pages: CityCouncil/2022-05-03.pdf, 30
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CityCouncil | 2022-05-03 | 30 | the State does not agree with the City's approach to protect old housing stock; many people have been pushed out of other cities with new housing stock; she disagrees with the language in the draft HE stating: "systemic reduction of the supply of affordable housing in Alameda;" rent control will not apply to new rental units and condominiums; inquired where the condominium development in Alameda is located or whether any condominiums have been built in the past 10 years. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded all of the townhomes being built and sold are condominiums; stated many developers are not building condominium flats or apartment type buildings due to concerns over lawsuits; developers are building multi-family buildings which are held as rentals for at least 10 years until a statute runs; the units can potentially change into condominiums after 10 years; the City is not getting a lot of condominium multi-family housing that are not townhomes. Councilmember Herrera Spencer inquired the starting price for the market rate townhomes in Alameda, to which the Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded over $900,000. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated the price is not affordable; it is unfortunate that the State is pretending the housing units are affordable housing; many people do not qualify for the units; the housing units lead to gentrification; she will only agree to minimal upzoning; expressed support for the draft HE being rejected multiple times; inquired whether the City is advocating for permit waivers. The Planning, Building and Transportation Director responded staff does not want people to waive universal design requirements. Councilmember Herrera Spencer stated waivers continued to be provided in Alameda. Vice Mayor Vella stated that she supports upzoning where needed in order to be responsible; local voters spoke on a measure that causes the City to jump through additional hoops in order to meet its RHNA obligation; the obligation is to the region and the people of Alameda; the obligation is to provide enough housing so that the region does not continue to lack housing such that the cost of housing continues to rise; the median house price in Alameda is over $1 million; there is not a lot of housing stock due to the lack of building over time; many people are getting priced out of the area and are unable to buy starter homes; the City needs to move forward with the draft HE and send it to HCD; expressed concern about moving backwards; stated the City can either build up or build out and lose the valued open space and parks; staff has tried to address a number of different concerns and find ways to build fairly throughout the City in a way that is going to ensure housing units being added are well integrated into the existing fabric. Mayor Ezzy Ashcraft stated that she supports complying with State law; there are penalties for noncompliance; many funding opportunities for important projects and Regular Meeting Alameda City Council May 3, 2022 26 | CityCouncil/2022-05-03.pdf |