The Planning Commission voted 6–2 to approve a proposed 106‑unit affordable housing development on surplus city land at 5th Street and Meridian, forwarding the approvals and findings for the subdivision and development permit while authorizing a density‑bonus agreement.

Staff said the project, led by Jamboree Housing Corporation, would consolidate 17 parcels into a roughly 3.8‑acre site and construct 106 units (105 restricted to low‑income households at 30–80% AMI for at least 55 years, plus a manager’s unit). The project seeks four concessions and six waivers under California’s density‑bonus law (cited in the staff presentation as Government Code 65,915) to reduce development standards and support financial feasibility. Concessions requested include eliminating underground‑utility requirements and reducing covered parking and storage requirements; waivers seek reduced setbacks, reduced outdoor‑space requirements and narrower sidewalk‑and‑driveway setbacks.

Housing staff said the city may provide home funds and a land loan equal to the site appraisal (listed in the staff presentation as $3,590,000) and noted the project could proceed in two phases. Jamboree staff and housing division representatives described planned amenities — play areas, leasing office, laundry, a pool, dog park and on‑site supportive services — and said the project would serve the city’s regional housing needs.

Commissioners pressed staff and Jamboree on the requested concessions, especially the request not to underground utilities along adjacent public rights‑of‑way. Staff said undergrounding along Meridian would add roughly $1.1 million to costs and that state density‑bonus law requires the city grant concessions where the developer demonstrates a cost differential that makes the project infeasible without concessions. Some commissioners expressed concern that granting such waivers could set inconsistent development standards across the city and urged the city to explore cost‑sharing; others stressed the city’s limited funds and the difficulty of finding alternative sources without derailing the project’s financing.

After extended discussion and questions about impacts and mitigation measures, the commission approved staff’s recommendation to adopt findings of conformity with the general plan, approve the subdivision and development permit and authorize a density‑bonus agreement, with the final execution of land/loan terms subject to subsequent city‑council action. The vote was 6 in favor, 2 opposed.