pages: CityCouncil/2020-12-01.pdf, 11
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CityCouncil | 2020-12-01 | 11 | YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/cityofalameda. *** Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft recessed the meeting at 8:55 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:12 p.m. (20-757) Recommendation to Review and Comment on Association of Bay Area Government's (ABAG) Housing Methodology Committee's Proposed Methodology for Distributing the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) among Bay Area Cities and Counties, and Staff's Proposed Process/Meeting Schedule to Update the City's General Plan Housing Element for 2023 to 2031. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director and Randy Rentschler, ABAG, gave a PowerPoint presentation. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether there is possibility for any city to alter the RHNA numbers downward in the event of changes to unemployment and jobs allocations. Mr. Rentschler responded it is doubtful that the Sacramento administration will change the RHNA numbers; stated RHNA laws have been significantly strengthened over the years; the Bay Area has produced seven times more jobs than housing in the last 10 years; noted the State is far behind in housing and a different housing number is unlikely. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated California is under-housed and has a lot of catching up to do. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether cities are credited with finding some, but not all, of the percentage of the total housing allocation and whether a penalty is applied if there are shortcomings. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded ABAG does not create the housing numbers and cannot reduce the RHNA; stated the results are pass/fail for housing numbers; if a city fails to comply with State law, it will not have a certified Housing Element therefore invalidating the General Plan; without a valid General Plan, cities face many consequences. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated some of the consequences include loss of funding. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated an invalid General Plan means losing out on grants for open space, transportation, and affordable housing; noted invalid General Plans provide no basis for local land-use decision making causing vulnerability to lawsuits; should legal challenges occur, the State and Courts can take over the local decision-making authority from the City. Councilmember Daysog inquired whether development occurred while the City had previously been out of compliance. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded development can continue to occur; stated there may be challenges to the City's decision-making process and authority. Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 8 December 1, 2020 | CityCouncil/2020-12-01.pdf |