AgdaPkt 2012-04-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.1.A. - Page 31 there should be support, with higher density and higher zoning, to include affordable housing as one of the benefits for public giving. David Crabbe, representing the Substantial Land Use Committee of the Sierra Club, said they believe the developer is trying to do a good project. He opined that they try to get more people to use more transit, but this project's parking code is basically suburban, not appropriate on EI Camino Real, the Grand Boulevard, and he detailed why. He spoke in favor of 15 percent affordable housing and opined that more is needed in this community, and that all housing should be affordable Andy Gabriel, a member of the local San Mateo County International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and a resident homeowner, spoke about the changes in commercial and residential projects that he has seen and that benefit the community. He opined that the Planning Commission and City Council do a great job, but it is wrong to allow Urban Housing to do business here because they not care about local workers and refusing to pay prevailing wages. He spoke in favor of the need to employ local people at prevailing wages so they can afford a fair living in Redwood City. Charley Lavery, a representative of the Operating Engineers Local 3, said there are 350 members living in and around Redwood City that are constituents, heads of households, wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, and these are skilled operating engineers that are struggling to stay afloat in a faltering recovery, and in one of the most expensive areas to live in country. He asked that something be done today to give local constituents a fighting chance by requiring a prevailing wage be paid. Diane Howard, a member of the Transportation and Housing Committee and representing the Redwood City San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, said they submitted a letter in the agenda packet to Council in support of the project. She opined that this project is a well-designed, compact, pedestrian project on an infill site precisely as envisioned as part of the Grand Boulevard Initiative on the EI Camino corridor. She detailed what the developer has voluntarily done in support of the City's economic development: a 5 percent bid preference to Redwood City contractors, 95 percent contractors must be Bay Area based, increased and affordable housing, and in support of the goals of the Chambers of Commerce. She opined that the February 11th newspaper article in the Daily Journal was inaccurate and she feels the City and City Council has made great strides with affordable housing units. Edie Keating, a resident of Palo Alto feels affordable housing is a regional issue, every unit is precious, and there should be permanent affordable housing, like Palo Alto has with 15 percent below market rate housing, which has worked well. She questioned whether or not the City has the right rules for developers to support Redwood City values. She spoke in favor of changing the rules, accepting the five affordable units, and then placing on a future agenda a Below Market Rate ordinance for the benefit of the community and the region to be applicable for all future developments. William (Bill) Nack provided a handout (on file), representing the San Mateo County Building Trades Council, said he does not support the project with the 5-units of CITY COUNCIL February 13, 2012 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 11