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WORKING DRAFT FOR HCD REVIEW <br /> <br /> <br />EVALUATION OF 2010 ELEMENT 2-11 SAN LEANDRO HOUSING ELEMENT <br />the coming years. The 2007-2011 downturn in the real estate market and drop in prices constrained the <br />sale of units reserved for moderate-income households, since the price for these units was not <br />substantially different than the market rate units. However, recent price increases are widening that gap, <br />making the benefits of an inclusionary zoning strategy more apparent. <br /> <br />Policy 53.5 recommends that the City work with willing property owners to assemble parcels in <br />redevelopment areas to create more viable (i.e., larger) development sites. Prior to 2012, the City <br />implemented this policy on a number of properties including the Westlake parcels around the San <br />Leandro BART station, the Town Hall Square parcels at East 14th and Davis Street, and a set of adjacent <br />properties on Washington Avenue at Parrott Street. The City was able to conduct site assembly in these <br />locations without eminent domain. Lot consolidation and aggregation remains a valid policy objective. <br />However, this policy should be updated to reflect the loss of the Redevelopment Agency. Other tools for <br />lot consolidation should be explored. <br /> <br />Policy 53.6 calls for the production of additional market-rate and affordable rental units in the city. This <br />policy remains relevant today, and potentially could be expanded to emphasize the unmet need for family <br />rentals. <br /> <br />Policy 53.7 recommends providing additional housing at prices that match prevailing wages in the city. <br />An example would be the recent conversion of 840 units at Lakeside Village into “workforce housing.” <br />The policy also suggests efforts by local employers to assist their workers in finding housing within San <br />Leandro. The City has worked with large employers such as Kaiser Permanente and OSI-soft to facilitate <br />action on this issue. One of the points raised during public meetings on the 2015-2023 Element is that the <br />city needs additional market-rate housing to serve anticipated growth in the technology sector. <br /> <br />Policy 53.8 calls for the production of condominiums as a more affordable alternative to single family <br />detached homes. This continues to be a relevant policy and it should be carried forward. At the time the <br />last Housing Element was adopted, a condominium development was anticipated on the BART parking <br />lot east of the San Leandro BART station. However, that site is now committed to 200 units of affordable <br />rental housing. The affordable units had originally been slated for a site west of the station, and that site <br />has been committed to a new office-technology campus. Elsewhere in the city, there was an 11-unit <br />condominium development at Hyde and Chumalia Streets built in 2010-2011. The City is continuing to <br />actively promote high-density condominium construction in the BART station vicinity and on sites in <br />Downtown San Leandro and along East 14th Street. <br /> <br />Policy 53.9 permits manufactured or mobile home construction in any residential zoning district. This is <br />implemented on an ongoing basis and continues to be relevant. <br /> <br />Policy 53.10 encourages the participation of the business community in programs to meet the city’s <br />housing needs. Again, this is implemented on an ongoing basis and continues to be relevant. The City has <br />worked with the Chamber of Commerce, local realtors and developers, major employers, apartment <br />owners, and local business groups to increase awareness of housing needs and housing issues. <br />