HOUSING

By Bruce D. Hotchkiss

We need to update Pacifica's General Plan

However there is a need for affordable housing in Pacifica. Affordable housing is not something we are going to get from the largess of a developer. Look around. Do you see any affordable housing built by a developer out of the goodness of their heart? If affordable housing is built in Pacifica it will have to be financed by government, private non-profit organizations, or a combination of the two.

There has been much talk in the past two or three years about "monster" homes. As a Planning Commissioner and citizen, what bothers me is that there are no clear rules governing what is, or is not, a monster home. The Planning Commission has suggested that Pacifica adopt a "Floor Area Ratio" (FAR) for new homes and expansions. A FAR would let a potential builder know, in advance, just how big a structure they could build. It would end the very subjective argument that a building is "too big." Too big would be clearly defined.

There are areas in Pacifica where some do not want to see any development. It seems to me that if the majority of Pacificans do not want development in these, or any other, areas something should be done to stop the last minute fights. It is time to update our General Plan. It may not be easy and it may be costly but - WE CAN DO IT PACIFICA!