Pleasanton Housing Cap Ruled Invalid
In 1996 Pleasanton voters approved a 29,000 cap on Pleasanton homes. This came at a time when home construction was moving fast in surrounding areas. Pleasanton voters decided they wanted to limit the number of total homes and only allow 350 housing permits issued per year. Move forward to 2010, we are close to the 29,000 cap with about 27,000 units built and not everyone is happy with what Pleasanton has.
Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch ruled the Pleasanton housing cap is in violation of state law. With 27,000 units built or approved, the number of affordable units could not be built under the 29,000 units.
The recent ruling ordered the city to rezone land to meet the need under state law. This case Urban Habitat v. City of Pleasanton was brought by Public Affairs Inc. on behalf of Sandra De Gregorio and regional environmental justice organization Urban Habitat.
Ruled invalid by Roesch because the housing cap does not allow Pleasanton to meet the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) under state law. Under the state law, 3,277 housing units, including 2,524 affordable homes be built by 2014.
Since 2006, Pleasanton has identified potential sites for housing such as the Hacienda Business Park near the BART station. Developers have been working on plans for mixed-use development aimed at transit-oriented development. Since 1999, 20 homes for very low income families earning less than $40,000 units have been built.
More information will come after the city council meets tonight in anticipation for future council meeting.
The Pleasanton housing cap voted in 12 years ago set a cap of 29,000 housing units. Pleasanton’s housing cap still needs a bit of tweaking. On Nov. 4th you can decide exactly what a house is. Pleasanton is about 3,000 housing units away from the 29,000 voter approved cap and based on the Nov. 4th results, Pleasanton voters will essentially decide how many ‘homes’ will be built in the future to meet the voter approved housing cap in Pleasanton.
What is a house?
Pleasanton Measure QQ and Measure PP will let you define what a home is.
Pleasanton Measure PP
A housing unit will be defined as a unit with a kitchen sink, cooking device and fridge the unit would also have a bathroom with toilet and shower or tub.
Measure PP also states the Pleasanton City Council must uphold the housing cap and must not be allowed to grant waivers to allow housing units that meet this definition.
Pleasanton Measure QQ
Supported by 3 of the 5 City Council members. Pleasanton Measure QQ defines a housing unit as a single family home, condominium, town home, half a duplex/duet, one mobile home and one apartment unit. Also, second units (in-law), rooms in extended stay hotels and units in assisted living facilities would NOT count towards the cap.
Get out and vote on Nov. 4th
Fore more information on Measure QQ and PP visit
www.savepleasantonhills.com
www.yesonqq.com
Friends Of Pleasanton
No on QQ
Yes on PP
Other Related Topics
Save Pleasanton’s Hills & Housing Cap Initiative
What will 2025 look like for residents of Pleasanton? For one, probably no more new housing built as we approach the voter approver 29,000 Pleasanton Housing Cap. Side note, if you want to develop some land into housing, you might want to do it sooner than later since there are only a few thousand units left before the Pleasanton housing cap it met.
The City Council and Planning Commission have revised the general plan after 5 years of meetings and planning.
To view the updated plan visit www.pleasantongeneralplan.org or pick up a hard copy at the Planning department at 200 Bernal Ave.
This is your opportunity to review the Pleasanton General Plan and make your voice heard to the Council at the upcoming meetings. With issues like the Oak Grove in Pleasanton it is important to make sure the city leaders are heading down the right path.
