HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 21-018 opposing Senate Bill 6RESOLUTION NO.21-018
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
IN OPPOSITION TO SENATE BILL 6 AUTHORIZING HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
DEVELOPMENT IN OFFICE OR RETAIL COMMERCIAL ZONES
WHEREAS, in recent years, California has experienced a growing need for affordable housing and the
State has enacted many laws that seek to address that need by stripping cities and counties of their control of local
zoning regulations to increase the supply of market rate housing; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill (SB) 6 would allow high density residential development on parcels zoned for
office or retail use if the development meets or exceeds density the State deems appropriate to accommodate
housing for lower income households, including a minimum density of 20 units per acre for suburban jurisdictions;
and
WHEREAS, SB 6 assumes that increasing housing density increases affordability of units, but does not
require developers to designate units as below market for lower income individuals and families; and
WHEREAS, examples of office and retail commercial sites that would be subject to SB 6 include
shopping malls, strip malls, and office complexes; and
WHEREAS, development applications submitted under SB 6 would also be eligible for streamlined
ministerial approval allowed under SB 35 if the project meets SB 35 requirements and at least 50 percent of the
office or retail commercial site has been vacant for 3 years or more prior to application submittal; and
WHEREAS, SB 6 continues a one -size -fits all approach to the housing crisis by eroding local control
over planning and zoning to make it easier for developers to profit from new housing construction and offering
no resources for the most vulnerable residents of California or incentives for the development of additional
affordable housing.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Saratoga does hereby oppose
SB 6, authorizes the Mayor to execute a letter reflecting the City Council's position, and urges the California State
Legislature and the Governor of California to reject this bill and seek a collaborative approach to the housing
crisis that allows local communities to be part of the solution to the affordable housing crisis.
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga City Council
held on the 7" day of April 2021 by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Yan Zhao, Vice Mayor Tina Walia, Council Members Mary -Lynne Bernald,
Kookie Fitzsimmons, Rishi Kumar
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Yan Zhao, Mayor
ATE
DATE:
D bie retschneider, CMC, City Clerk