City of Belmont: Legislative Update
Study Session
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Alyssa Silhi, Director of Government Affairs, RPPG
January 24, 2023
RPPG Legislative Update: City of Belmont
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Alyssa Silhi
Director of Government Affairs
A team of municipal policy experts, with decades of experience in advancing the policy and funding needs for local government agencies.
Dan Carrigg
Senior Policy Advisor
Quick Snapshot: RPPG Year in Review
In 2022, on behalf of the City, RPPG activities included:
1101 pieces of legislation tracked and assessed for impacts on City operational, legal, and/or loss of local decision making
55 priority measures identified, and deeper analysis provided to City staff 5 legislative and/or fiscal measures selected for City engagement wherein RPPG made the City’s voice heard in the halls of Sacramento
3 measures resulted in a successful outcome
$3.5 Million+ secured in State budget earmarks: Belmont Alameda De Las Pulgas Corridor Project (ADLP) which was identified by Council as their #1 funding priority and more protected from ERAF/VLF State takeover 270+ combined deliverables provided to the City and touchpoints with staff Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Quick Snapshot: State Legislature
As of January 18, there has been a total of 383 new pieces of legislation introduced – a majority are “spot” bills which are bills not yet including substantive language Expecting another approximately 1,700 measures to be introduced by February 17 Currently “triaging” legislation (e.g., track, divide by subject matter, assess for impacts) More new lawmakers than ever before: 35 new members (25 Assembly, 10 Senate) Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Quick Snapshot: State Budget
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$297 billion spending plan
Decrease of 1% in total from the 2022-2023 budget
Projected deficit comes in at $22.5 billion
Areas RPPG identified of most significance to the City are 1) increased housing accountability, and 2) the failure to include San Mateo County’s VLF short fall claim:
impact to City this year is $500,000.
Note: While Department of Finance declined to include the shortfall claim in the budget, the Legislature has the authority to place it back in. We have already been working with your delegation on this issue highlighting that these funds are critical.
We’ve also been in close contact with San Mateo County advocates and other stakeholders and are actively working to protect these revenues Quick Snapshot: Key Dates
January 10: Governor must present his budget proposal to the Legislature February 17: Last day for bills to be introduced
Mid-May– “May Revise” with updated revenue projections and funding priorities
June 2: Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house (House of origin deadline)
June 15: FY 23-24 Budget must be passed by the Legislature June 30: Governor must sign FY 23-24 budget
July 14-August 13: Legislative Summer Recess
August 14- September 14: Final month of the Legislative session October 14: Governor must take action on all measures passed by the Legislature
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Housing Laws: Background: Goals and
Objectives
Quick Background on California Housing Policy Challenges (A few charts and graphs) State has Tightened Many Housing Laws
Decline in Production Since the 80’s
Market Rate vs. Affordable Production
Lack of Resources for Affordable Units, Including Loss of RDA ABAG’s 6th Cycle RHNA More than Doubled
Concept v. Challenges of RHNA process.
Belmont’s Role as “Good Actor” on Housing, Including Increasing Density and Production Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
State Tightened Many Housing Laws Over
Last Five Years
RHNA and Housing Elements: Increasing Allocations to Local Agencies, Adding New Factors, and Increasing State Oversight with Penalties for Non-Compliance. Density Bonus Law: Authorizing Increased Densities and Expanding Incentives for Developers Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing: Promoting Development/Retention of Affordable Housing in Higher Resourced Areas. Housing Accountability: Expanding authority of Attorney General to enforce various housing laws. By Right Development: Authorizing approval of multifamily projects which meet specified criteria “by right.” Accessory Dwelling Units: Removing local obstacles to the construction of up to two ADUs on a single-family parcel. Duplex and Four-Plex Housing: Authorizing development of up to four units on a single family lot. Housing in Commercial Zones: Authorizing ministerial approval of multifamily housing development on sites meeting various criteria in commercial zones.
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California Production Not Keeping Up
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Market Rate Units Rather Than Affordable
Produced
5th RHNA Cycle
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Major Factor: Significant Shortage of
Affordable Housing Funding
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ABAG’s RHNA More Than Double for 6th
Cycle
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Comparison Between ABAG’s 5th and 6th Cycle RHNA Allocations RHNA (Regional Housing Need Allocation)
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Concept:
Requires local agencies to factor local housing needs into their plans. Regional allocation promotes “fair share” and other important objectives.
