HC Packet 12-13-2018CITY OF CUPERTINO
AGENDA
HOUSING COMMISSION
9:00 AM
10300 Torre Avenue, City Hall Conference Room C
Thursday, December 13, 2018
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1.Subject: Draft Minutes of June 14, 2018
Recommended Action: approve or modify the Draft Minutes of June 14, 2018
Draft Minutes of June 14, 2018
2.Subject: Draft Minutes of September 13, 2018
Recommended Action: approve or modify the Draft Minutes of September 13, 2018
Draft Minutes of September 13, 2018
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission
on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three (3) minutes. In most
cases, State law will prohibit the commission from making any decisions with respect to
a matter not listed on the agenda
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
3.Subject: Santa Clara County Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
subregion formation.
Page 1
December 13, 2018Housing Commission AGENDA
Recommended Action: That the Housing Commission recommend that the City
Council authorize the City Manager to:
1. Enter into discussions related to the formation of a Santa Clara County RHNA
subregion and develop a work plan, budget and schedule of actions leading to the
formation of a countywide RHNA subregion for trading housing needs allocation by
consensus and
2. Present a recommendation on whether or not to participate in the RHNA subregion
upon further study and discussions.
Tentative City Council hearing date: January 15, 2019
Staff Report
1 - Draft Resolution
2 - RHNA subregion overview
3 - Pros and Cons
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
Page 2
December 13, 2018Housing Commission AGENDA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), anyone who is planning
to attend the next meeting who is visually or hearing impaired or has any disability
that needs special assistance should call the City Clerk's Office at 408-777-3223, 48
hours in advance of the meeting to arrange for assistance. Upon request, in advance,
by a person with a disability, meeting agendas and writings distributed for the meeting
that are public records will be made available in the appropriate alternative format.
Also upon request, in advance, an assistive listening device can be made available for
use during the meeting.
Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the members after publication of
the agenda will be made available for public inspection. Please contact the City
Clerk’s Office in City Hall located at 10300 Torre Avenue during normal business
hours.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please be advised that pursuant to Cupertino Municipal
Code 2.08.100 written communications sent to the Cupertino City Council,
Commissioners or City staff concerning a matter on the agenda are included as
supplemental material to the agendized item. These written communications are
accessible to the public through the City’s website and kept in packet archives. You are
hereby admonished not to include any personal or private information in written
communications to the City that you do not wish to make public; doing so shall
constitute a waiver of any privacy rights you may have on the information provided to
the City.
Members of the public are entitled to address the members concerning any item that is
described in the notice or agenda for this meeting, before or during consideration of
that item. If you wish to address the members on any other item not on the agenda, you
may do so during the public comment.
Page 3
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE HOUSING COMMISSION HELD ON June 14, 2018
ROLL CALL
Commission Members present: Sue Bose, Chair
John Zhao, Vice Chair
Nina Daruwalla, Commissioner
Sanjiv Kapil, Commissioner
Commission Members absent: Poonam Goyal, Commissioner
Staff present: Erick Serrano, Associate Planner
Benjamin Fu, Assistant Community Development Director
Chair Bose opened the meeting at 9:05am.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of the April 12, 2018 Housing Commission meeting were approved as written. Commissioner
Zhao made a motion and Commissioner Kapil seconded the motion.
APPROVE: Bose, Kapil, Zhao
ABSENT: Goyal
ABSTAIN: Daruwalla
VOTE: 3-0-2 (Daruwala abstain, Goyal absent)
ORAL/WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
2. 2018-19 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan
Chair Bose opened the item. Staff member Serrano gave an overview on the 2018-19 CDBG Annual
Action Plan. Staff member Serrano explained that the City was not notified of the funding allocation
until May, where the funding is typically made available in January or February. Staff explained how
funding allocation was appropriated into groups such as Public Service Grants, Administrative and
Capital/Housing Projects.
Commissioner Daruwalla asked about the amount of money spent on staff. Staff indicated that 20% of
the funds is based on the CDBG program, and pays for staffing and consultants. Commissioner Kapil
asked if any of the CDBG funds go it the City’s Below Market Rate (BMR) funds, and why BMR funds
are mentioned in the report. Staff informed the Commission that the no BMR funds come from the
2
CDBG, but that BMR funds are mentioned because the Department of Housing and Urban Development
likes to be informed on how city resources are leveraged.
