RES 01063 - Laserfiche WebLink

succ~eded in developing affordable housing by steadfastly requiring it in recent, large projects - especially apartment projects. Staff believes this is the best route forthe City. It has an inclu~ionary policy; its requirements are weli.known and can be accounted for as properties are bought and developed. Any property requesting a changed designation can also appropriately be required to meet inclusionary housing or other requirements, as this occurs at the "front end", of any economic transaction. In this instance, changing the land use and requiring affordable units would not meet the City's normal process of giving developers fair notice before property is purchased for a project. Nothing requires such notice, and the City may designate sites for changed land uses with potentially less remunerative results. However, staff believes that, given the relative unsuitability of the site for housing generally, requiring a land use change here without notice or a request for such a change is not supportable. HOUSING COMMISSION ACTION The Housing Commission discussed the potential of housing use at the Pedro's site at its special meeting on May 21, 2001. The Housing Commission did not take any specific action on the Chamberlin Group's application nor on the Pedro's site itself. Rather, the Commission took action to inform the City Council of its interest in exploring the development of General Plan policies as part of the Housing Element update which could facilitate affordable housing with commercial development. The Commission further eXPressed its interest in meeting with the Hacienda Owners' Association to discuss the potential of additional .affordable housing in Hacienda Park. The Commission, while taking no direct action with respect to the Pedro's site, had concerns related to pursuing housing on that site, and it sought instead to convey its interest in developing policies which could facilitate mixed land uses city-wide. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION The Planning Commission recommended denial of the project and initiated a land use study aimed at modifying the land use designation of the site. The Planning Commission's main objective was to study land uses other than general office. Its action was not directed toward only residential, retail, restaurant, financial, or other alternative land uses; all non-office uses were open for study. Please see the former City Council staffreport for a full description of the Plalming Commission's action and the minutes of its meeting. SR:01:132 Pa~e 4