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Chairperson Arkin strongly supported the project, and the use of the credits in other parts of the community. He noted that he was a very strong advocate of affordable senior housing, and added that he would have a problem with high density non-senior housing. Commissioner Roberts noted that she supported this project, and believed that clustered senior residences was a positive idea. She liked the applicant's use of affordable housing credits, and believed. that the City Council should be allowed to make this decision. She noted that Ms. Belding's suggestions may be heard by City Council when the credits were to be transferred. She believed that there would be a problem with the transfer of money, but bel. ieved that City Council should be given the flexibility to decide what should be done with the credits- She noted that it would be too expensive to build affordable housing in the hills, and that the grading requirements would not be feasible for that use. Commissioner Sullivan noted that he had attended the City Council meeting where this issue was discussed, and that he requested it be brought back to the Planning Commission. He noted that meeting the goals of the new Housing Element would be a challenge, and that the Commission should be able to weigh in on this project He noted that he worked in the energy industry, and that the affordable housing credit trarisfers were similar to trading of energy credits between power plants. Chairperson Arkin noted that he would like to see the lowest nutrtber of affordable homes built, and still stay within State requirements- He would like the affordable homes to have the lowest impact to the City, because there were many fee waivers associated with them. He noted that seniors had less of an impact on the City because they drove less and did not have children in schools. Commissioner Roberts questioned the building of single-family homes that were affordable units in perpetuity- She noted that may not be the best place to put City money, and that far more wits may be built in multi-family housing. She noted that the possibility of getting this many units in the near future was very positive. She added that they met a real need in the community, and that it gave the City more flexibility. Commissioner Kameny noted that he would rather have the units up front, and added that he liked the presentation. C'onznzissioner Sullivan noted thai he would support this item, and hoped chat Lhe City Council would consider whether the credits were in the best interest of the community. He did not agree with the concept that all of the remaining affordable housing units should be senior apartments, or apart n-ients in general IIc believed that there should be some for-sale single-family and multi-fatrlily housing opportunities. He noted that he also believed that the credits for single-family residential units would have a higher value than rental credits, so that it would be a disincentive for single-Fancily residential projects being built. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES July 9, 2003 Page 19