PC 092221 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chair Brown stated the data was from 2013-2019, published in 2021, and questioned about the shift in data due to the pandemic and jobs that might permanently transition to working remotely from home. David Bergman, Lisa Wise Consulting, stated the structure of the labor market mattered and that the type of labor market might rebound but it was to be determined. Chair Brown stated he was trying to understand the high-tech sector as it related to the City's labor force. Mr. Bergman responded that data could be provided on the high industrial section and occupational structure. Chair Brown requested data on high tech, remote work to provide housing where the workplace existed. Commissioner Nibert requested information on essential workers residing in Pleasanton. Ms. Clark suggested clearly defining essential worker/workforce group, since it could encompass many professions. Commissioner Nibert mentioned public comment received related to an inventory of for rent and for sale affordable and senior housing. Ms. Clark indicated a list of deed restricted affordable housing projects in Pleasanton could be provided. Ms. Hagen stated all existing inventory and existing projects would be included in the site inventory appendix, which would be brought to the Commission at a later date. Ms. Clark noted a comment received related to units at risk of conversion, and stated there were no units at risk of conversion in Pleasanton. Chair Brown mentioned points raised during the September 21 , 2021 Council Meeting regarding racial mix of diversity and whether it was evenly distributed throughout the City. Ms. Clark stated that data would need to be further gathered, but mentioned the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) analysis which would look closely at the distribution of various populations in the city. Commissioner Morgan mentioned the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) numbers and explained he considered the percentage of Pleasanton employees that could afford market rate or affordable units. Ms. Clark explained that the income limits set by the State determined the income a typical household needed to afford either a purchase or rental, but a household could include workers in various job categories and wage levels. Commissioner Morgan asked if data was available on wage levels of jobs in Pleasanton to match to housing. Ms. Clark stated wage information by sector could help illustrate this data, understanding that a sector can contain many different sorts of jobs, at varying wage levels. Commissioner Morgan anticipated a high level of employees could not afford housing in Pleasanton. Ms. Clark concurred that the data showed the majority of households could not afford the median priced for sale unit and a large portion could not afford rental units, without being cost burdened. Commissioner Nibert discussed the stakeholder group overview, providing 12 various inputs related to housing needs. He stated he understood that staff would consider all public comments and information. He followed up to a previous comment made by Commissioner Morgan and mentioned below market rate occupants are still cost burdened; he further discussed a recent article he read where another city had entered into an affordable housing contract that had reduced rent of a standard below market rate apartment about $200. He mentioned that although it was a reduction, it was still priced rather high, and expressed his concern that even after completing this process, if the root of the problem is not addressed, the City might face a similar situation where the housing needs would not be fulfilled. Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 10 September 22, 2021