4A Public Hearing 2014 1006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WORKING DRAFT FOR HCD REVIEW INTRODUCTION 1-6 SAN LEANDRO HOUSING ELEMENT community participation Although the 2010 Housing Element was only four years old when this Update was initiated and its policies were largely viewed as still current, the City implemented a community engagement strategy to guide the revision of housing policies and programs. Consistent with State law, the strategy was designed to encourage participation by all economic segments of the community, particularly lower income populations and persons with special needs. In March 2014, the City retained a consulting firm to initiate work on the update. The Housing Element was a discrete task within a two-year scope of work that encompassed the entire General Plan. Given its time-sensitive nature, updating the Housing Element was given first priority and became the “lead in” task for the rest of the General Plan. An initial study session was held with the Planning Commission in March. Subsequent study sessions on the Housing Element were held in May and July. The City also convened study sessions on the Housing Element with the Board of Zoning Adjustments (June 5, 2014), the Rent Review Board (July 29, 2014), and the Human Services Commission (September 10, 2014). The City convened a housing stakeholders “roundtable” discussion on July 1, 2014 in which 16 individuals, including realtors, developers, neighborhood groups, and housing advocates attended. The discussion focused on ways to stimulate housing production in the city, and ways to better meet the needs of groups such as seniors and the homeless. In addition, one on one meetings were held with several housing advocacy groups, service providers, and developers to gain insight into key issues and changing market conditions. Among the organizations contacted were Congregations Organized for Renewal (COR), and the San Leandro Unified School District. Consulting these groups and others ensured that proposed housing programs were responsive to current conditions. On July 30, 2014, the City convened a community meeting on housing at the San Leandro Senior Center. The meeting was publicized with lead stories in the South County Post and San Leandro Times newspapers and was advertised via flyers, post-cards, emails, and neighborhood blogs and list-servs. Approximately 80 people attended. Spanish translation and American Sign Language (ASL) translation were provided for, and utilized by, meeting attendees. The discussion was dynamic and informative. Each participant received a “Comment Card” on housing issues to provide feedback after the meeting. Following the community meeting, staff and the consultant attended a number of neighborhood meetings to discuss the Housing Element and related housing and land use issues. These meetings provided an opportunity to discuss local concerns about density, potential Zoning Code changes, and housing policies, while providing additional information on housing needs, opportunities, and the Housing Element requirements.