HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/29/2004MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2004 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ewan, Christine Mulholland, Allen K. Settle,
Vice Mayor Ken Schwartz and Mayor Dave Romero
City Staff:
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City
Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City
Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development
Director; and Jeff Hook, Associate Planner
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE
In response to inquiries by the Council at the previous public hearing (1/27104), Community
Development Director Mandeville and Associate Planner Hook presented additional
information about inclusionary housing requirements as outlined in Tables 2 and 2A (page
7 of the Draft) and offered some suggestions for revisions. Additionally, staff provided two
examples of application. Planning Commission Member Boswell offered some insight
about the Planning Commission's review of the inclusionary housing requirements, as
proposed in the Draft. He noted that the intent is to increase the amount of affordable
housing units built and added that the current inclusionary housing ordinance has just not
resulted in accomplishing the goal of producing enough affordable housing in the
community.
Staff responded to Council concerns expressed at the last meeting about competing
interests that may exist between this element of the General Plan and others, summarized
changes that might be considered to assure internal consistency, and clarified affordable
housing income guidelines (as set forth in Table 1 of the Affordable Housing Standards).
Mayor Romero re- opened the public hearing, continued from January 27th.
Andrew Carter, San Luis Obispo, spoke in favor of the inclusionary housing requirements as
set forth in the Draft and urged the Council to consider incentives to reward developers for
building affordable housing units.
Jerry Moore , San Luis Obispo, urged the Council to conduct an EIR and focus only on
affordable housing for citizens with very low or low income.
Odile Ayral, San Luis Obispo, expressed concern about proposed rezoning in the Ferrini area
and requested further explanation.
Mary Beth Schroeder, San Luis Obispo, reiterated concerns about preserving R -1 zoning.
City Council Meeting Page 2
Thursday, January 29 2004, 7:00 p.m.
Andrew Merriam, San Luis Obispo (representing some of the Orcutt Road expansion area
property owners) mentioned there may be unintentional consequences when applying the
proposed requirements for inclusionary housing, particularly in the expansion areas. He
pointed out that some of his clients are not developers and simply want an opportunity to
subdivide their lots. He added that affordability requirements are expected to be met by the
largest property owner offering some of the property to the Housing Authority for developing
as low- income housing. He asked for some assurance that this will be allowed, even if the
property changes hands.
JePry Bunin, Governmental Affairs Director for the Home Builders Association, encouraged
the Council to look at the concept of affordability-by- design to create more units. He spoke in
favor of creating a program that gives incentives to builders for building smaller units and
suggested that the threshold be set at 1,500 square feet before requiring affordable units.
Sandra Rowley, San Luis Obispo, summarized suggestions for revisions to the Draft (see
correspondence on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Cvdnev Holcomb, Chair of Residents for Quality Neighborhood and Task Force member,
presented revised written correspondence outlining recommendations for changes to the
Draft (see correspondence on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Brett Cross, San Luis Obispo, commented that the Draft needs to identify thresholds for when
flexible standards are to be used. He also suggested that the "no net loss" policy will, in
actuality, result in a no net housing gain and, further, encouraged the Council to consider
parking in -lieu fees for those parcels in the downtown that are already being used for office as
a tool for controlling density and preserving existing housing.
George Movlan, SLO Housing Authority, argued that income definitions as outlined in Table 1
are too high and asserted that Table 2A is not a reality. He strongly advocated for work force
housing (1,500 square foot houses and 1,200 square foot apartments) and defended the
current inclusionary housing ordinance. He stated that while it was never meant to be a cure
for all housing problems in the community, it has allowed for the construction and sale of 22
houses in the last 18 months and over a million dollars in the Housing Trust Fund.
Jan Howell Marx, San Luis Obispo (on behalf of the Housing Committee of the local chapter of
the Sierra Club), summarized recommendations for revisions and asserted that the negative
declaration is inadequate (see correspondence on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Richard Schmidt, San Luis Obispo, said he was disappointed in the Draft because it places an
emphasis on density and creates a subsidy for profit- making developers. He remarked that
the document attacks the community's consensus on the General Plan, growth management
practices and commitment to environment and open space. He concluded that the Draft lacks
mixed use provisions, fails to tackle the need of creating more affordable housing and implies
that small equates to affordable.
Sandra Nielsen, Shell Beach resident/SLO property- business owner, testified to the fact that
business owners are experiencing difficulties in recruitment and retention of employees.
The public hearing was continued to February 3, 2004.
The Mayor called a recess at 9:35 p.m. The meeting resumed at 9:47 p.m. I
City Council Meeting
Thursday, January 29 2004,7:00 p.m.
Page 3
Council continued its review of Chapter 3 of the legislative draft beginning with Section 3.3.6.
' Suggestions were made to modify various sections.
A majority of the Council agreed to amend Section 4.2.3.
Staff was directed to return with clarification of Section 3.3.7.
The item was continued to the February 3, 2004 Regular Council meeting.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned
the meeting at 11:05 p.m. to Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber,.,
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
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Lee Price, C. .C.
City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 2/17/2004
LP:jo
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