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<br />IHINUTES Page 7 <br />City of San Leandro City Council, San Leandro Redevelopment Agency, San Leandro Economic Development Agency, <br />and San Leandro Hillside Geologic Hazard Abatement District Joint Meeting -July 19, 2004 <br /> <br />Marilyn Madsen, Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR), addressed the <br />City Council regarding a June 15 community meeting at which over 125 people <br />attended, including Councilmembers Grant and Santos and Vice Mayor Badger. Ms. <br />Madsen stated that specific items were requested at the community meeting: 1) a 20% <br />affordability requirelnent in the inclusionary zoning; 2) no in-lieu fees except for partial <br />units; 3) a preference for people who live, work or worship in San Leandro; and 4) <br />applicability to both ownership and rental units. Ms. Madsen expressed strong support <br />for the staff s proposal and requested consideration for the increase in affordability from <br />15~~ to 20% and a preference given to people who live, work and worship in San <br />Leandro. <br /> <br />Ronald Keeney, COR, addressed the City Council, con1menting that the San Leandro <br />Tilnes article mentioned earlier by Ms. Albers was commissioned by an organization <br />which takes the position that government regulations are the reason for high housing <br />prices and that development should be driven by market forces. Mr. Keeney <br />commented that the term "low-income" does not only apply to the unemployed, but also <br />to professions such as payroll clerk, travel agent, school bus driver, teacher, mechanic, <br />paramedic, L VN and police officer. He expressed support for the staff recommendation <br />with the inclusion of COR's proposed ilnproven1ents of a 20% inclusionary level and <br />preference given to San Leandrans. <br /> <br />Audrey Lindhal, COR, addressed the City Council, requesting that the Council <br />commit to a 20% affordability requirement so that low-income people working in San <br />Leandro can have a decent place to live. <br /> <br />Michael Wharton, COR, addressed the City Council, commenting on surveys of <br />parishioners in which health care and housing are recurring themes. He stated that <br />COR encourages the Council to consider a 20010 inclusionary zoning which will actively <br />and directly address the problen1 of high rents and create opportunities for home <br />ownership. <br /> <br />There being no further comn1ents from the public, and without objection, the Public <br />Hearing was closed. <br /> <br />Mr. J ermanis responded to comments Inade by the speakers. He pointed out that the <br />City has been a strong advocate of affordable and workforce housing. Mr. J erm ani s <br />described the two-stage adoption process for ordinances. He commented on the study <br />quoted in the San Leandro Times and noted that City staff believes the inclusionary <br />zoning has been successful in San Leandro. Mr. J erm ani s indicated that since San <br />Leandro is largely built-out, large scale development is unlikely unless large parcels are <br />rezoned frOln industrial to residential. He stated that having a flexible plan will allow <br />developers to decide what works best for them while benefiting the community, such as <br />with the ABHOW project on East 14th Street. <br /> <br />Mr. J ermanis suggested that the City should set a starting point of 15010 for its <br />inclusionary requirement to n1atch the Redevelopment Agency requirement and that of <br />