No comments were provided by the public.
APPROVE: Bose, Zhao, Daruwalla, Kapil
ABSENT: Goyal
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE: 4-0-1 (Goyal absent)
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS:
Chair Bose attended the monthly Mayor’s meeting and provided a report.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 am to the next regularly scheduled Housing Commission meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
/s/Erick Serrano
Erick Serrano
Associate Planner
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
THE HOUSING COMMISSION HELD ON September 13, 2018
ROLL CALL
Commission Members present: John Zhao, Vice Chair
Nina Daruwalla, Commissioner
Poonam Goyal, Commissioner
Sanjiv Kapil, Commissioner
Commission Members absent: Sue Bose, Chair
Staff present: Erick Serrano, Associate Planner
Vice Chair Zhao opened the meeting at 9:05am.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Draft Minutes of August 9, 2018
The Draft Minutes of August 9, 2018 were approved as amended
ORAL/WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
PUBLIC HEARING
2. Subject: 2017-18 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated
Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)
Recommended Action: Conduct the Public Hearing and Adopt Draft Resolution #18-05
approving the 2017-18 CDBG CAPER
Discussion summary:
Housing Consultant for staff, Colleen Lopez, reviewed the Staff Report and answered questions
from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Kapil had questions regarding the total for CDBS Public Services. Housing Consultant
staff provided clarification on the total, and indicating that administration is 20% of the amount.
Commissioner Kapil question how money was distributed to regarding to units at Vista Village. Staff
indicated that the money went to units that were of the highest need first.
2
Commissioners asked questions regarding outreach. Staff indicated that the City has processes on how
to distribute information.
Vice Chair Zhao opened the public comment period, but no comments were give. Vice Chair
Zhao then closed the public comment period
The Commissioners discussed the draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). They made no changes to
the draft and recommended its submission to HUD
Motioned: Com. Daruwalla, Second: Com. Goyal
APPROVE: Goyal, Daruwalla, Kapil
ABSENT: Bose,
ABSTAIN: none
VOTE:4-0-0 (Bose absent)
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
STAFF AND COMMISSION REPORTS:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15am to the next regularly scheduled Housing Commission meeting.
Respectfully submitted:
/s/Erick Serrano
Erick Serrano
Associate Planner
394\20\2415540.1
HOUSING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: December 13, 2018
Subject
Santa Clara County Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) subregion
formation.
Recommended Action
That the Housing Commission adopt the Draft Resolution (Attachment 1)
recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager to:
1. Enter into discussions related to the formation of a Santa Clara County RHNA
subregion and develop a work plan, budget and schedule of actions leading to
the formation of a countywide RHNA subregion for trading housing needs
allocation by consensus and
2. Present a recommendation on whether or not to participate in the RHNA
subregion upon further study and discussions.
Discussion
Background
The process of setting targets for housing growth, a necessary precursor to
updating Housing Elements, is called the Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA). The state mandates that different California regions begin their eight-
year housing planning cycle on a staggered basis identified by the Department of
Housing and Community Development (HCD). HCD determines housing
demand for the state and subsequently, allocates this housing demand by region
upon consultation with the regional Council of Governments (COG). The COG for
each region then plans for this demand by distributing the need among all of its
constituent cities and counties. By law, the methodology the COG uses to allocate
the housingmust comply with State policy objectives in the Government Code and
be adopted through a fair and open public process.
394\20\2415540.1
The task of allocating the housing need among the nine county San Francisco Bay
Area falls to the Association of Bay Area Governments/Metropolitan
Transportation Commission (ABAG/MTC). Once each jurisdiction receives its
final RHNA, they must amend their Housing Element to show how it plans to
accommodate the growth allocation, including identifying and zoning sites
appropriately, according to state law requirements. Cupertino’s next Housing
Element update is expected in 2022 with the housing allocation process occurring
in 2021.
State law allows the formation of subregions to conduct an allocation process
parallel to, but separate from, the regional COG process. Jurisdictions that have
not been satisfied with housing allocation occurring at the geographically larger
regional level (COG) have formed their own RHNA subregions to develop their
own methodology and allocate housing in a more locally relevant regional level.
