SUBJECT:
Title
Staff Report and Discussion of Ordinance 017-2023 Expedited Development Review for Affordable Housing
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development
Department
PRESENTER(S): Sarah Nurmela, Director of Planning and Development
MJ Adams, Affordable Housing Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
TIME ESTIMATE: 15 minutes
only required for non-consent items
FISCAL SUMMARY:
n/a
POLICY ISSUES:
Ordinance 017-2023 was a policy decision made by the Board of Trustees in 2023 to encourage the development of a variety of affordable housing types.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
For discussion only
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In July 2023, the Board of Trustees (now the Town Council) adopted Ordinance 017-2023, which amended the Unified Development Code (UDC) to implement an expedited permitting process for affordable housing. This amendment was the result of a multi-year effort during which Erie Town Management, community, staff, and the Board examined the issue of housing affordability and developed strategies to increase a variety of housing types and affordability.
In 2020, the Board voted 7-0 for Resolution 20-140 adopting the Boulder County Regional Housing Partnership's priorities and strategies for expanding access to diverse housing for the Town of Erie. These included:
* a goal of 12% of the housing stock to be affordable housing by 2035; and
* supporting regional actions while implementing local strategies that address the housing needs of Erie.
In 2022, the Town engaged czb Planning Consultants to conduct a housing needs assessment and to develop recommendations on how to address affordable housing challenges specific to Erie. In late 2022, the initial findings from the report on the housing stock, affordability challenges, and strategic options for affordable housing were presented to the Board and Planning Commission.
To further the 12% affordable housing goal, the 2023 Board of Trustees Work Plan inc...
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