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eIYOFI !Ir!.!: pLEASANTONC Attachment 1 MEMORANDUM Date: March 20, 2012 To: Councilmembers McGovern and Thome From: Nelson Fialho, City Manager Subject: Amended Growth Management Program SUMMARY The City has embarked on a process to amend its growth management program to achieve the following objectives: 1) Maintain consistency with State Law; 2) Develop a nexus between City's limited infrastructure such as sewer capacity, water availability, etc and the future rate of construction for approved development; and 3) Maintain existing quality-of-life standards for existing residents and businesses. BACKGROUND The City utilizes a comprehensive development review process, consistent with its General Plan and state regulations, that incorporates considerable community and commission review to assure that proposed development meets community and City Council expectations. Since 1978, one step in the development process includes implementing the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) (PMC 17.36) which provides guidelines for pacing the rate of construction for approved residential developments. As a reflection of changing conditions, the City's GMO has undergone a number of major and minor revisions over the years. The most recent change occurred in October 2009 when the GMO was amended to reflect that the maximum number of building permits would not exceed 350 annually, except when necessary for the City to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). As a result of this action, the GMO is currently in compliance with State law. DEVELOPMENT PROCESS The GMO process commences following approval of a residential development project. As such, it is not utilized to determine whether a development's location, design, or scope meets city planning regulations; rather, it is used to establish at what rate and when, an approved development can be constructed (e.g. when permits can be issued for construction). Page 1 of 5