07 Staff Report - Housing Task Force ReportCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: November 27, 2001
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 12/3/01
ITEM NO. 7--
AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO SEND LETTER REGARDING THE SANTA
CLARA COUNTY HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize Mayor to send letter regarding the Santa Clara County Housing Task Force Report.
BACKGROUND:
At its October 15 meeting, Council discussed the Santa Clara County Housing Task Force Report,
and agreed that Los Gatos should provide some input to the County Board of Supervisors, as it
considers the Report. As staff subsequently reported to Council, the Board has decided to consider
only portions of the Report, instead of the entire report. We have received a draft of the Board
transmittal on November 27. Because it is a draft and subject to change, staff recommends that
Council respond to the report in general terms. We recommend that Council authorize the Mayor
to send the attached letter (Attachment 1), which provides comments on all of the issues contained
in the Housing Task Force Report. In this way, we can ensure that Los Gatos's voice is heard during
Board of Supervisors deliberations on the Report, regardless of which portion of the Report is under
consideration.
DISCUSSION:
As noted in our staff report for the October 15 meeting, Council members Decker and Glickman
participated in the Housing Task Force process, which resulted in the Task Force Report. Since
Council's last discussion of this topic, Council members and staff have continued their participation
in Task Force -related forums. Council member Glickman and Community Services Director Falkner
attended a Board of Supervisors -sponsored Housing Workshop on October 16; and a State
Assembly -sponsored meeting of the Select Committee on Housing in the Silicon Valley, held
PREPARED BY: Jennifer L. Millerd'-14 Regina A. Falkn
Administrative A lyst Community Servi s irector
Reviewed by: / 'LL, Attorney Clerk Finance Community Development
Revised: 11/29/01 12:45 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/01
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE MAYOR TO SEND LETTER REGARDING THE SANTA CLARA
COUNTY HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT.
November 27, 2001
November 16. At both meetings, Council member Glickman emphasized coordination and
cooperation between municipalities to address the regional housing crisis.
Attachment 1 is a draft letter from the Mayor, to the Board of Supervisors, which outlines the issues
discussed at the Council's October 15 meeting. The letter applauds the efforts of the Housing Task
Force, and notes that they are generally consistent with the Town's housing program. It goes on the
offer a few specific comments on issues which may require local expertise for implementation. We
recommend that the Council authorize the Mayor to send the attached letter.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
The recommended action is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Draft Letter to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
RAF:JLM/jlm
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
(408) 354-6801
FAX: (408) 399-5786
November 20, 2001
Chairperson Beall and Board of Supervisors
Office of the Board of Supervisors
County Government Center, East Wing
70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
RE: SANTA CLARA COUNTY HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT
Dear Chairperson Beall and Board of Supervisors:
CIVIC CENTER
110 E. MAIN STREET
P.O. Box 949
Los GATOS, CA 95031
The Town of Los Gatos applauds the efforts of the Housing Task Force to address the housing
crisis on a county -wide level. The Town organization has made affordable housing one of its
priorities in addressing the needs of the community, and we are proud of our affordable housing
program. Overall, the recommendations of the Task Force are consistent with Los Gatos's
housing program. They contain a number of strategies for meeting affordable housing needs
within the county. Following are our comments on a few specific recommendations:
Affordable Housing Land Bank: Several of the Task Force's recommendations refer to the
creation of an "Affordable Housing Land Bank," in which the County and local jurisdictions
could "deposit" their surplus land, to be used for affordable housing projects administered by a
Land Bank Board of Directors. Local jurisdictions would not be required, but would be actively
solicited, and strongly urged, to make their surplus land available for this purpose. Los Gatos has
a record of making its surplus land available for local affordable housing projects. While we
support the idea of a County -wide land bank, we wish to make it clear that dedicating its surplus
lands to affordable housing should be the purview of a municipality. Before making such a
decision, we would look to the General Plan to determine what land might be suitable, and
review each parcel on a case -by -case basis.
Comprehensive coordination: The Task Force's recommendations include the creation of a
countywide Housing Advisory Commission, to develop regional solutions for public employee
and other housing; a County Housing Department, to address a variety of housing issues; an
Affordable Housing Land Bank, to advocate for affordable housing issues; a County Affordable
Housing Unit, to coordinate housing issues between agencies; a County Special Needs Housing
Assistance Program, to focus on housing special needs clients; and a County Special Needs
Housing Development Program, to issue permits for construction of special needs housing
developments. It is clear that the housing crisis requires a comprehensive, coordinated approach.
