June 26: Apartments Above Stores, Increased Housing Density, Affordable Units: Input Sought
The Planning staff and Commission have scheduled a “Town Hall” meeting inviting citizen input on plans to change Piedmont’s General Plan to accommodate increased low income and affordable housing, apartments above commercial buildings, and increased housing density. New benefits are intended to increase second units to house low and very low income families. The June 26 meeting will take place in the lower level of the former Veterans Building in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) of the Piedmont Police Department at 6:30 pm.
The General Plan changes proposed could affect every area of Piedmont.
The State is pushing all cities to increase housing density and to provide more low income and affordable housing. In Piedmont, this is an especially difficult challenge because of land scarcity, high costs of properties, and desires to keep the community an essentially single family residential city per the City Charter.
Past recommendations to the City Council from the Planning Commission on General Plan changes have been accompanied by a list of previous briefings open to the public where information was presented. Few or no public individuals have attended recent briefings. When recommendations are presented to the Council, they project that the public agrees with the changes. Previous changes have been primarily staff and consultant developed.
Additional information can be found on the City’s Housing Element page.
In an unusual “Town Hall” meeting format, there will be no public broadcast of the meeting. Interested individuals need to attend the meeting to view the proceedings. Space and seating in the EOC is very limited.
Special Meeting of the Piedmont Planning Commission
Thursday, June 26, 2014
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Police Department Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
403 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“TOWN HALL MEETING ON HOUSING ELEMENT – The City’s Housing Element consultant will introduce the project, review the scope and purpose of the workshop, present a summary of Piedmont’s demographics and housing needs, as well as the State requirements for the Housing Element. The City’s existing housing policies and
The purpose of the Town Hall meeting is to invite input from Piedmont residents on the steps the City can take to better meet Piedmont’s housing needs during the next eight years. By law, Piedmont must demonstrate that it can accommodate 60 new housing units by 2023, including 38 units affordable to low and very low income households. Most of the meeting will focus on a discussion of how the City can meet State requirements for affordable housing during the next 8 years, with a particular focus on second units. Housing conservation, housing production, and housing for Piedmont residents with special needs will be discussed. Comments from current owners and tenants of second units, as well as the general public, are encouraged.”
_____________________________________________________
“Dear Piedmonter,
I am writing to encourage you attend a “Town Hall” meeting on housing, hosted by the Piedmont Planning Commission on Thursday June 26, 2014. The meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) meeting room on the lower level of the Police Department at 403 Highland Avenue in Piedmont. Light refreshments will be provided.
The purpose of the meeting is to invite input from Piedmont residents on the steps the City can take to better meet Piedmont’s housing needs during the next eight years. All cities in the Bay Area are required by State law to adopt a new Housing Element by January 31, 2015. The Housing Element sets forth goals, policies and action programs to ensure that Piedmont is doing its fair share to meet the region’s housing needs. It addresses housing conservation, housing production, and housing for Piedmont residents with special needs.
Since October 2013, the Piedmont Planning Commission has held five study sessions on the Housing Element. The City Council convened a study session on the Housing Element in May, 2014. Both the Planning Commission and the City Council are expected to take action on a Working Draft of the Housing Element this summer, with adoption of a Final Housing Element by the end of the year.
The Town Hall meeting will include a short presentation on Piedmont’s demographics and housing needs, as well as the State requirements for the Housing Element. The City’s existing housing policies and programs will be reviewed. Most of the meeting will focus on a discussion of how the City can meet State requirements for affordable housing during the next 8 years. By law, Piedmont must demonstrate that it can accommodate 60 new housing units by 2023, including 38 units affordable to low and very low income households. Most of this need will be met through second units.
The City has established a link on its webpage with additional information about the Housing Element. Please visit www.ci.piedmont.ca.us for additional information, or call me at 420-3063.
Please feel free to email comments to me at kblack@ci.piedmont.ca.us, send them via US mail to Planning Commission, c/o Kate Black, 120 Vista Avenue, Piedmont, CA 94611, or drop them off at City Hall.”
Kate Black, Piedmont City Planner
For more information go to:
