Laserfiche WebLink
7.3.B. - Page 6 <br /> the Plan and the programs will be more prescriptive. Vice Mayor Foust read the <br /> numbers from the staff report and she noted that Redwood City is home to 25 percent of <br /> the entire Habitat for Humanity projects in the bay area. She also asked staff to talk <br /> about water and Mr. Aknin said that an Environmental Impact Report was done and the <br /> average water use was analyzed and considered. <br /> One other Council Member noted that it is great to see that this got pre- approved by the <br /> State and it has not always been this way before. He concurred that this is an <br /> overarching policy document and that Redwood City has a history of exceeding its <br /> goals. This Council Member said that we have been very aggressive and he would <br /> challenge our aggressiveness against anybody else's aggressiveness. He believes that <br /> we will see this Plan come to its fruition and he believes that we should continue to <br /> make this our issue. <br /> Another Council Member said that we are planning for water use and our community <br /> and the City have been doing a good job in saving water and we are below what is <br /> allocated to us. She also added that the recycling water program helps very much. <br /> This Council Member noted that she is happy to see that all age groups were included. <br /> She also inquired about what other cities are doing to address the housing shortage. <br /> Mr. Aknin said that we are doing what other cities are doing and possibly exceeding it <br /> and we are all participating in the Nexus Study. This Council Member added that not all <br /> jurisdictions are happy with the RHNA numbers but in Redwood City we have embraced <br /> them. <br /> Dr. Bell said that our City is in the forefront of the programs and we are still fighting for <br /> the $10 million that the State took away. Another Council Member noted that she <br /> serves on various Boards and she can verify that indeed we are doing a lot to conserve <br /> and save water but what is hard to plan for is the drought. She added that this is a <br /> complex issue and while there is a lot of positive energy with the economy and housing, <br /> the reality is that there was very little market rate housing developed. This Council <br /> Member noted that she sits on the Committee that assigns the RHNA numbers and she <br /> said that the issue is an issue of disparity to address affordable housing. This Council <br /> Member inquired if it is possible to Zone affordable housing in certain areas. Mr. Aknin <br /> said that through the Community Benefits Ordinance this could be a reality and this <br /> option is being studied. This Council Member inquired about how to foster affordable <br /> housing in the Phase II of the Downtown Plan. Mr. Aknin said this is a cost issue. She <br /> inquired if any communities have passed a measure to tax themselves and support <br /> housing as she would support such approach. <br /> Council Member Howard thanked the Council colleagues and the staff for explaining <br /> and exploring the issue so well. She added that in the past there was a very successful <br /> Redevelopment Agency and now she is happy that we have a solid Plan. She is happy <br /> that we did not hear "No" from the state. She is excited and hopeful that there will be <br /> affordable housing and an increase of it in our community. <br /> Mayor Gee asked staff if you can put a sign up that says "We are full, go home" and so <br /> he explained that there is no legal basis to say — no more growth. His personal view is <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIL /SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD October 20, 2014 <br /> SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6 <br />