Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2001-2002
City of Fort Bragg Community Development Department and Affordable Housing
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 11 findings
F1
The Department in carrying out its various duties working to capacity in terms of personnel.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The Grand Jury reviewed 134 permit applications for the years 2000–
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The Department lacks a written complaint procedure for applicants unhappy with the permit process.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The Department lacks a comprehensive informational handout for permit applicants detailing pertinent aspects of the process and rights and responsibilities of parties involved. The Department states a goal to produce a handout to this effect in 2002.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
The Department lacks written policies and procedures.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
C. The Department with the City Council produce a policies and procedures compendium for the Department. (Finding 5) D. The Department with the City Council produce detailed job descriptions for Department employees. This is to include specific details on the scope of authority and discretion of Department in applying and interpreting Municipal Codes and ordinances. (Finding 6) Affordable Housing E. The City adopt a policy compliant with State Government Code Sec. 65915 through 65918 concerning mitigation of codes, ordinances, site development standards, and application of density bonus for affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 9) F. The City explore methods of insuring affordable housing development remain affordable. This may include Federal, State, and County funding of permanent low-income housing and ordinances requiring commercial development include low-income housing in their projects. (Finding 10) G. The City adopt a policy of tasteful design and suitable location of affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 11) Comment The Grand Jury commends the Department and the City for its support of grants for the Streetscape Plan, Project Sanctuary, the Coast Senior Tri-level Care Facility project, emergency and homeless shelter projects, housing rehabilitation, and preparation of an American with Disabilities Act Comprehensive Access Plan. The Grand Jury wishes to thank the employees of the Community Development Department for providing detailed documentation, which required considerable preparation. There are no easy answers to the problem of affordable and low-income housing. The solution of government support involves pain in the form of tax dollars. The inclusion of low-income housing as a portion of private commercial development is painful to the developer and may stifle enterprise. Raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage” was recently quashed at the Federal level. The problem shows no signs of abating. Response Required Fort Bragg City Council Response Requested Fort Bragg Community Development Department Fort Bragg Planning Commission Fort Bragg Community Development Advisory Committee
F6
The Department lacks employee job descriptions that state duties, responsibilities, and scope of authority in application and interpretation of codes and ordinances.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
C. The Department with the City Council produce a policies and procedures compendium for the Department. (Finding 5) D. The Department with the City Council produce detailed job descriptions for Department employees. This is to include specific details on the scope of authority and discretion of Department in applying and interpreting Municipal Codes and ordinances. (Finding 6) Affordable Housing E. The City adopt a policy compliant with State Government Code Sec. 65915 through 65918 concerning mitigation of codes, ordinances, site development standards, and application of density bonus for affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 9) F. The City explore methods of insuring affordable housing development remain affordable. This may include Federal, State, and County funding of permanent low-income housing and ordinances requiring commercial development include low-income housing in their projects. (Finding 10) G. The City adopt a policy of tasteful design and suitable location of affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 11) Comment The Grand Jury commends the Department and the City for its support of grants for the Streetscape Plan, Project Sanctuary, the Coast Senior Tri-level Care Facility project, emergency and homeless shelter projects, housing rehabilitation, and preparation of an American with Disabilities Act Comprehensive Access Plan. The Grand Jury wishes to thank the employees of the Community Development Department for providing detailed documentation, which required considerable preparation. There are no easy answers to the problem of affordable and low-income housing. The solution of government support involves pain in the form of tax dollars. The inclusion of low-income housing as a portion of private commercial development is painful to the developer and may stifle enterprise. Raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage” was recently quashed at the Federal level. The problem shows no signs of abating. Response Required Fort Bragg City Council Response Requested Fort Bragg Community Development Department Fort Bragg Planning Commission Fort Bragg Community Development Advisory Committee
F7
The affordable housing element of the draft General Plan has not been adopted. If adopted as proposed the City would not meet its existing or projected needs for affordable and low-income housing as proposed by the Government Code. There is a shortage of housing for low-income workers and seniors.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The lack of water and high cost of real estate have constrained the development of adequate affordable and low-income housing in the City. Secondary constraints include the scarcity of redevelopment funds, land- use controls, building codes, local permit processing, various special fees and environmental/site condition studies, and limitations on density.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
In the past, the City, in conjunction with private enterprise, has supported affordable and low-income housing development by mitigation of fees, codes and ordinances, and reduction in site development standards, water use retrofit, and application of density bonus. Presently, City support of low-income and affordable housing is hampered by lack of redevelopment funds.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
