Sunnyvale has settled on advocacy positions on a slew of state laws, both proposed and passed.

At the most recent meeting of the Sunnyvale City Council, Feb. 10, Michelle Zahraie, senior management analyst, said there are three categories of such positions: short-term, long-term and those already underway or imminent that have “significant impact on city business.”

Most of the changes from last year are just clarifying language. However, a few state laws are more substantive. Among those is SB 79, which allows below-market-rate housing within a half mile of Valley Transit Authority (VTA) and CalTrain stations. 

The bill overrides local standards and limits public engagement, Zahraie said. Cities may adopt alternative transit-oriented development plans, but it would need to be approved by California Dept. of Housing and Community Development.

Kerri West, senior associate with Townsend Public Affairs, said two massive housing bonds are in the pipeline for this year. 

State estimates say California needs to build 2.5 million housing units by 2030.

“Right now, California is drastically shy of where we need to be on housing,” West said. “There is simply no way to hit that number without a huge investment.”

Niccolo De Luca, vice president of Townsend Public Affairs, told the council that $2 million in federal funding is slated to come through for the city’s safe routes to schools program, and another $1 million is expected for its clean water program.

Overall, West said, the forecast for the city is promising.

“Legislatively, it looks like there is going to be some good legislation this year and potentially some funding coming out that we hope to bring home and make a difference here in Sunnyvale,” she said. “It’s going to be a good year.”

Vice Mayor Richard Mehlinger proposed alterations. They included provisions to support small business walkable neighborhoods that legalizes mixed use zoning, prevents food deserts, supports changes to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations that give small businesses more runway to make alterations and changes the city’s statement of values to call out a commitment to intersex children.

The council supported the changes unanimously.

Contact David Alexander d.todd.alexander@gmail.com

Previous Sunnyvale City Council Meetings:
Year-end Budget Shows Sunnyvale in the Black
Sunnyvale Bicycling Advocates Score Victory Over Disgruntled Neighbors 
Developer Fees to Bolster Sunnyvale’s Available Pool for Below-Market Housing