In the subregional process, the COG assigns a percentage of the region's total
housing need to the subregion. The subregion is then able to allocate the RHNA
to its members using its own methodology, provided that the subregion's
methodology is consistent with the objectives listed in Government Code section
65584(d) and follows the state-mandated public process for assigning allocations
or could accept the allocation assigned by the COG and then determine whether
there are any local trades may be conducted. The most important specific
limitation is that every city and county must be assigned at least some very low
and low-income units under Government Code section 65584.04(i)(2). Once a
subregion arrives at a final allocation, including any trades between member
jurisdictions, the subregional allocations must be submitted to the COG for
approval, and the COG retains the ability to modify the allocations, if necessary,
to meet state law requirements.
In the ABAG/MTC region, of which Cupertino is a part, subregions were formed
in Napa, San Mateo and Solano counties for the 2015-2023 RHNA cycle. The
jurisdictions in these subregions worked together to allocate their housing
allocation based on local factors, and ABAG/MTC approved agreed-upon
distribution. As an example, in the fifth Housing Cycle, of the 21 jurisdictions in
the San Mateo subregion, seven jurisdictions did not see any changes to their COG
allocated RHNA allocations, nine jurisdictions had a reduction in their RHNA
allocations and 5 jurisdictions had an increase. In most cases, jurisdictions that
were willing to accept more units did so because they had already contemplated
the development of a higher number of units in their adopted general plan.
Several jurisdictions in the Santa Clara county expressed their concerns with the
regional housing allocation process from the prior housing planning cycle to the
394\20\2415540.1
Cities Association of Santa Clara County1; as a result of which, in the interests of
improving the implementation of housing in a more locally relevant regional
manner, the Board adopted the exploration of a Santa Clara County RHNA
subregion as a priority for the upcoming RHNA cycle (2023 - 2031.) To that end,
the Board approved the formation of a Regional Housing Task
Force/Subcommittee in 2015 to:
1. Develop of a framework and process needed to form and implement a
subregion in Santa Clara County for the next RHNA cycle (2023 – 2031); and
2. Review potential options for further regional response.
The Subcommittee presented its findings at the June 14, 2018 Cities Association
Board meeting and requested board members to take the topic of a subregion back
to each individual City Council for discussion prior to the Board’s vote on the
formation of a subregion. The City Council reviewed this item at its August 21,
2018 meeting and had the following comments:
Concern that Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) are heavily weighted toward
big cities;
Big cities are championing business impact fees that are levied regionally
but passed on to cities that generate more housing, so big cities would
receive more money since they have more developable land;
With subregions, larger cities would be motivated to force more allocation
on job rich cities at the regional level (MTC/ABAG) and expect allocation
trading in exchange for financial consideration at the subregional level;
Right way to allocate housing is objective needs for each City of Cupertino;
Wary of allocation trading;
Need to have vote on regional body, so proceed, but make sure staff gets
answers to questions such how does a city consent to an increase in
allocation (is it a majority vote or super majority vote)?;
Keep autonomy over any increases in allocation.
Following input from all the jurisdictions in the Santa Clara County, at its October
11, 2018 meeting, the Cities Association Board voted unanimously to establish a
subregion. The subregion Task Force will be reconvened to oversee the RHNA
subregion formation process.
1 The Cities Association of Santa Clara County was formed in 1990 to represent the mutual interests
of the diverse fifteen cities of Santa Clara County. The Cities Association presents a unified (and
equal) voice to other agencies, organizations, and levels of government.
394\20\2415540.1
Analysis
The Regional Housing Task Force/Subcommittee presented a number of items for
the Board’s consideration in June and October 2018. These include an overview of
the RHNA subregion (see Attachment 2,) and pros and cons of forming a RHNA
subregion (Attachment 3.)
Overview:Subregions may be formed between any two jurisdictions but must
include a county. A subregion is allowed to develop its own methodology, issue
draft allocations to member jurisdictions, conduct the revision and appeal
processes, and issue final allocations. Each subregion is also required to ensure
that its final housing allocation is consistent with the Bay Area's Sustainable
Communities Strategy.2
For purposes of this RHNA subregion, the Cities Association is not proposing to
change the methodology for determining the allocation. The subregion would
allow cities the opportunity to make mutual agreements with cities in the
subregion to trade allocations, provided such agreements are consistent with
State-defined objectives and that each jurisdiction retain at least some allocation of
units for low- and very low income households.
