Although a rent control measure could be headed for the Nov. 6 ballot in Santa Rosa, a movement on the City Council is afoot to explore a rent control ordinance at City Hall as well.
On Tuesday, the council was scheduled to discuss a potential rent control ordinance, spurring members of the California Apartment Association to attend the meeting to voice their opposition.
The mayor ultimately pulled the item from the agenda, and it is unclear whether the council will revisit it.
Talk of a possible rent control ordinance from the City Council comes as election officials count and verify signatures submitted to place a rent control measure before Santa Rosa voters on the Nov. 6 ballot. The status of the initiative may come up for discussion at the council’s July 24 meeting.
If the ballot measure qualifies for the November election, it will mark the second time in as many years that Santa Rosa voters consider rent control at the ballot box.
“Voters already rejected rent control last year and it’s a waste of city time and resources to consider developing another ordinance,” said Alex Khalfin, vice president of public affairs for CAA North Bay.