Inclusionary Housing

Developer of a stalled 20-unit entitled townhome project urged a temporary program applying to entitled-but-unbuilt projects of 20 units or less, with affordability no deeper than 120% AMI; said current rules make the project infeasible.

Sand Hill Property Company representative said the 20% policy makes their projects infeasible and asked for reduced requirements, flexible alternatives, and development agreement amendments; cited 700 apartments begun in San Jose under its relief program.

Urged council to wait for the countywide nexus study, keep any changes limited and clearly temporary, and rebutted claims comparing the IHO to redlining.

Longtime resident spoke passionately about the community's low-income history, criticized the lack of a feasibility report, and objected to procedural treatment; ran over allotted time.

Opposed the staff recommendation, urging the council to wait for the nexus study, warning that market-rate building without affordability guarantees opens the door to displacement; also called for a grocery store.

Called the issue complex, urged cooperation and creative solutions such as manufactured housing and making residents wealthier, and offered to work with anyone on solutions.

Longtime housing advocate noted ~100 families live in inclusionary ownership homes, 3,200 homes are already in the pipeline, and urged the council to complete the study before any changes rather than weakening the ordinance.

Former mayor thanked Abrica for clarifying the session's purpose, asked staff to explain AMI levels in plain terms for residents, and agreed the nexus study should come before any temporary change.