HomeMy WebLinkAboutByRightHousing_20160608X,
9
June 8, 2016
The Honorable Phil Ting,
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
State Capitol Building, Room 6026
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 319 - 2119
The Honorable Mark Leno,
Chair, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
State Capitol, Room 5019
Sacramento, CA 95 814
Fax: (916) 651 - 4911
RE: Governor's By Right Housing Proposal
Notice of Opposition
Dear Honorable Chairs Ting and Leno:
The City of San Luis Obispo opposes the recently released proposal by the Governor to pre-
empt local discretionary land use approvals of specified housing developments by having all such
approvals be considered "ministerial" actions, eliminating opportunities for public review, project -
level environmental review and restricting design review.
We believe that such fundamental policy changes should not be rushed through as a budget
proposal, but merit extensive review by the appropriate policy committees in a deliberative fashion.
Eliminating opportunities for public review of these major development projects goes
against the principles of transparency, local democracy and public engagement. While it may be
frustrating for some developers to hear concerns about traffic, parking and other development
impacts, residents affected by such projects have a right to be heard and local elected officials are in
the best position to balance competing interests in the development review process in the context of
unique and varying community values and needs. Eliminating meaningful avenues for public input
and debate undermines effective local governance and increases public distrust in government.
Avoiding or restricting design review is also short-sighted and falsely assumes that housing
concerns can be addressed with a one -size -fits -all fix, without regard for local community character
and quality built environments. Inclusiveness and meaningful public input in the local development
and design review processes, encourages good design, fosters sensitivity to community character and
neighborhood compatibility and, ultimately, enhances community acceptance of much needed
housing development.
Community input is a common and key component of development in San Luis Obispo,
resulting in neighborhood groups working together to voice input on upcoming projects and
applicants/developers working with their neighbors to develop the best projects possible for both
existing neighborhoods and future residents. Recently, the City has seen record numbers of planning
applications for development, with the majority receiving input by residents on design and
compatibility, often resulting in improved projects. Affordable housing examples are as follows:
South Hills Crossing, a new 43 unit affordable housing development, received a variety of
public input regarding neighborhood compatibility and the final design was successful in
incorporating the historic steel manufacturing site's character.
860 On the Wye, a 20 unit affordable housing project currently under construction, received
positive community input on best design methods to be compatible with surrounding
commercial and residential uses.
Iron Works, a proposed 46 unit affordable housing project, was able to update their initial
design elements based on community input to create new pedestrian focused common areas
and an improved parking design.
Residents of the City of San Luis Obispo express strong community values and support the
development of thoughtful, high quality affordable housing, while continuing to voice their desire to
preserve environmental resources and demand smart growth that will respect and benefit current
residents and those who will live in our affordable housing developments, future generations who
will live with the choices we make today and our extraordinary natural environment. A goal of the
City's Land Use Element states that the "City shall ensure that residents' opportunities for direct
participation in City government and their sense of community can continue." The City's residents
have a long history of active public participation in defining our community character and the City
would expect expressions of serious concern, if not outrage, at the prospect of residents being
deprived of a meaningful right to provide input on local discretionary land use entitlements
associated with affordable housing projects, or any significant projects in our community.
Eliminating the requirement of design review, environmental review, and public input for
affordable housing projects presumes that residents of affordable housing are not entitled to the same
quality housing and thoughtful design as residents of other housing developments. Such a
presumption is irresponsible, unpalatable and could produce development that is of lower quality,
and out of scale and character with existing neighborhoods, and that could create substantial
unconsidered environmental impacts.
This proposal is disappointing from our Governor and would take our state backwards on
affordable housing by stripping local governments of the few resources available to advance the
building of quality affordable units. This proposal is no more than an attempt to avoid a discussion of
how to replace lost funds to local communities by undermining public input, environmental and
design review.
On behalf of the residents we represent who deserve a voice in the future of their
communities, the City of San Luis Obispo respectfully opposes this proposal.
Sincerely,
J n Howell Marx
Mayor
cc: State Senator Bill Monning, fax: (916) 445 — 8081
State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian, fax: (916) 319 — 2135
Dave Mullinax, League of California Cities, dmullinax caches.°
Dan Carrigg, League of California Cities, carni ( caciticse r