11. Housing Mitigation
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CUPERTINO
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE' CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
(408) 777-3308 . FAX (408) 777-3333
AGENDA ITEM NO. .11
AGENDA DATE: June 5. 2007
SUBJECT:
Consider adopting a resolution (Resolution No. 07-099) approving housing mitigation fees (continued
from May 1, 2007).
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 07-099, amending the 2006-07 fee schedule as follows:
. Raise the housing mitigation fee from $2.32 to $4.75 per square foot.
· Assess the mitigation fee against. office, industrial, hotel, retail and research and development
projects.
· Redevelopment area projects and mixed-use projects of at least two-thirds residential and one-
third retail/office will be exempt from the fee, as long as they provide Below Market Rate
housing as part of a residential development.
· Raise the residential housing in-lieu fee from $1.19 per square footto either a sliding scale fee
with the fee for.a six unit development being set at a maximum of $49 per square foot with an
exemption for existing single family parcels or set a fee of $2.50 per square foot for
developments of six units or less as recommended by the Cupertino Housing Commission.
BACKGROUND:
On February 27, 2006, Council adopted Resolution 06-045 approving a fee study and directing staff to
include retail and hotel developments in the housing mitigation program at the same rate as office and
industrial projects. Council also proposed raising the in-lieu fee from $2.32 per square foot to $4.75 per
square foot. The resolution exempted redevelopment projects and certain mixed-use projects from the
impact fee, but required them to provide Below Market Rate (BMR) housing units instead.
The new fee was to be implemented with the entire fee schedule adopted at the April 4, 2006 Council
meeting. However, the approved fee schedule, in error, raised the fee only by the cost of living
percentage, to $2.32 per square foot and it did not include the retail and hotel elements. In April 2006,
Council directed staff to further .study the mitigation fee for residential projects.. That study was
completed and approved by the Housing Commission on January 11, 2007. The commission and the
study further recommended that the residential development fee be raised from the current $1.19 per
square foot to $2.50 per square foot.
11 - 1
At the March 6, 2007 City Council meeting, the City Council requested that staff conduct additional
research on the fee calculations for the residential component. Council members expressed interest in
charging a fee for fractional units and reviewing a sliding scale approach to the residential fee. for
developments of six units or less. Furthermore,.Council directed staff to research making the fee at the
sixth unit high enough to discourage a developer from deliberately reducing their unit count from seven
to six units to avoid building a BMR unit.
Staff conducted the research and presented the findings at the April 3, 2007 City Council meeting. The
staff report with detailed information can be found in Exhibit A. At this meeting, the Cupertino Chamber
of Commerce requested a continuation of the fee adoption to meet with staff and discuss the fee
recommendations. The item was continued to May 1,2007 and subsequently continued again to June 5,
2007.
DISCUSSION:
Staff met with the Chamber four times since April 3, 2007 and both parties have agreed on the following
amendments to the current mitigation program. Reference to exempting use permits prior to 1993 will be
removed from the manual. Instead credit will be issued for any office, retail, hotel building that is
currently on the ground. This credit will be directly tied to the demolition permit. In order to receive
the credit, the property owner will need to submit a stamped letter from a licensed surveyor certifying
the existing square footage when applying for a demolition permit. The credit shall remain in place for
two years with an automatic one-year renewal upon receipt of a written request for extension. A cap, to
be proposed, will be set for the housing mitigationlBMR fees to ensure that no one corporation is paying
an unfair share of this tax and to provide a built-in credit for large companies providing other types of
revenue sources to the city, such as sales tax.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Housing mitigation fee revenues are dependent on the mix and volume of projects, but the near doubling
of the fee rates and expansion of fee basis should double the revenues per project. Nearly $344,000 was
collected last year. The new Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requires cities with lower
concentrations oflow and very low income to show they can provide.a greater percentage of housing for
these income levels. Consequently, the City of Cupertino will need greater resources to address
affordable housing needs for the low and very-low income categories. The Housing Mitigation fees are
the City of Cupertino's primary resource for affordable housing development.
While retail and hotel development projects are new to this fee, the recent lowering of other
construction-related fees will mitigate the overall impact to these businesses.
PREPARED BY: Vera Gil, Senior Planner
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REVIEWED BY:
~, t2fl~tfm-
Steve Piasecki
Director of Community Development
Attachments:
Resolution No. 07-099
Exhibit A: April 3, 2007 Staff Report with attachments
APPROVED FOR SUBMLTT AL:
&si
David W. Knapp
City Manager
11 - 3
DRAFT
RESOLUTION NO. 07-099
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO ADOPTING
BELOW MARKET RATE HOUSING PROGRAM MITIGATION FEES
WHEREAS, the City has conducted a Jobs Housing Nexus Study in 1992; and
WHEREAS, the Housing Element of the 2005 General Plan states that an updated Jobs Housing
Nexus Study shall be conducted; and
WHEREAS, Keyser Marston and Associates conducted a "Jobs Housing Nexus Update" pursuant
to the State Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code Section 66000, et seq.); and
WHEREAS, the "Jobs Housing Nexus Update" has found that there is a nexus between new retail,
hotel and office/industrial development, the creation of jobs and the demand for very-low, low, median
and moderate income housing for the employees; and .
WHEREAS, a fee will can legally be assessed on said development; and
WHEREAS, the fee will be used solely to increase and improve the supply of housing affordable
to very-low, low,'median and moderate income employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BElT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Cupertino adopts a
fee of $4.75 a square foot to be assessed on any new retail, hotel and office/industrial development
applications. A cap shall also be proposed, will be set for the housing mitigation/BMR fees.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following uses shall be exempt
from the impact fee, but still required to provide Below Market Rate Housing as part of a residential
development: projects in a redevelopment project area and mixed use projects providing two thirds
residential and one third retail/office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council directs staff to
prepare an Affordable Housing Program Ordinance detailing the housing impact fees.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cupertino this
5th day of June 2007 by the following vote:
Vote Members of the City Council
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN :
A TIEST: .
APPROVED:
City Clerk
Mayor, City of Cupertino
11 - 4
Exhibit A
cItY OF
.CUPEI{fINO
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 777-3308
FAX (408) 777-3333
Community Development Department
Housing Services
Summary
Agenda Item' No. 17a
Agenda Date: April 3.2007
SUBJECT:
Consider the 2007~08 Fee Schedule:
a) Review and approve housing mitigation fees (continued from March 6)
BACKGROUND:
Housing Mitigation Fees
On February 27, 2006, Council adopted Resolution 06-045 approving a fee study and directing
staff to assess retail and hotel developments a housing mitigation in-lieu fee at the same rate as
office and industrial projects and to .raise the fee to $4.75 per square foot. The resolution
exempted redevelopment projects and certain mixed-use projects from the impact fee, but
required them to provide Below Market Rate (BMR) housing units instead. The new fee was to
be implemented with the entire fee schedule adopted at the April 4, 2006 Council meeting.
However, the approved fee schedule, in error, raised the fee only by the cost of living percentage,
to $2.32 per square foot and it did not add-in the retail and hotel elements. In April 2006, Council
directed staff to further study the mitigation fee for residential projects. That study was
completed and approved by the Housing Commission on January 11~ 2007. The commission and-
the study recommend that the residential development fee be raised from the current $1.19 per
square foot to $2.50 per square foot.
At the March 6, 2007 City Council meeting, the City Council requested that staff conduct further
research on the fee calculations for the residential component. Council members expressed
interest in charging a fee for fractional units and reviewing a sliding scale approach to the
residential fee for developments of six units or less. Furthermore, Council directed staff to
research making the fee at the sixth unit high enough to discoUrage a developer from deliberately
reducing their unit count from seven to six units to avoid building a BMR unit.
