City of Sunnyvale
Excerpt Meeting Minutes - Draft
Planning Commission
7:00 PM Online and Council Chambers, City Hall,
456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Monday, February 10, 2025
No Study Session | Public Hearing - 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Iglesias called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL
Chair Nathan Iglesias
Vice Chair Galen Kim Davis
Commissioner Chris Figone
Commissioner Martin Pyne
Commissioner Michael Serrone
Commissioner Neela Shukla
Commissioner Ilan Sigura
Present: 7 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 25-0254 Consider Potential Modifications to Relocation Assistance Requirements for Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 19.71 Residential Tenant Protections Programs and Provide Direction to Staff Affordable Housing Manager Ernie Defrenchi presented the staff report with an oral presentation.
Commissioner Serrone asked how many no fault, just cause evictions the City has in a typical year. Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi answered that while the City does not receive this data, the City has received 20 or fewer calls within the last few years from evicted tenants or property managers ensuring their compliance with applicable regulations.
Commissioner Serrone confirmed with Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi that in a no fault, just cause eviction due to unit remodeling, the City requires relocation assistance of two months of rent. However, landlords may also consider offering their tenants temporary housing in another available unit to minimize these costs.
Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi elaborated on the added protections offered Attachment 4
February 10, 2025Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft by Senate Bill 567.
Commissioner Serrone and Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi discussed the applicable tenant protections in instances where a deed restriction for an affordable housing unit expires.
Commissioner Serrone commented that the target audience for the October outreach meetings may not have been able to attend for various reasons.
At Vice Chair Davis’ request, Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi explained how information on tenant protections is transmitted to both property owners and renters.
Vice Chair Davis confirmed with Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi that there are no enforcement policies or penalties for landlords who fail to provide the required relocation assistance to their tenants. However, tenants may file a lawsuit against their landlords in small claims court and cite the City’s ordinance if they are not provided the relocation assistance they are entitled to.
Commissioner Pyne inquired about the outcome for tenants who were subject to a no fault, just cause eviction and were referred to Project Sentinel by the City.
Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi answered that the City receives few details on the outcome of these cases. He added that survey respondents thought that an additional month of relocation assistance would be beneficial.
Commissioner Shukla and Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi discussed additional funds that a tenant is allotted to in the event of a no fault, just cause eviction. This includes first and last month’s rent and security deposit (if unspent and applicable).
Chair Iglesias confirmed with Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi that sole proprietors of single-family homes are exempt from providing relocation assistance.
Chair Iglesias confirmed with Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi that at the end of the initial twelve-month lease, property owners may choose not to renew their tenants’ lease, and this would not be considered an eviction.
Chair Iglesias opened the Public Hearing.
Susan Selna noted that Project Sentinel has additional information on the outcome Attachment 4
February 10, 2025Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft of tenants subject to a no fault, just cause eviction. Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi responded that the data provided by Project Sentinel on a quarterly basis includes information related to tenant-landlord mediation and is not individualized.
Chair Iglesias closed the Public Hearing.
Commissioner Serrone and Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi discussed the similarities and differences between the City ordinance and state law regarding relocation assistance.
Commissioner Pyne shared an anecdote about how he learned who the property owner of his rental unit is.
MOTION: Commissioner Shukla moved and Commissioner Sigura seconded the motion to recommend Alternative 1 to the City Council:
Do not modify Sunnyvale Municipal Code (SMC) Chapter 19.71: Residential Tenant Protections Programs, and keep relocation assistance for no fault, just cause evictions at two months of rent.
Commissioner Shukla spoke in favor of the motion and explained why. She also spoke of ways to better educate tenants on their rights.
Commissioner Serrone voiced his support of the motion and stated why.
Commissioner Pyne expressed that while he will vote in favor of the motion, it would be helpful to receive additional information to discern whether an additional month of relocation assistance is better. He added that the report to City Council would benefit from the inclusion of data on the relocation assistance required by neighboring cities.
Vice Chair Davis spoke in agreement with comments made by Commissioner Pyne.
He added that adjustments may be made to the City’s policy on relocation assistance for tenants after additional data is available.
Commissioner Serrone agreed that the policy should remain unchanged for now. He also asked whether a landlord may increase rent after evicting a tenant to renovate a rental property. Affordable Housing Manager Defrenchi answered that if the new
law does not require first right of refusal at the same rent price, the landlord may Attachment 4
February 10, 2025Planning Commission Meeting Minutes - Draft increase rent.
Chair Iglesias spoke in overall support of the motion.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: Chair Iglesias
Vice Chair Davis
Commissioner Figone
Commissioner Pyne
Commissioner Serrone
Commissioner Shukla
Commissioner Sigura
7 -
No: 0
This recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration at the February 25, 2025 meeting.
Attachment 4