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• Facilitation of affordable housing by a non-profit. This issue arises with respect to whether or not these projects could be a stand-alone development without a non-profit doing 100 percent affordable building. The Settlement Agreement was negotiated with the understanding that the affordable units would be distributed throughout the properties. This would be a City Council decision. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Bob Plemmons, Task Force member, stated that there was a lot of flexibility in the process and that decisions made are not for today but for the future. He expressed his agreement with the plan and noted that the Task Force worked from the outside, starting with the streets, setbacks, walkways, and open space, with very little discussion on what the units themselves would be like and the hope that funds be put to best use for the residents' comfort inside their units. He requested the Commission to look closely at narrowing Owens Drive but to test this first to see how it works by coning off the area for a week and putting up signs for street restriction. Jon Harvey, on behalf of the Greenbelt Alliance Board and Advisory Task Force for Hacienda, urged the Commission to support staffs recommendations, which are the Task Force's recommendations. He noted that the location is ideal because it is next to a freeway, BART, and Hacienda, and is a true infill project. He encouraged an aggressive plan with substantial density even if it means going over three stories and critical mass of retail and mixed use. Valerie Arkin, member of the Task Force and of the PUSD Board, stated that the Task Force process was enjoyable and educational. She indicated that this is an opportunity for a nice transit-oriented development and that she is in favor of the recommendations. She noted that a few members were in favor of providing open space or a public park and that one member noted that the General Plan requires a public park within one-half mile of a residential development, with a standard five-acre neighborhood or community park per 1,000 residents. She noted that providing sufficient parkland for children is important and should be incorporated into the development. She stated that she was glad that the City and the School Board would be discussing this matter. Becky Dennis, Task Force stakeholder, stated that she was happy with the way the guidelines turned out as well as the speed with which they were generated. Regarding the feasibility question and Commissioner Blank's inquiry about the legal ramifications of requiring developers to build something infeasible, Ms. Dennis indicated that as a housing advocate, she recommended looking for people who provide lower-income housing. She noted that Echo Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer, is extremely pleased with the guidelines and would provide low-income housing and services. She added that the only thing in the guidelines that prevents its participation is the core standards. With respect to flexibility on retail space, Ms. Dennis stated that she was an advocate of putting retail on Gibraltar Drive and added that Live/Work is a great idea as many EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 26, 2011 Page 12 of 40