Title
Public Workshop to Review and Comment on the April 2022 Draft Housing Element
Body
To: Honorable Chair and
Members of the Historical Advisory Board
From: Allen Tai, City Planner
BACKGROUND
The City of Alameda is in the third year of work to update the Housing Element to ensure compliance with State Housing Law. As described in prior staff reports and the draft Housing Element, the City of Alameda (City) must identify lands that can be feasibly developed for housing during the 2023-2031 Housing Element period to accommodate over 5,353 units, per State of California Government Code requirements. Under AB 686, cities are also required to affirmatively further fair housing through “deliberate action to explicitly address, combat, and relieve disparities resulting from past and current patterns of segregation to foster more inclusive communities.” This means the Housing Element must not only achieve a numeric goal of 5,353 units, but also demonstrate that new housing opportunities are equitably distributed throughout Alameda neighborhoods.
DISCUSSION
On June 2, 2022 the Historical Advisory Board (HAB) will continue its public workshop on the Draft Housing Element for the 2023-2031 Housing Element cycle that had occurred on April 7, 2022 and May 6, 2022.
Draft Housing Element
For this workshop, staff is providing the HAB with the latest version of the Draft Housing Element, which is the same information presented to the Planning Board at its May 23, 2022 meeting. The staff report and exhibits are available online:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5653526&GUID=4AC7A08F-7BA2-48CE-8888-6887AF1B848E&Options=&Search>=
Exhibit 1 contains all of the revisions the April 2022 Draft Housing Element in response to community comment and further technical review.
Exhibit 2 contains the public comments.
As noted at the May 6, 2022 HAB meeting, state law requires City to submit a draft to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a 90-day review and comment period. By the time of the June 2nd HAB meeting, staff anticipates to have submitted the draft Housing Element to HCD for its review, and comments are expected back from HCD in late August.
While the HCD is reviewing the draft Housing Element policy document, staff wishes to work with the HAB, Planning Board and the community to further refine the Draft Zoning Text Amendments needed to implement the Housing Element. The current draft of the Housing Element Zoning Amendments is available online on the Alameda2040.org website:
<https://irp.cdn-website.com/f1731050/files/uploaded/Item%207-C%20%20Exhibit%202%20HE%20Workshop%20%20-%20Zoning%20Amendments.pdf>
Objective Design Review Standards
On May 6, 2022, the HAB requested staff provide information on the Objective Design Review Standards adopted by the Planning Board. These standards apply to certain new residential development as required under state law as described in these documents:
Objective Design Review Standards for Multifamily Residential Development: <https://www.alamedaca.gov/files/assets/public/departments/alameda/building-planning-transportation/planning-and-zoning-key-documents/objective-design-review-standards-adopted-2.22.21.pdf>
Objective Design Review Standards for One- and Two- unit Residential Projects: <https://www.alamedaca.gov/files/assets/public/departments/alameda/building-planning-transportation/planning/adopted-objective-design-review-standards-for-1-2-unit-projects-4-12-2022.pdf>
Staff is requesting the HAB receive a presentation on the Objective Design Review Standards and provide comments to the Planning Board for future consideration.
Maps requested by the Board
Transit Map: The HAB requested a map showing the transit overlay zone that was previously suggested by staff in prior drafts of the zoning amendments. The included map shows the properties that would be within ¼ mile of a high-quality transit bus corridor. High-quality transit is typified by fixed route bus service with service no longer than 15 minutes during peak commute hours or the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during morning and afternoon peak commute periods. Although not shown on the map, a ferry terminal serviced by bus is also considered high-quality transit service.
Zoning Map: The Board also requested a copy of the City’s Zoning map. Please find the link below to the zoning map:
<https://www.alamedaca.gov/files/assets/public/departments/alameda/building-planning-transportation/planning-and-zoning-key-documents/zoning_map_edited_4-2019_72dpi.pdf>
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
On November 30, 2021, by Resolution No. 15841, the City Council certified a Final Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda 2040 General Plan (State Clearinghouse No. 2021030563) in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, and adopted written findings, a Statement of Overriding Considerations, and a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the General Plan Amendment to update the Alameda General Plan (General Plan EIR), which evaluated the environmental impacts of 12,000 additional housing units in Alameda over 20 years, including 5,353 housing units to accommodate the RHNA between 2023 through 2031.
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15162 and 15163, none of the circumstances necessitating further CEQA review are present with respect to the General Plan Amendment EIR. The proposed project to update the Housing Element of the General Plan would not require major revisions to the General Plan EIR due to new significant impacts or due to a substantial increase in the severity of the significant environmental effects. There have been no substantial changes with respect to the circumstances under which the project would be undertaken that would require major revisions of the General Plan EIR due to new or substantially increased significant environmental effects. Further, there has been no discovery of new information of substantial importance that would trigger or require major revisions to the General Plan EIR due to new or substantially increased significant environmental effects. For these reasons, no further environmental review with respect to the General Plan EIR is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
Accommodating the RHNA supports the region’s Sustainable Communities Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A decision by the City to not meet the RHNA would likely have a negative impact on the region’s ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
RECOMMENDATION
Review and comment on items pertaining to the draft Housing Element.
Respectfully Submitted:
Allen Tai, City Planner
Henry Dong, Planner III
Exhibits:
1. Transit Map