8/22/23, the City of Pleasant Hill has yet to publicly notice or post the HCD response directly on the City’s Website https://pleasanthillca.org/

As we respectfully wait for the City’s response to the HCD’s direction I highly encourage everyone to remain actively involved in this cause.  If you have an interest, opinion, or position on the status of the proposed rezoning of Paso Nogal Hill/ Morello Terraces, please speak up and make your voice be heard.

Our presence was stronger than anyone imagined back in May, and I have never been more inspired than witnessing a community come together, in such a short period of time, and publicly advocate a shared position for the future of Pleasant Hill.  I highly encourage everyone to educate themselves on the facts of the HCD’s response and communicate directly with the City Council of Pleasant Hill as we all navigate through the pending 2040 General Plan and Housing Element review. YOUR VOICE MATTERS AND I HAVE FAITH THAT EVEN A SHORT NOTE TO PLEASANT HILL’S CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HEARD AND ADDRESSED.

Emails can be sent directly to:
Pleasant Hill City Council: citycouncil@pleasanthillca.org
City Planner- Troy Fujimoto: tfujimoto@pleasanthillca.org
Pleasant Hill Planning Department: planning@pleasanthillca.org
City Manager- Ethan Bindernagel : ebindernagel@pleasanthillca.org

The lack of public involvement was raised to the City Council during the May 17th Public Hearing and we look forward to invitations from the City of Pleasant Hill to participate in upcoming discussions as the HCD clearly instructs in their July 31, 2023 response;

“Public participation in the development, adoption and implementation of the housing element is essential to effective housing planning. During the housing element revision process, the City must continue to engage the community, including organizations that represent lower-income and special needs households, by making information regularly available while considering and incorporating comments where appropriate.”

To sign up for direct notifications from the 2040 General Plan please sign up at https://pleasanthill2040.com/ and click on the BLUE “EMAIL LIST” BOX on the right side of the screen.

Please take the time to educate yourself on all the Housing Element Issues as well as the most recent HCD response.  Knowledge is Power!

I personally thank you all for the time and energy that you all have invested in this cause, and I am confident that our community will GROW TOGETHER as a result of your voice and your actions.

Respectfully,
-Todd