Cities can choose not to make any agreements and simply accept the regional
allocation. However, being a member of the subregion would allow each city a
vote in the final subregional RHNA allocation. If a city chooses not to be a part of
the subregion, they would neither have the opportunity to trade allocations nor
have a vote in the proposed trades and allocations within the subregion.
Proposed Structure:The SC county RHNA subregion could consist of one member
of each City Council and one member of the County Board of Supervisors. The
final structure of the subregion would be part of the discussions the City Manager
would be involved in. Several standing committees that would assist in the goals
of the RHNA subregion could be established. These could include the:
Policy Committee – elected officials provide policy direction, review the
Technical Advisory Committee recommendations and adopt policy
consensus for transmittal for cities and counties for ratification;
2 The Sustainable Communities Strategy or SCS is a state-mandated, integrated long-range
transportation and land use plan. Required by Senate Bill 375, all metropolitan regions in California
must complete a SCS as part of a Regional Transportation Plan. In the Bay Area, ABAG/MTC is
responsible for developing and adopting a SCS that integrates transportation, land use and housing
to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The
most recent SCS for the San Francisco Bay Area is the Plan Bay Area 2040, updated last in 2017.
394\20\2415540.1
Technical Advisory Committee – Senior staff technical experts in the field of
housing and land use from each jurisdiction to develop recommendations for
the City Manager’s Association to consider;
City Managers Association – monthly outreach through the City Manager’s
Association to allow ongoing input and consideration of the Technical
Advisory Committee recommendations, prior to approval of the final by the
Policy Committee;
City Councils and Board of Supervisors – Ratify the final allocation; and
ABAG – Final approval of the RHNA Final Allocation.
Pros and Cons:The Subcommittee identified several advantages of forming a
RHNA subregion. These are attached as Attachment 3 and include:
Allowing jurisdictions flexibility and an opportunity for them to trade RHNA
allocations. For e.g., notwithstanding the subregions allocation, a city could
choose to accept the regional allocation or choose to make agreements with
cities in the subregion for trading allocations.
Empowering cities to have a say in regional planning. For e.g. should a city’s
appeal on their regional allocation get upheld, it is up to ABAG/MTC to
decide how to redistribute the appealed allocation. However, with a
subregion, a city can trade allocations with another city.
Allow cities to collaborate on better planned development since they can
work together to address regional issues such as transit and would not
necessarily be confined by a city boundary.
Create a forum to discuss sharing of planning resources. For e.g. in the San
Mateo subregion, all 21 jurisdictions share in the cost to pay a consultant to
assist in the preparation of their housing elements and data needs.
It also identified disadvantages of the formation of a subregion, which include:
Putting in time, effort and resources and ending up with the same result as
the regional allocation.
Lack of trust for a fair and equitable process.
Loss of political distance from ABAG/MTC which may result in pressure on
the community to produce additional housing.
No role model since no other existing subregion has such large variance in
population in each of the cities.
Impact of new housing laws:Recent and proposed changes to housing laws may also
impact the effect of subregions in future housing cycles. For example, SB 166 was
adopted in 2017 to require jurisdictions to make specific findings or upzone
additional property if development on housing element sites is proposed and/or
394\20\2415540.1
approved at different affordability levels than are shown in the housing element's
inventory. This requirement may make jurisdictions more hesitant to accept
additional lower income RHNA allocations than they have been previously,
because there are greater consequences of not approving housing for lower-
income households. Other 2017 changes in housing element law have increased
the standards for designating acceptable sites to accommodate housing
development, so even if a jurisdiction wants to accept a higher allocation of
RHNA, it may not have adequate sites available to do so. Finally, two bills signed
by the Governor in September 2018, AB 1771 and SB 828, give HCD additional
review authority over regional and subregional allocations and, in general, would
assign more units to high-income, high-job cities.If these bills are adopted, it could
further impact potential subregional processes in Santa Clara County and
throughout the state, particularly in job-rich cities. In addition to these recently
adopted laws, future laws could also severely impact cities ability to negotiate
trades. These and other issues will be discussed and evaluated by the City
Manager in presenting staff’s recommendation at a later date.
