AgdaPkt 2008-08-25 Joint City Council, HHCC and Redevelopment

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7E-2 Page 1 August25,2008 SUBJECT Joint Study Session on New Housing Element RECOMMENDATION Consider and discuss: housing needs within a sub-regional context; the status ofthe city's existing General Plan Housing Element; laws and requirements for the new Housing Element; roles, responsibilities and next steps in the planning process; and how best to bring policy tools to the implementation of the new Housing Element. No decision or action on the Housing Element is required at this time. BACKGROUND The City is in the process of preparing a New General Plan, which consists of seven mandatory "elements" (including a mandatory Housing Element) with some optional elements. Before preparing the new Housing Element, staff has been asked to provide the City Council and the Housing and Human Concems Committee (HHCC) with background information and process context. The Planning Commission was also invited to attend this meeting so that they can be prepared for future discussions. Purpose of Stud v Session The purpose of this joint study session is to: 1. Provide the City Council and the HHCC with the planning context and framework on housing needs and challenges 2. Provide an update on the status of the previous 1999-2006 Housing Element 3. Begin a discussion of the new 2007-2014 Housing Element 4. Create an opportunity for the City Council to articulate how the HHCC can assist the Council and community in the development of the element, and for HHCC members to share their interests in. and desired outcomes of. the process. Commitment to Housing The City Council has already committed to addressing the challenges of housing in a number of ways. Housing has been and continues to be a stated Council priority. The Council also considers economic development as a priority and understands that balancing jobs and housing in the community are inextricably connected. The Council has demonstrated commitment to housing production by accepting the prior regional housing allocations assigned to Redwood City and by championing housing production. In fact, a number of important entitlement milestones have been met for several significant housing developments including the following: . Villa Montgomery: Project built and occupied for 58 rental units of affordable housing;