Cypress needs a Planning Commission

Dear Editor,

A recent brochure from the City of Cypress is once again pushing citizens to vote yes to additional.

Housing (4600 units total on racetrack property). See Prop. A from 2018.
California State Housing Mandate is requiring communities to build additional affordable housing.

Some communities have challenged the State on this issue, no final determinations have been made.

What happens if the city does not comply? The State installs a Planning Commission to take over the process. (Cypress should have had a Planning Commission years ago). Perhaps a State appointed Commission would be a viable alternative.

The city states the local population has stagnated for many years. Cypress population has fluctuated in small increments for several years. The recent three-year decline of about 1900 people could, in part, be attributed to the pandemic.

The City Council needs to tell residents how failing to vote on this ballot is going to impact their taxes. Increase city sales tax, 1/4, or ½% perhaps? The County Tax Assessor assess county property taxes, not City Countils.
The median income for Cypress is about $117,000 a yr. (some websites report higher amounts).

Understand, this earner cannot afford mortgage payments higher than $2500-$3000 a mo. Can this earner buy one of these new properties? Probably not. So much for “attracting young families.”

(City’s words, not mine). How many of the 4600 units are going to be affordable housing as required by the Mandate?

Cypress needs a Planning Commission, 6-7 people, not staff or council, and not related to either group.

Does the city have a plan B if this issue is defeated at the polls?

Areas all over the State of California are feeling the effects of the highest median pricing for a home in the Country, @ $787,000. Colorado has the second highest at $612,000.

Recent “open houses” around this ballot issue were attended by 150 folks, or .003% of the city’s population. Communications and answering questions need to be improved.

I hope the City Council is listening.
Claire J. Sieverman
Cypress