Fractional Unit Fee:
Council members were concerned that developers may be proposing fewer units in order to
provide one less BMR because of current rounding practices. Currently, the city has the practice
of rounding up at .5 or greater and rounding down at less than .5. For example, if a developer is
p~oposing 24 units, the BMR requirement is 3.6 units, which is rounded up to four BMR units.
However, if the developer proposes 23 units, then the BMR requirement would be 3.45 units,
which is rounded down to three units. In both cases, the developer will net 20 market rate units,
11 - 5
Consider the 2007-08 Fee Schedule:
a) Review and approve housing mitigation fees (continued from March 6)
April 3, 2007
Pa.ge 2 of3
which is rounded down to three units. In both cases, the developer will net 20 market rate units, ,
but in the latter example, the developer would only be required to construct three BMR units as
opposed to the four.
Staff reviewed tentative map applications from 2000 through the present to study how many
subdivisions have proposed a number of units that would allow for rounding down. Of the 60
applications, eight applications proposed a number of parcels, which could be rounded down. Of
these eight applications, site constraints were the reason five of the developers proposed fewer
units. The remaining three developments were Saron Gardens, Toll Brothers and a new 21-unit
development on Stelling Road. After the analysis, staff believeS that with the exception of the
Toll Brothers development, site constraints and density and not avoiding the BMR program are
the driving forces behind the developer proposing fewer units on sites. Attached is information
provided by the City's consultant Keyser Marston and Associates on how to apply a fractional
fee for Council review. At this time, Staff does not recommend charging a fee for fractional
units since it will increase administration costs for the program with limited projected income.
Staff does believe the bigger'issue would be developers that propose a unit count just under the
requirement to build a BMR unit although this haS only occurred in three cases. Examples of a
sliding scale approach to the residential fee are included for review as well. The sliding scale
would need to be amended to reflect Cupertino land prices and construction costs. Keyser
Marston and Associates is still working on determining those costs, but a conservative maximum
fee would be the $49 per square foot for condominiums. Small lot single-family homes actually
generate a higher fee. because of the land cost associated with less dense development. Staff
recommends that if the City Council chooses the sliding scale approach, the $49 per square foot
fee be adopted as the maximum since it is a conservative figure.
FISCAL IMP ACT
Housing mitigation. fee revenues are dependent on the mix and volume of projects, but the near
doubling of the fee rates and expansion of fee basis should double. the revenues per project.
Nearly $344,000 was collected last year. With the new Regional Housing Needs Allocation
(RHNA) requiring cities with lower concentrations of low and very low income to show they can
provide a greater percentage of housing for these income leve~s. Consequently, the City of
Cupertino will need greater resources to address affordable housing needs for the low and very-
low income. The Housing Mitigation fees are the City of Cupertino's primary resource for
affordable housing development.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution amending the 2006-07 City fee schedule as follows:
. As described in previously adopted Resolution 06-045, replace the current $2.32 per
square foot office/industrialfresearch and development housing mitigation in-lieu fee with .
a new $4.75 per square foot housing mitigation in-lieu charge for office, industrial, hotel,
retail; and research and development proj ects. While redevelopment area proj ects and
11 - 6
Consider the 2007-08 Fee Schedule:
a) Review and approve housing mitil!:~.!ion fees (continued from March 6)
Apn13,2001
Page3 on
mixed use projects of at least two-thirds residential and one-third retail/office will be
exempt from the fee, they must instead provide Below Market Rate Housing as part of a:
residential development; and
. Raise the residential housing in-lieu fee from $1.19 per square foot to either a sliding
scale fee with the fee .for a six unit development being set at a maximum of $49 per
square foot with an exemption for existing single family parcels or set a fee of $2.50 per
square foot for developments of six units or less as recommended by the Cupertino
Housing Commission.
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL:
~L
David W. Knapp
City Manager
Attachments:
Exhibit A: Fractional Unit Calculation Overview
Exhibit B: Graduated In-Lieu Fee Program Overview
Exhibit C: In-Lieu Fee Analysis
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Exhibit A
Overview of Fractional Fee Calculations
City of Cupertino Below Market Rate Housing Program
Many jurisdictions with below market rate housing programs include provisions for in-
lieu fees for fractional units owed. Below, we outline a typical, and straightforward,
methodology for calculating the amount of the fractional fee. In summary, the fractional
fee equals the fractional unit owed times the average affordability gap (the foregone
revenue to the developer associated with one affordable unit).
Fractional Unit Calculation. Cupertino's Below Market Rate Housing Program requires
that 15% of new units be set aside for affordable housing, half for moderate income
households. and half for median income households. We assume that the first
affordable unit owed is set aside for median, the second unit for moderate, the third for
median and so forth. Table, 1 illustrates the application of this requirement to projects of
betweeh seven and forty units. For example, a project with seven units owes 1.05
affordable units (7*15% = 1.05). The developer would provide one median unit onsite
and pay a fee on the remaining 0.05 units. A project with thirty-five units owes 5.25
affordable units (35*15% :=: 5.25). The developer would provide five affordable units
(three median and two moderate) and pay a fee on the rem~ining 0.25 units.
Average Affordability Gap. The affordability gap is the difference between the market
rate sales price and the restricted affordable sales price. Because Cupertino's program
requires 50% of units to be set aside at moderate income and 50% at median income,
we used the average of the two affordability gaps (see Table 2). This equals $458,000
per affordable unit owed.
Fractional Fee Calculation. The fractional fees are calculated by multiplying the
fractional unit owed by $458,000. For example, the seven unit project would pay a fee
equal to 0.05*$458,000, or $22,900. The thirty-five unit project would pay a fee equal to
0.25 * $458,000, or $114,500.
Other Methodologies. This is just one methodology for calculating the fractional fee. It
has the benefit of being straightforward and easy to update. However, there are other
ways to calculate the fee. Many cities adapt their in-lieu fee for fractional fee purposes.
For example, if a city has an in-lieu fee of $20' per square foot, the fractional fee could.
be calculated by multiplying the average unit size times $20 times the fractional unit.
This approach has the benefit of being consistent with the calculation of the in-lieu fee
and does not involve calculating new affordability gaps except as part of an in-lieu fee
update.
