I support requiring that the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara Housing Authority (SBHA) be brought into the Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment Project with Alliance Bernstein Commercial (ABC) to maximize the number of deed-restricted affordable housing units. 

I also request that the City Council not sign the Project Agreement with a clause that violates the height limit set in the City's Charter. 

REDEVELOPING PASEO NUEVO & MAXIMIZING THE AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The City Council has the opportunity to require that the SBHA be included as a non-profit general partner in the Paseo Nuevo Redevelopment with ABC. - It should not miss out maximizing the amount of deed-restricted affordable housing with this project.

Why? If the City brought the SBHA into the project as a non-profit general partner the City would get the maximum number of affordable units. It would not need to consider ABC's need to maximize its profit.

Imagine if the SBHA were brought into the project. The City Council could “swing for the fences.” They could get a minimum of 30% - 40% and maybe even 50% of the residential units set aside as deed-restricted affordable units. - This could mean 150 to 250 or more affordable units.

THE PROJECT AGREEMENT VIOLATES THE CITY CHARTER

The Project Agreement states that the City Council agrees to provide waivers to ABC that allow it to violate the City Charter height limit. The Council should not sign an agreement that violates the City Charter. 

If the City Council wants to eliminate or change the height limit for this project it could simply put a Charter Amendment on the November ballot.