pages: PlanningBoard/2009-03-09.pdf, 9
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PlanningBoard | 2009-03-09 | 9 | direct staff to initiate the rezoning process for properties identified as suitable for housing in the 2003 General Plan Housing Element. The motion carried 4-0. 9-C. Density Bonus Ordinance - Citywide - City of Alameda. Recommendation to the City Council on the proposed Density Bonus Ordinance and proposed Negative Declaration. (JB) Staff presented the Density Bonus Ordinance and the Draft Negative Declaration. A density bonus ordinance provides incentives for developers to develop housing for very low, low, and moderate income groups within market rate housing developments by allowing an increase in unit density and/or modified development standards. Density bonuses up to 35 percent would be dependent on the types of projects. The ordinance also rescinds the existing inclusionary housing ordinance requiring 25% affordable housing units in redevelopment areas. Board member McNamara asked whether the income category "extremely low', as noted in the draft Housing Element would be also be considered for inclusion in this ordinance. Staff responded that this category is not explicitly called out in this ordinance, but that the extremely low income category is included in the low income category. President Kohlstrand requested clarification on the ordinance language on page 3, and wanted to ensure that the ordinance was reviewed by the legal division so that no developer would be able to apply two or more density bonuses to one project. Staff clarified that a developer would only be able to apply one of the different density bonuses and must select from only one category. Vice-President Ezzy Ashcraft requested clarification of the ordinance language at the bottom of page 4, which states that for low income housing units, the affordability requirements were applicable for the duration of all financing methods, while for moderate income units, the affordability requirement ceased upon sale by the first moderate income owner. Staff explained that for those units developed under the Density Bonus ordinance, the initial purchaser must qualify as a moderate income to purchase the unit, but may sell at market rates. However, if there are affordable units in the development that were required by the inclusionary units ordinance, then those units would retain the affordability mandates that they remain affordable for 50 years. President Kohlstrand requested clarification on how the City would count inclusionary housing units toward a Density Bonus. President Kohlstrand also asked if developers would be able to double count units per each ordinance to get additional incentives. Staff explained that staff was recommending that the inclusionary ordinance be amended to have a city-wide 15 percent affordable housing unit requirement as opposed to a 25 percent inclusionary housing requirement in redevelopment areas. This rollback would prevent developers from automatically receiving a density bonus for certain projects. In addition, staff stated that units developed under those separate ordinances could not be double counted to achieve a density bonus. Page 9 of 11 | PlanningBoard/2009-03-09.pdf |