What are other cities doing?: The following table indicates responses from other
jurisdictions in Santa Clara County based on a table presented to the Cities
Association Board in early October 2018:
Jurisdiction Action Notes/Comments
Campbell Yes
Gilroy Yes Methodology should be based on the goals of Plan
Bay Area
All cities must accept equitable share of the
allocation
Los Altos Yes
Los Altos Hills Yes Signed Resolution
Los Gatos Yes
Milpitas n/a Will discuss in November
Monte Sereno Yes
Morgan Hill Yes Signed Resolution
Mountain View Yes Signed Resolution
Palo Alto Yes
San Jose Yes
Santa Clara Yes Signed Resolution
Saratoga Yes
394\20\2415540.1
Jurisdiction Action Notes/Comments
Sunnyvale n/a City Manager says open to conversation but no
item has been agendized on this issue since first
request to do so sent in July 2018.
Response to Grand Jury report, Density is our
Destiny,said RHNA sug-region would not be
implemented and is unrealistic by end of 2019
Santa Clara
County
n/a To be discussed in December 2018
Fiscal Impact
It is expected that there will be costs associated with the establishment of a RHNA
subregion related to administration, legal review, outreach, noticing and
communicating with ABAG/MTC. The Cities Association expects that an estimate
for the Santa Clara County RHNA subregion will be developed and presented
when cities are presented with the decision to join the subregion. However, it is
anticipated that the costs of participation will be low since existing infrastructure
such as the Cities Association, and Technical staff from each individual city will
be used.
Conclusion
The Housing Commission should consider recommending that the City Council
authorize the City Manager to discuss the different aspects of formation of a
RHNA subregion and present a formal recommendation in the future based upon
further study and discussions.
Next Steps
The Housing Commission’s recommendation will be presented to the City Council
for its final action; following which, the City Manager will engage in discussions
on formation of a RHNA subregion with the Santa Clara County Cities Association
and present a formal recommendation in 2019/2020. The RHNA subregion needs
to be formed no later than September 2020 since state law requires that all RHNA
subregions be formed at least 28 months prior to the Housing Element due date of
January 31, 2023 (Govt. Code Section 65584.03(a)).
Prepared by: Piu Ghosh, Principal Planner
Reviewed by: Aarti Shrivastava, Assistant City Manager
394\20\2415540.1
Attachments
1. Draft Resolution recommending that the City Council authorize the City
Manager to initiate discussions about forming a RHNA subregion and
present a recommendation in the future
2. RHNA Subregion Overview
3. Pros and Cons
CITY OF CUPERTINO
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
RESOLUTION NO.
OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPT A RESOLUTION INDICATING INTENT TO SUPPORT FORMATION
OF A HOUSING SUBREGION OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY LOCAL AND
COUNTY GOVERNMENTS TO FACILITATE AND IMPLEMENT
COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PRODUCTION CONSISTENT WITH THE
REGIONAL HOUSING NEEDS ALLOCATION (RHNA) FORMULA
CURRENTLY ASSIGNED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA
GOVERNMENTS (ABAG)
The Housing Commission recommends that the City Council, in substantially similar
form to the Draft Resolution attached hereto as Exhibit A, adopt a resolution indicating
intent to support formation of Housing subregion of Santa Clara County local and county
governments and authorizing the City Manager to enter into discussions to form a
recommendation for the City Council, to consider in the future, related to forming a
RHNA subregion.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this __th day of ____________, 2018, at the Regular Meeting of
the Housing Commission of the City of Cupertino, State of California, by the following
roll call vote:
AYES:COMMISSIONERS:
NOES:COMMISSIONERS:
ABSTAIN:COMMISSIONERS:
ABSENT:COMMISSIONERS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
Kerri Heusler Chair, Housing Commission
Senior Planner City of Cupertino
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF CUPERTINO
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, California 95014
RESOLUTION NO. 18 - XXX
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO
INDICATING INTENT TO SUPPORT FORMATION OF A HOUSING
SUBREGION OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY LOCAL AND COUNTY
GOVERNMENTS TO FACILITATE AND IMPLEMENT COUNTYWIDE
HOUSING PRODUCTION CONSISTENT WITH THE REGIONAL HOUSING
NEEDS ALLOCATION (RHNA) FORMULA CURRENTLY ASSIGNED BY THE
ASSOCIATION OF BAY AREA GOVERNMENTS (ABAG)
WHEREAS, Housing Element Law (Gov. Code Sections 65580 – 65589.8) provides for a
Regional Housing Need Allocation process (RHNA); and
WHEREAS, to implement such RHNA process in the San Francisco Bay Area, the State
of California has delegated to the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
responsibility to adopt an allocation methodology, then use the adopted methodology to
