01 - Laserfiche WebLink

was not in favor of it at all. She said to repeat the caveat that the City will not rezone more than it is supposed to by law is something that should be reflected as many times as possible when sending the plan onto HCD. She was somewhat inclined to agree with Nancy Allen about Site 7, and said this is a place under-utilized. She understands the neighborhood's concerns with traffic and schools but it is proximity to services and the freeway which makes it a prime site. Councilmember Cook-Kallio seconded Councilmember Thorne's motion. Councilmember Sullivan thanked everybody involved in the process. Even though this is not a process that anybody wanted to do, because of State pre-emption and court pre-emption over local control and decision-making processes, they were forced into it. Despite this, the task force process and the process the City underwent with Hacienda are excellent examples of democracy in action and grassroots planning. The task force specifically laid out ranking criteria to look at the sites such that they be close to modes of public transportation, services and amenities, look at any impacts of existing and future residents, be compatible with existing neighborhoods, consistent with the General Plan, and others. It is important for the Council not to forget about that criteria in getting to the next step of refining the list and not overburdening one area of town or one neighborhood with too much high density zoning. Currently, the City is doing this, as the east side is overburdened and half of the City's need is being put on that corner. Councilmember Sullivan said he will support the motions made tonight, but he asked for an amendment that once feedback is received from HCD, the Council will go through the process of refining and revisiting sites with the goal of meeting the criteria and getting it closer to the true need. He said the East Side Specific Plan needs to be completed as part of this not only to ensure the City is planning for this but also that the City has some sort of funding plan, mechanism, and timeline in place so it knows how the infrastructure will get built. He has long advocated that the Auf de Maur/Richenback Site to be part of the East Side Specific Plan, but said no one has ever agreed with him on this. If not in the East Side Specific Plan it should be part of the funding plan because otherwise, the developers are getting a 'free ride' on infrastructure. He also thinks the Stoneridge Mall site is under-utilized, as it is right next to BART and retail, there is a sea of pavement, not too many neighbors, and it is an ideal site for high density housing. Similarly, regarding the need to create the City's growth management plan, also needed are design guidelines and development standards for high density housing. This would help both the property owners, developers and the community better understand what high density housing looks like. He also voiced support with policies which were refined through the task force process and changes suggested with the deferment of some of the suggestions to the other committees. Councilmember Cook-Kallio stated that as the other member of the task force it is important to look at criteria in terms of how sites are chosen. Councilmember Sullivan pointed out that this criterion is located on pages 45 and 46 of the report. Councilmember Thorne agreed to make this part of the motion. Councilmember Cook-Kallio seconded the motion, as amended. Mayor Hosterman questioned if Councilmember McGovern was supportive of increased densities on Site 8 for the sake of going through the review process with HCD. Councilmember McGovern said she would be supportive, but made the point that she thinks a better product is offered to the community and neighborhoods when some feathering of development is done so that it is all not 4 stories and heavy mass. Councilmember Sullivan agreed and said both CM Capital and Auf de Maur changes are out in 'left field', and the task force wanted nothing to do with them. City Council Minutes Page 13 of 14 July 19, 2011