Rounding Policy. The structure of the fractional fee provision is related to the rounding
. policy. Cupertino, along with many other cities, requires developers to round up if the
fraction is 0.5 or greater. Other cities require rounding up at 0.7 or greater, and allow a
fee for anything below 0.7. Still other programs allow the developer to pay an in-lieu fee
for a fractional unit regardless of the fraction; in other wqrds, the developer never has to
round up. In this discussion, we assume that Cupertino continues to require that
developers round up fractions of 0.5 or greater.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
fractional fee.doc
3/29/2007
11 - 8
Table 1
Sample Units Owed and Fractional Units Calculations
In-Lieu Fee Analysis
City of Cupertino
Units Provided
Affordable
Total Units 15% of Units Fractional 50% 50%
in Project Units Provided1 . Unit Median Moderate
7 1.05 .1.00 0.05 1.0 0.0
8 1.2 1.00 0.20 1.0 0.0
9 1.35 1.00 0.35 1.0 0.0
10 . 1.5 2.00 1.0 1.0
11 1.65 2.00 1.0 1.0
12 1.8 2.00 1.0 1.0
13 1.95 2.00 1..0 1.0
14 2.1 2.00 0.10 1.0 1.0
15 2.25 2.00 0.25 1.0 1.0
16 2.4 2.00 0.40 1.0 1.0
17 2.55 3.00 2.0 1.0
18 2.7 3.00 2.0 1.0
19 2.85 3.00 2.0 1.0
20 3 3.00 2.0 1.0
21 3.15 3.00 0.15 2.0 1.0
22 3.3 3.00 0.30 2.0 1.0
23 3.45 3.00 0.45 2.0 1.0
24 3.6 4.00 2.0 2.0
25 3.75 4.00 2.0 2.0
26 3.9 4.00 2.0 2.0
27 4.05 4.00 .0.05 2.0 2.0
28 4.2 4.00 0.20 2.0 2.0
29 4.35 4.00 0.35 2.0 2.0
30 4.5 5.00 3.0 2.0
31 4.65 5.00 3.0 2.0
32 4.8 5.00 3.0 2.0
33 4.95 5.00 3.0 2.0
34 5.1 5.00 0.10 3.0 2.0
35 5.25 5.00 0.25 3.0 2.0
36 5.4 5.00 0.40 3.0 2.0
37 5.55 6.00 3.0 3.0
38 5.7 6.00 3.0 3.0
39 5.85 6.00 3.0 3.0
40 6 6.00 3.0 3.0
1. Assumes a 0.5 rounding policy.
2. Assumes that first unit goes to median, second to moderate, and so forth.
Prepared by: Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
File Name: ownership.xls;Fractional Uni1s;3/29/2007;hgr
11 - 9
Table 2
Fractional Units Fee Calculation
In-Lieu Fee Analysis
City of Cupertino
If the number of required units results in a fraction of less than 0.5, the developer has the option
of paying a fee in-lieu of providing an additional affordable .unit.
Fractional Fee = Average Affordability Gap * The Fraction of the Unit
Affordability Gaps
Moderate Units (120% AMI) $403,000
Median Units (90% AMI) $513,000
Average Affordability Gap $458,000
Sample Calculations
Average
Fractional Affordability
Unit Owed Gap Fee Owed
0.05 1 $22,900
0.10 $45,800
0.15 $68,700
0.20 $458,000 $91,600
0.25 j $114,500
0.30 $137,400
0.35 $160,300
0.40 $183,200
0.45 $206,100
Prepared by: Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
File Name: ownership.xls;Fractional Units;3/29f2007;hgr
11-10
Exhibit B
Other Graduated In-Lieu Fee Programs
City of Walnut Creek
The City of Walnut Creek adopted a graduated fee schedule to accompany its
Inclusionary housing ordinance in.2004. Residential development projects with between
two and nine units have the option of paying an in-lieu fee. For ownership units, the fee
is $2.00 per square foot for two-unit projects and increases by $1.00 per square foot per
unit, to a maximum of $9.00 per square foot for nine-unit projects. For rental units, the
fee is $1.60 per square foot for two-unit projects and increases by $0.80 per square foot
per unit, to a maximum of $7.20 per square foot for nine-unit proj ects.
City of Menlo Park
In 2003, the City of Menlo Park adopted a graduated in-lieu fee schedule for
developments between five and nine units. Prior to adopting this fee schedule, the City's
fee was 3% of the sales price for market rate units. The revised fee schedule charges 1 %
of the sale prices for the first, second and third units; 2% of the sale prices for the fourth,
fifth, and sixth units; and 3% ofthe sale prices for the seventJl, eighth, and ninth units.
The individual units paying each rate are designated ill the BMR Agreement.
City of Nova to
The City of Nova to is currently considering adopting a graduated in-lieu fee schedule for
its Inclusionary Housing program. The program is currently primarily fee-based, with
projects paying $11,418 per market rate unit. The City is considering a prograril that
would require developments of seven or mOre units to build units onsite. The proposed
graduated in-lieu fee schedule would charge a fee per square foot, as opposed to per unit,
and the fee would increase to $20.00 per square foot for a seven-unit project (this fee
level would be used to calculating fractional unit fees, as a seven-unit project would be
required to build a unit onsite). City staff suggested that the fee for a one-unit project be
set to approximate the current fee for a prototypical project. The full fee for a seven unit
project ($20.00 per square foot) is approximately equal to the burden of providing one
affordable unit for the prototypical condominium project in Novato.
Note: The underlying Inc1usionary programs for the three cities are fairly different, which
explains much of the difference in the amounts of the in-lieu fee.
Prepared by Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
File Name: Graduated fees.doc; 3/22/2007; hgr
11-11
.. .
RESOLUTION NO. 04-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE ClTY COUNClL OF THE CITY OF
WALNUT CREEl{ ESTABLISHING A FEE SCHEDlJl.E
PURSUANT TO TJ:(E INCLUSYONARY HOusING ORDINANCE
WHEREAS. the Inolusionary Housing Ordinance (Municipal Code section 10-2.3.90 I et
seq.) requires developers of residential projects to include affordable housing units in the project
Qr, in some cases, to pay a fee in-lieu ofincluding the units;
WHEREAS, Municipd Code section 10-2.3.905 provides that the City Council shall
adopt a resolutiQn setting forth the amount of the fee. The fee shall reflect the 'average estimated
CQst of otherwise providing the required affordable housing units;
WHEREAS, Keyser MarstQn Assooiates, a cQnsulting finn commissioned by the City to
study h01.lSing affordability in Walnut Creek, issued a study in July 2003 detailing the gap
between market prices of housing in the City and prices affordable to very low. low and
moderate income households. The study included a proposed per square foot in lieu fee for
rental and ownership projects based on thl' afford~bmty gap;
WHEREAS, the fees will be placed in an affordable housing fund and used 6xcll.lsively
for the development of affordable housing within the City;
WHEREAS, there is a reasonable relationship between the need fQr affordable housing
and the impacts of market-rate housing development within the City. There is also a reASonable
relationship between the fee's use and the impacts ofmarketMrate housing development.
Development of new market-ra.te housing encourages new residents to move to the City. These
new residents will place d6ffifl.Il.ds on services provided by both the public and private sectors.
Some ofthe public and private sector employees needed to meet the needs of the new residents
earn incomes that only allQW the employees to be able to afford very-low. low or moderato
income housing. This type of affordab Ie housing is in 'Very short supply within the City. The
fees will be used to help increase the supply of affordable housing in the City; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council oftbe City ofWamut Creek resolves as follows:
1. Municipal Code section 10-2.3 .904 providos in part that the developer of a residential
development project of2 to 9 units has the option of providing an affordable unit on site or
paying an m-lieu fee. The amount ofthe in-lieu fee shall be based on the following table. The
amount of the fee is determined by first selecting the number of total units in the project from the
left-hand column; then selecting the per square foot fee from the applicable column depending
upon whether the project is a rental or ownership project; and then multiplying .t11at pet square
foot fee times the. total square feet of aggregate living area in the entire project.
11-12
. '"
REN'fJ\.L OWNEMHIP
'ONi:T COUNT FEE/SQ FT FE)!; ISQ FT
2 $1. 60 $2.00
3 $2.40 $3.00
4 $3.20 . $4.00
5 $4.00 $5.00
6 $4.80 $6.00
7 $5.60 $7.00
8 $6.40 $8.00
9 .$7.20 $9.00
III...LJeu Fee Per Square Foot
2. Municipal Code section lO-2.3.904(C) provides in part that if the fommla for
calcula.ting the number of required affordable uni~s results in a fraction ofles! than .7, the
developer has the option of paying a fee in-lieu of providing an additional affqrdable unit. The
in-lieu fee shall be calculated as follows:
Low-Income Rental Units: $111,600 times the fraction ofa unit
Very Low-Income Rental Units: $193,900 times the fraction ofa unit
Moderate-Income Ownership Units: $185)000 times the fraation oCa unit
Low-Income Ownership Units: $306,350 times the fraction of a unit
Very Low-lncome Ownership Units: $3.94~50 times the fraction ofa unit
The foregoing formula shall also be used to determine the requisite value of land tha.t may be
dedicated as an alternative to providing affordable units pursuant to Municipal Code section 10-
2,3.906(B).
