Newark

Continue partnership with Alameda County's housing rehabilitation and minor home repair programs, Renew Alameda County, and contracting with Rebuilding Together Oakland East Bay. Encourage participation in these programs by Newark property owners for the maintenance of local rental homes and homeowners. The City shall continue to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds on an annual basis. The City shall give high priority for the expenditure of a portion of CDBG funds for housing rehabilitation, and directly contract with the County to administer the housing rehabilitation services. The City shall also use HOME funds, as available and appropriate, to support housing rehabilitation for lower-income households.

The City plans to support 13 households per year with home rehabilitation. The city will facilitate place-based revitalization by focusing on lower-income households with rehabilitation programs and promoting availability of programs in areas with a high concentration of housing in need of rehabilitation and repair, such as the Old Town and Mirabeau Park areas.

Missing middle housing will provide for an increase in housing choice in established single family neighborhoods, enabling more moderate income homes within walking distance to schools and parks. SB 9 requires ministerial approval of housing developments containing no more than two residential units on lots zoned for single family residences. Adopted simultaneously with SB 9, SB 10 provides for SB 10 allows local agencies to adopt ordinances to permit up to 10 dwelling units on any parcel, at a height specified in the ordinance, if the parcel is within a transit-rich area or urban infill site. Implementing SB 9 and SB 10 ordinances, along with pursuing Program H2.8: Zoning for Missing Middle Housing Types, will provide additional opportunities for new housing in a variety of neighborhood types throughout the city.

Draft and implement SB 9 and SB 10 ordinances to provide additional opportunities for missing middle housing. Review the City’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance and implement updates as needed to provide clarity and facilitate housing development under SB 9. These include adopting updated definitions, use regulations, development standards, and ministerial processes. Production and affordability will be monitored every two years and alternative actions will be implemented if necessary to meet the RHNA. In coordination with research being conducted at the State level, pursue opportunities to incentivize and provide funding assistance for homeowners to provide affordable units under SB 9 to further housing opportunities and more affordable homeownership options in high opportunity areas. Develop and implement the City’s SB 9 Ordinance to expand the housing supply in single-family zones by allowing for lot splits, cottage housing developments, triplexes and duplexes. 120 moderate income SB 9 units developed during the housing element cycle, with a focus on expanding housing opportunity in neighborhoods in the northern portion of the city. Through programs such as H3.2, Objective Design Standards and H3.5, Parking standards update and study, the city will be able to ensure that development standards, including parking and open space requirements, are not a constraint to development. Adopt an SB 10 Ordinance to allow up to 10 units to be developed on smaller residential parcels throughout the City, with a goal to produce 80 units of missing middle housing, targeting 75% of these units in neighborhoods in the northern portions of the city, including Lake-Rosemont, Mirabeau, and Mayhews Landing Neighborhoods. The quantified objective for Missing Middle for Programs H2.1 and H2.8 is a total of 200 units.

Creation of a community guided plan for the Four Corners area (in between Lake-Rosemont and Mirabeau Neighborhoods), to bring housing and local retail to the area. The plan will consist of community engagement, with the objective of developing community-led decision making around housing, commercial space and public infrastructure improvements. As a key element of the community guided Four Corners area plan, the city will incorporate the Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) development policies and requirements as a portion of the Four Corners area is within a transit priority area. The Four Corners area is zoned for community commercial, which does not allow for residential development by right, but housing may be considered as a component of planned developments within these areas in the event a shopping center is reused. The regulations provided in AB2011 are available to property owners, to facilitate the redevelopment of older underutilized strip malls in the Four Corners area. For example, per state law AB2011, 4.5 acres of underutilized land can be developed with mixed income housing at 80 dwelling units per acre due to being within 0.5 miles of the proposed Ardenwood rail stop as part of the South Bay Connect rail realignment project. The community-guided plan will include zoning and site development standards that will incentivize the development of multi-unit housing, with a target of 360 units on existing commercial properties in the Four Corners area. As part of the plan, the City will establish or modify development standards to facilitate maximum densities.

experiencing homelessness. Develop a local response to support people experiencing homelessness, with specific attention to the racial disparities and large population of youth and families.

