CCMIN 05182021 - Laserfiche WebLink

essential workers. He noted many of Pleasanton's essential workers have to spend hours commuting to their jobs which adds to pollution and pulling workers from their families. He urged the City to use the Housing Element to meet the needs of the new generation. Arne Olson expressed concern regarding the planned growth relative to the water supply. He requested the City list water as an environmental constraint in its eventual appeal of the RHNA allocation. He also requested the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) look at water both in terms of supply and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). He advised there is a State-level disconnect between housing goals and the State's water supply. He advised he does not envy the Council for what lies ahead. Jocelyn Combs advised the Pleasanton Carbon Collaborative is proposing innovative ways to address affordable housing needs. She noted many residents speak English as a second language and this should be considered in outreach efforts. She advised they should reach out to people who work in Pleasanton but do not live in Pleasanton noting it is a key potential new demographic. She advised many residents lived in affordable housing earlier in life when making less money but may not even realize it. She remarked that myths about affordable housing lowering property values and rising crime are untrue. She suggested using the City of Mission Viejo's "Myths and Truths about Affordable Housing" as an example. She advised the RHNA report is sobering as is the State's housing crisis. She suggested actively engaging with non-profit developers using workforce housing as a tool to help meet the City's Climate Action Plan goals and raising affordable housing fees. Becky Dennis remarked the City Council takes protecting Pleasanton's quality of life quite seriously and part of it is maintaining the economic revenue to provide services. She advised it will become increasingly challenging if steps are not taken to avoid global warming. She advised future mandates for electric and hydrogen-powered cars will impact 90% of Pleasanton's workforce which commutes by car from other cities particularly those of lower incomes. She remarked that if the cost of commuting becomes too steep it would reduce workforce availability for Pleasanton's businesses. She encouraged investing in workforce housing for reasons of climate change as much as for meeting RHNA numbers. She reported Ms. Combs and herself formed the Pleasanton Carbon Coalition for those interested in approaching the Housing Element update from a climate science perspective. Mayor Brown closed public comment. In response to Councilmember Testa's inquiry, Director Clark confirmed the State is increasingly tying RHNA to requirements around housing streamlining. She advised if a City is not meeting its RHNA targets it must accept a more mandatory streamlined process for certain types of projects. Ms. Wise advised access to some State grants will be tied to meeting RHNA numbers. She advised everyone in the State will be in a difficult position due to the large numbers and it will be interesting to track what the State does with so many expected to struggle. Director Clark noted the reach of HCD now exists to take away a city's Housing Element certification after it has initially adopted it as compliant. Assistant City Manager Dolan explained his understanding is that the State's monitoring will have less to do with how many units it has produced but more to do with turning down projects and making it difficult for would-be developers. He advised he does not foresee a heavy hand from HCD if they process applications as they come. He reiterated this is just his opinion. In response to Councilmember Testa's inquiry, Assistant City Manager Dolan advised there would not be an obligation to process an application on a piece of land not rezoned residential. In response to Councilmember Testa's inquiries, Ms. Wise confirmed she is familiar with the Embarcadero Research Institute's report about double-counting and does not have an opinion on the report. She advised if there was a mathematical error at the State level leading to inflated needs estimates the State would need to look at it. She advised the whole State needs to work with these numbers and other regions are ahead of ABAG in submitting their Housing Elements to HCD for City Council Minutes Page 8 of 10 May 18. 2021