3. The foregoing formula will be reviewed and the in-lieu fee amounts re-established if
necessaryJ within a four-year period from the date this Resolution is adopted, and thereafter, a
minimum of every five years, coinciding with the Housing Element update.
. 4. Effective Date. The fees specified in this Resolution shall take eff~ct sixty (60) days
following the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Counoil of the City of Walnut Creek at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 3rd day cifFebmary 2004) by the following oalled vote:
AYES: Counoilmembers: Hicks, Rainey, Skrel. Regalia, Mayor AbrflInS
NOES; Counoilmembers: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers: None
/s/ Charlie Abrams
Mayor ofth~ City of Walnut Creek
11-13
0\, ~
Attest:
/s/ Barbara M. Rivara, CMC
City Clerk of the City of Walnut Creek
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly passed and
adopted by the City Council of the City of Walnut Creek~ County of Contra Costa, State of
California. at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 3rd day of February 2004.
Q~rr;. ~ .
City Clerk of the City of Walnut Creek
11 -14
.
HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
Council Meeting Date: March 25. 2003
Staff Report #: 03~035
No~e-: 4~p+e4.
Agenda item # F2
REGULAR BUSINESS: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Below Market Rate
(BMR) Housing Program In Lieu Fees for Housing
Developments of Five to Nine Units
RECOMMENDA liON
The Housing Commission recommends adoption of Below Market Rate (BMR) Housing
Program in lieu fees for housing developments of five to nine units.
BACKGROUND
On May 15, 2001, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 905, which addresses the Below.
Market Rate Housing Program, resulting in the following Municipal Code Sections.
(Ordinance No. 905 is Attachment B.) Section 16.96.020 Residential Development Projects
(1) Applicabilitv states that the Below Market Rate Housing Program applies to residential
housing projects of five (5) or more units seeking a development permit, building permit or
variance, as well as to condominium conversions. Section 16.96.02.0 (2) Requirements
states that "for projects of less than 20 units, the developer shall provide not less than 10
percent of the units at below market rates to very low-, low- and moderate-income
households. If the number of units required for a residential development project .includes a
fraction of a unit, the developer shall provide either a whole unit or a prorated in lieu payment
on account of such fraction as determined in the Below Market Rate Housing Program
Guidelines." .
The BMR Guidelines previously established a fee of 3% of the sale price for market rate units
for which no BMR unit is provided. This fee applies to all developments subject to the Below
. Market Rate Housing Program. Thus it currently applies to developments offive to nine units
as well as larger developments. However, when the City Council approved Ordinance No.
905, it requested that the Housing Commission bring forward a proposal for in lieu fees
responding to the particular needs of developments of five (5) to nine (9) housing units.
The Housing Coml}lission reviewed the BMR Housing Program Guidelines at its
April 3, May 20, June 5, October 17, November 6 and December 4,2002 meetings to discuss
revisions to the BMR Guidelines including a proposal setting in lieu fees for developments of
five to nine units. Because of public notice requirements for a proposal for a new
development fee, the Housing Commission separated the main body of the revised Below
Market Rate Housing Program Guidelines from the proposal for an in lieu fee schedule for
11-15
Page 2 of 4
SfaffReport # 03-035
developments offive (5) to nine (9) units. On December 17, 2002'the City Council approved
the BMR Guidelines.
The Housing Commission recommendation to adopt the new in lieu fees is proposed as an
amendment to the BMR Guidelines to be a new Section 4.3.1. (See Attachment A)
ANALYSIS
The BeloW Market Rate Housing Program was developed in response to the scarcity of
housing that households with very low, low and moderate incomes can afford and the scarcity
of land available for housing development. Below Market Rate housing units preferably, and
in lieu fees if BMR units cannot be built, are required of new developments to address the
need for lower cost housing that is not met by the marketplace. Ordinance No. 905
established five unit developments as the smallest size of devl?lopments required to
participate in the Below Market Rate Housing Program. Previoysly, this requirement applied
to developments of 10 or more units:
Rate of Production The Housing Commission recom~ended the fee, among other reasons,
for its ability to contribute funds for the production of BMR housing. The Housing
.Commission recognizes the priority for BMR units to be developed as a developer's
contribution, rather than fees~ The Commission acknowledged a recent low rate of
production of projects of five to nine housing units (Attachment C). Thus the Housing
Commission recognized that in the near future the mon~tary contribution from BMR in lieu.
fees collected from developments of five to nine units, but still is not likely to be large.
Specifically, since November 1997,90 housing units have been approved for development.
Attachment C, "Projects by Size," shows the size of new developments receiving permits and
the number of units developed in each. None of the 90 units were new developments of five
to nine units, although two projects added four units each to existing developments of two
units each, producing six units total for each. These two projects would not be subject to the
BMR Program .as it only applies to new units. Because of the scarcity of appropriately zoned
developable land in Menlo Park, it is likely that this trend of very little development in projects
of five to nine units will. continue, and that the in lieu fees collected from developments of this
size will have a minor impact on the BMR Fund. Nevertheless, all in lieu fees that are.
collected can be used to develop BMR units and to address the shortage of housing.
The Housing Commission listed the following four criteria, which it used to formulate its
recommendation for BMR in lieu fees for projects .of five to nine units.
1) New BMR Units Preferred M The BMR Program, including the portion dealing with
projects of five to nine units, has a stated primary objective of producing new BMR
units rather than the payment of in lieu fees. BMR units, whether produced as
inclusionary housing in market rate developments or as a result of expenditure of BMR
Housing Funds, are desired by the City because of the scarcity of housing affordable
to many employees who work in Menlo Park and because of the hign cost of housing
to residents. Many residents pay a high proportion of their incomes to rent here, and
many employees commute considerable distances from housing that they can afford.
11 -16
Page 3 of4
Staff Report # 03-035
BMR housing units alleviate this problem by providing housing that residents who rent
in the City and employees who work in the City can afford.
2) Lesser Economies of Scale in Smaller Projects - Smaller developments are known
to have lesser economies of scale than larger developments. BMR in lieu fees should
reflect this higher cost per unit of development that smaller projects experience, so as
not to discourage small project development.
3) Fees Should Increase Gradually by Project Size - If fees are set at rates that
increase by project size, the change in fee amount for incrementally larger projects
should be gradual. Small increments in fees would reflect increasing economies of
scale and would prevent providing an incentive to build smaller projects to avoid
paying the BMR in lieu fee.
4) User Friendly - It is desirable to have a fee structure that is simple to understand and
use.
Fee Structure The Housing Commission considered three alternative fee structures, then
revised one ofthem to produce the recommended fee structure, which is described below. _
See Attachment 0, "Alternatives for In Lieu Fee for 5 to 9 Unit Projects."
