06-03-2009 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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SPECIAL WORK SESSION June 3, 2009 APPROVED 224 The council discussed the third agenda item - ordinances to restrict or control growth of 225 affordable housing. Staff is requesting further clarification on the council's direction in �, 226 this area. Community Development Director Grochala explained that he has discussed 227 with the city attorney the council's past direction that staff should prepare such 228 regulations. The city attorney noted some concern in that if the intent is to restrict 229 affordable housing, it may be in conflict with the state law that requires the city to 230 provide affordable housing land opportunity through the Plan. Also the Plan includes a 231 goal that calls for affordable housing in all housing districts. Staff discussed ordinance 232 possibilities with the council recently and recommended that the best approach would be 233 through the existing planned unit development (PUD)process, and perhaps incentives 234 through that process. That approach will allow ample council review and consideration 235 of projects. Staff is looking for more clarity on the council's direction. 236 237 A council member suggested that the council's discussion about ordinance amendments 238 has been directed at pace, quality and density. Perhaps affordability falls into that some 239 way but to say that ordinance changes have been requested to restrict affordable housing 240 is not accurate. The council member still wants to see what ordinances will look like that 241 deal with pace, quality and density. 242 243 Community Development Director Grochala announced that in the area of quality, staff 244 wants to look from a design perspective on how to transition different types of 245 development and that's something you can build into your code. 246 247 A council member suggested that some communities have ended up with bad 248 development when they've gotten into subsidized housing situations. He's interested in 249 some limitations in that area so the city can have some control. 250 251 A council member remarked that education in the area of affordable housing development 252 would be helpful for the council. It would be interesting to see what other cities (Edina, 253 Wayzata for example) are doing. The council can then decide how to be proactive instead 254 of waiting to see what comes through the door. 255 256 Staff added that the development process will be an important element. The council will 257 have discretion through the PUD process and will also have the opportunity to talk about 258 controls (and incentives) through the development process. Perhaps the best control now 259 is to make no change. 260 261 A council member suggested that the council is making a commitment to educate itself 262 further about affordable housing. 263 264 The council concurred that the Plan will be on the agenda for the next regular council 265 meeting and will include the modifications directed at this meeting. 266 6