C. The Department with the City Council produce a policies and procedures compendium for the Department. (Finding 5) D. The Department with the City Council produce detailed job descriptions for Department employees. This is to include specific details on the scope of authority and discretion of Department in applying and interpreting Municipal Codes and ordinances. (Finding 6) Affordable Housing E. The City adopt a policy compliant with State Government Code Sec. 65915 through 65918 concerning mitigation of codes, ordinances, site development standards, and application of density bonus for affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 9) F. The City explore methods of insuring affordable housing development remain affordable. This may include Federal, State, and County funding of permanent low-income housing and ordinances requiring commercial development include low-income housing in their projects. (Finding 10) G. The City adopt a policy of tasteful design and suitable location of affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 11) Comment The Grand Jury commends the Department and the City for its support of grants for the Streetscape Plan, Project Sanctuary, the Coast Senior Tri-level Care Facility project, emergency and homeless shelter projects, housing rehabilitation, and preparation of an American with Disabilities Act Comprehensive Access Plan. The Grand Jury wishes to thank the employees of the Community Development Department for providing detailed documentation, which required considerable preparation. There are no easy answers to the problem of affordable and low-income housing. The solution of government support involves pain in the form of tax dollars. The inclusion of low-income housing as a portion of private commercial development is painful to the developer and may stifle enterprise. Raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage” was recently quashed at the Federal level. The problem shows no signs of abating. Response Required Fort Bragg City Council Response Requested Fort Bragg Community Development Department Fort Bragg Planning Commission Fort Bragg Community Development Advisory Committee
F10
A major obstacle to affordable and low-income housing availability statewide as well as in Mendocino County is affordable housing becoming unaffordable because of market forces.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
C. The Department with the City Council produce a policies and procedures compendium for the Department. (Finding 5) D. The Department with the City Council produce detailed job descriptions for Department employees. This is to include specific details on the scope of authority and discretion of Department in applying and interpreting Municipal Codes and ordinances. (Finding 6) Affordable Housing E. The City adopt a policy compliant with State Government Code Sec. 65915 through 65918 concerning mitigation of codes, ordinances, site development standards, and application of density bonus for affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 9) F. The City explore methods of insuring affordable housing development remain affordable. This may include Federal, State, and County funding of permanent low-income housing and ordinances requiring commercial development include low-income housing in their projects. (Finding 10) G. The City adopt a policy of tasteful design and suitable location of affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 11) Comment The Grand Jury commends the Department and the City for its support of grants for the Streetscape Plan, Project Sanctuary, the Coast Senior Tri-level Care Facility project, emergency and homeless shelter projects, housing rehabilitation, and preparation of an American with Disabilities Act Comprehensive Access Plan. The Grand Jury wishes to thank the employees of the Community Development Department for providing detailed documentation, which required considerable preparation. There are no easy answers to the problem of affordable and low-income housing. The solution of government support involves pain in the form of tax dollars. The inclusion of low-income housing as a portion of private commercial development is painful to the developer and may stifle enterprise. Raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage” was recently quashed at the Federal level. The problem shows no signs of abating. Response Required Fort Bragg City Council Response Requested Fort Bragg Community Development Department Fort Bragg Planning Commission Fort Bragg Community Development Advisory Committee
F11
Poor design and undesirable location of low-income housing can contribute to legal and social problems.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
C. The Department with the City Council produce a policies and procedures compendium for the Department. (Finding 5) D. The Department with the City Council produce detailed job descriptions for Department employees. This is to include specific details on the scope of authority and discretion of Department in applying and interpreting Municipal Codes and ordinances. (Finding 6) Affordable Housing E. The City adopt a policy compliant with State Government Code Sec. 65915 through 65918 concerning mitigation of codes, ordinances, site development standards, and application of density bonus for affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 9) F. The City explore methods of insuring affordable housing development remain affordable. This may include Federal, State, and County funding of permanent low-income housing and ordinances requiring commercial development include low-income housing in their projects. (Finding 10) G. The City adopt a policy of tasteful design and suitable location of affordable and low-income housing. (Finding 11) Comment The Grand Jury commends the Department and the City for its support of grants for the Streetscape Plan, Project Sanctuary, the Coast Senior Tri-level Care Facility project, emergency and homeless shelter projects, housing rehabilitation, and preparation of an American with Disabilities Act Comprehensive Access Plan. The Grand Jury wishes to thank the employees of the Community Development Department for providing detailed documentation, which required considerable preparation. There are no easy answers to the problem of affordable and low-income housing. The solution of government support involves pain in the form of tax dollars. The inclusion of low-income housing as a portion of private commercial development is painful to the developer and may stifle enterprise. Raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage” was recently quashed at the Federal level. The problem shows no signs of abating. Response Required Fort Bragg City Council Response Requested Fort Bragg Community Development Department Fort Bragg Planning Commission Fort Bragg Community Development Advisory Committee
Comments 1
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CO1The Grand Jury commends the Department and the City for its support of grants for the Streetscape Plan, Project Sanctuary, the Coast Senior Tri-level Care Facility project, emergency and homeless shelter projects, housing rehabilitation, and preparation of an American with Disabilities Act Comprehensive Access Plan. The Grand Jury wishes to thank the employees of the Community Development Department for providing detailed documentation, which required considerable preparation. There are no easy answers to the problem of affordable and low-income housing. The solution of government support involves pain in the form of tax dollars. The inclusion of low-income housing as a portion of private commercial development is painful to the developer and may stifle enterprise. Raising of the minimum wage to a “living wage” was recently quashed at the Federal level. The problem shows no signs of abating. Response Required Fort Bragg City Council Response Requested Fort Bragg Community Development Department Fort Bragg Planning Commission Fort Bragg Community Development Advisory Committee 2001–2002 Mendocino County Grand Jury Final Report 32