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Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes March 2S, 2010 Agenda No. 10-03 Page 17 of 20 Leandro to document the existence of sufficient capacity in the IL Districts to meet emergency shelter needs and assurance that any limitations established are reasonable, as well as more documentation on fees charged for apartments and condominiums and (completed in October 2009) adoption of a reasonable accommodation policy for people with disabilities. Mr. Miller concluded by noting that because the Housing Element is considered a project under the California Environmental Quality Act, it required an Initial Study, and once it was determined that the no significant environmental impacts would be associated with adoption of the Housing Element, a Negative Declaration was also .prepared. Chair Dlugosh invited questions and comments from Commissioners. Chair Dlugosh invited opened the public hearing, inviting speakers from the audience. Chair Dlugosh invited questions and comments from Commissioners. Commissioner Fitzsimons requested clarification in terms of the comment period having just closed and the Planning Commission being asked for comments. Secretary Livermore explained that the public review and comment period must end prior to Planning Commission review, comment and action. Tonight, the Planning Commission is being asked to make a recommendation on the environmental document and the Housing Element itself to forward to the City Council. Chair Dlugosh invited opened the public hearing, inviting speakers from the audience. Vu-Banh Nguyen, again in his capacity a program coordinator at Urban Habitat, said that its involvement in both public hearing matters on tonight's agenda show how important San Leandro is to the organization. He expressed thanks to staff and Mr. Miller working closely with Urban Habitat and incorporating some of the comments into the revised Housing Element Draft. He specifically commended the language that supports ELI housing units as a "very important aspect" of the Housing Element and removing the inclusionary housing exemption for smaller developments, requiring either a specified percentage of inclusionary units or at least in lieu fees for more affordable housing. He said additional recommendations are included in the letter that Mr. Miller referenced, specifically to: • Put a 30 percent inclusionary housing requirement into TOD area developments • Strengthen the Rent Review Board and provide more protections for renters, including a lower threshold for Rent Review Board consideration, particularly in the TOD area. Dan Martinez, 2050 Charlotte Avenue, spoke in his capacity as a COR leader. He, too, wanted to thank the staff, Mr. Miller and the Planning Commission for listening and responding to comments. He said they did a great job in listening to what the community had to say about the Housing Element. Motion to Close Public Hearing Reed/Abero: 7Aye, 0 No Chair Dlugosh invited Commissioner ca-nments. Commissioner Collier commended Mr. Miller and staff on the detail and the integration of information picked up from other reports in the Housing Element.