City Council Meeting: September 8, 2009

Agenda Item: 1-J

To:                   Mayor and City Council

From:              Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney

Subject:          Resolution Automatically Adjusting the Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee For New Market-Rate Multifamily Development Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 9.56.070(b)

 

 

Recommended Action

Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution which would automatically adjust the Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee for new market rate apartments and condominiums.  More specifically, the current Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee for new market rate apartments of $26.45 per square foot of floor area would be increased by $0.69 and the current Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee for new market rate condominiums of $30.89 per square foot of floor area would be increased by $0.80, effective on November 9, 2009.  The adjusted Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee would be $31.69 for new market rate condominiums and $27.14 for new market rate apartments.

 

Executive Summary

Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.56.070(b) provides that the Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee shall be adjusted annually by resolution based on changes in construction and land costs.   On June 13, 2006, the City Council approved the methodology for ascertaining changes in those costs and thereby for calculating the adjustment.  This resolution has been prepared in accordance with the approved methodology and is attached as Exhibit A.

 

Discussion

Section 9.56.070 of the City’s Affordable Housing Production Program provides that the Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee shall be adjusted annually by City Council resolution based on changes in construction costs and land costs.  In order to implement the Council’s decision, staff formulated a proposed method of computation to reflect changes in construction costs and land costs.  This methodology was detailed in an April 24, 2006 letter prepared by Paul S. Silvern of HR&A Advisors, Inc. (“HR&A”) on behalf of the City.  This methodology was approved by the City Council at its June 13, 2006 meeting.  At its June 27, 2006 meeting, its July 24, 2007 meeting, and July 23, 2008 meeting, the City Council utilized this methodology when it adopted Resolution No. 10149 (CCS), Resolution No. 10229 (CCS), and Resolution 10329 (CCS) respectively which establish the current Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee.

 

HR&A has calculated the appropriate adjustment to the Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee for FY 2009-10 based on this established methodology.  HR&A’s analysis demonstrates that the current Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee for new market rate apartments of $26.45 should be increased by $0.69 per square foot of floor area and the current Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee of $30.89 for condominiums should be increased by $0.80 per square foot of floor area.  The proposed resolution would revise the Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee accordingly, effective on November 9, 2009.  The adjusted Affordable Housing Unit Base Fee would be $31.69 for new market rate condominiums and $27.14 for new market rate apartments.

 

On August 26, 2009, the City published notice of this hearing and the availability of the HR&A analysis.  The City republished this notice on September 2, 2009.  A copy of this analysis has been available in the City Clerk’s Office for public review since August 27, 2009 and is attached hereto as Exhibit B.  

 

Financial Impacts & Budget Actions

There is no financial impact.

 

Prepared by:           Marsha Jones Moutrie, City Attorney

Attached:                  Proposed Resolution
                                    Analysis

 

Approved:

 

Forwarded to Council:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsha Jones Moutrie                                              P. Lamont Ewell

City Attorney                                                              City Manager