Laserfiche WebLink
OPTION 4 advantages(continued) page 2 <br /> 6. Less of an increase in the LIHF would be required with NP/HDR zoning than under Option 3. <br /> Under Option 4,the primary use of the LIHF would be to cover shortfalls in the nonprofit portions of the <br /> development and perhaps program cost sharing with nonprofit managers. The City would not need to use the <br /> LIHF to purchase land, which is very expensive in places like Hacienda Business Park and other prime locations. <br /> The amount of any fee increase would also be offset by Option 4's requirement for all residential projects <br /> without nonprofit partners to pay the LIHF. <br /> 7. Only nonprofits would be eligible to receive contributions from the Lower Income Housing Fund (LIHF). <br /> Nonprofit requirements for transparency and detail in financial reporting are similar to those of local <br /> government.The City and the community can better track the use of these funds when granted to nonprofit <br /> developers. Requiring for-profit developers to report costs and expenditures to the City renders their <br /> proprietary financial information a matter of public record. <br /> 8. Nonprofit housing includes service amenities for families,seniors,and those with special needs such as day <br /> care,after school programs,financial counseling,and health screenings.This helps keep cities' emergency <br /> services and public safety costs low. <br /> Living without much discretionary income requires careful planning, especially in the Bay Area! Lower <br /> income households benefit from nonprofit housing's service-rich environment, whether they are young and <br /> new to the workforce, are facing a sudden loss of income, or just work in a field where the pay is low. Easy <br /> access to service referrals and prevention programs can help families on tight budgets who might postpone <br /> acting on an issue until it becomes an emergency room or public safety crisis. <br /> 9. Exempting for-profit builders developing on NP/HDR sites from both the LIHF and the need to provide <br /> Low,and Very Low income units in perpetuity may make more money available for parks and schools. <br /> Under the current IZO, apartment complex developers who agree to comply with the 15%VLI and LI <br /> requirements have difficulty finding financing for construction. In this case,the City collects no fees. Even <br /> projects such as California Center,with drastically reduced affordability, still find the cost of the inclusionary u <br /> nits prevents them from paying more than the minimum in school and park fees. <br /> As usual,the Council must set clear expectations when zoning land for any use,whether to accommodate <br /> affordable housing or commercial development. Both land uses are vital to Pleasanton's economy.To yield the <br /> intended benefits, zoning requirements and entitlements should,to the maximum extent possible, address <br /> community needs while providing economic opportunity for the property owner. It's a delicate balance,with the <br /> best solutions advancing everyone's goals. <br /> Even before the Palmer decision, the IZO did not, and could not, meet Pleasanton's Housing Element goals. <br /> Furthermore,the IZO's requirements proved problematic for site developers. NP/HDR zoning would both reduce for- <br /> profits' long term costs, and provide needed opportunities for nonprofit developers in Pleasanton, consistent with <br /> Council's Resolution 10-390.The NP/HDR zoning concept has received interest from housing advocates in other <br /> communities with newly zoned, large tracts of land such as Alameda, as well as nonprofit developers. General <br /> (though more limited)feedback from for-profit builders indicates that development under NP/HDR zoning would <br /> be, at a minimum, more feasible than under the current IZO (ex: BRE and Windstar). While for-profits won't give up <br /> land unless required by Council as a condition of the zoning,they judge the cost of land dedication as far less than <br /> imbedding 15% Low and Very Low Income units in market rate complexes in perpetuity. Under NP/HDR zoning,their <br /> projects, though smaller,would certainly be more profitable. And Pleasanton would actually realize a much higher <br /> percentage of affordable housing. Option 4 is a win-win. <br /> Very sincerely, <br /> Becky Dennis <br /> Citizens for a Caring Community <br /> ATTACHMENTS: 2 <br />