CC MIN 03152022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Staff does not have a recommendation on the AHOZ but advised the City Council could consider whether or not a study should be included in the Housing Element. She advised the Planning Commission was split on an AHOZ while the Housing Commission generally supported exploring the concept. Staff recommends using Option 2 to define workforce housing based upon AMI. She advised the Planning Commission recommended not defining the term for fear of leaving out a certain population. She reported the Housing Commission supported Option 1 with a modification to specify employees, households, and wages for Pleasanton. Staff does not recommend a program to facilitate small-scale infill. She advised the Planning Commission agreed, noting the potential impact on neighboring residences. She reported the Housing Commission was interested in exploring the concept further but noted it should not be a high priority. She advised this can be done outside of the Housing Element process. In response to Councilmember Arkin, Interim City Manager Dolan stated the in-lieu fees are often directed to grants, rental assistance, homeless outreach, and other programs. In response to Mayor Brown, Interim City Manager Dolan confirmed the new down payment assistance program can also derive funding from in-lieu fees. Housing rehabilitation loans and grants also fall into this category. In response to Councilmember Narum, Interim City Manager Dolan confirmed funds directed to Goodness Village also came from in-lieu fees. In response to Councilmember Arkin, Senior Planner Bonn confirmed there has to be an update to the density bonus to comply with State law. In response to Councilmember Arkin, Director Clark clarified the Pleasanton employment component of workforce housing can be enforced through a local preference in the rental or sale of the unit. The Planning Commission's intent with this area is to match local housing to local wages because of the disconnect between AMI and the City's high housing prices. She clarified workforce housing can be addressed either based on affordability or preferential treatment. In response to Councilmember Balch, Director Clark clarified that scaled impact fees would relate to the size of the home. She advised the Nexus Study parsed this out into several tiers based upon square footage but the City Council chose at the time to establish only two tiers. In response to Councilmember Balch, Director Clark clarified anything deed-restricted will require subsidy with the scale varying based upon the level of affordability required. In response to Councilmember Testa, Director Clark stated there are multiple State laws enacted over the past 10 years leading to the need to update the City's Density Bonus Ordinance. She advised the State has broadened the eligibility for a density bonus and offered more bonuses. She confirmed the City essentially does not have a viable ordinance at this point because there have been so many State- level changes since its adoption. Mayor Brown noted Pleasanton is one of only 170 California cities with an IZO, representing 35% of the State's municipalities. In response to Mayor Brown, Director Clark clarified Pleasanton requires deed restrictions in perpetuity wherever possible. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 22 March 15, 2022