EMC Planning Group
To: Planning Commission
From: Ande Flower, EMC Planning Group;
Date: March 1, 2022
Re: Public outreach update and recommended Stakeholder Group li st
SUMMARY
This memorandum describes public o utreach to date for the Housi ng Element update process and presents a list of recommended candidates for the Stakeholder Group.
ACTION REQUEST
Receive the report for current and planned public outreach, review the proposed list of stakeholders, and provide guidance for next steps.
BACKGROUND
The success of the 6th Cycle Housing Element Update process hinges in part on a community outreach and engagement program that is robust, inclusive, and meaningful. In 2018, Assembly Bill 686 (AB 686) established a state mandate that expanded the duty of all California’s public agencies to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH). This mandate included outreach to equitably include all stakeholders in the Housing Element public participation program. Through our process, we encourage capacity‐building for those who have not traditionally been part of policy discussions to better understand the housing need in the region in a way that helps create long‐term engagement Staff and consultants continue to strive to engage all economic segments of the community within and surrounding Cupertino (including residents and/or their represe ntatives) in the development and update of the housing element thus far. To date, this public participation effort has included:
Developing Housing Element Update webpages in 5 languages Developing a mapping exercise for the public (Cupertino Housing Simulator tool) Providing updates to City Council, Planning Commission, and Housing Commission Contributing Housing Element Updates to the Scene and Items of Interest Newsletters Hosting a December 9th Virtual Community Workshop
Distributing a mailed postcard to all Cupertino residents Creating a Stakeholder Group
Distributing letters to property owners for the sites inventory process
EMC Planning Group
Additionally, our team has worked directly with West Valley Community Services (WVCS) to better understand the housing needs of the region. Working regionally is particularly important because understanding the needs of those who are not able to currently live in Cupertino, but would like to, is essential for HCD requirements for our next steps with policy discussions. Our engagement with WVCS includes a current survey of needs.
EMC Planning Group is also working directly with the ABAG Santa Clara Collaborative Steering Committee for AFFH. By participating with this Committee, we are positioned to provide Cupertino with the most current information for AFFH data integration, particularly with the draft Lawyers' Committee AFH report for Civil Rights work for Santa Clara County, which may be reviewed this spring by Council.
DISCUSSION
Increased participation is encouraged and we remain open to discovering additional ways to bring people to the Housing Element update discussion. The numbers of people w h o h a v e j o i n e d t h e D e c e m b e r Workshop and who have submitted draft housing plans with the Cu pertino Housing Simulator tool have, however, been less than anticipated.
PUBLIC OUTREACH NEXT STEPS:
We welcome ideas for additional attention for the public to bec ome engaged with this Housing Element update process, such as a banner similar to what has been used in Saratoga. Streamline communications from EMC Planning Group to the public subscribed the housing website: https://engagecupertino.org/housingelement.
EMC Planning Group provide bi‐weekly updates to the City Council. The second Cupertino Housing Simulator tool iteration will soon be available. o We invite all decision‐makers to use the tool to submit a propo sed plan, and to act as ambassadors to encourage others in the community to participate and share their comments and ideas.
o Those who have submitted plans will be invited to test out the beta version of Cupertino Housing Simulator 2.0 and to provide feedback for how we may be able to improve the experience.
o Companion documents will be available for participants to take notes in preparation for a plan submittal.
o The website will include detailed information about areas, site s, and addresses for the Cupertino Housing Simulator 2.0 mapping exercise.
STAKEHOLDER GROUP
We received thirty (30) excellent applications with the online form and paper copies available at the Library and Senior Center. There was one double entry, which explains the strikethrough for number SHapp 21. Using a point system, and a blind‐review so that revi ewers could not see candidate names or contact information, we had four ( 4 ) s t a f f m e m b e r s o f E M C P l a n ning Group select the top ten (10) candidates, as follows:
John Zhao
Abdullah Memon
Jennifer Shearin
Joseph Fruen
EMC Planning Group
Shankar Krishnan
Sean Hughes
Janet Van Zoeren
Ava Pai‐Chi Chiao
Elizabeth Moore
Lisa Warren
A point system was initiated to assess potential applicants for the 6 th Cycle Housing Element Stakeholder
Group. Selection criteria is intended to result in a diverse cross‐section of perspectives with people willing to be dedicated to the process. Collaboration with this stakeh older group will be focused on meeting goals of affirmatively furthering fair housing. Residents of al l incomes, races, and ethnic backgrounds as well as employees of local businesses, community‐ and faith‐based organizations, and public agencies are encouraged to participate. Throughout the lifespan of the regul atory update process, stakeholders are encouraged to provide meaningful input on how the City may achi eve the overarching goal of accommodating the increased housing needs allocation for the 6t h RHNA cycle in a responsible manner that considers the needs of existing and future residents.
Stakeholders are anticipated to inform the planning process and review draft plan materials. The goal for selection of this group is that it consists of a representative group of residents, local employees, community‐based organizations, service providers, and/or other involved community members in the plan area. A minimum of three Stakeholder meetings will be orga nized throughout the planning process, including, but not limited to: (1) Plan Kickoff & Goal‐Setting Meeting, (2) Policies & Strategies Meeting, and (3) Draft Plan Meeting.
Attached is the list of application questions with corresponding points dedicated to each response. A primary goal involved with this selection process is to minimize barriers to increase opportunity for a more diverse group of participants to support inclusion of those who may have not contributed to land‐use decisions for their community in the past. A commitment and ded ication to the role of stakeholder is recognized as essential for a potential applicant. Points are w eighted to favor those who may represent either an under‐represented role in the community for policy di scussion, or embody a cross‐section of perspectives. Description of qualifications and a check‐box for s e l f ‐ i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a r e e q u a l l y w e i g h t e d evaluation criteria, with this goal for inclusive participation for the Stakeholder Group selection.
Staff suggests that Council consider adding three (3) additiona l stakeholders, specifically Applicants numbered 18, 26, and 28 to more fully include a variety of directly represented stakeholders.
EXAMPLE OF AN HCD REVISION‐REQUEST LETTER
As requested from Vice‐Mayor Chao, we have included a revision request letter from an Asian majority city within southern California City that has achieved certification. Following is a link for Monterey Park’s final Housing Element:
https://mpkhousingupdate.com/wp‐content/uploads/2022/01/Monterey‐Park‐Final‐Housing‐ Element.pdf
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 6th Cycle Housing Element Update—Public Engagement Activities to date Attachment B: Stakeholder group Questions
Attachment C: List of Recommended stakeholder scores and response to primary narrative question EMC Planning Group
Attachment D: HCD Revision request letter for Monterey Park