assign to each jurisdiction in the Bay Area the obligation to zone enough housing
development capacity to accommodate production of a specific number of housing units
during the period from 2023 through 2031; and
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 65584.03 provides that certain combinations of
local governments may form a subregion to perform RHNA for themselves in order to
allocate among themselves the total number of housing units assigned to them
collectively by ABAG; and
WHEREAS, the City/County of ______________ is interested in exploring the formation
of a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) subregion consistent with the
California Government Code Section 65584 et seq and acceptable to the Association of
Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the California Department of Housing and
Community Development (HCD) to facilitate collaboration with the county and all cities
in the County of Santa Clara, to efficiently and effectively deliver housing production
goals; and
WHEREAS, the Board of the Cities Association of Santa Clara County has directed the
review of the benefits of such a subregion and subsequently representatives of the Cities
Association of Santa Clara County (CASCC) have formed a committee to evaluate and
Draft Resolution No. 18-XXX RHNA Subregion Page 3
make recommendations regarding the importance of and opportunities for success
through shared housing strategies which could be facilitated by a subregional effort; and
WHEREAS, housing is a countywide challenge, and housing production types, numbers,
density, appropriateness and affordability levels can vary in different communities, and
the Cities’ recognize all production types are important to the housing supply of the
County and its related economic and social health; and
WHEREAS, Cities are individually accountable for, and retain full local authority for,
identifying sites for housing development and for adopting and implementing housing
policies intended to facilitate production of housing to meet local, regional and state
policy objectives embodied in the numbers prescribed by ABAG the Sustainable
Community Strategy that will be adopted by ABAG and the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission (MTC) in 2021; and
WHEREAS; through mutual cooperation and planning, the production of these housing
units may be enhanced through collective efforts and resources, therefore creating a
forum for developing countywide policy consensus on matters related to the Sustainable
Community Strategy;
NOW, THEREFORE the City of Cupertino does hereby find, determine, resolve and order
as follows:
Section 1: That it is in the best interest of the City to join with other cities in Santa Clara
County to explore creation of the RHNA subregion and that by working together to plan
for housing growth, the stage is set for implementing housing and more housing will
ultimately be built to meet the needs of the entire County and its residents.
Section 2:That the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to enter into
discussions regarding the formation of a RHNA subregion and the development of a
workplan and budget, and schedule of actions leading to the countywide, self-
administration of the housing needs allocation process, allocating the countywide total
housing needs allocation among all the Cities and unincorporated County by consensus;
and to bring back a recommendation and resolution for action to join a RHNA subregion,
or in the alternative, an explanation detailing the decision not to participate in the RHNA
subregion.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this __th day of ____________, 2018, at the Regular Meeting of
the City Council of the City of Cupertino, State of California, by the following roll call
vote:
Draft Resolution No. 18-XXX RHNA Subregion Page 4
AYES:CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES:CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSTAIN:CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT:CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
Grace Schmidt Mayor
City Clerk City of Cupertino
Santa Clara County
Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Subregion Overview
1
What is a RHNA subregion? (Government Code Section 65584.03)
In recognition of the common interests and mutual challenges and opportunities associated with
providing housing, two or more contiguous cities and a county may form a subregional entity for
the purpose of allocation of the subregion’s existing and projected need for housing among its
members in accordance with the allocation methodology established pursuant to Government
Code Section 65584.04.
All decisions of the subregion shall be approved by vote as provided for in the rules adopted by the
local governments comprising the subregion, or shall be approved by vote of the county and the
majority of the cities with the majority of population within the county.
What are the steps to create a subregion, following the prescribed timelines in State law?
1. Each participating jurisdiction adopts a resolution indicating its commitment to participating in
the subregional entity.
