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housing is needed, and Redwood City needs 1,856 units. She brought up that there are challenges to provide affordable housing, such as losing redevelopment funding. Ms. Riordan also said that the City has made significant strides in providing affordable housing, such as streamlining the permit process and increasing house densities and height limits. She also brought up other affordable housing tools such as the Precise Plans, Development Agreements, Density Bonus Ordinances, and the Developer Initiative. Ms. Riordan discussed different housing projects. Ms. Riordan also remarked that the City has made progress, but more can be done. Staff will work on the 21 elements to address affordable housing in the wake of the loss of redevelopment funding. Ms. Riordan talked about bringing to Council in the future the Reasonable Accommodation Ordinance and a study session concerning Community Benefits with regards to the housing program. One Council Member thanked Ms. Riordan for the well thought-out and concise information. This Council Member is hoping that the slides should/will be placed on the City's website, so that people can know what the City is doing about this housing issue. She also felt that Redwood City has done a great job, but more can be done. Another Council Member said that she was glad to see the different levels of housing, and that it was good timing that this information came out in relation to future discussion on community benefits. She also pointed out that people can see how the State is putting out more guidelines for cities to follow. She also concurs that this is great information to have on our website. Vice Mayor Gee thanked Ms. Riordan and said it was a great report. He stated that he would like the Council and the City to think about progressive care housing for seniors: independent living and assisted care. He would like to see opportunities for them and he would like further discussion on this issue. Ms. Riordan pointed out that there are currently two projects for senior care. One Council Member appreciated this report. He would like to find more tools for affordable housing since the funding for Redevelopment money was taken away, and he mentioned how the City is suing for money on this issue. Another Council Member said thank you for continuing this report. He appreciated the dollar amounts stated in the report because the public can realize the impact. One Council Member appreciated what Vice Mayor Gee brought up regarding seniors, and he would like to see more ownership instead of rentals being part of the discussion with developers. The Mayor brought up the housing needs of college students. She further said that the community has many different housing needs, like the housing needs for Kainos. Nonetheless, the City does a lot of things for our community, but would like the developers to hear the different needs in housing from buying a condo to senior and transitional housing. Public Comment CITY COUNCIL April 8, 2013 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 11 MINUTE BOOK NO. 64 Page No. 325