Article 14.5. Merger Of Redevelopment Project Areas In The Cities Of Richmond And Pittsburg of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 24. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 14.5.

(a) For the purpose of allocating taxes pursuant to Section 33670 and subject to the provisions of this article, redevelopment project areas under the jurisdiction of the redevelopment agency of the City of Richmond or the City of Pittsburg for which redevelopment plans have been adopted pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 33360), may be merged, without regard to contiguity of such areas, by the amendment of each affected redevelopment plan as provided in Article 12 (commencing with Section 33450). Except as provided in subdivision (b), taxes attributable to each project area merged pursuant to this section which are allocated to the redevelopment agency pursuant to Section 33670 may be allocated, as provided in subdivision (b), to the entire merged project area for the purpose of paying the principal of, and interest on, indebtedness incurred by the redevelopment agency to finance or refinance, in whole or in part, such merged redevelopment project.
  (b) If the redevelopment agency has, prior to merger of redevelopment project areas pursuant to subdivision (a), incurred any indebtedness on account of a constituent project area so merged, taxes attributable to that area which are allocated to the agency pursuant to Section 33670 shall be first used to comply with the terms of any bond resolution or other agreement pledging such taxes from the constituent project area.
  (c) In connection with any amendment which proposes merger of redevelopment project areas pursuant to subdivision (a), the county or any affected taxing entity may call for the creation of a fiscal review committee as provided for in Article 4 (commencing with Section 33330).
  (d) After merger of redevelopment projects pursuant to subdivision (a), the clerk of the legislative body shall transmit a copy of the ordinance amending the plans for projects to be merged to the governing body of each of the taxing agencies which levies taxes upon any property in the project.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 33478, not less than 20 percent of all taxes which are allocated to the redevelopment agency pursuant to Section 33670 for redevelopment projects merged pursuant to this article, irrespective of the date of adoption of the final redevelopment plans shall be deposited by the agency in the Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund established pursuant to Section 33334.3, or which shall be established for purposes of this section, except if the agency finds that not less than 4 percent of the housing units within its jurisdiction receive subsidies to make such units affordable to low- or moderate-income households. The agency shall use the moneys in such fund to assist in the construction or rehabilitation of housing units which will be available to, or occupied by, persons and families of low or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093, and very low income households, as defined in Section 50105, for a period of not less than 30 years. For the purposes of this subdivision, "construction and rehabilitation" shall include acquisition of land, improvements to land; the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of structures; or the provision of subsidies necessary to provide housing for persons and families of low or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093, and very low income households, as defined in Section 50105.
  (b) The agency may use the funds set aside by subdivision (a) inside or outside the project area. However, the agency may only use these funds outside the project area upon a resolution of the agency and the legislative body that such use will be of benefit to the project. Such determination by the agency and the legislative body shall be final and conclusive as to the issue of benefit to the project area. The Legislature finds and declares that the provision of replacement housing pursuant to Section 33413 is of benefit to a project. The Legislature finds and declares that expenditures or obligations incurred by the agency pursuant to this section shall constitute an indebtedness of the project.
  (c) If moneys deposited in the Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund pursuant to this section have not been committed for the purposes specified in subdivisions (a) and (b) for a period of six years following deposit in that fund, the agency shall offer such moneys to the housing authority which operates within the jurisdiction of the agency, if activated pursuant to Section 34240, for the purpose of constructing or rehabilitating housing as provided in subdivisions (a) and (b).
  (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 33413, any agency which merges its redevelopment project areas pursuant to this article shall be subject to the provisions of subdivisions (a) and (c) of Section 33413.

Prior to merging project areas pursuant to Section 33478, the redevelopment agency shall notify the department of its intention to merge its project areas, which shall occur no later than 30 days prior to adoption of the ordinance which provides for merger.

This article shall be applicable to only those redevelopment projects of the City of Richmond for which a final redevelopment plan was adopted by ordinance on or before July 1, 1975, and amendments thereto adopted on or before June 1, 1980. This article shall be applicable to only those redevelopment projects of the City of Pittsburg for which a final redevelopment plan was adopted by ordinance on or before June 1, 1980, and amendments thereto adopted on or before June 1, 1980. The Legislature finds and declares that conditions unique to the financing of redevelopment in the City of Richmond and the City of Pittsburg require the granting of authority to merge project areas.