Title
Recommendation to Direct Staff to Transmit the City of Alameda 2015 Housing Element Annual Report to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development. Approval of an annual report is not subject to the review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), nor is an annual report defined as a “project” under CEQA. No future review is required. (Community Development 481005) [Not heard on October 4, 2016]
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Direct Staff to Transmit the City of Alameda 2015 Housing Element Annual Report to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development. Approval of an annual report is not subject to the review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), nor is an annual report defined as a “project” under CEQA. No future review is required.
BACKGROUND
The 2015 Housing Element and State Government Code require that the City report annually to the State of California, on forms provided by the State, on the City’s annual progress on Housing Element implementation. Prior to submittal to the State, the report must be reviewed by the City Council. The required 2015 Annual Report is attached as Exhibit 1.
On September 12, 2016, the Planning Board held a public hearing to review the report and consider the current state of housing development in Alameda. The Planning Board recommended that the Council accept the Annual Report for transmittal to the State.
DISCUSSION
The Annual Report documents that the City issued 119 building permits in 2015, for new residential units, and that those permits included 42 deed-restricted affordable housing units for very low-, low-, and moderate-income households.
As described in the Planning Board staff report (Exhibit 1), staff concludes that:
• The City of Alameda is producing a diversity of housing types to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), including multifamily housing, senior housing, universally designed units, and housing for lower-income households; and
• The City’s regulatory policies and ordinances and project review processes are not causing any undue constraint on housing development in Alameda, nor are they constraining housing development for any particular segment of the community.
Over the next year, the Alameda community, Planning Board and City Council will be working together to consider, shape and take action on:
• At least two major mixed use projects that include affordable housing at Encinal Terminals and Alameda Marina;
• Whether to pursue a new residential mixed use development plan with affordable housing on the Alameda Landing waterfront;
• Strategies to increase affordable housing in each project, (For example, the Alameda Marina initial plan includes a 25% affordable housing contribution without a density bonus)
• Strategies to increase “work force” housing in each project, for example the Boatworks project and Alameda Marina initial plan include “affordable by design” requirements to ensure that the project provides unit sizes and types for the full range of household incomes; and
• A Universal Design Ordinance to ensure that all new residential projects include prescribed universal design features.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the General Fund or other City funds from a decision to transmit the Annual Report to the State.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The General Plan Housing Element requires that the City prepare the Annual Report for transmittal to the State.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of an annual report is not subject to the review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), nor is an annual report defined as a “project” under CEQA. No future review is required.
RECOMMENDATION
Direct staff to transmit the City of Alameda Housing Element Annual Report for 2015 to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By,
Andrew Thomas, Assistant Community Development Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Planning Board Staff Report September 12, 2016 with exhibits