On February 26, 2013, the Board of Supervisors authorized a GPA study request submitted by Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley ("Habitat") to change the land use designation for the subject property from SM to Multiple-Family Residential-Low Density (ML) to support development of a 23-unit, below-market-rate (i.e., affordable) townhouse project. Habitat subsequently submitted applications for approval of a major subdivision and development plan, but for various reasons placed the project on hold around 2015.
On December 21, 2017, DCD staff received a letter from Hamid Taeb, Director of Real Estate Development for Habitat, indicating they wish to resume the project, but with an increase to 29 units (see Attachment A). The new proposal calls for developing the project in phases of 3, 13, and 13 units. Phase 1, the first three units, would be constructed by September 2020 to meet funding obligations and satisfy the 10%-affordable component of the project. Phases 2 and 3, the remaining 26 units, would be constructed as funding became available. If funding for a 100% affordable project could not be secured, then Habitat would construct and sell Phases 2 and 3 as market-rate or mixed-income housing.
The 2013 Board action authorized studying a density of up to 11.88 units per net acre, which corresponds with the ML land use designation. Enlarging the project to 29 units on the 2.42-acre property yields a density of 14.97 units per net acre, which falls within the density range of the MM land use designation. Thus, Habitat's revised request is to change the land use designation from SM to MM (see Attachment B).
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the revised request for a GPA study. The subject property is an underutilized infill site located within reasonable proximity of the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station. Furthermore, the project proponent, Habitat for Humanity, has successfully developed projects that provide homeownership opportunities for low-income households and has a track record of developing affordable housing in the unincorporated areas, thereby supporting certain goals and policies of the General Plan Housing Element.
Staff stresses that authorization for this GPA study does not imply the Board's support or endorsement for the application to amend the General Plan, but only that this matter is appropriate for study.
The Board has already authorized a GPA study for a 23-unit project on the subject property. If the current study request is denied, then the project will be limited to 23 units instead of the 29 now proposed.