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8.G. - Page 1 <br /> RE PO RT <br /> To the Honorable Mayor and City Council <br /> From the Cit Mana er <br /> June 24, 2013 <br /> SUBJECT <br /> Staff outline of a process to explore the development of a Community Benefit Program <br /> for future consideration by the City Council <br /> RECOMMENDATION <br /> The purpose of this staff report is to present a proposed process to explore the creation <br /> of a Community Benefit Program. No action is required. <br /> BACKGROUND <br /> Community Benefit Programs have been created by many local governments in order to <br /> define the conditions and process for allowing specific incentives or bonuses to be <br /> granted to a developer in exchange for certain desired benefits or amenities for the <br /> community. These programs typically outline to some degree the types of incentives <br /> available to developers (such as additional building height, floor area ratio or units per <br /> acre), the benefits of interest to the community (such as parks, infrastructure, or <br /> affordable housing) and the procedures for implementing the program. Local <br /> governments have established such programs to provide parameters within which to <br /> determine common interests between developers and the community resulting in <br /> increased investment in important public improvements. <br /> There are a number of factors that may inform Redwood City as it considers the <br /> possibility of establishing a Community Benefits Program. With the statewide <br /> dismantling of redevelopment agencies, the City has lost a significant source of support <br /> for investing in the community. Yet there are compelling opportunities and needs that <br /> have or will soon be identified through a variety of planning processes, including the <br /> General Plan Update, Housing Element Recertification, Climate Action Plan and the <br /> upcoming process, beginning in January 2014, for the City Council to update its <br /> strategic initiatives. Finally, the increased level of development interest in Redwood <br /> City suggests that the timing and climate might be right for exploring this topic. <br /> ANALYSIS <br /> The purpose of this study session is not to discuss the possible elements of a <br /> Community Benefits Program, but rather for staff to share its thinking about the data <br /> needed to inform such a program and the process and timing for developing it. The <br /> steps in the process will include: <br />