Housinq units
Fee rate
1, 2 and 3
4,5 and 6
7, 8 and 9
1 % of the sale price
2% of the sale price
3% of the sale price
As an example of how this structure would apply, consider a housing development of seven
units. Three units would pay 1 % of the sale price, three units would pay 2% of the sale price,
and one unit would pay 3% of the sale price. If the units sold fqr $600,000 each, the fees
would be:
1 % group
2% group
3% group
$600,000 x 1% x 3 + $18,000
$600,000 x 2% x 3 = $36,000
$600,000 x 3% x 1 = $18,000
Total
$72.000
The individual units paying each rate would be designated in the BMR Agreement. Each
group would be representative of the various sizes 'of units in the project and would be
distributed throughout the project.
Proposed Text - The text of the proposed Amendment to the BMR Guidelines to establish in
lieu fees for housing projects of five to nine units can. be found as Attachment A.
Notice of the public hearing for the BMR in lieu fees for housing developments of five to nine
units was published in the Almanac on February 26 and March 5, 2003. If approved, the
effective date of the Resolution will be March 11, 2003. The BMR in lieu fee would then take
effect 60 days after the effective date of the Resolution,
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
11-17
I .
Page 4 of4
Staff Report # 03-035
BMR in lieu fees paid into the BMR Housing Fund will depend on the projects proposed for
development arid will have a minor. positive impact on the amount of funds available to
develop very low, low and moderate income housing in Menlo Park.
POLICY ISSUE
Establishing a graduated schedule for in lieu fees for residential developments of five to nine
units will have a minor but positive impact on the development of housing for very low, low
. and moderate income families. The fee structure responds to the higher per unit costs on a
'graduated basis that is experienced by small developments. The fee also meets nexus
requirements because it is charged to those whq produce market rate housing' using the
scarce commodity of developable, appropriately zoned land, and because it is dedicated to
. . providing the needed Below Market Rate housing.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Revision of the Below Market Rate Housing Program Guidelines is not a project under
California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
Gretchen Hillard Don de la Pena
Housing and Redevelopment Manager Director of Housing and Redevelopment
Report Author .
PUBLIC NOTICE: Public Notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda
item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Draft Section 4.3.1 proposed to be added to Below Market Rate Housing Program
Guidelines. (The existing Section 4.3.1 will become Section 4.3.2)
B. Ordinance No. 905 adopted May 15, 2001 . .
C. Projects by Size
D. Alternatives for In Lieu Fee for 5 to 9 Unit Projects
11-18
, .
Table 10
Possible Graduated In-Lieu Fee Schedules
Inclusionary Housing Update
City of Novato, CA
Condominium Prototype With Full In-lieu Fee at $20/SF
WORKING DRAFT
Moderate Fee AveraQe Unit Total Fee
Units OWed Owed/SF Size FeelUnit Paid
Full In-Lieu Fee 15% $20.00/SF 1,400 SF/unit $28,000
Proiect Size
One Unit 0.15 $8.21/SF $11,500 $11,500
Two Units 0.30 $10.i8/SF $14,250 $28,500
Three Units 0.45 $12.14/SF $17,000 $51,000
Four Units 0.60 $14.11/SF $19,750 $79,000
Five Units 0.75 $16.07/SF $22,500 $112,500
Six Units . 0.90 $18.04/SF $25,250 $151,500
Seven Units or More 1.05 . $20.00/SF $28,000 $196,000
Nate.,7rofosecL Not o.c1optec/. 6.h, ~i,.J ~ /I-ot y~
re.-vitwed.
Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc. .
16109.014/For Sale Proto w80.xls; Table 10; 3/20/2007; hgr
11a~e1 ~
Exhibit C
CUPERTINO BELOW MARKET RATE HOUSING IN-LIEU FEE ANALYSIS
Keyser Marston Associates (KMA) analyzed the City of Cupertino's Residential Housing
Mitigation Program and calculated the maximum supportable in-lieu fees for ownership
a,nd rental housing. The City's current fee is $1.15 per square foot, significantly below
the supportable level. Our findings' are presented in the tables accompanying this text.
Below, we provide a brief overview of the tables.
Ownership Housing
Market Suivey
. KMA conducted a survey of new housing developments in Cupertino in order to
develop a prototypical project reflecting what market rate developers are typically
building in the City. For the purposes of the in-lieu fee analysis, the prototype
development should represent a lower end average of the range of new houses,
so KMA focused on new condominiums or townhome developments.
. Table 1 shows the results of our survey. There have b~en two recent attached
market rate developments marketed in Cupertino. The first is Villagio Cupertino,
condominiums by Silverstone Communities that average 1,140 square feet and
are a mix of one, two and three bedroom units. They have base list prices
between $450,000 and $800,000, or $550 to $620 per square foot, or $580 on
average.
. The second is Sterling Square, townhomes developed by Taylor Woodrow .
Homes. The units are a mix of three and four bedroom homes and an average of
1,825 square feet. They have base list prices between $900,000 and $1,050,000,
or $500 to $550 per square foot, or $534 on average.
. A third project, Metropolitan by Menlo Equities, is currently under construction.
While estimated sales prices are not readily available, the project is a mix of two
and three bedroom units. The two bedroom units are about 1,100 square feet.
each, and the three bedroom units about 1,500 square feet.
. Based on our survey and discussions with. City staff, KMA estimated that a
typical new condominium or town home development in Cupertino would have 20
units averaging three bedrooms, 1,400 square feet, and selling for about $550
per square foot, or $770,000.
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11413.006/001-008.doc
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WORKING DRAFT
August 24, 2006
Affordable Home Prices
. KMA calculated updated affordable hOme prices for the moderate and median
income categories. In 2004, KMA assisted the City in an update to the Below
Market Rate home prices. At that time, KMA recommended basing the moderate
income home prices on 30% of 110% of the Area Median Income. The most
recently published home prices in the City's Mitigation Manual suggest that the
City agreed with this pricing strategy. In our most recent discussion with City
staff, however, KMA was directed to base the moderate income home prices on
120% of Area Median Income, which results in higher sales prices than the 2004
methodology. The median income home prices are based on 30% of 90% of
. Area Median Income, which is consistent with the 2004 .revisions.
. For the purposes of calculating the affordable sales prices, KMA made the
following assumptions:
· HOA dues of $300 per month, based on what is charged at the Sterling
Square development. Insurance at $1,000 per year, based on the City's
assumptions from 2004.
· Utilities at $1,704, based on the City's 2004 assumptions. The Santa
Clara Housing Authority's Utility Allowances do not appear bhave
changed significantly since this estimate was calculated.
· A 30 year mortgage with 7% interest and a 5% down-payment.
· Property taxes at 1.05%. .
. The updated affordable prices are shown in Table 2. A three-bedroom moderate
unit would be priced a1.$367,OOO and a three-bedroom median unit would be
priced at $257,000. .
Affordability Gaps per Unit
. KMA then calculated the 'affordability gaps' per unit, or the lost revenue to the
developer when a unit is designated affordable (see Table 3). It is calculated by
subtracting the market rate price from the affordable price. If a three-bedroom
townhome is restricted to moderate income households, the affordability gap is
the affordable price less the market price, or ($367,000 - $770,000 ~ ($403,000)).
For median income units, the affordability gap is ($513,000).
Total Affordability Gaps and Equivalent In-Lieu Fee
· Table 4 calculates the total affordability gap for the prototypical 20 unit
condominium/townhome project. With a 15% BMR requirement, the project owes
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006/001-008.doc
pil1~1
WORKING DRAFT
August 24, 2006
three affordable units, half of which are priced for median-income ho~seholds
and half for moderate. For the purposes of calculating the fee, we do not round to
the nearest whole unit, but allow the number of units owed to result in fractional
units. Therefore, the 20 unit project owes 1.5 moderate units and 1.5 median
units.
