HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/2/2021 Item 7b, Jeffries
From:Krista Jeffries <krista@yimbyaction.org>
Sent:Tuesday,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Agenda Item 7b
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Hello Honorable Council of San Luis Obispo,
I want to thank you all for taking the time to clarify the language in the building code. Subjective standards in design and
development guidelines have been used for decades to thwart reasonable additions to our housing stock, especially
multi-family and income-restricted housing, in places where it is needed most. After all that time refusing and delaying
new homes on specious arguments, here we are today with nearly 800k in median sales price. It's clear that if we want
to make SLO welcoming for all, something in the way we build housing "has got to give."
What I'm concerned about is that Senate Bill 35, with which this item is complying, was signed by the governor in
September of 2017. It is now November of 2021. Why has it taken this long to change the codes in ways as simple (and
important) as changing "should" to "shall?" This bill has led to a serious increase in the amount of affordable housing in
our state, and cities who have attempted to deny projects using the bill have lost in court. I'm curious as to why this item
needs the council's precious time at all. If there are no changes to the objective standards, is there a legal reason this
item needs to be presented to the public? Why can't this be handled in a staff meeting instead? Is this the first iteration
of the changes necessitated by state law, or have these changes been made periodically and continually since the law
was signed? I don't mean to sound confrontational. I merely want to get a sense of urgency on the part of Council and
staff.
Between the ever-rising cost of housing, the challenges of the continuing pandemic, and the new representation in SLO's
city council, the time is ripe for change. In the spirit of SB 35, and other recently passed pro-housing legislation, I would
like to challenge you to allow ministerial review for all legally compliant multi-family housing projects in the city. Let the
Planning Commission deal with variances only. Save the ARC for projects on historical properties. Turn the Tree
Committee into a chapter in the development code. If housing and homelessness and DEI are top priorities of this
council, then the development code and approval process should reflect that prioritization. If a mixed-use or housing
project follows the letter of the law, then what use is it to delay the approval? Who benefits from that delay? What are
the costs to the people who are paying too much to live here, or are driving too far each morning and afternoon?
SB 35 is a great bill and I'm glad the city of SLO is complying with it. I think, in order to be the leaders you want to be on
climate, diversity, and homelessness, the time is right for extending the principles of SB 35 to all compliant housing
projects.
Krista Jeffries
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SLO County YIMBY
Lead Organizer
805.904.7325
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