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Discussion regarding how the City can influence attainable housing.
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Background:
Over the past few months CEDC, staff and the development community have been involved in active dialogue about the subject of attainable housing. At the July meeting, a conversation between the development community and the CEDC identified several possible "cost reduction" measures. These measures, broadly speaking, include reducing fees, reducing time to develop, creating certainty in the process, and revising zoning standards. A matrix was developed to capture the various items, and some basic criteria was developed to help categorize the various items:
1. City Influence
- Actions that the City can take to address the issue in a positive manner
- Actions that are beyond the City's control
2. Homebuyer Benefit
- Actions that the City can take which will reduce the cost of single-family homes
- Actions that the City can take which primarily benefit the developer rather the homebuyer
The initial matrix is attached to the packet.
Our goal for the September CEDC meeting is to discuss each of these measures to determine areas for staff to focus on. Once direction is provided, staff will develop an analysis of any proposed changes, including identifying the impacts of the change, initial policy revisions, and proposed ordinance language.
For additional policy background, there are long- term goals that were the result of public engagement. The Ignite Strategic Plan has a chapter, Strong Neighborhoods with Housing Choices. Objectives of this chapter include encouraging affordable housing and considering policies to diversify housing choices. The Ignite Comprehensive Plan has objectives to increase affordable housing stock and change the overall housing mix to 65% Residential Category 1, 20% Residential Category 2, and 15% Residential Category 3. Categories 2 & 3 are housing choices that provide more dwelling units in less space, a concept that is present...
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