SUBJECT:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING: An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Amending Chapters 6 and 7 of Title 10 of the Erie Municipal Code Removing Alternative Standards for Affordable Housing Projects
Department
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Sarah Nurmela, Planning and Development Director
Kelly Driscoll, Planning Manager
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 60 minutes
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Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
Current provisions in the code, adopted in mid-2023, allow projects with 12% or more affordable units to have an administrative development review process. Zoning changes still require a public hearing. The Council will weigh the benefits of administrative development review against the ability for Planning Commission and/or Town Council to approve such projects.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The proposed Ordinance is responsive to the Council's direction from the March 4 Study Session.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
* On March 4, 2025 the Council directed staff to prepare an Ordinance that would amend the Unified Development Code (UDC) to remove the alternative standards and administrative approvals for affordable housing projects. Staff, with the assistance of the Town Attorney, prepared the attached Ordinance reflecting this direction.
* The Erie Municipal Code requires the Planning Commission to review proposed amendments to the UDC. The Planning Commission discussed the proposed Ordinance at its May 7, June 18, and July 2 meetings.
* The Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve Planning Commission Resolution P25-07, finding that the proposed Ordinance meets the approval criteria specified in the UDC, but instead of removing alternative standards and administrative approvals, recommends the Town Council limit them to developments with 100 or less units, of which 12% or more are affordable; and further recommends Council take a collaborative approach with the Planning Commission ...
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