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This was done after carefully looked at remodeling the existing project. The Board <br />determined that remodeling of the existing facilities was not feasible because it was not <br />affordable. The Board's goal is to make the housing units friendly to aging in place, as <br />this was not taken into consideration for the existing units. The Board is committed to <br />doing something that increases the number of affordable units and maintains the quality <br />that is currently available. <br /> <br /> Vice Mayor Brozosky closed the public comments. <br /> <br /> Ms. McGovern mentioned that she toured Kottinger Place. She liked the layout <br />of the studio apartments, which offered privacy and bedrooms as well as providing a <br />living space and a small dining area. She was hopeful that studio type apartments were <br />not removed for consideration as the project moves forward. She would like to make <br />sure that Kottinger Place continues to allow for a serene, quite place on the premises, <br />and she is not interested in adding additional units if this is lost. She was amazed at the <br />quality of units that are available. She believed Council needed to consider <br />opportunities to offer more support to operate and maintain these facilities within the <br />rental income that is received. She did not want to use all of the subsidized funding that <br />is available in the City's Lower Income Housing fund just for this project. She believed <br />the City might benefit from looking at these funds and identity the needs of the <br />community for families, young adults, and seniors so that funding is equated for all of <br />these age groups. Given that the City is going through the process of updating its <br />General Plan, she believed Council needed to revisit its goal for senior housing so that it <br />has a better understanding of what it is looking for towards the future. She believed <br />Council needed to continue to be mindful about providing adequate parking for the <br />residents, particularly if additional units were being considered. She was hopeful that the <br />Task Force took into consideration and talked to the current residents about the current <br />amenities that are available, as the residents appreciate them and do not want to lose <br />them. <br /> <br /> Mr. Sullivan concurred with Ms. McGovern's comments. He was interested in <br />exploring the opportunity to increase the number of units. He thanked the Task Force for <br />its hard work, enthusiasm and vision. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brozosky believed there are two issues that will be difficult to overcome. One <br />of the issues is the rental cost, as the average rent at Kottinger Place is $245 per month. <br />It will be difficult to build something at the average rental rate that will not require a large <br />amount of additional funding. The second issue is the relocation of the existing tenants. <br />He noted that Pleasanton Gardens currently accepts Section 8 funds but Kottinger Place <br />does not. If the two facilities are combined, he asked how this would work. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bocian said staff would work with HUD relative to getting Section 8 in the <br />development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brozosky liked the idea of exploring the potential for swapping Kottinger <br />Place property with portions of Kottinger Park. He wanted the Task Force to be mindful <br />that Kottinger Park is heavily used. In addition, he would also like the remaining park <br />areas to continue to fully address the neighborhood needs. He thanked staff and the <br />Task Force for its hard work. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 17 01/18/05 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />