pages: CityCouncil/2021-11-30.pdf, 10
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CityCouncil | 2021-11-30 | 10 | Alameda taxpayers; staff recommends adopting the draft Housing Element. Councilmember Knox White inquired how the draft Housing Element identifies where the impacts are in order to affirmatively further fair housing and how the City is looking at furthering fair housing. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded staff is aware of affirmatively furthering fair housing; stated HCD produces maps; the maps show areas of less opportunity on the West End; most of the affordable housing is being built on the West End; staff is proposing to spread out the housing; there is more land available on the West End; however, a conscious effort is being made to show HCD that all new and affordable housing is not being placed on the West End; the R1 through R6 districts play an important role in furthering fair housing by providing the most equitable way of spreading the RHNA through all of Alameda. Councilmember Knox White stated Alameda has a couple large policy guidance choices which will be beneficial for all; one of the choices is how Council will prioritize historic aesthetics over affirming fair housing; he is confident that the City can build new housing and also protect a lot of the older buildings; the City being out of compliance is about the worst thing; he would like to understand whether or not there is Council unanimity to having a compliant Housing Element; if Councilmembers do not support a compliant Housing Element, he hopes members will be willing to more affirmatively seek judicial input on whether Article 26 trumps State law; if there not be support for a compliant Housing Element, it would be interesting for Council to give direction to have a Closed Session on how the City might proactively and affirmatively have judicial review of the questions in order to avoid harm before certifying the Housing Element; the wise choice is to have a certified Housing Element; however, State laws have to be followed. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she would like to have a dialogue to see where Councilmembers are; bigger picture questions need to be answered in order for staff to have adequate direction to move forward; several presentations have been provided on the topic; the discussion has been happening for quite some time; Council must acknowledge that the policies in place have created and contributed to the reason for the State taking action; all communities have had discussions about local control relative to planning and zoning; there is a housing and affordability crisis; the affordability crisis is due to lack of supply; Council must have discussions; many of the spaces not impacted by sea level rise or liquefaction are located in the R1 through R6 zones; expressed support for Council doing the right thing in adopting a compliant and equitable Housing Element. Councilmember Daysog stated each Councilmember has their own view and perspective; November 2020 resulted in a resounding defeat of Measure A and residents declared the Article 26 growth control tool was needed in order to preserve neighborhoods; many things included in the draft Housing Element would undo the resounding defeat of Measure A; if Council adopts the draft Housing Element, growth would occur throughout the Island by up zoning R1 through R6 neighborhoods; Council needs to do something for the R1 neighborhoods as soon as possible; Council can do better than the proposed draft Housing Element; Council has an obligation to do better; questioned how the City will meet its RHNA obligation; stated that he prefers an allocation less than 5,000; the opportunities to meet the RHNA goal are at Alameda Point, in the West End or within the business corridors; Alameda Point had previously been designated as a Planned Development area due to an abundance of resources providing space for housing and transportation; the City should double its effort at Alameda Point; getting the Navy to change its current cap will be an uphill battle; by virtue of the vote on Measure Z, Continued November 16, 2021 Regular Meeting Alameda City Council November 30, 2021 10 | CityCouncil/2021-11-30.pdf |