CC 04-27-2021 (Joint Special Meeting)
APPROVED MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL, PLANNING COMMISSION,
AND HOUSING COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
SPECIAL MEETING
At 6:15 p.m. Mayor Darcy Paul called the Special City Council meeting to order. This was a
teleconference meeting with no physical location.
ROLL CALL
City Councilmembers Present: Mayor Darcy Paul, Vice Mayor Liang Chao (6:20), and
Councilmembers Kitty Moore, Hung Wei, and Jon Robert Willey. Absent: None.
Planning Commission members Present: Chair R “Ray” Wang, Vice Chair Steven Scharf (6:20),
and Commission members Sanjiv Kapil (6:30), Muni Madhdhipatla (6:20), and Vikram Saxena.
Absent: None
Housing Commission members Present: Chair Connie Cunningham, Vice Chair Tessa Parish,
and Commission members Sue Bose, Siva Gandikota, and Govind Tatachari. Absent: None.
All Councilmembers and Commission members teleconferenced for the meeting.
STUDY SESSION
1. Subject: Special joint study session meeting with City Council, Planning Commission,
and Housing Commission on the Housing Element update.
Recommended Action: That the City Council, Planning Commission, and Housing
Commission receive the report and provide any input to staff.
Written communications for this item included a consultant presentation and an email
to Council and Commission members.
Community Development Director Ben Fu introduced the item.
City Council, Planning Commission,
and Housing Commission Minutes April 27, 2021
Page 2
Housing Manager Piu Ghosh introduced Paul Peninger and Joshua Abrams, Principals
at Baird + Driskell Community Planning, who gave a presentation.
Councilmembers and Commission members asked questions and made comments.
Mayor Paul opened the public comment period and the following people spoke.
Jennifer Griffin was concerned about newly existing housing bills and ministerial
approval related to housing developments and loss of local control.
Lisa Warren supported the discussion on the Housing Element update.
Peggy Griffin supported the presentation, strengthening objective standards, exploring
incentives to encourage affordable housing, and modifying waivers and incentives.
Sean Hughes supported the discussion, framing the process in a positive manner,
inclusive housing, and working with state agencies to understand their requirements.
Kelsey Banes, on behalf of Peninsula for Everyone/YIMBY Action, supported housing
as a fundamental need and inclusive and integrated housing.
Mayor Paul closed the public comment period.
The City Council, Planning Commission, and Housing Commission received the
report and provided the following input to staff.
Clarification of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) methodology
factors and draft RHNA jurisdiction breakdown
Clarification of Housing Element update approval criteria from the California
Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
Potential site inventory impediments (e.g., property owner sign‐off) and criteria
(e.g., State laws)
Residential units entitled vs. residential units constructed
An evaluation of the affordability requirements of new projects in relation to the
regional housing needs allocation (RHNA) affordability breakdown
Accountability for state, municipalities, and developers
Incentivize developers to build/apply a carrot and stick motivation approach
There is a collective community appetite to look for housing solutions
Need state funding assistance for affordable housing development
City Council, Planning Commission,
and Housing Commission Minutes April 27, 2021
Page 3
Explore real property and/or monetary donations for low and very low‐income
housing sites with potential tax incentives
Need conversations between localities and legislatures for cooperation and to
encourage the state to pass sensible polices
Ensure a positive experience for the community
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:55 p.m., Mayor Paul adjourned the meeting.
_____________________________
Kirsten Squarcia, City Clerk