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Commissioners press for anti-displacement and BMR revisions; outreach fair planned
Summary
Commissioners discussed continued work on an anti-displacement plan, potential changes to the BMR program tied to the Grand Nexus study, ADU and SB 9 adjustments, and plans for a community outreach/resource fair and short promo video to boost engagement.
Commissioners used the March 4 meeting to press staff on implementing housing-element programs that could boost affordability and reduce displacement.
Principal Planner Tom Smith summarized program highlights in the 2025 Annual Progress Report: a loan toward eight affordable ownership units at 335 Pierce Road (in entitlement review), ongoing development of an anti-displacement plan that included community outreach and survey work, and proposed amendments to the city's BMR (below-market-rate) housing program. "The anti-displacement plan development is a big one," Smith said, citing outreach, study sessions and community events held in 2025.
Commissioners asked how the city might target deeper affordability through BMR rules rather than the current emphasis on above-moderate production. Staff said the regional Grand Nexus study will analyze development costs and inclusionary percentages; initial results are expected this fall and the city may use that data to consider changing the AMI targets or the inclusion rate. Staff discussed trade-offs: deeper affordability (for example targeting lower AMI levels) can reduce overall unit production unless inclusion rates or incentives change.
The commission also discussed several program- and site-specific items: exploring downtown parking lots for affordable housing through an RFP that yielded multiple proposals; a USGS-owned site at 345 Middlefield Road, for which an early application could include about 670 units and 101 BMR units; and MidPen's Oak Gardens project, which staff said is nearly complete.
Commissioners and staff outlined outreach plans: a housing and neighborhood resource fair planned in about 2.5 months with 20 to 30 organizations invited and categories of resources identified (housing support services, financial assistance, legal resources, health and wellness, and food assistance). Staff proposed producing a short (15'20 second) promo video for city social media and asked for 1'2 commissioners to volunteer to participate.
Staff noted upcoming related items for the commission: the anti-displacement plan and a future BMR agreement will appear on agenda when ready; council priority-setting and other schedule items were also flagged. Several commissioners emphasized the need to monitor development numbers before deciding on program changes.
The meeting closed with the chair adjourning at 7:20 p.m.