The City of Newark adopted a resolution endorsing the Alameda County Home Together 2026 Implementation Plan to address homelessness. Newark is preparing a local homelessness plan intended to be consistent with the Home Together 2026 Plan, which will further the objectives of the County plan. The City will maintain a city webpage to (www.newark.org/residents/homelessness) provide a connection to resources for those at risk of, or experiencing homelessness. The City has responded to homelessness needs by proactively partnering with an affordable housing developer and services provider to create and support 124 units of housing for homeless households and people at risk of becoming homeless. To develop this plan, the City shall work with the appropriate homeless agencies, community stakeholders, and faith-based organizations to identify new strategies, funding, and opportunities to provide new emergency shelter and transitional housing options and address the needs of 40 unsheltered persons (in addition to the completed 124-unit HomeKey project) annually in need of emergency shelter or temporary housing.

The city will provide financing for affordable housing construction of at least 343 lower-income units. They are sites 13,11,9 on the sites inventory. The housing will serve very low to moderate income households, with an emphasis on young families, key workers (teachers, first responders, etc.), individuals and families at risk of homelessness, people with disabilities and other special housing needs, and low-income senior citizens. ● SAHA Development: 6347-6375 Thornton Avenue New construction with a total of 56 very low income units, with one on site management unit. 16 units are 3 bedroom units that are suitable for larger families, a housing priority for the city of Newark. The site is located along Thornton Ave, in a moderate resource area as defined by TCAC. ● 37660 Timber Street: Timber Senior Housing New construction of 78 very low and low income housing units for seniors. The site is located in an area identified as a moderate resource area. The development is close to transit and services – less than a quarter of a mile to a bus station with easy access to downtown Newark and the Fremont and Union City BART stations. Near the site is a retail plaza with restaurants, dentists and optometry offices. The NewPark Mall is a five minute bus ride away and Newark Civic Center is less than a mile from Timber Street. The project is being funded by measure A funds, and a significant contribution from the city of Newark from the affordable housing fund. Construction is slated to begin in 2022. ● Cedar Community Apartments at Towne Place Suites, Project Home Key development As a Project Home Key development, the Cedar community apartments are the reuse of an existing extended stay hotel. The development will result in 124 supportive units affordable to extremely low-income households, with 12 units set aside for veterans and one manager's unit. Cedar Community Apartments is located in an area identified as high resource by TCAC in close proximity to schools, shopping and the Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center.

Support the development of at least 343 lower-income units.

NewPark Place Specific Plan The multi phase redevelopment of a shopping mall, will bring new mixed-use residential development to the area. The City worked closely with Brookfield on entitlements for Phase A, with plans for new mixed income housing and a Costco. Subsequent phases will include additional residential development, small scale retail and pedestrian infrastructure such as bike lanes and human scaled streets. Though Phase A entitlements have now expired, the City will continue to partner with the developer to implement the Newpark Place Specific Plan to meet the affordable housing goals of the City of Newark. The original entitled project included a total of 319 units, 29 of which would be affordable (4 very low, 9 low, and 16 moderate). The project included 3,700 square feet of ground floor retail, 12,900 square feet of amenities (such as a bike shop, club room, co-work space, and fitness center), a pool courtyard, and enclosed parking. Along Alpenrose Drive, the structures was planned to be six stories, with five residential levels over ground floor retail and amenities. Old Town Specific Plan The Old Town Newark Specific Plan, adopted September 23rd 2021, sets forth a community informed plan to support public and private investments in the historic neighborhood. The planning area is envisioned as a mixed-use area that accommodates a range of housing types, retail and service business, expanded public spaces, and mobility improvements. To anticipate this development, this Specific Plan: • Refines zoning regulations to align with market conditions and balance community desires for form and massing • Develops programs to support investment in the community and continued affordability for people who live and work in the community today • Identifies streetscape improvements for Thornton Avenue • Provides scenarios and prototypes for how future development could build out in the Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) and Residential Medium (RM) Zoning designations Zoning Amendments: Modifies zoning standards in the Commercial Mixed Use (CMU) and Residential Medium (RM) districts to align development standards, use requirements, and design standards with current market conditions and building types. Streetscape Improvements: Identifies a streetscape plan for Thornton Avenue as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization and investment of new housing. The streetscape plan will complement improvements in the private realm and create a safe destination for residents and visitors, whether on bike, foot, or in a vehicle. Bayside Newark A Transit Oriented Development community to be built next to the proposed Dumbarton Commuter Rail station. Due to the proximity of high capacity transit, this area is also a priority development area for Newark. On 9/22/22, The City of Newark approved land use modifications proposed by Lennar Home Builder, FMC Corporation, and Integral Communities within the FMC Willow and Grand Park portion of the Bayside Newark Specific Plan area. The proposed modifications would redevelop the 22.1-acre site into a 370-unit multi-family community including 279 townhouse units, a 1.6-acre mixed-use area with 3,600 sq. ft. of retail, club room, fitness center, and 90 affordable units (plus 1 manager unit) within a 6-story building, a 5-acre community park (Grand Park), and a 1,485 sq. ft. community building, along with approx. 1.8 acres set aside for the future Dumbarton transit station. The South Site of the project, known as “FMC Willow South”, (Grand Park, PA 3, and PA 4) would include a 1,485 square foot community building, 123 multifamily units, and 92 townhomes for a total of 215 units. The 123 units would be UA Split (multifamily), and 92 would be UA Towns (townhomes). The UA Stacks would have 5 floorplans ranging from 1,696 square feet to 2,015 square feet. The UA Splits would have a standard option with 4 floorplans ranging from 1,307 square feet to 2,108 square feet and a 4-story option with 4 floorplans ranging from 1,307 square feet to 2,422 square feet. The homes would be 3-5 stories high.

