From: Megan Watson
To: Council, City
Cc: Ted O"Hanlon; Harris, Arielle O.
Subject: Dec. 11th - City Council Regular Meeting - Agenda Item No. 5 Date: Monday, December 11, 2023 11:31:10 AM
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To Members of the City Council,
On the matter of Item No.5 on the Consent Calendar, regarding the Entitlement Extension Ordinances for housing projects, we wanted to thank the Policy and Services Committee for recommending its approval before the full Council this evening, as well as thank the Planning Department for their heightened attention on this matter over the past two months. We remain aligned with the Council’s goals of maintaining the viability of pipeline housing projects and are fully committed to seeing our project at 788 San Antonio Road through as we look to 2024 for economic conditions to improve. The two ordinances proposed tonight are a critical step in that process and we offer our full support of the approval and adoption this evening.
Thank you again for your time and consideration on this item.
Sincerely,
Megan Watson
Megan Watson
Director, Development | Grubb Properties
10000 West Washington Blvd
WeWork, 6th Floor
Culver City, CA 90232
Mobile: 405-973-5229
[email protected]
grubbproperties.com
From: Kwanza Price
To: Council, City
Subject: Agenda Item #5 - Development of Parking & Downtown Housing Proposals Date: Sunday, December 10, 2023 2:01:17 PM
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Dear Palo Alto City Council,
I am a resident of Palo Alto. I moved here with my 5 year old in 2018 from NYC after being recruited for a role with a company in PA. We currently rent and will never be able to afford to purchase here, or nearby, without the creation of affordable housing or creative financing.
Yet, I am convinced that our presence adds value. We are an African-American family. I am a scientist and my daughter is a budding artist who loves her school here in Palo Alto.
Regarding Agenda Item #5, I Implore you to consider these facts:
We need significant density and larger buildings at these city-owned sites, which means more affordable units and more people housed
Within 0.5 mile there are more than 10 structures over 90 feet and with floor area ratios (FARs) above 5.0. We need to maximize development to create more housing Housing is needed not just so that workers can afford to live here to service the wealthy -- young, innovative, middle class families deserve housing too and the diversity these new families would bring would only enrichen our community The surrounding area is rich in jobs, transit/bike infrastructure, retail and services, and schools need higher enrollment. It is the perfect place to add (a lot) more housing.
Housing downtown actively demonstrates our commitment to Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing by spreading affordable units more equitably across the city We need to act with speed, vision, and compassion for those who desperately need stable, affordable housing.
Housing is healthcare - providing shelter from the physical elements but also emotional well-being and more agency regarding how we move and locate our bodies. Thee are many studies finding an association between good health and long-term permanent, stable housing.
Sincerely,
Kwanza Price