19 - Laserfiche WebLink

THE CITY OF -- CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 19 [-LE ASANTON. April 16, 2013 Assistant City Manager TITLE: RECOMMENDATION TO CONDUCT A JOINT WORKSHOP WITH THE HOUSING COMMISSION TO DISCUSS CITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING POLICIES RELATED TO NEW MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY At its meeting of April 3, 2012, the City Council approved a work plan for implementing policies and programs included City's Housing Element Update that included reviewing and amending the City's Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to potentially increase or modify incentives, to assure its consistency with recent court decisions and Housing Element goals, and to eliminate aspects that may be a constraint to housing development. Staff viewed this as a two-step process that included a new nexus study concerning the City's Lower Income Housing Fees followed by amendments to the IZO. Recently, as both the Housing and Planning Commissions were reviewing the California Center development, it became apparent the inconsistencies between the IZO's affordable unit requirements for new multifamily residential rental development and recent court decisions, created problems for determining appropriate levels of affordability within the development. As a result both expressed that the matter should be reviewed as quickly as possible to assure that there is a clear policy expressing the City Council's approach to addressing affordable housing requirements for new multi- family residential rental developments. Both commissions also expressed that this policy direction would be beneficial prior to it reviewing the additional multi-family residential developments that are currently under staff review. In view of this situation, staff is recommending the City Council consider holding a joint workshop with the City Housing Commission on May 1 for the purpose of discussing policy matters related to the IZO. Following the workshop, staff would work on developing appropriate amendments and returning those to the Council in June prior to approval of the next multi-family residential project. RECOMMENDATION Indicate the Council's intent to hold a joint workshop on May 1, 2013, at 6:00 p.m., with the Housing Commission FINANCIAL STATEMENT There is no direct financial impact to the City as a result of this action.