Council Extends Interim Control Ordinance on Tenant Notices for 60 Days

Council members voted to extend an Interim Control Ordinance (ICO) that sets notice requirements related to demolition and tenant displacement for another 60 days while committee analysis proceeds.

Mister Feuer explained the ICO had been adopted Aug. 11 as a temporary measure and that the extension would be the final 60-day continuance before the council takes action on whether to make the ordinance permanent. A council discussion clarified the ICO provides certain notice periods for tenants (the ICO and its timing were described on the dais as providing up to 120 days in some circumstances for non-senior and non-disabled tenants while the ordinance operates as an ICO).

Angela McGahn, legislative analyst for the Central City Association, urged the council to continue the item for a week to allow developers to present concerns, saying the ICO "does not allow new units to come online, in the near term and has already had a chilling effect on the developer community." She also requested a reasonable exemption for projects of 25 units and below.

Councilmembers Sekowsky and Bernsen spoke in favor of extending the ICO for 60 days to allow further analysis and to pursue a companion motion concerning replacement affordable housing. The clerk opened the roll; the vote was recorded as 13 ayes and the extension was approved.

The council did not adopt a permanent ordinance during the meeting; staff and committee review were requested.