The staff recommendation was designed to save the City and the RDA from the inconvenience of the discovery that the RDA has not secured sufficient housing units in the Very Low, Low and Moderate Price Range. The exception for this is of course housing provided to Seniors at the Blue Mt Villas, and that came at a high cost. In addition rents are not "Low" if you happen to be in the Very Low income bracket.
Doug Jacobsen has not replaced the housing element removed by the destruction of Terrace Pines Mobile Home park, and there was a conversion from apartments to condominiums South of The Crest on Mt Vernon. So "Conversion" has taken place in GT... but neither the Staff nor Council Members could recall such an event. That Conversion did result in the displacement of families who could not afford the down payment or prices being asked for the units.
Council Member Garcia made a motion to have the approvals of plans and so forth remain as they are rather than accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission that they have approval responsibility over some issues and the City Council handling appeals only. The City Council retains the Approval of most items that come before the Planning Commission. The citizen already knows that even an appeal in front of the City Council prior or after approval of either the Planning Commission or the City Council can be made in a Court of Law if the issue was brought up in both places during public hearings.
Let's recount some of the real bone head things that have come out of the Planning Commission's Approved Basket.
The Outdoor Adventure Center and Manhole Cover Factory, and the Senior Center Non Commercial Kitchen top the list of Bad Bad Things that were passed by the Planning Commission on the basis of Schwab Staff Recommendations and Support. The Planning Commissioners serve as aids in review of plans. They should have limited powers to approve. Their function should be limited to review, and revisions and reconciliations between developer, code, and affected interested citizens. The development of an approved final plan should then go before the City Council for not a rubber stamp approval, but a full 2nd critical look and listen to the public regarding any issues still outstanding, prior to their approval.
The Planning Commissioners are appointed by the City Council, they are not accountable to the voters. Nor are they accountable legally for any bad decision they make even if they pass it on to the City Council. Their failures in the past suggest giving them more power and authority is not a good thing at all.
Grand Terrace rejects cap on rental units that can be converted to condominiums
The council unanimously blocked these proposals Tuesday as it moved ahead on a revised subdivision ordinance.
By limiting conversions to no more than 5 percent of the city's rental stock per calendar year, the Planning Commission - which recommended these changes in September - aimed to preserve affordable housing, since low-income families usually can't afford condominiums.
But Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said he was uncomfortable limiting property rights.
"I don't think the city has the moral authority to dictate to property owners (or) private businesses how they can utilize their land or buildings," he said. "If it's an issue that our low-income housing numbers are threatened, then that's a challenge that we have to deal with (other ways)."
The city needs 28 more affordable units to meet its state-mandated goal, according to Community Development Director Joyce Powers. She said that a proposed project would bring the city within "single digits."
The second defeated proposal would have brought the city's parcel map review process into line with nearby cities by giving the Planning Commission authority to approve or deny those maps.
Appeals would still have gone to the City Council, but members said council meetings were better attended and a more appropriate venue.
The remaining changes - which are posted on the city website - will have their final review Oct. 12
ryan.hagen@inlandnewspapers.com, 909-386-391
