10-28-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council FROM: Corrin Wendell, Community Development Director Chris Heineman, City Administrator DATE: October 28, 2020 RE: Livable Communities Act (Re)Enrollment & Affordable and Life-cycle Housing Goals for 2021-2030 for the City of Little Canada ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The Council is asked to consider Approval of a Resolution to Re-Enroll in the Livable Communities Act and participate in the local housing incentives account programs under the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act. BACKGROUND: The Livable Communities Program is a voluntary program that provides incentives funding to communities for local economic revitalization, affordable housing initiatives and development or redevelopment projects that connect housing, jobs and transportation. The City of Little Canada began participating in the Livable Communities Program 2020, and order to continue participating the Council needs to adopt a resolution prior to November 15 that includes goals for affordable and lifecycle housing. These goals have already been included in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. As the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to be reviewed and authorized by the Metropolitan Council on November 18th and come to the City Council on December 2nd for final adoption, the City has an opportunity to reenroll in the Metropolitan Livable Communities Act program. LCA participation means access to grants for: • environmental cleanup and investigation • compact and efficient development • connecting jobs, transit, and housing • preserving and creating affordable housing LCA participation also requires that the City has adopted its 2040 Comprehensive Plan and is consistent with Council policies. Housing goals are based on a City’s allocation of affordable housing need which is addressed in the Plan’s Housing Chapter. As our Plan has been recently deemed complete and consistent with the Met Council, our affordable and life-cycle goals listed in the Plan are consistent across all LCA participating communities. LCA emphasizes cooperation and incentive to achieve housing goals and participation has three primary requirements: 1. Establish a Housing Action Plan (the Housing Chapter of the Comp Plan) 2. Spend an affordable and life-cycle housing opportunity amount (ALHOA) 3. Adopt affordable and life-cycle housing goals (this Resolution)