21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Generally speaking, this type of overlay is focused on achieving high proportion of affordable housing units, up to 100 percent affordable, in exchange for more generous allocations of density, and potentially other specific concessions such as relaxation of height limits, FAR, or setbacks. One example that has come to national attention in recent years, is the AHOZ adopted by the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2020. Cambridge's AHOZ is applied city-wide and provides significant development incentives to 100% affordable housing projects, along with design guidance, a review process, and parameters for approval. Several cities in California have also used an AHOZ approach to incentive affordable housing within specific geographic areas including: Menlo Park, Brisbane, Capitola, Los Gatos, and Buellton, with many of these cities using this approach to encourage units in their downtown areas. Although this approach would mirror, to some extent, the housing density bonuses offered by the State, a local ordinance could allow the City to specify and tailor a program and process to its own local needs, target particular geographies, and develop incentives structured to the scale and character of the city, rather than the "one -size -fits -all" approach of state law. However, there are many policy questions that would need to be considered in such a program for Pleasanton, including suitable locations, interface with State density bonus law and programs, appropriate "base" and "bonus" densities, and the sorts of concessions or modifications that should be applied, requiring an exhaustive effort that could likely not be concluded prior to adoption of the Housing Element. Nonetheless, if there were interest in investigating such a program, potentially to encourage or incentivize projects with very high levels of affordability (such as 100 % affordable), the study of such a program could be considered as an action for inclusion in the Housing Element. SUMMARY OF STAFF RECOMMENDED POLICY DIRECTION The following is a summary of staff's recommendation- - LIHF ■ Consider increasing LIHF fees based on the current Nexus Study, up to the amount supported by the Nexus Study ■ Consider a more comprehensive update to LIHF and supporting Nexus Study as a future effort, potentially mid -way through the Housing Element cycle • Retain the existing policy basis for expenditure of LIHF that allows flexibility for the City Council to allocate these funds as needs and opportunities arise - IZO ■ Make the percentage of affordable units between single-family and multifamily developments consistent, or "flip" the percentage requirements • Identify a target affordable unit split between income levels, with potential for exceptions to be granted where warranted - Density Bonus ■ Update the City's Density Bonus ordinance to be consistent with state law Housing Element Update, P21-0751 Planning Commission 12 of 13