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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Kennedy Commission - email letter (Item 8)June 3, 2025 Mayor Austin Lumbard Members of the City Council City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92780 www_kcnnr&ycpmmi5.%inm_grg 17701 Cowan Avg, Sure 200 Irvine, CA 92614 949 250 ON RE: Agenda Item #8 — Compass at Red Hill (heritage Homes) Request for More Affordable Units To Austin Lumbard and Members of the City Council, The Kennedy Commission (the Commission) is a broad -based coalition of residents and community organizations advocating for the production of homes affordable for families earning less than $30,000 annually in Orange County. Since 2001, we have successfully partnered with jurisdictions across the county to create housing and land -use policies that increase affordable housing opportunities for lower -income working families. We are writing regarding the proposed Compass at Red Hill project, which includes 73 new residential units, four of which are designated as very low-income through the use of State Density Bonus Law. While we recognize and appreciate the inclusion of affordable units, we also note that the current proposal meets only the minimum 5% requirement to qualify for a 20% density bonus —resulting in the addition of 12 units to the project. In addition to this significant increase in unit count, the project is also requesting concessions, including the removal of the mixed -use commercial component and use of State parking standards. Given the scale of these benefits, we believe it is reasonable to ask for a greater public return —specifically, more affordable homes. We respectfully encourage the City Council to consider increasing the number of affordable units to at least 10% of the total units at low- and very low-income levels. A stronger affordability commitment would better reflect the city's intent in rezoning the Red Hill corridor to create new housing opportunities and affordable housing on former commercial sites. The development initiatives and land use streamlining should help the city make measurable progress toward its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals, especially for households most in need. According to Tustin's 2024 Annual Progress Report, the City has made substantial progress toward its above moderate -income RHNA goals (reporting 55 units), but only 3 very low-income units, 0 low-income units, and 3 moderate -income units have been produced in the same period. This pattern highlights a growing imbalance in housing production. As the City continues to approve new developments, affordable housing must be integrated in a more systematic way —especially on opportunity sites like this one. We encourage the City to consider applying a consistent affordability expectation —such as 10%—when approving developments in specific plans, providing zone changes or density increases. The City's Housing Policy should incorporate affordability especially in developments that benefit from zone changes and other land use concessions that facilitate housing developments. We thank the City of Tustin for its ongoing efforts to expand affordable housing opportunities and hope to continue working together to ensure new development serves the diverse needs of the community.. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ( or cesarc&kennedycommission. orb. Sincerely, Cesar Covarrubias Executive Director