REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving a Policy to Prioritize Water and Sewer Services for Affordable Housing Developments
Report
BACKGROUND
Adopted in 2005, Senate Bill 1087 amended California Government Code Section 65589.7 to require all water and sewer providers to establish a written procedure to grant a priority for the provision of water and sewer services to proposed developments that include housing units affordable to lower-income households. Lower-income households are defined as households with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income. Although State law has required the written policies and procedures since 2006, many jurisdictions and agencies, including Sunnyvale, have not adopted freestanding formal policies. Sunnyvale's General Plan, Environmental Management Chapter, indicates that sufficient water supply and sewer collection and treatment systems are available for projected buildout. The availability of these utilities has been reaffirmed when new development potential has been approved (e.g. adoption of specific/area plans) and when long term infrastructure improvements are planned and implemented.
Compliance with Government Code Section 65589.7 is also a component of the City's 2023-2031 Housing Element. Housing Element Program H42 calls for the City to establish procedures for granting priority water and sewer service to developments with lower-income units in compliance with State law.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan
Chapter 5 - Housing
2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT
Policy H-6.2: Promote neighborhood vitality by providing adequate community facilities, infrastructure, landscaping and open space, parking, and public health and safety within new and existing neighborhoods.
Chapter 7 - Environmental Management (EM)
WATER SUPPLY
GOAL EM-1 ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLIES - Acquire and manage water supplies so that existing and future reasonable demands for water, as projected in the 20-year forecast, are reliably met. ...
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