9.1. Public Hearing to consider introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 05-24 amending Chapter 17.15 of the Orange Municipal Code relating to Density Bonus Law to establish consistency with state density bonus law; and finding of CEQA exemption.
Dear Honorable Mayor Slater and Members of the Orange City Council
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad coalition of residents and community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $30,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been successful in partnering and working with jurisdictions in Orange County to create effective policies that have led to the production of new homes affordable to low income working families.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Orange’s proposal to update the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance to be consistent with State Density Bonus law.
As the city updates its density bonus ordinance, we encourage the city to take additional steps to evaluate the existing city’s density bonus and how the proposed changes will incentivize low and very low income housing opportunities. This is especially important as the current density bonus has not been effective at producing affordable housing units at low and very low income in the city.
Many of the affordable housing sites identified in the Housing Element are identified at the higher density of 60 du/ac (see Table 3-15). At these higher densities and the generous development incentives offered in the Urban Mixed Use zone, it is unlikely that developers will request an additional density bonus. It is imperative that the city takes advantage of the update of the density bonus law to identify incentives and concessions beyond the minimum state law to incentivize affordable housing on these sites for lower income. The analysis should include how effective the use of a density bonus has been in the city and what incentives and programs are needed to facilitate affordable housing on the higher density sites. In addition, the city needs to include how it will monitor affordable unit production progress under density bonus to ensure it is effective in creating affordable housing for low, very low, and extremely low income households.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
Dear Honorable Mayor Slater and Members of the Orange City Council
The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad coalition of residents and community organizations that advocates for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $30,000 annually in Orange County. Formed in 2001, the Commission has been successful in partnering and working with jurisdictions in Orange County to create effective policies that have led to the production of new homes affordable to low income working families.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Orange’s proposal to update the City’s Density Bonus Ordinance to be consistent with State Density Bonus law.
As the city updates its density bonus ordinance, we encourage the city to take additional steps to evaluate the existing city’s density bonus and how the proposed changes will incentivize low and very low income housing opportunities. This is especially important as the current density bonus has not been effective at producing affordable housing units at low and very low income in the city.
Many of the affordable housing sites identified in the Housing Element are identified at the higher density of 60 du/ac (see Table 3-15). At these higher densities and the generous development incentives offered in the Urban Mixed Use zone, it is unlikely that developers will request an additional density bonus. It is imperative that the city takes advantage of the update of the density bonus law to identify incentives and concessions beyond the minimum state law to incentivize affordable housing on these sites for lower income. The analysis should include how effective the use of a density bonus has been in the city and what incentives and programs are needed to facilitate affordable housing on the higher density sites. In addition, the city needs to include how it will monitor affordable unit production progress under density bonus to ensure it is effective in creating affordable housing for low, very low, and extremely low income households.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Cesar Covarrubias
Executive Director
I support this action to comply with state law and the housing element.