pages: PlanningBoard/2012-03-12.pdf, 5
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PlanningBoard | 2012-03-12 | 5 | emergency shelter requirements for a maximum of 25 individuals to be housed in one shelter makes no sense. The City is not meeting the stewardship requirements and he would like to see 50 to 100 individuals housed. He would also like to see churches given the option to house individuals. Third, he was concerned that the density is too low and the City should be looking at more than 30 units per acre. D. Tillman, member of TASK Incorporated, a non-profit organization that works with women who are transitioning from hardships and distress stemming from abuse, homelessness, and other obstacles. The organization is preparing to design and construct a 150-unit facility to include emergency beds for women who need assistance and she asked the Board to consider her organization when reviewing the Housing Element. Laura Thomas, resident of Renewed Hope Housing Advocates, congratulated the staff on the report and the revisions. The update is a step in the right direction, but the plan needs more work, especially in regards to building more affordable housing. Lynette Lee, member of Renewed Hope and former executive director for a non-profit organization that built and managed 1,400 affordable housing units. She reiterated sentiments made in the December meeting regarding higher density, especially given the loss of redevelopment agency funds and the current economic climate. She appreciates the work that staff and their consultants have put into the amendments and response to the state. She is also disappointed that the zoning allowance remains relatively low and she displayed illustrations of various large residential densities. She posed a question to the Board on whether the current minimum density requirements for the City is in response to the state or do they want to create a benefit for the City that will positively affect everyone. She also asked the Board and staff to consider allowing buildings up to four stories high, reducing parking requirements, implementing parking flexibility on transit-oriented development projects and sites along major bus lines. Overall, she would like the Board to consider these possibilities in their final report to the state. President Zuppan asked for any additional comments to the Housing Element Update. For this month's meeting, the board members were only required to provide comments. Board member Ezzy Ashcraft referred to the Planning Commissioner's Handbook and read the introduction to the housing law and policy section, "Housing is a critical community asset and a necessity for a healthy and well-balanced community. Communities should strive to provide housing in a variety of types and a variety of prices to serve the needs of all residents. There are numerous reasons to ensure a diverse housing supply: (1) availability of diverse high quality housing choices for workers is a significant factor in retaining and attracting businesses; (2) helps to achieve social equity; (3) the largest portion of most family budgets goes to housing. When more affordable housing is available, people have more money for other necessities such as health care and disposable income to spend in the community, which will have big economic payoffs." This is the overarching consideration when grappling with the Housing Element because it affects the entire community and the City wants to be an Approved Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 23 March 12, 2012 | PlanningBoard/2012-03-12.pdf |