Laserfiche WebLink
page 2 <br /> This result shows policy failure. Pleasanton's self-congratulation and decision to retain housing programs that <br /> produced such a small number of affordable units is evidence that Pleasanton intends to pursue land use objectives <br /> without regard to its regional housing responsibilities. <br /> Staff goes on to state that the"incorporation"of Program 17.2 requiring annual monitoring for performance, <br /> ensures"...the IZO will continue to be a successful tool for providing affordable units."By defining past failure as <br /> success, staff implies BCD's passive approval for replacing RHNA with the much lower standard of Pleasanton's <br /> past performance. If this is the new standard of success, the development of Pleasanton's entire 2015-2023 HDR <br /> inventory of 934 apartments will yield even fewer affordable units. <br /> Very Low Income Low Income Moderate(Market Ratel <br /> Pleasanton <br /> RHNA 2015-2023 713 389 405 <br /> Entitled 2015-2023 28 (3.9%) 26 (63%) 934(217%) <br /> Staff offered no response to CCC's comments regarding the Lower Income Housing Fee other than saying that, <br /> in 2013, the Council decided not to raise the fee due to "economic conditions". Staff has not explained the change in <br /> circumstances which led to the Council's September 2014 decision to impose quadruple the affordable housing in- <br /> lieu fee (from$1 million to$4.5 million) on a for-profit development that wanted to avoid including affordable <br /> units. It appears that even a fee much higher than that proposed in 2013 will not negatively inhibit new development <br /> in Pleasanton. Because the balance of the LIHF is currently inadequate to support construction of the units required <br /> to fulfill Pleasanton's RHNA,staffs response to CCC's comments should also include justification for the Council's <br /> decision to divert $3.5 million of this in-lieu payment to uses other than affordable housing. <br /> Beyond their assertion that the programs and incentives to encourage provision of affordable units in for-profit <br /> projects have resulted in so much new affordable housing that no changes arc needed,staff also asserts that <br /> "...in the long-term, these programs will help nonprofit developers successfully build affordable housing because they address <br /> the basic economic impediments to housing construction that are faced by both for-profit and nonprofit developers." <br /> Their conclusion that the current policies are acceptable because they will facilitate nonprofit housing"in the long <br /> term"is contrary to the City's obligation to plan to achieve RHNA within the planning period. In addition,staff <br /> asserts,incorrectly, that its affordable housing incentives address"economic impediments" that are the same for both <br /> for-profit and nonprofit developers. In fact,due to its many years of successful work with nonprofit developers, staff <br /> knows well that nonprofit housing providers face very different challenges than for-profit developers. <br /> Comparing Pleasanton's current assistance to nonprofit Mid-Pen on low income senior housing, including land <br /> dedication, property acquisition, a citizen task force, and a substantial contribution from the LIHF demonstrate that <br /> that difference. It also shows that Housing Element policies constitute a significant barrier to the nonprofit <br /> development of affordable workforce housing. This violates Pleasanton's Resolution 10-390 which requires that <br /> "In recognition of State and Fetal laws which prohibit municipalities from discriminating against developers of <br /> affordable housing, including nonprofit developers of affordable housing, and from discriminating against families with <br /> children in need of affordable housing...the City staff and the City Council will act affirmatively to promote the <br /> development of well-designed affordable housingforfamilies with children in Pleasanton..." <br /> Pleasanton's solicitation of a nonprofit builder to develop senior affordable housing in the near term,including <br /> provision of incentives well beyond those offered in the Housing Element is laudable. However, Pleasanton's failure <br /> to use the same methods to secure nonprofit builders to develop low income housing for families with children in <br /> the same near term time frame constitutes discrimination. Staff has not addressed CCC's comments about the <br /> differences in the way the City plans to allocate resources to facilitate nonprofit senior and family lower housing. <br />