Housing-site study finds one feasible replacement site short of required affordable capacity; council asks staff to convene small working group

The council received a report on alternative sites for Housing Element "Site 10" (the Spring Street vineyard parcel) and heard extensive public comment. The consultant found one vacant parcel (referred to in the report as "Site L," adjacent to 1053 Crane Avenue) that could realistically accommodate about 29 lower‑income units under Housing and Community Development (HCD) methodology but concluded that no combination of readily available west‑side parcels in the city would, without additional actions, replace the 44 lower‑income units credited to Site 10.

Ryan Lester of the housing consulting firm explained that HCD sets strict criteria for sites used to provide capacity for lower‑income housing. Sites typically must be between 0.5 and 10 acres, be zoned for at least 20 dwelling units per acre, be able to facilitate a minimum realistic capacity (the consultant used HCD’s realistic capacity formula), and be located near transit and services. The consultant also noted the city’s obligation under fair‑housing rules not to exacerbate concentrations of affordable housing on…