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<br />DRAFT MINUTES Page 7 <br />City of San Leandro City Council, San Leandro Economic Development Agency, and San Leandro Redevelopment <br />Agency Joint Meeting-September 4, 2007 <br /> <br />Rachel Gallagher, COR, addressed the City Council, commenting in support of the <br />Downtown TOD Strategy and the need to strengthen the housing component. Ms. <br />Gallagher requested that language be added to the Strategy to identify the east BART <br />parking lot and North Alvarado sites and others as ideal for affordable housing. <br /> <br />Michael Wharton, COR, addressed the City Council, commenting in support of the <br />TOD Strategy and the need to strengthen the housing component of the plan. Mr. <br />Wharton referred to a report entitled, "Creating a Regional Model of Mixed Incomes: <br />Transit-Oriented Development in Downtown San Leandro" and requested that the <br />Council schedule a presentation by the report's authors. Mr. Wharton stated that <br />COR recommends that language be added to identifY housing as a development <br />objective for four of the TOD opportunity sites. <br /> <br />Bob Allen, Urban Habitat, addressed the City Council, commenting in support of <br />the TOD Strategy. Mr. Allen expressed concern that residents may be displaced in <br />the implementation of the TOD Strategy. Mr. Allen stated that Urban Habitat <br />recommends that the City take steps to protect renters by strengthening the Rent <br />Review Board, increasing the condo conversion fee, and increase funding for the <br />creation of affordable housing. <br /> <br />Kate O'Hara, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, addressed the City <br />Council, applauding the Council's leadership for passing the living wage ordinance. <br />Ms. O'Hara commented on the opportunity created by the Downtown TOD Strategy, <br />but stated that it does not go far enough to ensure affordability of TOD housing, and <br />that the City's current Inclusionary Zoning ordinance does not go far enough to create <br />affordable housing. Ms. O'Hara expressed support for the proposals presented by <br />COR. <br /> <br />Lindsay Imai, Urban Habitat, addressed the City Council, commenting favorably <br />on the TOD Strategy. Ms. Imai expressed concern regarding housing affordability <br />and possible resident displacement, and commented that policies to address these <br />issues are best handled in the TOD plan. Ms. Imai voiced Urban Habitat's support for <br />the proposals made by COR. <br /> <br />Esperanza Alcantar, COR, addressed the City Council, commenting that the <br />language regarding the affordability of housing in the TOD Strategy needs to be <br />strengthened. Ms. Alcantar commented on the cost of housing in San Leandro and the <br />number of workers commuting into San Leandro to work, and urged the Council to <br />take steps to improve the affordability of housing. <br /> <br />Johanne M. Dictor, Concerned Citizens for Responsible Development in the City <br />of San Leandro, addressed the City Council, expressing disappointment at the <br />Planning Commission's recommendation to exclude the old Albertson's site from the <br />zoning changes and noting that the site is instrumental to the TOD Strategy. Ms. <br />Dictor commented on the blighted condition of the site and suggested erecting <br />artwork or otherwise beautifYing the site. Ms. Dictor suggested that streetscape <br />