Laserfiche WebLink
Mr. Dolan clarified that the current projects under construction are actually fairly in line with what is <br /> allowed under Growth Management, though the level of development may seem significant relative to <br /> recent years that were fairly devoid of development. This lack of development is a result of both the <br /> economy and the city's unwillingness to provide any inventory on which to build additional housing. The <br /> city's housing cap was overturned and it was forced to rezone enough inventory to meet its obligations <br /> from past RHNA cycles, which did ultimately result in a surge of entitled projects coming forward. <br /> However, that the current form of the Growth Management Ordinance took full force and effect on July <br /> 1, 2014 and will limit develop to 230 units annually on a going forward basis. <br /> Mayor Thome added that in addition to the housing cap, the lawsuit challenged the city's ability to <br /> implement enforceable development standards as new projects came forward. <br /> Mr. Dolan presented several slides describing the relationship between the city's current inventory and <br /> the new RHNA assignment. For the 2014-2022 Planning Period, the city has a total obligation of 2,067 <br /> units with 1,107 being reserved for the very low and low income categories. Per HCD guidelines, sites <br /> must have a minimum density of 30 units per acre to be considered inventory for the construction of <br /> very low and low income housing. While HCD does not dictate a minimum density for the moderate <br /> income category, staffs assumption has been that a density of 23 units per acre would accomplish this <br /> goal. In comparing the city's total inventory, which includes permitted and approved (but not yet built) <br /> projects as well as vacant or underutilized land, to the RHNA obligation it would appear to yield a <br /> surplus inventory of 1,292 units across all income categories. He cautioned that this can be a very <br /> misleading number because it includes some projects, the bulk of which fall into the moderate income <br /> category, that market conditions suggest may ultimately be built between now and the start of the next <br /> planning cycle. He therefore recommended that the Council and public really focus on the very low and <br /> low income categories which have a zoning surplus of 375 units. <br /> Councilmember Brown requested clarification on how projects which are permitted and approved factor <br /> into the obligation. <br /> Mr. Dolan explained that a number of projects resulting from the previous Housing Element Update <br /> have been approved but not yet constructed. This includes 1,515 units in the moderate income <br /> category and 291 units in the very low and low income category and, because they have not yet been <br /> built, the city is able to count those against its obligation during this planning cycle as well. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked how the payment of in-lieu fees versus the development of <br /> affordable units affects this inventory. <br /> Mr. Dolan explained that if the Council were to allow a developer to exercise its option to pay in-lieu <br /> fees, the affordable units could no longer be counted in the very low and low income category. He <br /> estimated that combined, the two approved developments that have this option within their Housing <br /> Agreements could reduce the 375 unit buffer by 45 units. <br /> Vice-Chair Pentin asked and Mr. Dolan confirmed that the surplus exists largely because in developing <br /> a certified Housing Element, the city was required to approve those projects that came forward on the <br /> heels of the rezoning. He also confirmed that as of July 1, 2014, the Growth Management Ordinance is <br /> in full effect and replaces the city obligation to grandfather these approvals. <br /> Mr. Dolan then reviewed the impacts of the recommended down-zoning of the CM Capital 2 site, which <br /> if reduced from 30 units to 12 units per acre would result in the loss of 200 very low and low income <br /> units. This, combined with the potential loss of 45 units to in lieu fees, would reduce the buffer in this <br /> income category from 375 units to 130 units. <br /> Councilmember Cook-Kallio asked whether HCD has any opinion regarding in lieu fees. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 6 of 17 September 2,2014 <br />