A. The regulations codified in this chapter are intended to assure that the rate of population growth will not exceed the city’s ability to accommodate new residents and to provide municipal services consistent with the maximum growth rates established in the general plan. Also, these regulations are to assure that those projects which best meet the city’s objectives for affordable housing, infill development, open space protection, and provision of public facilities will be allowed to proceed with minimum delay.

B. San Luis Obispo is a charter city, empowered to make and enforce all laws concerning municipal affairs, subject only to the limitations of the city charter and the constitution and laws of the state. Regulation of the rate of residential development is a reasonable extension of municipal authority to plan overall development in furtherance of the public health, safety, and general welfare.

C. According to the general plan land use element, the city should achieve a maximum annual average population growth rate of one percent. The reserve of developable land within the city and the capacity of proposed annexations could sustain growth rates which would exceed the objectives of the general plan.

D. The growth rate policies of the general plan reflect the city’s responsibility to accommodate a reasonable share of expected state and regional growth.

E. To avoid further imbalance between the availability of jobs and of housing within the city, the general plan also manages expansion of growth-inducing activities. The burdens of growth management are not being placed solely on the residential sector since it largely responds to demands caused by other sectors.

F. Considering the likely levels of housing demand and construction throughout the housing market area, nearly coinciding with San Luis Obispo County, these regulations are not expected to affect the overall balance between housing supply and demand in the market area. These regulations will not impede and may help meet the needs of very low-, low-, and moderate-income households. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)