The total affordability gap for the income-restricted units is $1,374,000. KMA
used this figure to estimate the in-lieu fee that would result in the same total
affordability gap for the developer. KMA calculateq the in-lieu fee on a square
foot basis, which is consistent with the current in-lieu fee; unlike the current fee,
however, we do not include garage space. To generate a fee of $1,374,000 with
20 units averaging 1,400 square feE;lt, the in-lieu would have to be $49 per square
foot.
Rental Housing
Market Survey
.. There have been no market rate apartment projects developed recently in
Cupertino. The newest units were built between 1997 and 1999. KMA conducted
a market survey to determine current rent levels at these newer units. Table 5
summarizes our findings. In general, market rate rents have yet to return to their
2000 levels, although they are steadily increasing. Currently, rents are averaging
around $2.00 per square foot, or $2,100 per month for a two-bedroom unit.
. KMA assumes the average new market rate apartment unit would be an 1,100
square foot two-bedroom unit. Because current mprket rents do not support new
. apartment development, we cannot rely on market rents to calculate affordability
gaps. Instead, KMA calculated the required market rent by estimating
development costs for a new apartment project and working backwards to an
implied rent level for project feasibility. For the purposes of the analysis, KMA
assumes development costs in the range of $300,000 p~r unit. Given the high
la~d costs and the recent increases in the cost of construction, this figure may
underestimate actual development costs in Cupertino. Assuming a cap rate of
6.5%, we estimate the net operating i~come required to support these ,
development costs. To the net operating income, we add operating expenses of
$7,500 per unit per year, which includes property taxes, common area
maintenance and utilities, water, trash collection, maintenance and reserves. We
estimate that market rents would have to average $2,250 a month to support
development costs of about $300,000 per unit.
Affordable Rents
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11413.006/001-008.doc
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WORKING DRAFT .
August 24, 2006
. Table 6 provides a calculation ofthe affordable rent levels for low income (60%
of Area Median Income) and very low income (50% of AMI) households.
Consistent with previous estimates for the City,' we assume 30% of income is .
spent on housing. Estimated utility allowances are again based on the City's
2004 estimates. Under the revised rent calculation, a two-bedroom low-income
unit would rent for $1,347 per month and a two-bedroom very-low income unit
would rent for $1,116 per month.
Affordability Gaps per Unit
. Table 7 provides a comparison of feasible market rate rents for a new apartment
unit to the affordable rents from Table 6. Assuming 30% of income goes towards
housing (including utilities), this rent level is affordable to a household earning
$93,000, or 98% of AMI.
. Table 7 also calculates the supportable unit value for the affordable units using.
the same assumptions detailed above. A low-income unit can support
development costs of $133,300 while a very-low iri,come unit can support
$90,600.
. Table 8 calculates the affordability gaps. The affordability gap is the difference
between the unit value supported by a market rate unit and the value supported
by an affordable unit. The affordability gap for a low income unit is ($166,700)
and for a very-low income unit, ($209,400).
Total Affordability Gaps and Equivalent In-Lieu Fee
. Table 9 takes the affordability gaps per unit and calculates the total affordability
gap and the equivalent in-lieu fee. A 120-unit apartment projeCt would owe 7.2
(40% of 15%) low-income units and 10.8 (60% of 15%) very-low income units.
(We use fractional units for the purpose of this analysis.) The total affordability
gap from this obligation is $3,461,760. To generate a fee of $3,461.7~0 with 120
units averaging 1,100 square feet, the in-lieu would have to be $26 per square
foot.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006/001-008.doc
P!~43
TABLE 1
MARKET SALE PRICES - SINGLE.FAMIL Y ATTACHED PROJECTS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
Unit Mix Bd. Ba. BldQ.SF Price $fSF
VILLAGIO CUPERTINO (2006).
20 Units 80 units planned. 19
Amber 4 '1 1 743 $453,880 $611 . currently sold.
Rose 2 2. 2 1,116 $633,880 $568
Orchid 2 2 2 1,125 $671,880 $597
Jasper 3 3 2 1,193 $736,880 $618
Chime 3 2 2 1,230 $676,880 $550
Lotus 3 3 2 1,350 , $750,880 $556
Magnolia Z 3 2.5 1.433 $799.880 $558
19 1,139 $658,985 $582
STERLING SQUARE (2006)
29 Units 51 units planned. '25
Plan 3 7 3 2.5 1,670 $918,000 $550 currently sold.
Plan 2 7 3 2.5 1,714 $945,000 $551
Plan 1 6 4 3.5 1,942 $1,009,000 $520
Plan 4 ~ 4 3.5 2.058 $1.035.000 $503
25 1,825 $970,800 $534
TRA VIGNE VILLAS (2004)
46 Units Sold out.
Plan 4 10 2 2 938 $450,000 $480
Plan 1 12 2 2 973 $462,000 $475
Plan 2 10 2 2 1,088 $465,000 $427
Plan 3 14 2 2 1.198 $483.000 $403
46 1,059 $466,435 $444
AVERAGE (Wl) 44 1,482 $814,893 $558
Source: Hanley Wood. Searches conducted August 2006 and Summer 2004.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006/001-Q09.xls; Table 1; 8/30/2006; kh/mc
11 - 24
TABLE 2
UPDATED BMR HOUSING PRICES
MEDIAN, MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
M
1-Bdrm 2-Bdrm 3-Bdrm 4-Bdrm 5-Bdrm
ODERATE INCOME
Income @ 120% County Median $101,280 $114,000 $126,600 $136,680 $146,880
Inc()me Allotted to Housing @ 30% of Income 30,384 $34,200. 37,980 41,004 44,064
(Less) Ongoing Expenses' 9,230 $9,700 10,160 10,530 10,890
Income Available for Mortgage $21,154 $24,500 $27,820 $30,474 $33,174
I Maximum Purchase Prlce~ $279,000 . $323,000 $367,000 $402,000 $437,000 I
EDIAN INCOME
Income @ 90% County Median $75,960 $85,500 $94,950 $102,510 $110;160
Income Allotted to Housing @ 30% of Income 22,788 $25,650 28,485 30,753 33.048
(Less) Ongoing Expenses' 8,310 8,660 9,000 9)80 9,560
Income Available for Mortgage $14.478 $16,990 $19,485 $21,473 $23.488
I Maximum Purchase Price'" $191,000 . $224,000 $257,000 $283,000 $310.0001
M
Includes utilities, homeowner association dues and property taxes based on unit value.
:.! Debt @ 7.00% interest (7,9B% mortgage constant) & down payment@ 5.00 % of home price.
...lo.
...lo.
N
01
Keyser Marston.Assoclates, Inc. .
11413:006/001-009.xls; Table 2; 8/3012006; mtn
TABLE 3
AFFORDABILlTY GAPS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
WORKING DRAFT
Prototype:
Attached Row or Townhouse (condominium)
20 Units
Averaqe Unit
Size
" $/SF
Sales Price
Market Price
1,400 SF
Three Bedrooms
$550
$770,000
Affordable
Sales Price
Affordability
Gap
Median {90% AMI)
$257,000
($403,000)
($513,000)
Moderate (120% AMI)
$367,000
Sources": See Tables 1 and 2 for calculation of the affordable sales prices. Square footage and
market price based on proposed projects and new homes sales compiled by Hanley Wood; Keyser
Marston. Associates.
Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006/001-009.xls; Table 3; 8/30/2006; hgr
11 - 26
TABLE 4
EQUIVALENT IN-LIEU FEE CALCULATION.- ATTACHED PROTOYPE
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
WORKING DRAFT
Condominium/Townhome Prototype Development Proqram
Unit
Avg. Unit Size
Number of Units
Three Bedroom Units
1,400 SF 1
20
Affordabilitv
Units Required Gap per Unit Total Gap
15% of Units 3.0
Moderate Units 1.5 ($403,000) ($604,500)
Median Units 1.5 ($513,000) ($769,500)
($1,374,000)
Equivalent In-Lieu Fee Calculation $49/SF 1,400 SF/Unit ($1,374,000)
1. Square footage does not include garage space.
Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc:.
11413.0061 001-OO9.xls; Table 4; 8/30/2006; hgr
11 - 27
TABLES. .
CURRENT MARKET RENTS. SUMMARY
NEWER APARTMENT UNITS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE ANALYSIS
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
1 BR 2BR 3 BR Notes
Sq. Ft. Rent $/Sq. Fl Sq. Ft. Rent $/Sq. Fl Sq.Fl Rent $/Sq. Ft.
Newer Apl!u'tment Buildings
Avlare 747 $1,450 $1.94 957 $1;695 $1.77
Built: 1997; 20415 Via ?aviso (140 units) 829 $1,550 $1.87 1,010 $1.995 $1.98
Arioso 534 $1.400 $2.62 1,197 $2,325 $1.94 Sold In 2005 for $2B6,OOO/unit.
Built: 1999; 19608 Prunerldge (201 units) 546 $1.400. $2.56 1,213 $2,250 $1.85 Sold In 2000 for $238,OOOlunll.
792 $1,700 $2.15 1,237 $2,275 $1.84 Flats.
829 $1,800 $2.17 About 30 du/acre.
Cucertlno perk Center 753 $1,320 $1.75 696 $1,630 $2.04 Podium Garage (240 sp.).
Built: 1996; 20380 Stevens Creek (120 units) 647 $1,285 $1.99 953 $1.870 $1.96 85 duJacre.
668 $1,280 $1.92 1,166 $2,025 $1.74
753 $1,230 $1.63 1,340 $2,460 $1.84
1078 $1,900 $1.76 950 $1,945 $2.05
702 $1,260 $1.80 1.059 $1.995 $1.88
897 $1,735 $1.93 1,186 $2,460 $2.07
929 $1,862 $2.00 1,266 $3,550 $2.80
Forlle Homestead 709 $1,600 $2.26 929 $1,850 $1.99 1,262 $2.463 $1.95
Built: 1997; 20691 Forge Way (196 units) 739 $1,700 $2.30 98B $1,975 $2.00
The Hamptons at Cupertino 734 $1,655 $2.25 1,132 $2.465 $2.18 1.211 $2,480 $2.05 Flats and townhouses.
BuIlt: 1998; 19500 Pronerldge (342 units) 753 $1,915 $2.54 945 $2,045 ' $2.16 1.387 $2,875 $2.07 27 duJacre.
Structurad pkg.
Archstone Cucertlno 728 $1.500 $2.06 1,043 $1,960 $1.68 1,508 $2,755 $1.83 . Sold in 2006 for $2B3.000/unlt.
Built: 1998; 5608 Stevens Creek (311 units) 774 $1,610 $2.q8 1,060 $2,070 $1.95 Flats and townhouses.
1,112 $2,030 $1.83 39 duJacre.
1,142 $2,160 $1.89 .Podium structured parking
757 1,558 $2.06 1,085 $2,154 $1.99 1,342 2,643 $1.97
......
......
N . Sources: Raal Facts, Rant.com., Apartments.com
())
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006/D01-010.xls; Tabla5: 8130/2006;hgr
TABLE 6
AFFORDABLE RENT CALCULATIONS
VERY-LOW AND LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE ANALYSIS
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
I.
1-Bdrm 2-Bdrm 3-Bdrm
Low Income
Income @ 60% County'Median $50,640 $57,000 $63,300
% of Income AI'lotted to Housing 30% 30.0% 30%
Monthly Housing Expenses . $1 ,266 . $1,425 $1,583
(Less) Utilities Expenses (59) (78) (94)
I Monthly Rent $1,207 $1,347 $1.489 I
Very-Low Income
Income @ 50% County Median $42,450 $47,750 $53,050
% of Income Allotted to Housing 30.0% 30.0% 30.0%
Monthly Housing Expenses $1,061 $1,194 $1,326
(Less) Utilities Expenses (59) (78) . (94)
I Monthly Rent $1,002 $1,116 $1,232 I
II.
. ....lo.
....lo. .
N
CD
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006/001-010.xls; Table 6; 8/30/2006;hgr
TABLE 7
SUPPORTABLE UNIT VALUES
APARTMENT UNll:S . TWO BEDROOMS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE ANALYSIS
CITY OF CUPERTINO. CA
Two BR Unit ..1,100 SF
(Three Person Household)
Income
Target
%AMI(1)
Market Rent
Apartment Unit
98%
Affordable Rent
Low Income
60%
Very-Low Income
50%
Rent and Values Per Square Foot
. Market
Low Income
Very-Low Income
Annual
Household Income
$93,120
$57,000
$47,750
Rent
Month Year
Less
Op EXp(3)
($7,500)
($7,500)
($7,500)
NOI
$19,500
$8,664
$5,889
(1) AMI = Area Median.lncome, which is $95,000 for a three person household in Santa Clara County, 2006.
(2) See Table R-2 for affordable rant calculations. Market rate rent assumes an 1,100 SF unit at $2.05/SF. This rent level reflects 'normalized' market conditlons. Current rents for
new 28R units are approximately $2,000 to $2,100 per month, which do not support current development costs. In 2000, the same apartment was renting for $2,500 to $2,600..
(3) General operating expenses based on average operatlng expenses from slmllar size apartmant projects ($4,500). Property taxes are based on unit value. It is important to note
that property tax-exemption is NOT assumed In this analysis.
(4) Net operating income capitalized at 7%. Rounded to nearest 100.
.....
.....
w
o
Keyser Marston Associates, Ino.
11413.00R1001-Q10.xls; Table 7; B/30/2D06;hgr
$2,250 (2) $27,000
$1,347 $16,164
$1.116 $13.389
$2.05
$1.22
$1.01
Unit
Value
Supported(4)
$300,000
$133.300
$90,600
$273
$121
$82
TABLE 8
AFFORDABILlTY GAPS PER UNIT
APARTMENT UNITS - TWO BEDROOMS
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE ANALYSIS
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
Apartment Proiect Type
Total Development
Costs (Rounded)
Affo'rdable Unit
Value
Affordability
Gap Per Unle
Two BR Unit--1,100 SF
(Three Person Household)
Low Income
$300,000
$133,300
Very-Low Income
$300,000
$90,600
($166,700)
($209,400)
1Gap is the difference between development cost (value supported at market rents) and value supported at affordable rents.
Keyser Marston Associates, Inc.
11413.006J001-010.xls; Table8; 8/30/2006;hgr
11 - 31
TABLE 9
EQUIVALENT IN-LIEU FEE CALCULATION - RENTAL PROTOYPE
IN-LIEU FEE UPDATE ANALYSIS
CITY OF CUPERTINO, CA
WORKING DRAFT
Apartment Prototvpe Development ProQram
!!!ill
Two Bedroom Units
AVQ. Unit Size
1,100 SF 1
Units Required
1. Square footage does not include garage space.
Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Keyser Marston Associates. Inc.
