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9.C. - Page 2 <br /> exception from particular standards in return for "substantial community benefits." This <br /> broad terminology can create confusion among the public, the Council, and the <br /> development community about common expectations for community benefits. Research <br /> regarding "best practices" indicates a trend of moving towards a more tightly-defined <br /> and predictable program. <br /> Some communities, such as Santa Barbara and Jupiter, Florida, have already adopted <br /> a structured approach to community benefits in exchange for zoning code allowances. <br /> Though significantly larger than Redwood City, the City of San Diego has a highly- <br /> structured program that assigns different weights to a menu of benefits based on <br /> community priorities. In further phases of the study, staff will continue to research other <br /> cities' best practices. <br /> This issue is of interest in many communities across the Bay Area. The Greenbelt <br /> Alliance released a memo in November 2012 with an overview of public benefits <br /> policies and associated case studies that provides guidance to cities looking to establish <br /> or re-orient their community benefits programs (Attachment 2). <br /> Contact with Stakeholders - Staff has spoken with representatives of various <br /> community groups to get initial views on community benefits programs and possible <br /> strengths and weaknesses. This group included representatives from the following <br /> groups: <br /> • Building Trades Council of San Mateo County <br /> • The San Mateo Housing Leadership Council <br /> • Fair Oaks Community Center <br /> • Assisted Living Facility Operations Manager <br /> • Residential Developer from Lennar <br /> • MidPen Housing <br /> Based on their comments, staff has identified some key features to consider in future <br /> phases of this study. These include: <br /> • Ensure transparency in the process with the public. It can be important to have <br /> everyone, advocates, developers, and residents together in the same room. <br /> • Consider having specialized community benefits for the Downtown and/or other <br /> Priority Development Areas. <br /> • Evaluate whether community benefits are "extra" for projects asking for special <br /> allowances, or a mandatory requirement for development over a certain size. <br /> • Analyze the connection between development projects and the need for reliable <br /> transportation and affordable housing, particularly for low-income residents. <br /> • Consider prioritizing capital improvements such as streetscape, open space or <br /> other physical-types of improvements. <br /> • Examine the potential of funding anti-poverty programs, particularly programs <br /> that have been established over the long term. <br />