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DRAFT Pleasanton, have been putting solar on all of their apartment buildings to reduce the maintenance costs at the insistence of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She noted that this was done at Ridgeview Commons, the senior complex here in Pleasanton, and added that it kind of defies her how any project coming in would not be looking at that seriously because this is what non-profits have been doing. Ms. Steiner stated that she realizes the Planning Commission cannot do anything with respect to affordable housing, but she would like to think that in the future, the housing advocates could be included in the process because they want to advocate for their projects. She noted that they have done this before for developments and have, for example, worked successfully with Ponderosa on its project on Busch Road, not just for affordability, noting that when the 20 acres for the School District did not: go through, Ponderosa opted to build senior housing for purchase. She stated that everyone looks at all of the needs in the community, but the lower end is the hardest one, and many developers realize that. She noted that having non-profit build on so many acres of land produces affordable units forever. She added that there are great non-profits, and their greatest success in Pleasanton is having built some fantastic affordable housing which very few probably know where they are located. She stated that she has been surprised at how many people have driven by these places and said they did not realize it was affordable housing, which just shows how good they are. Ms. Steiner stated that she hopes there is a better path for affordable housing in the future. She noted that many in Pleasanton's business community have a problem finding employees now because of a lack of affordable housing. She added that the City now has more sites to develop, and she thinks they can be great projects with the private sector, with a non-profit, and with the support of a group of people who are ready to support them. Mr. Inderbitzen stated that affordable housing is a perplexing issue and there are a number of conflicting mandates that need to be dealt with, one of which is to produce housing and another is to figure out some way to provide affordable housing. He indicated that fortunately, the laws have changed a lot, and he is loathe to get into a debate about affordable housing tonight because it is a little bit of a distraction from the items that are actually on the agenda for action, and affordable housing is not one of them. He noted, however, that he is happy to indulge in that discussion if the Commission so desires. He asked the Commission for its support to move this project onto the City Council. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Posson stated that he would like to kind of focus in on the Program 6.3 requirements of the General Plan Energy Element, which requires Green Building practices to be used in all projects, including those not covered by the mandatory Green Building ordinance, if feasible. He indicated that he likes the project, and it fits the area. He added that he thinks the developers have done a terrific job but believes there is DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, 3/27/2013 Page 16 of 22