ACTION ALERT!   Density Bonus Ordinance Amendments on City Council Agenda November 6, 2007-

Your emails, calls & letters must be received by November 5, 2007 or you will need to attend the council meeting and speak (pick an Opposition slip) to have an impact on the City Council vote.

City Council Agenda for afternoon of November 6, 2007 - click here and view ITEM-334 (page 6)

Amendments to Regulations Related to Affordable Housing Density Bonus. Amending the San Diego Municipal Code, Land Development Code; Certifying Supplement to Environmental Impact Report No. 96-0333, Project No. 63422 and adopting Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations.

Report to City Council - Affordable Housing Density Bonus. Project No. 63422. Citywide. Process Five. Report. 07-162 & attachments  issued 10/17/07.

Summary:

State law requires cities in California grant density bonuses and development incentives to residential projects when restrictions are implemented to maintain specified affordability levels.

The California State Legislature has amended the State Density Bonus Law three times since 2003, with the latest amendment being implemented in January 2006. The state’s amended Density Bonus Law already applies in the City of San Diego. The purpose of this amendment to the LDC and Local Coastal Program is to comply with the state requirement that the city adopt an ordinance that specifies how compliance with state law will be implemented, and to craft regulations that provide guidance and protections within the city’s regulatory framework. Adoption of the Affordable Housing Density Bonus Regulations will provide applicants increased densities and incentives that encourage development of new affordable and senior housing throughout the city.

Background information:

Example: For every 1% increase above the state required affordable units per project, translates into a 2.5% density bonus increase, up to 35% + up to 3 additional incentives/concessions (deviations from code) which could include: setbacks, height limitations, parking and others). That means that if our community plan says 30 ft. height on residential construction, they could allow 60 ft. or 5-6 story buildings without local review.

News articles:

Activists see no bonus in greater housing density, By Lori Weisberg, Staff Writer San Diego Union-Tribune, 3/17/07.

San Diego Density ordinance brings out critics, City seeks to boost affordable housing; by Lori Weisberg San Diego Union Tribune, 2/27/07.

A high price for affordable housing; By Lori Saldaña, 2/27/07 San Diego UnionTribune.

Send letter below to your city representatives.

ACT NOW!  Please email or mail your local representatives and tell them to vote NO on  amendments to the Density Bonus Ordinance.

(Sample letter for you to mail or copy and paste into an email message.)

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Mayor Jerry Sanders

City Administration Building

11th Floor, 202 C Street

San Diego, CA 92101

San Diego City Council Members

Scott Peters, Kevin Faulconer, Toni Atkins, Tony Young, Brian Maienschein, Donna Frye, Jim Madaffer, Ben Hueso

202 C Street, MS #10A

San Diego, CA 92101

Dear Mayor Sanders and the San Diego City Council Members:

Re: Amendments to Affordable Housing Density Bonus Ordinance

Ministerial approval of concession and incentives is not mandated by state law. The Developmental Services Department’s misinterpretation of state law section 65915(k) opens our eyes to the possibility that City of San Diego employees are attempting to circumvent the citizen’s ability to speak on matters concerning the use of land in their community. This is an attempt to eliminate legitimate obstacles to illegitimate, ill-conceived, bloated development.

City employees work on behalf of ALL citizens of San Diego and should not be allowed to abuse the affordable housing regulations to create lucrative business opportunities for developers at the expense of San Diego residents. Property owners should be assured that their investment in their community won’t be diminished by a city government, which works only on behalf of whomever pays the most.

City employees should not be suggesting that developers submit plans for development or redevelopment with densities that far exceed current zoning and community plans. Zoning and community plans are mandated for a reason.

Do not approve the amendments to the Affordable Housing Density Bonus Ordinance and take the land use review process out of the hands of local community groups. Thank you.

Respectfully,

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