Dear Council,
The city is in a tough situation with respect to plan for housing on downtown parking lots
Business organizations are saying downtown businesses have a legal claim to the downtown parking remaining parking, because they paid into the parking assessment district.
Meanwhile, youre already in breach of your commitment to the state of California, to issue an RFP for downtown parking lot housing in 2024. HCD could declare you out of compliance at any time, and YIMBY law firms will sue you if you dont act soon to develop the housing on the downtown parking lots. "We promised to do something we cant do to escape from being subject to the Builders Remedy," isnt a defense; a judicial response would likely be, "OK, Builders Remedy until you get an amended Housing Element approved."
I would appreciate it if during the Council meeting, the City Attorney could clarify how the city regards the legal situation. In particular, does the city think the business claims have merit? Is the city legally bound to keep the parking as parking?
I hope youll move forward quickly to produce housing, and avoid Builders Remedy projects.
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-- Anne Paulson
