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<br />78 <br />ATTACHMENT 4 Page 43 <br /> <br />inability of local employers to attract and retain a well educated workforce which, in <br />turn, could have negative ramifications to the overall health of the economy). <br /> <br />The Canada College housing project is an innovative approach to combating the <br />Bay Area's affordable housing crisis. The proposed housing offers College <br />faculty/staff a first step towards home ownership in San Mateo County, which is one <br />of the costliest housing markets in the country. Faculty/staff will be allowed to live in <br />the apartment units for a limited period of time (up to five years) and will be <br />encouraged, through voluntary savings plans, to save for a down payment on a <br />home. The District and a number of cities currently offer first-time homebuyer <br />second loan programs that the College District employees can access when they <br />have accumulated a down payment and are qualified for a first mortgage. <br /> <br />The College District is able to offer rents significantly below market because 1) it <br />owns the land; 2) it has access to tax-exempt financing and 3) it does not have a <br />profit motive. Rents from the project will be sufficient to pay all costs of construction, <br />financing, maintenance, deferred maintenance and operations. The College District's <br />only contribution to the project is the land and project manager's time. <br /> <br />E. The establishment, maintenance and operation .of the proposed use should not be <br />detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the neighborhood as the <br />project would incorporate high quality Arts and Crafts style architecture, quality <br />building materials and extensive open space and landscape screening. The project <br />would also provide community benefits by locating the recreation building and small, <br />natural outdoor amphitheater along the site's hillside ridge (vs. privatizing hilltop <br />access and views) for community outdoor enjoyment and increased project setbacks <br />in this area. <br /> <br />The College District aiso has a proven track record, through its College Vista housing <br />project in San Mateo, of building attractive, quality, affordable housing that fits within <br />the fabric of the surrounding residential neighborhood. On April 2, 2008, the College <br />Vista project won a "Pillars of the Community" award from the National Association of <br />Home Builders, the third national award for the project. <br /> <br />The San Mateo College District would also be responsible for managing the project to <br />ensure that it does not cause negative maintenance or operational impacts to the <br />surrounding neighborhood /community. <br /> <br />F. The proposed project should not be detrimental or injurious to the general welfare of <br />the City since it is consistent with Redwood City community goals and objectives <br />referenced above and supported by Redwood City community members and <br />agencies as outlined below. <br /> <br />G. The project has garnered support from: Fox Hollow Homeowners Association, <br />Farmhill Estates resident, Greenbelt Alliance, Committee for Green Foothills, Ralph <br />Nobles of Friends of Redwood City, Bay Area Council, Housing Leadership Council <br />