Steve Belcher answers questions about the Housing Element from Penny Cozad. From: "Steve Belcher" Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 13:36:05 -0800 To: Cc: "Brian BROOKE" , "Carol Beaver", "Cynthia ELIASON" , "DAVID Brandt" , "Debbie Potter" , "Doug Yount" , "Emily Parodi" , "Kevin BRYANT" , "Marc Fontes" , "Mike PUCCI" , "Rachel Silver" Subject: Re: Housing Element Questions Steve: The following is my response to your questions. Please let me know if you need additional information. Penny: Hi Mr. Belcher. I have been present for 3 of the public hearings so far. I am an Alameda home owner of just over 2 years and accidentally found out about the Public Presentations while at a Planning Board meeting on another topic. I have a few questions for you: 1] Is the "deadline" of December this year real? During the first two presentations, January and February were given as possibilities because the completion of the Draft was so late. Since the online version was not even available until the end of October, there is very little time for those of us who are new to the topic to review the Draft and have some kind of meaningful input. Steve: There is a statutory deadline (State of California) of December 31 for adoption by the City Council of the draft Housing Element. However, staff and the Planning Board are committed to take as long as necessary to insure that there is adequate time for public input. With this in mind, it is likely that the Council may not take final action on the element until sometime in the first part of 2002. Penny: 2] Does the Alameda Point Project include any of the 325 low income units required by the Guyton Agreement ? Steve: The Guyton Settlement Agreement recognizes that the Housing Authority may replace units lost to demolition with up to 325 replacement multifamily units. Where these units are allocated is subject to Planning Board, Housing Commission and City Council review and approval. Based on Table V-1 in the draft Housing Element, it is possible that approximately 100 units may be allocated to projects within the Catellus project and another 100 or so to the proposed rehabilitation of the Bachelor Officers Quarters at Alameda Point. It is not clear at this time where the balance of the units will be allocated. Penny: 3] I have access to the 1991 General Plan, but I do not see the 1990 Housing Element. Is that online somewhere? Is there some place to get a copy of that? Steve: The 1990 Housing Element is not online. However a copy may be obtained from the Planning and Building Department at City Hall (Oak and Santa Clara) or your local library. Penny: 4] The MU-5 site referred to as Laguna Harbor is shown on the 1991 General Plan as Parks and Open Space. The new Draft Housing Element and the city of Alameda seem to have changed focus on the importance of parks in that area of the island. What motivated this change? Steve: You are correct that a portion of this site is designated Parks and Open Space as well as MU-5. The site is privately owned. The draft Land Availability and Supply Table (V-1) reflects an active application for a General Plan Amendment from the owner of the property. It should be noted that the OS designation is applied to the portion of the site adjacent to the estuary and that it is conceivable that a housing project may be approved by the Planning Board (as well as the BCDC) while retaining an area for parks and open space. Penny: 5] Does the city's planning staff have a draft for parks and open space that compensates for the loss of that park on that area of the island? Steve: This issue will be addressed by the Planning Board when they consider the above noted application. Penny: 6] Has the city published any articles in the local newspapers concerning the upcoming deadline and the schedule of the "public" presentations? Steve: A press release was sent to the Alameda Journal, Alameda Times Star, Alameda Sun and the San Francisco Chronicle in early October. There was an article in the Journal on October 19 with dates of the first presentations.