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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2018-031 N.C.S. 03/05/2018Resolution No. 2018-031 N.C.S. of the City of Petaluma, California RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 827 (WEINER) — TRANSIT -RICH HOUSING WHEREAS, Senate Bill 827 is proposed to change state law to exempt projects located one-quarter to one-half mile from high-quality transit corridors or major transit stops from locally developed and adopted building height limitations, densities, parking requirements and design review; and WHEREAS, cities and counties would not be allowed to require any type of discretionary approval process for qualifying housing projects; and WHEREAS, the SB 827 pre-empts local zoning approvals of specified housing developments by having all such approvals be considered exempt, eliminating opportunities for public review, project -level environmental review (CEQA) and restricting design review; and WHEREAS, Petaluma has implemented its inclusionary housing program through flexibility and developing partnerships with developers and nonprofits to leverage opportunities for affordable housing; and WHEREAS, Petaluma has increased density in the Central Petaluma Specific Plan adopted in 2003, and with the adoption of the Station Area Master Plan in 2013 around transit sites; and WHEREAS, in all instances, project review by staff, design review and environmental review by appointed bodies, and active community engagement have resulted in successful projects; and WHEREAS, Petaluma's General Plan was adopted in 2008 and more recently the Housing Element was updated and certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development in 2015. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Petaluma does hereby oppose Senate Bill 827 — Transit -Rich Housing. Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City. REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to Council of the City of Petaluma at a Regular meeting on the 511 day of March 2018, f m by the following vote: City A orney AYES: Albertson, Barrett, Mayor Glass, Vice Mayor Healy, Kearney, King, Miller I NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: City Clerk D 42­� 4;� Mayor Resolution No. 2018-031 N.C.S. Page 1 Exhibit A March 5, 2018 The Honorable Bill Dodd California State Senate State Capitol Building, Room 5064 Sacramento, CA 95814 VIA FAX: 916-651-4903 The Honorable Marc Levine California State Assembly State Capitol Building, Room 5135 Sacramento, CA 95814 VIA FAX: 916-319-2110 The Honorable Mike McGuire California State Senate State Capitol Building, Room 5061 Sacramento, CA 95814 VIA FAX: 916-651-4902 RE: OPPOSE - SB 827 (Wiener) Transit -Rich Housing Dear Honorable Senator Dodd, Senator McGuire and Assembly Member Levine: The City of Petaluma opposes Senate Bill 827 (Wiener), which would exempt certain housing projects from locally developed and adopted height limitations, densities, parking requirements and design review standards. Specifically, SB 827 would undermine locally adopted General Plans, Housing Elements, (which are certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development) and Sustainable Community Strategies (SCS). SB 827 allows private for-profit housing developers and transit agencies to determine housing densities, parking requirements, and design review standards within one-half mile of a "major transit stop" or along a "high-quality transit corridor. Under existing law, cities are already required to zone for densities at levels necessary to meet their entire Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Additionally, SB 827 would provide developers a means to generate additional profits without any requirement to build affordable housing. Exempting large-scale developments from General Plans, Housing Elements, and zoning ordinances goes against the principles of local democracy and public engagement. Public hearings allow members of the community to inform their representatives of their support or concerns when planning documents are developed. Public engagement also often leads to better projects. Petaluma's General Plan was adopted in 2008 and more recently the Housing Element was updated and certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development in 2015. Petaluma's RHNA allocations for 2015-23 total 745 units. Of those, 423 are very low, low, or moderate -income units. A total of 334 units were built between 2015 and 2017. Nearly all were market rate units, 173 single-family dwellings, and 151 apartments. Ten units were built for moderate incomes. Petaluma's RHNA target for market rate housing, for the full 8 -year period, has already been met, leaving 413 very low, low, or moderate units to be built over the next five years. Resolution No. 2018-031 N.C.S. Page 2 A review of projects that are currently under construction, have received entitlements, or are in the approval pipeline, shows 2,061 units will come on-line during the 2015-23 planning horizon. Of these, 879 are single family units, and 1,282 are multi -family units. Within this, 75 units are inclusionary housing. In addition, the City is partnering with two nonprofits, by providing land, to build an additional 53 units of affordable senior/veterans housing and 40 single family homes, 30 of which would be for -sale below-market housing. Applying this new construction to our housing targets, total new construction exceeds the RHNA target for market rate housing by 1,988 units. The RHNA target for affordable housing is reduced but not met, leaving 248 units still to be built. Until 2012, Petaluma was able to partner with nonprofits to build affordable housing projects. Petaluma was able to meet its RHNA targets for very low, low, moderate, and above moderate housing for Petaluma, including housing for seniors. Petaluma's primary source of funding was the 20 percent set-aside required of the City's Redevelopment Agency which generated about $3 million annually. As can be seen by the foregoing, the City of Petaluma is committed to doing our fair share to achieve regional housing needs. Our inability to achieve the lower income RHNA sub -targets is due to inadequate financial resources available to achieve such housing, specifically the loss of 20% set-aside of Redevelopment agency funding. SB 827 does nothing to address the fundamental problem, which is inadequate funding to achieve affordable housing. The Petaluma City Council, on behalf of the residents we represent who deserve a voice in the future shape of their communities, respectfully states our opposition to SB 827. Sincerely, David Glass Mike Healy Mayor Vice Mayor Gabe Kearney Teresa Barrett Council Member Council Member Kathy Miller Council Member cc: The Honorable Senator Scott Wiener, FAX 916-651-4911 Nancy Bennett, League of California Cities, nbennett@cacities.org Meg Desmond, League of California Cities, mdesmond@cacities.org Chris Albertson Council Member Dave King Council Member Resolution No. 2018-031 N.C.S. Page 3