_Minutes_February 9, 2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Brown agreed with the staff recommendation for IZO, to increase multifamily to 20 percent and to identify affordability levels. He stated he did not agree with increasing to the maximum LIHF fee and that the fees could not be blindly set to the maximum due disincentive to businesses from moving to Pleasanton. He liked the suggestions from Ms. Combs and Ms. Dennis but was not necessarily in favor of tiers and he did not want to disincentives businesses bringing in tax revenues. He asked if going to a tiered system would require a nexus study. Ms. Clark stated staff would have to look at the details of the study and there would have to be a nexus. Commissioner Brown stated he was in favor of revisiting residential based on bedrooms or square footage. He suggested aligning with State law rather than creating an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone. Chair Pace stated he was not interested in the flip, rather increasing the number of affordable units for both multifamily and single-family to 20 percent and finding a way to increase the amount. He indicated support for raising the fees maybe higher than surrounding communities but not necessarily as high as possible. He stated he would like to leverage the existing nexus study before having to do another one. He stated he did not think the current fee structure was equitable and supported quick solutions. He concurred with reviewing data for performance over time of existing policies and indicated he was not in favor of an Affordable Housing Overlay Zone due to the size of the community and the ability to align with State law by other means. Commissioner Morgan asked if it would be reasonable to see what other communities were charging for their fees prior to the next Planning Commission meeting. Ms. Clark stated that she would see what she could do but the next Planning Commission meeting would be on slightly different topics. MATTERS FOR COMMISSION'S REVIEW/ACTION/INFORMATION 5. Reports from Meetings Attended (e.g., Committee, Task Force, etc.) There were no reports from meetings attended. 6. Actions of the City Council Ms. Clark provided a brief overview of the items listed in the report. 7. Future Planning Calendar Ms. Clark gave a brief overview of future items for the Commission's review. MATTERS INITIATED BY COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Allen requested an update on the value capture project approved by the Council. Ms. Clark stated progress had not yet been made but it remained on the list and staff was consulting with an expert. Chair Pace thanked Ms. Hagen for her hard work for the City. Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 of 7 February 9, 2022 the percentage of affordable units required between multifamily and single-family to 20% and to clearly identify affordability levels. She stated she agreed with the first two recommendations on LIHF but would like to substantially raise the fees for non-residential very close to the maximum, because Pleasanton was an attractive place for businesses and the fees would not be a deterrent and the rate should provide the necessary units for the employees. She stated she would like to increase residential fees based on square footage or number of bedrooms and that tier pricing was critical. She suggested reconsidering the basis for the low-income housing study, especially for residential. She requested more data on the expenditure of funding and what percentage was directed at adding more housing versus the other programs, because HCD was looking at the number of built units. She stated it was worth exploring a housing overlay zone but the ordinance should align with State law for short term. Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 of 7 February 9, 2022 a business person would be equal with building a unit and paying an IZO. Ms. Clark explained the basis for the inclusionary zoning requirement, and the amount of the low-income housing fee were different and therefore, there was a disjuncture between the two fees (i.e. the in-lieu fee does not cover 100 % of the cost of constructing an affordable unit). Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 of 7 February 9, 2022