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Page 16 of 18 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />PLANNING COMMISION RECOMMENDATION <br />On June 16, 2026, the Planning Commission considered the options for implementing SB 79 and voted 6- <br />0 (one commissioner absent) to recommend that the City Council follow the City staff recommendation <br />to direct staff prepare a Transit-Oriented Development Alternative Plan pursuant to the obligations of <br />Senate Bill 79 without adoption of a local temporary exclusion ordinance. The following is a summary of <br />the discussion: <br />Several Commissioners noted that the policy objectives of SB 79 are generally aligned with <br />Redwood City's existing goals of increasing housing capacity and concentrating its growth near <br />transit. <br />Several Commissioners expressed support for allowing SB 79 to take effect without temporary <br />site exclusions, citing the additional complexity and confusion that exclusions could create for <br />property owners and developers. They also felt that exercising the City’s ability to temporarily <br />exclude some properties while not being able to for all properties within the SB 79 area would <br />create inequity between sites. Commissioners also discussed how local factors, including small <br />parcel sizes and current market conditions, may limit the practical development potential of SB <br />79 in some areas. <br />One Commissioner commented that temporarily excluding all eligible sites while the City <br />develops a TOD Alternative Plan, would provide additional time for analysis and is similar to <br />actions being considered by other jurisdictions but ultimately supported staff’s <br />recommendation. <br />Commissioners generally agreed that a TOD Alternative Plan would provide an opportunity to <br />tailor SB 79 implementation to local conditions while remaining consistent with State law. <br />EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT <br />SB 79 is a State-mandated housing law intended to increase housing opportunities in areas with access to <br />major transit. The legislation is designed to support broader housing affordability and accessibility goals <br />by allowing increased residential density near transit-rich areas, which may improve access to <br />employment, services, and transportation options for residents of varying income levels. While the City <br />has not conducted outreach specific to SB 79 at this stage, future community engagement related to <br />implementation would occur through the City's MTC Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) Policy work <br />and/or the Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) should the City pursue a Transit-Oriented Development <br />Alternative Plan. SB 79 establishes a statewide framework for allowing additional density near major <br />transit hubs which will promote affordable housing opportunities to a broader range of residents. The <br />law connects income-qualifying households to transit for access to jobs, healthcare, and education. It also <br />prevents displacement and protects existing affordable residents by requiring compliance with local <br />inclusionary requirements. Future planning efforts will further provide opportunities to evaluate potential <br />neighborhood-level impacts, engage affected communities, and develop implementation strategies that <br />reflect local needs and priorities. <br />8.A. - Page 16 of 97 <br />234