State reviews plans, offers policy expertise and accountability for ”bad actors.”
Challenges:
RHNA is a planning process.
It can influence, but not dictate, actual markets or production. Production depends on decisions by private developers and investors based upon larger economic factors (local job markets, household income, interest rates, etc.).
Affordable housing “needs” allocated to local agencies are not matched with sufficient subsidies and resources to build them.
City Of Belmont: Good Housing Actor
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The City of Belmont is a “good-actor” community on housing issues:
Adopted housing element in state compliance for the 5th RHNA (Regional Housing Needs Assessment) cycle (2014-2022). The City will exceed its RHNA production target for the current cycle. About to adopt its housing element for the 6th RHNA Cycle (2023-2031), which includes an over 400 percent increase (from 468 to 1,785 units) compared to prior cycle.
Has a 15 percent inclusionary affordable housing requirement, and additional dedicated local funding generated by housing impact and commercial linkage fees.
Housing production has increased dramatically over prior decades, and projected to almost triple (from 588 to 1,627) over next eight-year planning cycle.
Belmont Leads Way on Increasing Density
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Beginning in 2014, Belmont’s city leaders, as part of an adopted update to the General Plan (2017), led the way on housing by embracing substantial increases in permitted residential densities (many exceeding 100 units per acre) along the El Camino Real corridor and adjacent to transit.
The results are impressive:
A total of 588 new units have been completed or are under construction in the city during the 2014-2022 time period, a dramatic increase from city’s prior slow growth era, when 31 units were constructed in the prior eight years. Belmont now projects a total of 1,627 units (almost triple of most recent cycle) will be built between 2023-2031, of which 438 will be affordable (of which, 56 are designated for extremely low income, 71 for very low income, and 311 for low income).
Review of Belmont State Legislative Platform
RPPG conducted a review of the 2022 Belmont Legislative Platform informed by Deep Dive discussions with City staff.
RPPG has minor suggested amendments in the areas of Housing and Land Use, Community Services, Infrastructure Maintenance and Rehabilitation, and Public Safety. These suggested changes serve as a starting point for Council to discuss and provide direction for city staff and RPPG. The legislative platform is designed to be an evolving document. This document should be updated at least once annually in advance of each new legislative session to ensure RPPG is continuing to engage with City Staff and Council on those policies that matter most to the City of Belmont.
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Review of Belmont State Legislative Platform
Minor suggested edits include:
Housing and Land Use:
• Monitor and evaluate housing proposals that take a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Specifically, advocate for modifications in proposals to recognize communities like Belmont that are good actors in addressing community-housing needs. • Support efforts to provide dedicated funding and technical assistance to local governments to adopt and implement plans and process improvements and for the administration and ongoing compliance of state housing programs.
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Review of Belmont State Legislative Platform
Community Services:
• Support funding for vital regional and community services including access to parks, open space, bike lanes, after school programming, youth services, senior services, food programs, facilities that provide critical community services, protect natural resources, promote resource management, and strengthen safety and security. Oppose efforts that erode funding for these vital regional and community services.
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Review of Belmont State Legislative Platform
Infrastructure Maintenance and Rehabilitation:
• Support legislation and funding opportunities that would help the City fund improvements for parks, open space, green infrastructure, and fuel mitigation and reduction.
• Support legislation and funding opportunities that enhance the capacity of local government to enact climate change adaptation and mitigation, promote disaster risk reduction and community resilience, and/or advance sustainability through capital improvement to City facilities.
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Review of Belmont State Legislative Platform
Public Safety:
• Support legislation that promotes and strengthens law enforcement and first-responder access to mental health services, including peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, and other promising practices for wellness programs. • Evaluate legislation on implementation of best practices regarding law enforcement procedures and policies.
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com
Review of Belmont State Legislative
Platform
Next Steps:
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Feedback and direction
from Council
Work with City Staff to
incorporate Council
feedback and direction
Council adoption
Thank You!
Renne Public Policy Group │ www.publicpolicygroup.com