Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Dennis asked about the issue of priority processing in the ordinance, and <br />asked for further description as to what is priority processing and were there more details <br />than existed in the staff report. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bocian said the City currently has a process in place where the City can fast <br />track developments through the building and engineering departments and that is what <br />this entry refers to. <br /> <br /> Ms. Betty Levin, 3178 Weymouth Court, said that if the summary of vaeant land <br />is looked at in the staff report it seems noticeable and notable that much of the property is <br />in very expensive neighborhoods where affordable housing is not going to happen. As <br />inelusionary zoning is proposed at this point in time, it simply would not apply to these <br />units. Pleasanton is tarruing out of land and is very quickly rtmning out of opportunities. <br />Pleasanton cannot afford to gamble with affordable housing at this time. The City has <br />not met its goals and by all general appearances the City will not be able to meet <br />ABAG's requirements. Pleasanton needs to adopt a strict plan with strict requirements. <br />lnclusionary zoning is the only way to work to obtain their goals. To deny the <br />inclusionary zoning ordinance is, in her opinion, simply a way to say that the City does <br />not want "that kind" of people living in "our" neighborhood. She felt this opinion is <br />based on fear and on ignorance. What will happen to Pleasanton's economic future and <br />the future of property values? Property values have soared dramatically in recent years, <br />but where do we expect the people that police the streets, teach our children, and provide <br />other valuable services, to live. If businesses are unable to attract and retain employees, <br />it only stands to reason that these businesses will go elsewhere, so property values will <br />decline. Not approving the inclusio~ary zoning ordinance will limit options for the City. <br /> <br /> Barbara Hempill, 4508 Eull Court, is a member of the Livermore-Amador Valley <br />League of Women Voters. She said that based on its recently revised housing studies, the <br />League supports CotmeWs efforts to increase the supply of housing for low and moderate <br />income people in the City of Pleasanton. As a Human Services Commission member, <br />she encouraged the Council to advocate at both the State and Federal level for housing <br />programs that will augment the number of affordable units in the Bay Area. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis said one of the things she finds interesting is that Pleasanton has done <br />a good job with affordable housing but there is still more work to do. Last year <br />Pleasanton built more apartntents than any other kind of housing. Apartment rental <br />prices went up anyway. This is a regional situation that is not solved just in Pleasanton. <br />The fee and the inclusion serves the immediate need to meet the needs of a certain <br />percent of the median income households. Rent control does not solve the problem. This <br />ordinance provides an opportunity for people at a point in their lives and is part of what <br />makes Pleasanton a great place to live. We have more aftBrdable housing than most <br />communities, to our credit, making it a vibrant place. There is a real positive impact to <br />this issue. She appreciated all of the work put into this ordinance. We need to make this <br />investment since Pleasanton is almost at build out and to assure that the City meets its <br />goals. It is very important to look at affordable housing differently than rental housing <br />because the availability of the infrastructure for the different income levels in the City is <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 14 10/17/00 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />