M E M O R A N D U M
Economic Development Commission
To:
City Council
From:
Economic Development Commission
Subject:
Housing Market Study
Date:
June 9, 2008
In response to the City Council direction on March 4, 2008, the Economic Development
Commission reviewed the Housing Market Study (HMS). Principal Housing Manager Felix
Reliford and HMS consultant, Miriam Wolfe, of Vernazza Wolfe and Associates, Inc.,
presented an overview of the HMS at the Commission’s meeting on April 14, 2008.
The Citywide Economic Development Strategy includes as Goal 3 “Balance Housing Supply with
Demand for Housing by Local Workers” and two Implementation Strategies – “Enhance the range of
housing choices and neighborhoods including executive market-rate housing, through the
implementation of the Housing Element and the Midtown Plan” and “Build upon existing City –led
programs to increase all types of housing as well as affordable, owner-occupied housing”.
Items of interest to the Commission are the need for a variety of housing types, especially the
need for more high-end housing that will strengthen the local business community. In particular,
the Commission requests that the City explore the opportunity sites identified in the Housing
Market Study to provide a broader range of housing for executives and CEO’s.
In their discussion of the HMS, the Commission also heard a request of Richard Ruth to ask the
City Council to initiate a ballot measure to allow housing development at pre-Measure Z
densities, up to the Urban Growth Boundary. Commissioners decided that another focus for
executive style housing could be the Midtown area, as it holds the potential of creating other
accoutrements that go along with executive housing decisions, such as lifestyle oriented
shopping and entertainment. This is consistent with the vision of the Midtown Specific Plan.
The Commission appreciates the opportunity to review the Housing Market Study and finds its
recommendations consistent with the Goals and