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Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Agenda No. 07-16 August 23, 2007 Page 8 of 19 industry, including mixed-use, mid-rise and the high-rise residential units. The City's consultants' economic studies and market studies were also done more than a year ago, and use statistics on housing that are not indicative of the zoning changes proposed. For instance, he said that the studies indicate that housing is strong and townhomes are pre- marketing at single-family prices - while the zoning designation in most of these areas requires residential primarily on second floors which are in no way comparable to townhomes. The study also identified an unmet demand for retail uses within the study area. With that in mind, he asked why zoning that should be crafted to address a market study does just the opposite; for instance, the SP-1 designation would prohibit Red Mountain from using its existing building and would also prohibit engaging in any reasonable use of the property. He noted that the Planning Commission is charged with making informed recommendations to the City Council, and given that the plan proposed creates a situation that halts development and is based on outdated studies, he asked that the Planning Commission not rush into this. He acknowledged that the TOD Strategy has been positioned as a framework for long-term development, but pointed out that if the framework is flawed, the impact to the owners of the properties is significant. He asked that if the Planning Commission is intent on making a recommendation immediately, that the Red Mountain property be removed from the S-l designation. Rachel Gallagher, a Congregations Organizing for Renewal (COR) leader from St. Leander's Church, said that COR has been working on the TOD Strategy for at least a year. The mixed-income workforce housing policy section of the TOD Strategy lays out an important direction, stating that a critical component of housing development will accommodate a wide range of household incomes. This is consistent with the San Leandro Housing Element goals. A variety of lower-income and workforce housing types should be provided, including both ownership and rental housing, senior housing, and units for larger families. COR has the same vision as the TOD Strategy regarding mixed- income housing, she said, but without the right policies in place, the current proposal will not meet the goal. She said that COR is grateful for all of the work that the City has put into the TOD Strategy, but is concerned about the process. At the last Planning Commission meeting (with the BZA) there was a sentiment about there being too much to read and digest and make an informed decision. Dan Martinez, 2050 Charlotte Avenue, explained that COR represents 13 congregations and 25,000 families. COR has been represented at every CAC meeting and in every community forum, and the group recently held its own community forum on the TOD Strategy with more than 125 families. The community is concerned about two things, Mr. Martinez said. "We would like to see the workforce housing language of this plan be strengthened and we are concerned about the process and what has been done with the community input." He enumerated several concerns about the process, noting that affordable housing came across loud and clear as a top concern in each community forum but that input was not translated back to the CAe. He said that the most meaningful discussion about affordable housing did not occur until the last CAC meeting, and that recently, City staff blocked meetings of the community with Planning Commissioners. As a result, the community is confined to a five-minute public comment, which renders a real dialogue impossible and gives the advantage to staff and developers over the community. He feels that the message from the community has been ignored, and this is