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Residents urge caution on housing policy, appeal fee and SB 79; referendum signatures circulated
Summary
Public commenters told council that building alone won't solve affordable-housing concerns, urged lowering appeal fees and warned about SB 79's potential to shift local approvals. A resident reported collecting signatures for a referendum on the general plan update.
Several residents used the public-comment period to raise concerns about housing policy, the city's appeal fee and proposed state legislation.
Jim Blickenstaff told the council that "building more houses does not solve" the affordable housing crisis and argued that subsidized housing is the primary need. He urged council to consider the mix of housing types rather than simply increasing supply and suggested residents engage on pending state measures he described as transferring authority to large builders (he referenced "SB 79").
Santosh Kanjala, a resident of the Carmelita community, said a Toll Brothers subdivision on Darty Road lacked community shade and resting areas and asked whether the city could provide benches or shaded seating for seniors and children. He also joined others in urging the council to consider a town-hall format on a recurring basis to improve resident engagement.
Shirod Kathrani told the council he had filed an intent for a referendum to place the general plan update on the ballot and said many residents at the city's Art & Wind Festival indicated they would sign. He also referenced the $4,500 appeal fee, calling it prohibitive; several commenters asked that the policy committee review fee structures and consider a tiered approach like neighboring cities.
Council members acknowledged the concerns, said staff is gathering comparative fee information and said the policy committee will take the matter up for further discussion.
