pages: CityCouncil/2021-11-30.pdf, 12
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CityCouncil | 2021-11-30 | 12 | many units will be found; stated Council needs to equitably address how to spread housing throughout the City; saying the City will find reasonable ways to provide housing is not enough; Council needs to have the numbers and find places for the units designated on a map; negate housing locations is not enough; outlined Alameda Point historic buildings discussions during her time on the Historic Advisory Board; expressed concern about the hypocrisy of housing arguments; stated concerns related to access points for getting on and off Island do not coincide with placing all housing at Alameda Point; it is difficult to listen to conflicting concerns; policies are not the only things which address a racist past; racist deed covenants still exist; historic wealth exists due to racist pasts; Council must ensure equity in housing; the notion of the market taking care of itself is not enough; Council must vote and provide direction to certify the Housing Element; she hopes Council's actions can meet its words; the City's current position is due to policies being in place which put restrictions on and prevented multi-family housing and generational wealth; the City can ensure it has public housing; Council must approve the units being built; Alameda is not the only city providing housing arguments and pushback; expressed support for equitable distribution throughout the City; stated transit options throughout the City can be expanded; it is not fair, equitable or practical to place all housing at Alameda Point. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated that she would like to look at housing at the Harbor Bay Business Park. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft discussed rents paid to the City; stated zoning designations exist to support various uses; the City will hurt itself if it takes away from business parks, which provide revenue; housing placement should not be a punishment for supporting a ballot measure; expressed concern about the staff report explanation of furthering fair housing requirements; stated that she would like to make sure the report cites new housing and lower income or affordable housing in areas near schools and parks; expressed concern about references to better wealth and services being located on the East End of town; stated all housing should not be put on one end of town in order to not over-burden schools, parks and resources; wealth should be spread throughout; decisions made by Council reflect values and the commitment to fair housing and addressing the housing crisis; one side of the Island should not point to the other side to meet the RHNA obligation; expressed support for housing being disbursed throughout the City and for housing at shopping centers, including Harbor Bay; stated Council is not discussing a tear-down of businesses located at Harbor Bay; examples of housing being integrated into shopping centers can be provided; expressed support for the City being creative and open-minded about the combination of residential and retail at Harbor Bay, South Shore, Marina Village and Alameda Landing shopping centers; stated the racist past of Alameda did exist; the City is moving forward, away from the past; the City still has a long way to go; however, the challenges are not addressed by pretending non-existence; she understands the proposal to have a Court rule on the enforceability of Article 26; however, she is mindful of staff being stretched thin across a number of different obligations; expressed support for Council approval of the Housing Element; stated seeking out a Court determination is not high on her list of things to do; many things are needed to meet the housing obligation; other sites and different unit amounts can be considered; this is a listening session; the item will return to Council with Council comments incorporated in the future; Council should remain solution-oriented; there is a housing crisis regardless of how many people are moving in and out of the City; the City has been under-housed; she looks forward to being part of the solution; inquired whether staff requires additional information from Council. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded in the negative; stated the comments provided have been helpful; staff will be publishing the December draft. Continued November 16, 2021 Regular Meeting Alameda City Council November 30, 2021 12 | CityCouncil/2021-11-30.pdf |