04/06/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• • • • Offer incentives to developers who provide for affordable housing units while conserving environmentally sensitive sites, such as density bonuses, expedited permitting processes, or reduced fees. • Pursue funding opportunities to increase the affordability of housing units within conservation subdivisions. • Pursue funding opportunities to incorporate green building techniques within affordable housing developments. • Encourage innovative low impact development to preserve open space or natural features. • Ensure that all new housing, including high density, adheres to the highest possible standards of planning, design and construction feasible. • Promote development of neighborhoods that incorporate housing in a range of densities and affordability limits in close proximity to shopping, services, daycare, and medical services. Safe access to parks and schools, and the ability to walk, bike or have access to transit should be part of the design. To improve the availability of affordable housing and enhance opportunities for senior housing (Goals 5 and 6), the City will: • Seek housing developers to work cooperatively with the City to construct affordable units. • Create an incentive based program or Residential Planned Unit Development Ordinance that includes density bonuses for construction of affordable housing. This allows an increase in density, beyond the underlying zoning, if the development includes affordable housing. • Participate in the Livable Communities Act Local Housing Incentives Program. • Activate and utilize powers and tools of the City Economic Development Authority and/or a City Housing and Redevelopment Authority to make funds available for the creation of new affordable housing. • Develop policies to use Tax Increment Financing to fund activities that increase new affordable housing. • Utilize techniques, such as land trusts to maintain long -term affordability for any new affordable housing unit. • Support and actively promote Anoka County's 1st Time Homebuyers programs to assist new homeowners entering the market for existing homes. • Partner with, support and market programs offered by the County, State, MHFA, Federal Government and non profits to fund the development of affordable housing. • Cooperate with developers or other agencies as appropriate to assess senior housing needs in the community. • Allow the creative use of site planning or PUDs that provide flexibility for development containing affordable housing such as a reduction in lot size, setbacks, street width, floor area and parking requirements, and consideration of reduction in City fees. • Update the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance to reduce impediments to affordable housing. 3