pages: CityCouncil/2021-07-06.pdf, 40
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CityCouncil | 2021-07-06 | 40 | The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded the City needs to remain flexible; outlined a two story building having 80 units per acre with small workforce units; the units are small and affordable; noted 80 units per acre at a larger site, such as South Shore, is not necessary; 30 units at South Shore will be plenty; outlined support for projects from West Alameda Business Association; stated the unit fluctuation is a good discussion to have while planning; the appropriate number of units for Webster Street might not be appropriate for the South Shore area or Alameda Point; Council should let the community decide how many units to get out of the allocation at each project site location; noted massing diagrams will be provided in order to identify the density needed. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she shares the belief of units needing to be affordable by design which are smaller and command a lower price; a range of units are needed; expressed support for smaller units. Councilmember Daysog stated Council should lead by the type of community which fits in the built environment; Alameda has a homogenizing built environment; outlined Shoreline Avenue's design; stated a uniform density exists throughout Alameda; 30 units per acre is not an arbitrary number, the number is required and eligible by State law; it is wrong to allocate 5,300 units and a regime should not be set in place which accommodates 5,300 units; the regime should accommodate 2,650 units and he suspects the current 30 units per acre will work; should Council lean on the side of being flexible, the City will be accommodating 5,300 units; expressed concern for being flexible. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director stated it is premature to decide the densities; the City does not yet know the RHNA allocation due to the appeal and should not be deciding the density until the allocation is known; a year-long planning process is needed in order to make some of the recommended decisions; the one thing driving the issue is staff cannot afford to have disagreements at the end of the Housing Element process; should the State deadline be missed, penalties are immediately paid; Council must be convinced over the coming year that the City has a good plan to accommodate the RHNA allocation; Council is currently going beyond where is needed; a Housing Element will be adopted; judgement should be reserved for where and how high the densities should be until the numbers can be presented; should Council wish to set an absolute cap and constrain the process over the coming year, staff will work with the will of Council however, the action is not recommended. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she cannot imagine Council will vote to adopt a Housing Element which does not comply with State law; the penalties are steep for non- compliance. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she does not know the density of The Willows housing; expressed support for comparative density being shared as the process moves along; stated that she does agree with Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft's comments Regular Meeting Alameda City Council 17 July 6, 2021 | CityCouncil/2021-07-06.pdf |