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DRAFT <br />Mr. Dolan stated that density bonus is 135 percent of the allowed density. He indicated <br />that the allowed density goes up as high as possible, and then these other limiting <br />factors come in and really determine what the project is going to be. He noted that <br />because the City does so many things with PUDs, and other communities do the same <br />thing, density bonus just becomes an exercise that is never going to happen in reality. <br />He concluded that while this sounds a little scary, the likelihood of the City getting very <br />many applications using density bonus is not very high. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that he misunderstood what density bonus meant and <br />was thinking that with density bonus, the increased number of units that the developer <br />might get would take the place of the required open space. He noted that the City does <br />not generally or normally build out the land totally; it is pretty generous with its open <br />space and probably requires more open space than most cities. <br />Mr. Dolan stated that a developer could ask for a concession on that particular <br />requirement. He added that there is not one listed that is automatic; the developer <br />would have to go do a financial analysis and provide the documentation. He <br />emphasized that density bonus is available to anyone right now, whether the City <br />adopts this ordinance or not, because it is State law. He explained that in the past, if a <br />city does not adopt it, the State law is afforded to everyone; however, the State now <br />says that a city is committed to it in its Housing Element and must adopt it. He added <br />that the City is going to have its own version that it can live with, but there are a lot of <br />things that State law provides that the City cannot just avoid. He noted, however, that if <br />a city adopts it on time, the City is given the opportunity in its next Housing Element <br />round to be eligible for an abbreviated, streamlined review that the State is introducing. <br />He indicated that the City does not know what to expect but staff would surely like to try <br />an abbreviated, streamlined review of the Housing Element as opposed to the normal <br />process. <br />Commissioner Ritter inquired what the area median income is for Pleasanton. <br />Ms. Stern replied that it is approximately $80,000 for a family of three. <br />Mr. Dolan added that that is a county number. He referred the question to Mr. Paxson. <br />Mr. Paxson stated that he thought it was around $86,000 for a family of four. <br />Ms. Stern indicated that that was for the year 2010, but for 2013, it is $80,000 for a <br />family of three. <br />Commissioner Ritter inquired if this proposal is similar to what the cities of Dublin and <br />Livermore and all the other cities have, and if this is pretty much the template given by <br />the State. <br />DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, 8/28/2013 Page 2 of 3 <br />