We want to ensure that any new entities or programs are created as part of a well -organized plan
that has continuous, big -picture oversight.
Chairperson Beall and Board of Supervisors
November 20, 2001
Page 2
Local funding: The Regional Housing Plan Action Committee recommends that local
jurisdictions allocate 50% of their Redevelopment Area tax increment revenues to affordable
housing. Certainly, this suggestion could be made to jurisdictions, as a way to increase funding
for affordable housing. As required by Redevelopment law, Los Gatos already allocates 20% of
its tax increment revenues to its Housing Set -Aside Fund, used exclusively for affordable
housing. Any budgetary decision to allocate more than the mandated amount should be and is
the purview of the municipality.
Local land use: The Regional Housing Plan Action Committee recommends that local
jurisdictions make a variety of changes to their land use and planning policies, including
allowing increased densities, "fast -tracking" affordable housing developments through approval
processes, and allowing secondary units in existing residential units. We support these actions as
options that local jurisdictions may consider as part of their affordable housing programs. In no
way should they be made mandatory.
Legislative advocacy: The Regional Housing Plan Action Committee recommends that the
County take a lead role in advocating for reform of the property tax allocation structure created
by Proposition 13. Any support that Los Gatos provided to this or any other legislative advocacy
project would be provided only in conformity with Town policies.
Transition team: The Task Force Steering Committee, composed of the co-chairs of each of the
working groups, representatives from Supervisor Beall's office, and the Project Manager,
proposes that it take the lead as a "Transition Team" to implement the recommendations. The
Transition Team would oversee implementation until the County organization could take over
that function. We think that any oversight committee formed should include appropriate
representation from the local municipalities and other affected agencies. This committee should
also be structured in such a way that local jurisdictions retain control of local decision -making.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this important process. We look forward to a
coordinated, comprehensive approach to affordable housing in Santa Clara County.
Sincerely,
RANDY ATTAWAY
MAYOR
RA:JLM/
n:lcsdlhousing\taskforceletter.wpd
Town Council Minutes December 3, 2001
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
HEARINGS CONTINUED
LOS GATOS BLVD 14801/BURTON RD 16185/ZONE CHANGE/ORDINANCE/CONT.
Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mrs. Decker, that Council introduce Proposed Ordinance
entitled, ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE ZONING MAP
FROM R-1:8 TO CH FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 16185 BURTON ROAD. Carried
unanimously.
SHANNON ROAD 14411/WILLIAMSON ACT/RESOLUTIONS 2001-136 & 2001-137 (17.33)
Mayor Attaway announced that this was the time and place so noted for public hearing to consider
adopting resolutions declaring property zoned HR-5 as an agricultural preserve and approving a land
conservation contract. Williamson Act application WA-01-1. Property Location: 14411 Shannon
Road. Property Owner: William and Sandra Sweitzer.
The following people from the audience addressed this issue:
Bill Sweitzer, 14191 Woodview Lane, Saratoga, applicant, requested support from Council to allow
14411 Shannon Road to be placed within the Williamson Act.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Decker, that Council adopt Resolution 2001-136 entitled,
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS APPROVING AN AGRICULTURAL
PRESERVE AT 14411 SHANNON ROAD. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Decker, that Council adopt Resolution 2001-137 entitled,
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS TO ENTER INTO A LAND
CONSERVATION CONTRACT WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER AT 14411 SHANNON
ROAD. Carried unanimously.
HOUSING TASK FORCE REPORT/LETTER TO COUNTY (07.39)
Mr. Glickman spoke of the Task Force and its work. He noted some specific concerns of the Task
Force and asked Council if there might be any modifications it would like to see reflected in the letter
before it is sent. He suggested stronger emphasis on Los Gatos Town Process being the standard used
for processing any projects taking place within Town limits.
Mayor Attaway reaffirmed the need to have land use decisions in Los Gatos be made by those
representatives who have a level of sensitivity to our Los Gatos constituency.
Manager Figone noted that the letter would be amended as noted by Council and be prepared and
ready to go to the Board of Supervisors by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, to authorize the Mayor to send letter
regarding the Santa Clara County Housing Task Force Report as reflected in the addendum to this
item and with comment that Council desires to keep local revenues within local boundaries, and land
use issues should follow Town policies. Carried unanimously.
TC:D13:MM120301
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