Prior to 2013, the City of Orinda had never had a State-certified Housing Element. The City was nearing the end of the 4th cycle (2007-2014) and hoped to begin the 5th cycle (2015-2022) with a compliant housing plan. The community of 19,000 residents is largely comprised of single- family homes and has one of the East Bay’s highest median home values. Previous housing elements focused on conserving local housing stock and meeting the needs of a growing population of empty nesters and older adults. 

Barry Miller was retained to revise a 2008 draft of the Housing Element and respond to State comments received several years earlier. He expanded previously completed analyses of demographics, potential sites, and constraints, and developed new policies and programs to meet new State requirements. Barry’s scope also required rezoning a key parcel of church-owned land and adopting new zoning rules for accessory dwelling units and mixed use projects. Barry worked with State reviewers and City staff to develop an Element that balanced Orinda’s unique context with State requirements. The Element was deemed compliant prior to the start of the 5th Cycle.