The San Diego City Council Land Use and Housing Committee and Planning Commission agreed Wednesday to move forward on parking reductions for affordable housing and seniors housing. Meeting jointly, both groups called for city staff to return with specific recommendations to reduce current requirements. 

 

The Federation's parking survey and examples cited by city staff showed hundreds of thousands of dollars of public funds that are being wasted on unused parking.  Those funds could be better used to provide additional affordable housing. Planning Commissioner Eric Naslund called excess parking an "egregious waste of taxpayer money."

 

City staff recommended a reduction of parking requirements for very low income (50% AMI and lower) two-bedroom affordable units (from 1.75 to 1.5) and senior extremely low and very low households (1.0 to .7). They also suggested that further study be undertaken to determine the demand in rent-restricted units.

 

The Federation urged that parking requirements be reduced by .75 spaces for housing serving those at 60% AMI or lower.  SDHF also said affordable developments should be able to take both the low income allowance and a reduction for developments close to public transit. The Federation based its recommendations on the results of actual peak parking counts done over the last few months by 20 affordable communities. SDHF will meet with the City's planning staff to determine next steps and to develop a recommendation for City Council action.

 

 

Disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over state spending priorities continues to delay passage of the state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.  There's also strong disagreement on how to implement programs that would use the proceeds from Prop 1C passed by the voters last fall. 

 

The Prop 1C $850 million infill infrastructure program is being hammered out behind closed doors and will take the form of a budget trailer bill. $300 million of these funds have been appropriated in the proposed state budget. Several provisions requested by affordable housing advocates are likely to be incorporated but, so far, it does not look as if the funds will be used directly for housing production.  They will be able to be used for sewer and water system upgrades, lighting sytems, sidewalks and other infrastructure needs of infill projects. Both jurisdictions and projects could apply for funds.