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Councilmember Pentin added that the Council would also have an opportunity to review the application and, if warranted, delay a decision until the water situation was more thoroughly reviewed. Mr. Dolan thought the Council could take some small amount of time but said it could not institute a de fact moratorium without making the required findings. Mayor Thome said he ensured that the city's recently elected representatives and Senate candidates received a copy of the city's letter requesting that the RHNA cycle be extended proportionate to the duration of the drought. Vice-Mayor Brown asked if staff has received any comments on the letter. Mr. Fialho said "no," but noted that those who just took office will need some time to educate themselves and determine whether they can develop a consortium of other elected officials at the state level in order to advance that kind of legislation. To Councilmember Pentin's comments, he supported Mr. Dolan's comments that the drought situation does not relieve the city's obligation to the state to provide the required zoning. If circumstances worsen there are separate discretionary actions that the Council that may, under the right circumstances, allow the city to more effectively influence development. These include a modification to growth management during drought years or a moratorium, though the city is not really in a position to proceed with either of those at this time. Mayor Thorne noted that halting development under those circumstances does not absolve the city of its RHNA responsibilities. Mr. Fialho confirmed that the city is required to demonstrate that it can meet the RHNA obligation, regardless of what conditions may exist. If the city were to halt development for one year, as an example, due to the drought then those 235 units would have to be made available at some point throughout the remainder of the planning cycle so that there is no effect on the cumulative total. Councilmember Olson said he would support the staff recommendation but was concerned that a portion of the community, notably that who commented on the draft document before it was submitted to HCD and then issued letters to HCD, still disagree with the position the city has taken. He acknowledged that these individuals and groups may also disagree with HCD's position. He said that Citizens for a Caring Community is clearly committed to its goals and asked that staff respond to their ongoing concerns point by point. Mr. Dolan acknowledged that there are some points of long-standing disagreement regarding the city's approach to affordable housing and said that staff has discussed this much of this with them in the past but also is happy to do so again. Mayor Thorne opened the public hearing and, there being no speakers, closed the public hearing. Vice-Mayor Brown said this Housing Element is a perfect example of the frustration that results from the state's dictation of how this community is managed. Nonetheless, she thanked staff for their hard work in crafting a document that HCD could accept with little difficulty. She also thanked staff for the changes related to East Pleasanton and what had seemed to be a guarantee of housing. She said that, as presented, the Housing Element presents the opportunity for approximately 1,800 residential apartment units and a variety of housing stock that the city does not currently have. She shared her excitement that it reflects the development of Kottinger Gardens and 185 affordable senior housing units. She also shared her pleasure over the compromise that was achieved between residents and the property owner with regards to the CM Capital 2 site and described that process as good government in action. City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6 January 6, 2015