Zoning Code Amendment To Allow School District or
Community College District to Acquire, Construct,
Rehabilitate, or Preserve Rental Housing
Megan Hunter, Community Development Director
April 18, 2022
Housing and Land Use Committee
Zoning Code Amendment 2022-002
Amend Zoning Code Sections:
• Definitions
• 37-10.290 (“E” Definitions)
• 37-10.430 (“S Definitions)
• Base Districts (Use Table)
• Residential Low Density
• Residential Medium Density
• Residential High Density
• Commercial & Mixed Use
• Public/Semi-Public
Add Section to Special
Regulations Applying to All
Districts:
• Allow School District or
Community College District
to Provide Housing
• Consistent with Teacher Act
of 2016
• Relocation assistance
requirement for acquisition
of occupied building
Background
• Existing zoning regulations would preclude the School District from owning housing for employees
• Salinas Union High School District interested in acquiring a new apartment complex for employee housing
• Teacher Housing Act of 2016 allows School Districts to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, or preserve affordable rental housing • State legislature is in process of amending the law to include Community College Districts
• Planning Commission (4-0 Vote) Recommended Approval
Discussion
• Amendment would exclude School or Community College District Housing from definition of Employee Housing
• ZCA would not change the restrictions on employee housing for other employers.
• Create definitions for School District or Community College District Housing
• The use of School District or Community College District Housing would be added to the use tables of base districts where housing is permitted
Discussion (Continued)
• New construction or rehabilitation would have to follow the requirements of zoning code – development regulations & design standards
• Housing to be offered at affordable rent for the low or moderate levels (> 80% - 120% of Area Median Income)
• Additional language includes 90-day notification and 2 times monthly rent for relocation assistance for displacement if an occupied building is acquired
• This is consistent with a provision in the Zoning Code for Condo Conversion
Discussion - Findings
October 22, 2019, the City approved similar ZCA 2019-003 Allowing residential uses with CUP in PS Zoning District Consistent with General Plan Policies and Housing Element Balance of land uses for housing, jobs, libraries, and educational and recreational facilities to allow residents to live, work, shop, learn, and play
Encourage the production of housing that meets the needs of agricultural and other essential workers
Various studies have identified lack of affordable housing as cause of teacher shortages
Recommendation
The Housing and Land Use Committee recommend that City Council:
Find project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15305
Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations
Would not result in a significant environment impact
Adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 37 to allow School District or Community College District to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, or preserve affordable rental housing for its staff or public consistent with the Teacher Housing Act of 2016