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PLEASANTON ITEM 4: PUBLIC COMMENTS HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE �,� a September 21, 2021 Pleasanton Planning Commission Agenda Item 6: Housing Element Site Selection Dear Chairperson Brown and Planning Commissioners, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft Preliminary Report for the Housing Element Update. Of particular concern is the catastrophic drop in the number of people who both live and work in Pleasanton. For context, consider the current 8% cited in the staff report from the American Community Survey (ACS), with their figures reported since 1990. PLEASANTON RESIDENTS WORKING IN PLEASANTON 1990-27.3% 2000-19.8% 2010-15.4% 2020-8% This figure is truly perplexing given the amount of HDR residential recently built in Hacienda Business Park. This discouraging trend, if it continues, seriously impede Pleasanton's ability to meet the CAP 2.0 emissions reductions goals, and to achieve net neutrality by 2045. This will inhibit the City's potential to generate revenue through participation in the emerging and growing carbon market. Hopefully your Commission will seek additional census tract information to guide our planning process to a better outcome in the future. The Community Survey also reveals that local businesses have difficulty attracting employees due to high housing costs. Their greatest demand for employees is to fill jobs that range in annual pay from $15 - $40K. Housing affordable to these essential employees can only enhance the financial performance of local businesses as well as the attractiveness of Pleasanton as a business location. Section D.1, Existing Housing Programs Review, contains a number of opportunities to boost the potential for local essential employees to find affordable housing within Pleasanton, and to enlist new partners in emissions reductions for CAP 2.0.. Here are a few suggestions that would allow the City to track and, hopefully improve, the percentage of people both living and working in Pleasanton. PROGRAM 6.1 - Continue monitoring second units to determine if they are being rented and, if so, determine their rent levels. Track tenants' employer location and necessary commute requirements for an aVgregated data base. Include conditions of approval for second unit Administrative Design Review approvals requiring a monitoring program. 6.2 - Create incentives for homeowners to rent their second units to moderate-, low-, and very low-income households employed within Pleasanton, as well as those with disabilities (including developmental disabilities). The City's role would be to develop the program materials including information for Pleasanton's employers, criteria for qualifications, and incentives, and to monitor the success of the program. Incentives should include fee reductions or waivers and information/assistance to help homeowners be landlords. Such incentives should be made available to applicants of second units during the Administrative Design Review or Building permit process. Item 4 - Provided to Planning Commission for the September 22nd Meeting AFTER PACKET DISTRIBUTION 2