11413.006f001-010.x1s; Table 9; 8/30/2006;hgr
Number of Units
120
Affordabilitv
Gap per Unit
Total Gap
.11 - 32
I+e m t:t JI
TUf6doy -June 5
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CUPERTINO
CITY HALL
10300 TORRE AVENUE. CUPERTINO, CA 95014-3255
(408) 777-3308 . FAX (408) 777-3333
ADDENDUM MEMO
Date: June 4, 2007
To: City Council
From: Steve Piasecki, Community Development Director
Subject: Addendum to staff report on Housing Mitigation Fees (Item 11)
Staff has continued to meet with the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce on the Housing
Mitigation and BMR in-lieu fees. On the office/retail/hotel housing mitigation fees, both the
Chamber of Commerce and City staff have agreed on the following amended recommendation:
1. Any reference to exempting use permits prior to 1993 will be removed from the
manual.
2. Credit will be issued for any office, retail, hotel building that is currently on the
ground. The credit issued will be directly tied to the demolition permit. The property
owner agrees the square footage shown on the most recent building permit(s) will
prevail. Ifthe owner does not agree, he/she will need to pay a surveyor to certify the
square footage. A letter with the stamp of a surveyor will need to be submitted to the
building department with the demolition permit. The surveyor certification is to ensure
that the credit is certified/agreed to via an independent third party.
3. The credit shall remain in place for two years with an automatic one-year renewal
upon receipt of a written request for extension.
4. Those companies remitting over $700,000 annually in sales tax to the city of
Cupertino will be assessed a BMR rate @ 50% ofthe fee ($4.75). All others will be
assessed at the current rate of$4.75.
Also, a preliminary agreement has been reached on the residential recommendation, which is
now proposed as follows:
The residential fee shall be set at $2.50 a square foot for 2-6 units. A single-unit development
would be exempt as long as it is not part of a larger subdivision and was not created by a
subdivision of property. Any single-family additions would continue to be exempt from the
fees.
Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
Your Partner in Silicon Valley
May 22 2007
Mr. Steve Piasecki
Director of Community Development
City of Cupertino
10300 Torre Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014-3202
Dear Mr. Piasecki:
This letter is a follow -up to our meeting of May 9, 2007 regarding the City of Cupertino's
proposed Below Market Rate Housing (BMR) fee increase. On behalf of the Cupertino Chamber
of Commerce, I wanted to thank you for meeting with Chamber representatives, as well as
seeking answers to the Chambers questions regarding the BMR program. As requested by the
City Council, this document represents the Chamber of Commerce's response to the BMR fee
mcrease.
The city is seeking to adopt Resolution 06-045, which would replace the current $2.32 per square
foot office/industrial/research and development housing mitigation in-lieu fee with a new $4.75
per square foot housing mitigation in-lieu charge for industrial, hotel, retail and research and
development projects. Redevelopment area projects and mixed use projects of at least two-thirds
residential and one-third retail/office will be exempt from the fee; they must instead provide
Below Market Rate Housing as part of the residential development.
Additionally the City is seeking to raise the residential housing in-lieu fee from $1.19 per square
foot to either a sliding scale with the fee for a six unit development being set at a maximum of
$49 per square foot with an exemption for existing single family parcels or set a fee of $2.50 per
square foot for developments of six units or less as recommended by the Cupertino Housing
Commission.
The Chamber agrees with city staff that providing affordable housing for Cupertino residents is a
particular challenge given the high-cost of land and recent voter initiated referendums that have
defeated several housing projects.
The Chamber believes that, as in all Silicon Valley cities, the problem of affordable housing is
directly related to the amount of housing supply. Simply put, more units on the market reduces
demand, and as a result, reduces price. Silicon Valley cities react to the challenge of providing
housing in different ways. Some communities charge BMR fees while others do not.
Affordable housing is an issue that cannot be solved by one segment of Cupertino's community,
whether business or government, but instead must be a commitment from the entire city,
including Cupertino residents. In an effort to limit unintended consequences from the proposed
BMR fee increase, the Chamber requests the below be included into the BMR policy.
20455 Silverado Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 * 408-252-7054 * www.cupertino-chamber.org
1. Modify section 19.124.100 from the ordinance: This section refers to the allowed
period of time between a building going vacant or scraped and the pulling of a new use
permit. Currently the ordinance states that when dealing with a vacated or scraped
building, the previous square footage will only be credited to new development if the
period of time from vacancy/scraped to new permit is less than 1 year. This should be
extended to 4 years. The I-year time frame is too constrictive and must be longer to
accommodate Cupertino's businesses.
2. Eliminate the general plan requirement for square footage that is to be counted as
credit. All buildings should receive credit for their existing square footage regardless of
whether they were built after 1993. The city should encourage new development, which is
more environmentally friendly and better meets the needs of the occupant.
3. Reduce the proposed fee increase and tie future increases to performance (including
residential): The current proposed fee increase is above 100% of the original fee. The fee
should be implemented incrementally over time to ease the impact to Cupertino's
businesses and directly tied to actual construction ofBMR housing. The fee should be
increased $.50 for the next two years and increase incrementally at $.50 every two years
provided that the city reviews the program and determines that the increased funding is
working to create housing.
4. Tier the BMR fee increase: Large sales tax contributors should continue to pay the
current BMR fee of $2.32 per square foot. Large sales tax contributors already contribute
significantly to Cupertino's city services and economy both directly and indirectly.
5. Allow an applicant to request a fee waiver from the City Council: Ifupon evaluation
of facts presented by the applicant, there is an absence of any reasonable relationship or
nexus between the impact ofthe development and the need for housing and/or it is
determine that the applicant provides other significant financial benefit to the community,
the project shall be eligible for a waiver of the fees.
We request a meeting with you to discuss the above points at the earliest possible convenience:
Christine Giusiana, CEO of the Chamber, will be contacting you to arrange details. Thank you
again for your continued efforts to address the Chamber's concern regarding the BMR fee
increase.
Very truly yours,
Scott Stauffer
President, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
~~
Christine Giusiana
CEO, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce
cc.: Mayor Kris Wang and the Cupertino City Council
Addendum to May 22, 2007 Letter
We do appreciate the willingness of staff to continue to examine
and discuss with the Chamber some of the intended and possible
unintended consequences ofthe BMR increase. After additional
discussions with City staff, the Chamber and City staff discussed
and agreed on the following modifications to the draft
recommendation letter of May 22, 2007.
I. Any reference to exempting use permits prior to 1993 will be
removed from the manual.
2. Credit will be issued for any office, retail, hotel building that is
currently on the ground. The credit issued will be directly tied to
the demolition permit. The property owner agrees the square
footage shown on the most recent building permit(s) will prevail.
Ifthe owner does not agree, he/she will need to pay a surveyor to
certify the square footage. A letter with the stamp of a surveyor
will need to be submitted to the building department with the
demolition permit. The surveyor certification is to ensure that the
credit is certified/agreed to via an independent third party.
3. The credit shall remain in place for two years with an automatic
one-year renewal upon receipt of a written request for extension.
4. Those companies remitting over $700,000 annually in sales tax
to the city of Cupertino will be assessed a BMR rate @ 50% of the
fee ($4.75). All others will be assessed at the current rate of$4.75.
After additional discussions with the Chamber's Legislative Action
Council, the Chamber proposes the following additions to the draft
letter of recommendation:
1. The leveling proposal of $49 per square foot seems too high.
Staff should consider looking at more reasonable fees that would
include be an exemption for a homeowner remodeling their own
residence.