The Concord City Council later this month will continue its public hearing on its proposed rent control ordinance, planning to reassess amendments that could significantly increase its restrictiveness.

This meeting, scheduled for Jan. 30, follows an extensive discussion during this week’s council session about potential changes to the upcoming rent control measure.

The extended discussion of the amendments at Tuesday’s meeting, which lasted until nearly 11 p.m., prompted the city to seek additional public input and schedule the additional hearing at month’s end. Among the key amendments under review are increases in relocation payments for tenants, as supported by Councilman Dominic Aliano, Mayor Edi Birsan, and Councilwoman Laura Nakamura. If approved, this amendment would result in tenants receiving three months’ HUD Fair Market Rent, an additional $3,000 for moving expenses, and an extra month’s rent for vulnerable renter households.

Furthermore, the council is considering significant changes to the definition of “owner,” aiming to further limit property owners’ ability to terminate tenancies for personal or family occupancy. This includes a mandate for a residency requirement after an owner-move-in termination and a 1:1 owner move-in provision, particularly for seniors and renters with disability.

The current draft calls for a rent rollback, with rents to be retroactively adjusted to January 2023, a stipulation strongly advocated by Mayor Birsan, Councilman Aliano, and Councilwoman Nakamura. Vice Mayor Carlyn Obringer and Councilwoman Laura Hoffmeister had suggested alternative dates and proposed a compromise rent cap of 4%-5%. However, their suggestions were rejected in favor of maintaining the rent cap at 60% of the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower.

The California Apartment Association has expressed its opposition to both the ordinance and its latest amendments to further add new restrictions. The association is calling upon stakeholders to share their views at the upcoming city council meeting and to attend the session scheduled at Concord City Hall.

In response to this week’s discussions, the city staff is now tasked with incorporating the new amendments into the draft ordinance, which will be presented at the Jan. 30 meeting. The revised version of the ordinance is expected to be released by Friday, Jan. 26, which would give stakeholders a brief opportunity to review the changes and provide feedback at the Jan. 30 meeting.

CAA is urging Concord stakeholders to participate in this meeting. For additional information, contact Rhovy Lyn Antonio, CAA’s senior vice president of local public affairs, at rantonio@caanet.org.