Laserfiche WebLink
City needs a benefit as well. She supported this project and wanted to assist Ponderosa in getting <br />its financing. She hoped this could be a learning process on how to make housing in the City <br />more affordable and to bring more balance to the community. <br /> <br /> Patricia Belding, 7703 Highland Oaks, Drive, said that two years ago a number of people <br />involved with the Interfaith Poverty Forum got involved with the proposal for the Busch <br />property. The group suggested to Council that it put into practice the verbal commitment to <br />affordable housing. At that time, the City had lost about 500 affordable units through the sale of <br />mobile home parks and what was called Pleasanton Greens. In addition, there is workforce <br />housing needs. The group discussed this with Ponderosa and a proposal was developed for <br />senior housing. This far exceeded the City requirement under the inclusionary zoning ordinance <br />and she reiterated Ponderosa has done far more than required. Some of the Forum wanted more <br />family housing, but there is no doubt there is a need for affordable senior housing. The Poverty <br />Forum is glad to support this proposal and she expressed appreciation to Mr. Sweeney for <br />consideration of their concerns. The Poverty Forum has become the Citizens for a Caring <br />Community and is no longer just a church group of advocates. It now includes a broad base of <br />community members. She urged Council to approve this application and complimented Mr. <br />Sweeney and Ponderosa on the work. She wished there were more pieces of private property in <br />Pleasanton which could include more affordable housing. <br /> <br /> Christine Steiner, 596 Hamilton Way, was impressed that Ponderosa could provide more <br />affordability on this development. It is a lesson on how difficult it is to put affordable housing <br />packages together. With regard to the reduction of market rate units, she felt this would be a test <br />as to how many people want market rate senior units. The demand has always been for <br />affordable units. People have said they want market rate rentals, but the demand has never been <br />tested. With recent economic developments causing reductions in 401(k) and retirement plans, <br />seniors have been hit hard and many people who thought they were going to be fine are not. The <br />other thing seniors are facing are skyrocketing health costs. If there is a huge demand for market <br />rate senior housing, then Council will know what the next development should be. That could be <br />where the credits could be a help. She felt this project will be a fine asset to the community. <br /> <br /> Matt Sullivan, 7882 Flagstone Drive, had questions about the use of credits off site and <br />felt that having those credits in the market could increase future challenges for implementation of <br />the housing element. He asked that the analysis of how these credits may be used in the future <br />come back to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation to the City Council. <br /> <br />There were no further speakers. <br /> <br /> Mayor Pico felt he could support this project except for the transfer of credits issue. He <br />was concerned about transferring a credit for a rental unit to a for sale unit. He felt the transfer <br />should be apples to apples. He had no problem with transferring credits for Ponderosa to use on <br />site. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 25 <br />Minutes <br /> <br />05/06/03 <br /> <br /> <br />