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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes January 22, 2009 Agenda No. 09-02 Page 13 of 14 public transit regularly and have fewer cars. She believes that The Alameda will do the same in San Leandro. She also is pleased to hear that San Leandro residents will be given priority for the housing, and agrees with Mr. Collier's comment about having residents being first in line for employment on the project. Commissioner Abero said she considers the TOD strategy an excellent strategy that is the future of this country, and if the complete San Leandro Crossings project were to go through to fruition it would be a wonderful enhancement to our community. However, if it "falls flat" and the 700 units do not get built, it probably will be a detriment. She expressed strong concerns, which she has expressed previously, that the development will begin and may not continue. Considering the economy and the condition of California's finances, she also is concerned that the State money that's being counted on may not be available. She also said she favors mixed-use type housing, which would not be a standalone rental building. She wanted for-sale starter homes for low- income and medium-income families, from which they could move up into other homes. As The Alameda units are designated, they must remain public housing for 45 years. Rentals do not give people the opportunity to own, which is what she would like to see for low- and medium-income people. Commissioner Brannan wanted to respond to Mr. Lynn's comment about the old Albertson's property on East 14th Street, noting that the site is also part of the TOD Strategy area and has not been forgotten. It just happened that Westlake came forward first with a proposal for other properties. She hopes to hear from the owners of the Albertson's property again when the economy improves. Commissioner Finberg said that one of the developers in this group is the Quorum Real Estate Group, which does have a stake in San Leandro and a reputation to uphold. They were the first developers to convert a building (433 Estudillo) from rentals to ownership. That is a testament to the good work that they do. Commissioner Reed thanked residents who took time to give their comments; which were well thought-out, succinct, pertinent and worthy of consideration. He agrees with a lot of what has been said. Stating that "it's not a perfect world," he admitted coming into this project with some reservations but has been largely won over by what BRIDGE Housing has demonstrated it has accomplished in other communities. As the owner of some rental properties himself, he said he has been through issues with Section 8 housing and understands what BRIDGE does on a daily basis, and has never seen another organization do it more professionally. He said that anyone would be proud to have a rental unit in a BRIDGE Housing project -the condition, the location, and the way it is maintained and managed. Chair Dlugosh also thanked the audience and the speakers for the orderly way in which they conducted themselves, and invited a motion on the matter. Motion to Forward to City Council with a Recommendation of Approval of the a) Mitigated Negative Declaration b) Site Plan Review of 100-unit affordable housing project at 1333 Martinez Street (subject to attendant modified Conditions of Approval),[Planning Commission action is final unless appealed) and c) Four-lot Vesting Tentative Map Finberg / Brannan 7 Aye, 0 No -Approved