4A Public Hearing 2014 1006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 11, 2014 Page 9 of 11 Wayne Gregori, Darius Way, noting that we’ve come to a point where we depend on private parties to develop the housing San Leandro needs, talked about how to help attract developers. His daughter had a great summer job at a tech company near Doolittle Drive, but getting there from Bay-O-Vista via public transit was very difficult. He said the City especially needs transit that knits east and west; even bike lanes. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) may ultimately reach Hayward and Castro Valley, Mr. Gregori said, but creating a cross -town link could demonstrate to developers that we have a solution to the problem of getting commuters to BART very quickly. If buses are too expensive, Mr. Gregori suggested cross-town bike lanes. He said he didn’t think he’d use it very often, but he’s come to rely on his Segway Personal Transporter, a small, self - balancing electric vehicle. In terms of marketing to prospective businesses, he said that much to his surprise, another cross-town destination, The Gate – the new tech center on the second floor of Westgate Center on Davis Street – is fully leased, and property manager David Holley told him recent arrivals are credit tenants, very large companies. San Leandro’s Innovation Officer, Deborah Acosta, indicated that they’re looking for another building to create additional incubator space. Wafaa Aborashed, Tudor Road, said the City should help residents upgrade and enlarge outside buildings on their properties to improve living conditions for family members who live with them, so they have a healthy place to stay with sanitation facilities. She suggested that the Housing Element should include provisions that would encourage such improvements. John Sullivan [rental property owner], said earthquake retrofitting to protect and preserve existing housing stock is an important topic to cover in the Working Draft, including ex ploring the potential to find funding to help property owners offset the high cost of the work. He said San Francisco officials are currently debating a measure that would help attract funding while increasing its stock of affordable housing. Motion to close public hearing Rennie/Fitzsimons: 6 Aye, 0 No, 1 Absent In response to Commissioner Rennie, Secretary Liao said he does not believe that San Leandro has a soft story ordinance. Commissioner Rennie explained that soft-story buildings are usually multi-story structures, with the first story typically a carport supported by columns at the corners but inadequate shear to help prevent the second floor from collapsing when an earthquake shakes the building. Acting Chair Hernandez said that in San Francisco, many carports are being retrofitted and being converted into small units, with the shear walls supporting the edges, like bookends. Commissioner Fitzsimons asked whether motions are needed to make minor edits to the Working Draft. Mr. Miller suggested that a motion that includes authorization to change the document to reflect the feedback from the Commission and public input. If Commissioners concur with what’s been said, the edits can be made before the document goes to the City Council on October 6, 2014, he added. Assistant City Attorney Faubion suggested that substantive changes be articulated specifically, although clarifications need not be. Regarding Policy 53.11 – Foreign Investment, Commissioner Fitzsimons suggested adding language stronger than “recognizing” the potential for the private sector’s help in underwriting affordable housing development and accelerating market rate housing production. In Action 56.02-A – Apartment Rehabilitation Program, Commissioner Fitzsimons pointed out that conversion only changes the type of housing but doesn’t increase the housing stock, and that type