2. For Santa Clara County, the subregional entity could be a committee of the Cities Association
with participating cities and the County.
3. The Cities Association (or other entity) would enter into an agreement with the Council of
Governments (COG, in our case ABAG/MTC) that sets forth the process, timing, and other
terms and conditions of the delegation of responsibility by the COG to the subregion.
What does the subregion do, following the prescribe timelines in State law?
1. The subregion determines the methodology for allocating housing need to its participating
jurisdictions according to State law (or accepts the methodology factors from the COG as a
starting point for further distribution), providing opportunity for public comment and
modification prior to adoption of the methodology.
2. The COG allocates a share to the subregion based on a proportion consistent with the
distribution of households assumed for the comparable time period of the applicable regional
transportation plan.
3. The subregion allocates the distribution of the RHNA to the participating jurisdictions
according to the adopted methodology, providing an opportunity for public comment and
modification prior to finalizing the distribution.
What is the estimated cost of a subregion versus typical participation in the RHNA process?
Assuming that the subregion does not hire a consultant to create a separate methodology, the
costs would be:
1. Administrating and documenting the subregion meetings and decisions;
2. Conducting the required outreach prior to the subregion making its decisions ;
3. Communicating with ABAG/MTC as needed; and
4. Publishing the required notices.
The Planning Departments of the participating jurisdictions typically absorb the RHNA evaluation
without additional staffing or consultant assistance.
Santa Clara County
Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Subregion Overview
2
What are other activities that the subregion could assume outside of the RHNA process and State
law?
Foster collaboration between cities within Santa Clara County
o Focus on Measure A implementation
o Facilitate an open dialogue between the jurisdictions, public, and interested
organizations on housing issues and opportunities
o Share best practices regarding rehabilitating existing housing stock, addressing
gentrification/displacement, etc.
Work together to obtain and commit more financial resources to affordable housing
production
o Support for 2018 ballot measure for affordable housing funding
o Consider potential legislative efforts to seek meaningful tax credits and other
mechanisms
SANTA CLARA COUNTY RHNA SUBREGION TASK FORCE
PROS & CONS OF RHNA SUBREGION FORMATION
Pros Cons Example
Creates flexibility & allows
cities to trade
Distribute the subregion’s
numbers or can use ABAG’s
distribution
Empowers cities to have a
say in the regional planning
process
Self-determination: a city is
able to accept or not accept
allocation from another city.
Allows better alignment
between local and regional
needs
Ability to plan along on
transit corridors and near
employment.
Can find innovative solutions
Collective problem-solving
which may include
negotiating credits and
creative financing
May facilitate the production
of more housing
Utilizes economies of scale
and eliminates duplication.
Siting housing near
supportive services.
Creates a forum for
collaboration that leads to
innovative solutions
San Mateo County Trade
Woodside/Redwood City &
Daly City/Colma/County
Creates awareness (and
healthy competition)
Creates a forum to share
knowledge and success.
When one city is doing the
heavy lifting, may encourage
other jurisdictions to step up
to the plate.
If success, may create
additional opportunities for
collaborative work
Success may be housing or
spill over to other technical
areas (transportation). May
use collaboration for
legislative advocacy.
Better development Cities can work together to
build near transit and not
SANTA CLARA COUNTY RHNA SUBREGION TASK FORCE
PROS & CONS OF RHNA SUBREGION FORMATION
necessarily confined by a city
boundary.
Creates a forum to discuss
sharing of planning resources
Share resources - - may share
in cost to pay consultants for
housing element preparation
or program ideas (for those
who want to share).
Time, effort & resources
which may end in same
result.
What if subregion fails to
produce a different
allocation?
Lack of trust for fair and
equitable process.
Some cities may shirk their
responsibility to step up and
accept housing.
Increases local control
Ability to control own
numbers and improve
county-wide performance.
Loss of political distance from
MTC and ABAG
Pressure on community to
produce additional housing.
Lack of clarity of the benefits
to accept someone’s
numbers/housing
City worried about allocation
dumping
Still need to plan for housing for all income levels
Can’t go to zero. Every
jurisdiction still has an
allocation in every income
level.
No role model No other subregion has such
large population variances.
Increased use of ADUs ADUs more feasible with
cities with large residential
lots.