Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission nearly stalled Monday discussing affordable housing at Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, then adjourned the meeting to May 26th. Commissioner Mike Kirkley said they would have to sell those homes for “under $100,000 dollars,” adding: “Why would you even say that if you know you can’t do that?” Consultant Anders Hague said “people in the low income housing category cannot buy housing. They are renting.” Commissioner Robert Olson said he was “adamantly against this approach,” and “it should be up to the city council to make the financial decision.” Commissioner Frank Cunha tried to put the issue to a vote, or take a poll of commissioners to decide, but discussion continued. Cunha pointed out that 9 “large lot” parcels in the Gold Rush specific plan would have “Low” or “moderate” income level housing, at 8 to 12 percent of the dwelling units. Some wording said 70 units would be “affordable by design” – smaller houses on smaller lots. Gold Rush Project Manager Jim Harnish said the wording was several years old. That wording was omitted by the commission, which also kept wording the same in the 9 large-lot parcels, to have 8 to 12 percent of units be “affordable for low-income or moderate-income households,” and added wording saying it “may include housing that is affordable by design.” The commission added requirements for low- and very low-income housing. Resident Sharyn Brown said Granny Unit’s, or “second units” on lots “can be considered affordable housing.” Resident John Mottoros said “did not think the city has any business being in the business of affordable housing,” and the requirements are causing the developer to play Robin Hood, charging more for moderate and higher income homes, whose buyers are “paying for those lower income houses.” Hague said the city already is in the housing business and has built affordable housing. Harnish said the city already has “zoned enough land for those very low-income housing areas,” though “it’s very different from building them.” He said the city has a surplus of areas zoned for low income housing. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Amador County – The Sutter Creek Planning Commission nearly stalled Monday discussing affordable housing at Gold Rush Ranch & Golf Resort, then adjourned the meeting to May 26th. Commissioner Mike Kirkley said they would have to sell those homes for “under $100,000 dollars,” adding: “Why would you even say that if you know you can’t do that?” Consultant Anders Hague said “people in the low income housing category cannot buy housing. They are renting.” Commissioner Robert Olson said he was “adamantly against this approach,” and “it should be up to the city council to make the financial decision.” Commissioner Frank Cunha tried to put the issue to a vote, or take a poll of commissioners to decide, but discussion continued. Cunha pointed out that 9 “large lot” parcels in the Gold Rush specific plan would have “Low” or “moderate” income level housing, at 8 to 12 percent of the dwelling units. Some wording said 70 units would be “affordable by design” – smaller houses on smaller lots. Gold Rush Project Manager Jim Harnish said the wording was several years old. That wording was omitted by the commission, which also kept wording the same in the 9 large-lot parcels, to have 8 to 12 percent of units be “affordable for low-income or moderate-income households,” and added wording saying it “may include housing that is affordable by design.” The commission added requirements for low- and very low-income housing. Resident Sharyn Brown said Granny Unit’s, or “second units” on lots “can be considered affordable housing.” Resident John Mottoros said “did not think the city has any business being in the business of affordable housing,” and the requirements are causing the developer to play Robin Hood, charging more for moderate and higher income homes, whose buyers are “paying for those lower income houses.” Hague said the city already is in the housing business and has built affordable housing. Harnish said the city already has “zoned enough land for those very low-income housing areas,” though “it’s very different from building them.” He said the city has a surplus of areas zoned for low income housing. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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