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Gov.rnmental Constraints Governmental regulation, while intentionally regulating the quality of development in the community can also, unintentionally, increase the cost of development and thus the cost of housing. These govern~ent.l constraints include land use controls, building codes and their enforcement, site improve~ents, fees and other exactions required of developers, and local processing and permit procedures. Land use controls may limit the amount or density of development, thuS increasing the cosl per unit. Building codes ~ay set specific building standards which add material costs or limit building space on a site, thus increasing costs. Site improvements like traffic signals or adjacent streets or sewer improvements may increase a development's cost. Finally prcce.ssing and permit req.Jirements may delay construction, increasing financing and overhead costs of development. The following describes governmental conslraints which may affect the cost of housing in Redwood City. Land Use Controls General plan der.sity lilT,itations, by their r.ature, lilrit the amount of de~elopment on a give~ site and thus may increase the costs of development. Tne Clty requires 60 feet of lot width and a rrinimurr of ~G feet of frGntage on a public street in R-2 20r,es for two units. This, and other require~e~ts, may increase the costs of housing development and sometimes prevent develupment of hOusing. B~ild;ng COdE Reauirerr~~t5 WhIle rrinimurr building standa~ds are essential to ensure safe housing, addltional requirements may increase the cost of suCh housing. Red~G0j City curr€n~l: faces a particularly severe problerr with housing deterioriltior, due to tt:E- age of tbe stock and cumulative disir,vestlllent. ~ar.y c,f the hO:.Jses ir. €):trelT.ely poor conditior, present e health arId safety ha=ard to thelr occupants and yet prOVide so~e of the most affordable bousing in the city. Fees Fees, while important in offsetting the costs of city time in planning and regulating development, can be limited to minimiZE the effect on the cost per unit of housing development. The city has reviewed these fees and set them at a level which reflects the costs to the city and yet makes appropriAte contributions to the commu~ity for trAffic mitigAtion and ot her items. . Processing and Permit Procedure Permit processing can be a lengthy process which delays the development of housing and thus increases costs. EXB 'l""'_7 l.:l