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BACKGROUND <br /> At the City Council's September 16 meeting, under Matters Initiated, Mayor Thorne <br /> raised the issue of sending a letter to the California Legislators representing Pleasanton <br /> seeking an amendment to the Housing Element law to provide for an extension of the <br /> current RHNA Planning Period in order to give municipalities the ability to temporarily <br /> suspend zoning for additional housing units while the drought persists. The question is <br /> now brought before the entire Council for its consideration, along with a draft letter for <br /> review. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> The City imposed mandatory water rationing in light of drought conditions. Mayor <br /> Thorne has proposed sending a letter to the California legislators representing <br /> Pleasanton seeking an amendment to the Housing Element law to provide for an <br /> extension of the current RHNA Planning Period in order to give municipalities the ability <br /> to temporarily suspend zoning for additional housing units while the drought persists. <br /> The City is communicating with Zone 7 and the cities it serves to make certain the City <br /> has the most accurate information about water supply. In the event that drought <br /> conditions worsen, the City has the ability to impose a moratorium on water and sewer <br /> hook-ups, RHNA numbers notwithstanding. The City of Pleasanton is bound by state <br /> law, and under policy it adopted in accordance with state law, to ensure that in the event <br /> of drought, developments serving lower income households are granted priority for <br /> water and sewer services. Thus, any growth moratorium based on a water emergency <br /> must give priority to developments serving lower income households should any hook- <br /> ups be permitted. <br /> The proposed letter makes clear that the City of Pleasanton is concerned about <br /> compliance with the Housing Element law and the drought, and is willing to pursue <br /> different measures to ensure its current and future residents' health, safety and welfare <br /> are protected. The City does not seek to avoid its RHNA obligations, but rather to defer <br /> them should drought conditions necessitate such a measure. <br /> The letter will be sent to Senators Ellen Corbett and Mark DeSaulnier and <br /> Assemblymember Joan Buchanan. <br /> Submitt by: <br /> Nelson Fialho <br /> City Manager <br /> Attachment: <br /> 1. Draft Letter to Legislative Representatives <br /> Page 2 of 2 <br />