1,594 total units for the three specific plan areas. 147 very low, 101 low, 82 moderate and 1,263 above moderate units.

The city commits to continuing improvement, evaluation, and adjustment of programs during the housing element cycle to ensure quantified objectives are being met.

Implement a lot consolidation incentive program to catalyze development on small sites. The program would include deferring fees specifically for consolidation, expediting permit processing, providing flexible development standards such as setback requirements, reduced parking or increased heights, committing resources for development of affordable housing on small sites, and/or increasing allowable density or lot coverage. In addition, the city will adopt a development standard waiver system for cases when city requirements may preclude development on small sites.

The City will review and update its approval processes to ensure it accommodates streamlined applications, pursuant to Senate Bill 35.

Prepare and publish administrative procedures by 2024 for the processing of housing developments eligible for streamlined review pursuant to SB 35. Assign a staff member to support the streamlined development review process. This staff person will be a point of contact for affordable housing developers that will work to create a clear and streamlined process.

Assess and update impact fees as required to ensure that it is in line with neighboring jurisdictions and not a hindrance to development.

The city will undergo a comprehensive impact fee study to assess and update the impact fee structure to reflect the needs of the community and ensure fee structure is in line with neighboring jurisdictions. ● Currently the policy in the Old Town Specific Plan area is to temporarily reduce fees to encourage development. ● The city will provide a fee waiver for senior and housing for people with disabilities

Parking can be a significant portion of the cost of developing new housing. Research and develop new parking standards for residential developments that align with neighboring jurisdictions and are reflective of the community needs and development costs. Although the Dumbarton rail project is proposed for Newark, there is no firm timeline for its development. Due to limited frequent public transportation in the city, many residents are car dependent in order to access employment and other basic needs which reflects the extent of parking reductions.

Update the Zoning Ordinance to encourage infill development, including housing for persons with disabilities, senior housing, accessory dwelling units. Engage with the development community to discuss changes to parking minimums. Identify and implement parking requirement reductions in NMC 17.23.50, eliminating parking minimums for ADUs, and/or unbundled parking from the dwelling unit for large housing projects. Revised parking changes include: ● Senior Parking: Reduce from 1 space per unit to .5 spaces per unit ● Remove parking requirements for ADUs ● Two Unit Dwelling : Remove the guest parking requirement ● Multi Unit Dwelling: ○ Reduce covered parking requirement to 0.5 spaces per unit ○ Reduce guest parking to 0.25 spaces per unit ○ Reduce overall parking requirement for studios and one bedrooms to 1 space per unit. ○ Reduce 2-plus bedroom requirement to 1.5 spaces per unit with 0.25 spaces for guest parking. Provide more opportunities for alternatives to individual automobile such as: ● CAR SHARING One stall reduction for each stall dedicated and designated for use by a locally-operating car sharing program, such as Zipcar. ● ON-STREET PARKING CREDIT One-half stall reduction for each new public, on-street parking stall provided as part of a project (through the installation of angled or perpendicular spaces with bulb-outs and curbs or other methods). ● BICYCLE PARKING CREDIT One stall reduction for every five, non-required bicycle parking spaces provided on the site (beyond the standard requirements. Analyze and revise as necessary existing standards for SROs, small multifamily (Missing Middle), and shared parking.