Re: Agenda item 6.1
Mayor Kamei & City Councilmembers,
Mountain View YIMBY writes in support of the general plan and zoning amendments necessary to implement Item 1.1(g) of the Housing Element. The staff memo notes the two major considerations for why these sites were chosen out of the extensive research they conducted: to affirmatively further fair housing by allowing more housing in more affluent neighborhoods, and to encourage developments that are in the realm of feasible. Staff have done their research and outreach over the past three years, creating a clear-cut commitment the City must fulfill now.
Regarding the Miramonte/Cuesta rezonings, we echo staff’s note that the neighboring Blossom Valley Shopping Center is already zoned for the same housing densities; a place being zoned to allow housing doesn’t imply there’s an actual housing project anytime soon. On safety, the city is actively implementing bicycle/pedestrian improvements on Miramonte, with construction from Castro to Cuesta set to begin in 2026 for a road diet and buffered bike lanes; further safety improvements can be considered in the Active Transportation Plan under development. On environmental review, we believe that the rezonings are eligible for the Housing Element implementation CEQA exception (PRC 21080.085 from SB 131), that staff have taken extra steps with an EIR conformance analysis, and that any actual project will have a separate environmental review. On business retention, we echo staff’s sentiment that land use regulation provides limited tools to address this and that the city should continue to implement its Economic Vitality Strategy for holistic, citywide improvements to make running a small business smoother.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment,
Francois Bleibel, on behalf of MV YIMBY