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Daly City planning commission backs resident/work preference amendment in inclusionary housing
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to recommend an amendment allowing the city to give preference to Daly City residents or workers for income-restricted units, after staff said a disparate-impact analysis found the city could allocate up to 70% of required affordable units to local residents or workers; the measure moves to the City Council for final action.
The Daly City Planning Commission on July 7 recommended the City Council approve a zoning amendment to allow the city to give preference to households that live or work in Daly City when selecting residents for income-restricted affordable housing.
Planning staff told commissioners the request (ZC0626017088) would amend chapter 17.47 of the zoning code and is supported by a disparate-impact analysis attached to the staff report. "The city of Daly City could require that up to 70% of the affordable units that are required by the city's inclusionary zoning law be allocated to and give preference to, the residents of Daly City or people who worked inside Daly City," staff said.
The change is intended as a resident-preference ordinance similar to policies adopted by other cities in the county, staff said, but commissioners pressed staff on how the residency window would be defined and how federal and state fair-housing rules would be addressed. A commissioner asked whether the draft's 24-month lookback would remain; staff said they would likely propose a six-month standard when the item goes to council and that federal regulations require the city to avoid disparate impacts on protected classes.
Chair Norris called for the motion after staff's presentation; Commissioner Couture moved to recommend the findings and forward the amendment to the council, the motion was seconded, and the commission carried the recommendation by roll call (three recorded votes in favor). The staff report notes the recommendation is made alongside a CEQA determination.
Why it matters: A resident/work preference could change how limited affordable units are allocated in new development citywide and may advantage local workers and residents but must be written to comply with state and federal fair-housing law. The planning commission's recommendation sends the draft amendment to the City Council for a final decision and possible ordinance language adjustments (for example, the proposed residency period).
