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review. She advised the SCAG number is 1.4 million as opposed to ABAG's 440,000. She remarked <br /> that whether or not these are the right numbers this is the hand everyone has been dealt. <br /> Councilmember Testa reported over 50 SCAG municipalities have already filed appeals based on the <br /> State's calculations of the numbers. She explained cities zone but do not develop the sites and noted <br /> the State does not provide funding for affordable housing. She remarked cities are being set up to fail <br /> by the inflated numbers with punishments associated with failure. <br /> In response to Councilmember Testa's inquiry, Assistant City Manager Dolan clarified all deed <br /> restrictions approved by the City over the last 13 years are in perpetuity and advised older projects <br /> have a 50-year window. <br /> Councilmember Arkin advised addressing the affordable component should be a priority. She noted <br /> looking at vacant commercial properties is important especially as more employers allow people to <br /> work from home and require less building space. She stressed the importance of looking at how other <br /> communities have looked at these challenges. She agreed with Mayor Brown and Mr. Olson that <br /> looking at the water impact is a very important point including using it in the appeal as a drought is <br /> approaching. She advised they should consider school impacts with the rezoning. <br /> Councilmember Narum advised her overarching policy consideration would be an equitable distribution <br /> of the 5,965 units throughout the City. She stressed preserving the character of the community, <br /> particularly in the downtown area, and stressed the need for objective design standards. She called for <br /> a discussion of the 20% versus 100% inclusionary standards and whether there is flexibility based on <br /> location within the City. She advised density should be discussed to add flexibility based on location. <br /> She advised her vote will come down to the flexibility and range in balancing character preservation <br /> against density and height of buildings. <br /> Councilmember Balch advised the community often learns about RHNA when multi-family units are <br /> built. He stressed teaching the community about the paradigm of density, inclusionary numbers, and <br /> acreage needs to come together. He noted blending the units throughout the community will be <br /> essential. He advised they should ask the community during the outreach if the City should take money <br /> from the General Fund to bolster the Housing Fund to incentivize low-income and very-low-income <br /> housing. He expressed appreciation for Mr. Ilavarasan exposing a blind spot in his comments earlier <br /> about non-resident Pleasanton workers. <br /> Councilmember Balch suggested part of the outreach should be to poll if the City should be looking at <br /> 100% affordable projects partnered with a non-profit developer like Sunflower Hill. He believes funding <br /> will be the biggest challenge because Pleasanton will be asking the State for the same funds as almost <br /> every other city and county. He pointed out the 2027 point where the City's unfunded pension obligation <br /> is the highest falls within this RHNA cycle. He discussed the pros and cons of raising the 20% <br /> inclusionary level including sacrificing benefits like open space, parks, and roadway improvements in <br /> development. He cautioned that over-developing the east side with affordable units could sacrifice road <br /> improvements to Stanley Boulevard. <br /> Mayor Brown advised it would be hard for her to see 20% inclusionary zoning go by the wayside noting <br /> it is a cornerstone of Pleasanton and people do not know which units are priced affordable because <br /> they are built equally. She advised 100% inclusionary has a good argument as well and noted it will be <br /> a delicate balance for the City Council, Planning Commission, and Housing Commission. She noted <br /> past high-density building proposals have included a small strip of grass and a high structure not fitting <br /> the City. She remarked they will have to find a way to maintain the quality of life which makes <br /> Pleasanton a "high-opportunity community." <br /> City Council Minutes Page 9 of 10 May 18,2021 <br />