FULL LIST OF RELEVANT GOALS, POLICIES AND PROGRAMS FOR BY-RIGHT
HOUSING
Council Policy 7.3.1 Legislative Management - Goals and Policies Goal 7.3A: Assess community conditions and make appropriate changes to long-range, mid-range and short-range plans.
GENERAL PLAN
Land Use and Transportation Element
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OAL LT-1: COO RDINATED REGIONAL AND LOCAL PLANNING - Protect the quality of life, the natural environment, and property investment, preserve home rule, secure fair share of funding, and provide leadership in the region.
Policy LT-1.2: Minimize sprawl by endorsing strategically placed development density in Sunnyvale and by utilizing a regional approach to providing and preserving open space for the broader community.
Policy LT-1.3: Contribute to a healthy jobs-to-housing ratio in the region by considering jobs, housing, transportation, and quality of life as inseparable when making planning decisions that affect any of these components.
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OAL LT-7 D IVERSE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES - Ensure the availability of ownership and rental housing options with a variety of dwelling types, sizes, and densities that contribute positively to the surrounding area and the health of the community.
Policy LT-7.4 Promote new mixed-use development and allow higher residential density zoning districts (medium and higher) primarily in Village Centers, El Camino Real nodes, and future industrial-to-residential areas.
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OAL LT-14 S PECIAL AND UNIQUE LAND USES TO CREATE A DIVERSE AND COMPLETE COMMUNITY - Provide land use and design guidance so that special and unique areas and land uses can fulfill their distinctive purposes and provide a diverse and complete community fabric.
Policy LU-14.7 Balance the need for additional residential uses with industrial uses needed for a healthy economy.
Housing Element
Goal H-1: PROVISION OF ADEQUATE HOUSING SITES. Provide adequate sites for the development of new housing through appropriate land use and zoning to address the diverse needs of Sunnyvale’s residents and workforce.
Policy H-1.2 Infill Development Near Transit and Employment Centers.
Facilitate new residential infill development near transit and employment and activity centers, such as El Camino Real corridor, Lawrence Station, Downtown Attachment 7
Sunnyvale, the Village Centers, and Moffett Park, through incentives and streamlining development consistent with specific plans.
Policy H-1.3 Additional Affordable Housing Opportunities in High Resource Areas. Accommodate additional high density residential development (greater than 30 dwelling units/acre) in areas of high resource with access to transit, education, and employment, such as the Village Centers, to increase opportunities for new affordable housing in high resource areas.
Policy H-1.4 Minimum Density Requirement. Encourage a compact urban form by requiring new development to build to at least 75 percent of the maximum zoning density, unless otherwise stated in a specific plan or an exception is granted by the City Council.
GOAL H-2: AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOME BUYER ASSISTANCE. Assist in the provision of affordable housing to meet the diverse needs of Sunnyvale’s lower- and moderate-income households.
Policy H-2.7 Regulatory Incentives for Affordable Housing. Facilitate the development of affordable housing through regulatory incentives and concessions.
Policy H-4.5 By-right Housing on Previously Identified Housing Sites. Allow housing developments with at least 20 percent affordable housing by-right, consistent with objective development and design standards, on lower-income sites counted in previous housing cycles, consistent with Government Code Section 65583.2.
GOAL H-5: EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS. Promote equal housing opportunities for all residents, including Sunnyvale’s special needs populations, so that residents can reside in the housing of their choice.
Policy H-5.13 Housing and Services to Address Homelessness. Participate in the County Collaborative on Affordable Housing and Homeless Issues to support its efforts to prevent and end homelessness. Facilitate and sponsor the provision of permanent supportive housing for homeless people. Support local service providers that offer facilities and support services to homeless individuals and families, and persons at risk of homelessness.
Housing Element Implementation Programs
H2. Rezone Program. As of the start of the planning period (January 31, 2023), the City has an unmet RHNA of 1,535 lower-income and 3,280 above moderate-income units. The City shall approve a specific plan for the Moffett Park area to accommodate the City’s RHNA shortfall by January 31, 2024, and shall ensure that sites rezoned to meet the City’s unmet lower-income RHNA meet the following criteria:
• Permit owner-occupied and rental multifamily uses by right pursuant to Attachment 7
Government Code section 65583.2(i) for developments in which 20 percent or more of the units are affordable to lower-income households. • Accommodate at least 50 percent of the lower-income RHNA shortfall on parcels designated exclusively for residential uses.
• Allow for densities of at least 30 dwelling units per acre, with a minimum density of 20 dwelling units per acre.
• Have existing or planned water, sewer, and dry utilities. • Objective: Rezone sufficient land to accommodate the RHNA shortfall of 1,535 lower-income units and 3,280 above moderate-income units. • Policy(ies) Implements: H-1.1
• Timeframe: Complete rezone before January 31, 2024
• Responsible Department or Agency: Community Development Department, Housing and Planning Divisions
H23. Zoning Code Amendments. The City shall amend the zoning code to ensure compliance with State law as follows:
• Allow “low barrier navigation center” developments by right in mixed-use zones and nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses, consistent with Government Code Section 65662.
• Allow for the approval of 100 percent affordable developments that include a percentage of supportive housing units, either 25 percent or 12 units, whichever is greater, to be allowed without a conditional use permit or other discretionary review in all zoning districts where multifamily and mixed-use development is permitted, consistent with Government Code Section 65651(a).
California G overnment Code sections 65650-65656
Supportive housing must be allowed as a use by right in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses, if the proposed housing development satisfies specific requirements. The local government must complete its review of the application within 60 days after the application is complete for a project with 50 or fewer units, or within 120 days after the application is complete for a project with more than 50 units. The local government may require a supportive housing development to comply with written, objective development standards and policies that apply to other multifamily development within the same zone.
California Government Code sections 65660-65668
A lower barrier navigation center (LBNC) must be allowed as a use by right in areas zoned for mixed use and nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses if it meets specified requirements, including access to permanent housing and use of a coordinated entry system. The local government must act upon its review of the application within 60 days after the application is complete. An LBNC is defined as a Housing First, low barrier, temporary, service-enriched Attachment 7
shelter focused on helping homeless individuals and families to quickly obtain permanent housing. LBNCs include best practices to reduce barriers to entry, such as allowing partners, pets, storage of personal items, and privacy.
Attachment 7