The thrust of the document is that a fixed structure of fees for amenities should be established for urban villages.  The previous planning department version of the implementation chapters left funding of amenities to negotiations between developers and the City (including the district council member of course).  This was a cause of uncertainty for the developers.  The mayor’s plan proposes a fixed rate and then community consultation on which amenities to fund. (Again, the district council member would obviously have a big say on this.)

 

The memo also advises that two affordable housing projects, currently under review, be approved immediately.  They were being held up by the absence of implementation chapters.  At least one of them — Quetzal Gardens at King & Alum Rock — was subject to extensive community consultation.   The other is on North 21st Street by Roosevelt Community Center.

 

Our Watchdog team is assessing this recommendation and will communicate with the council members.  If you have concerns, please do so yourself and join us at the 6 p.m. session of the council on Tuesday, April 11th.

 

A secure funding mechanism for amenities is essential for the success of the urban villages.  Increased density inevitably fails where streetscape and public space improvements, amongst other amenities, are not planned and properly developed and maintained.

 

In Community,

 

Terry