Consideration and Adoption of Resolution No. 2015-01:  A Resolution of the Council of the City of Flagstaff, Arizona, adopting the 2015 Student Housing Work Plan for the City of Flagstaff.

On October 27, 2014, the City of Flagstaff participated in a Student Housing Symposium co-sponsored by the City, NAU, Coconino County, Friends of Flagstaff's Future and the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.  The 1-day symposium featured speakers from the City and University as well as area neighborhoods and representatives from Davis, California and Ft. Collins, Colorado.  Many good ideas were generated.

Staff compiled a list of possible work plan items.  These have been circulated among the Alliance PArtners ( City, County, NAU, FUSD, and CCC) and shared with NAU's Office of the President.  The President agreed that this is a workable list and something that could be supported moving forward.

On December 16, 2014, City Council reviewed the list and made some edits and then directed staff to bring this back in the form of a resolution.  The purpose of the resolution is to articulate a policy statement to the public about the City's intentions.  There is no specific time table associated with the implementation of this work plan, but it is expected to be initiated immediately and take several years to complete. 

Subsidiary Decisions Points: 
Three points have been altered based upon the December 16 meeting and additional feedback from staff.
1.(b.)(iii)(3.) was added to address student housing in predominantly single family detached neighborhoods.
4. Was reworded to specify the Zoning Code as the location where neighborhood meetings are required and adding language about how neighborhood meetings are conducted.
8.(b) was reworded to provide greater clarity of what would be re-examined in the Milton Road Corridor study.

 

None of this work is currently planned.  Financial impacts could be wide and varied in size.  The principle financial impacts will be staff time.  Additional costs include facilitators, new positions (e.g. liaisons), traffic consultants, outreach costs and possibly a parking permit system.  All costs will need to be further defined as the Work Plan item is initiated.

COUNCIL GOALS:

 6. Relieve traffic congestion throughout Flagstaff

• Identify more information on the scope of problem and solutions that address both supply and demand, including measurement to quantify congestion. 
• Work with partners to achieve goal (regional, county, Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization, State, NAIPTA, railroad, NAU)

7. Address key issues and processes related to the implementation of the Regional Plan

• Conduct annual review of implementation of Regional Plan
• Review and possibly amend Regional Plan goals and policies with regard to location of urban activity centers, preservation of dark skies and student housing and other high density developments.  (Review how we implement the RP in the Zoning Code)
• Explore neighborhood parking districts

 8. Improve effectiveness of notification, communication, and engagement with residents, neighborhoods and businesses and about City services, programs, policies, projects and developments

• Review what, when and how Council and public are notified about development projects

REGIONAL PLAN:

Policy LU12.8 Provide strong connections from Flagstaff Medical Campus to the Northern Arizona University campus via pedestrian paths, bicycle connections, streets and transit service.
Goal LU.13.: Increase the variety of housing options and expand opportunities for employment and neighborhood shopping within all suburban neighborhoods.
Goal NH.3: Make available a variety of housing types at different price points, to provide housing opportunities for all economic sectors.
Goal ED.2: Support and encourage an excellent education system that promotes critical thinking and job training programs at all levels.

December 8 & 9 City Council Retreat
December 16, 2014 Regular Council meeting

1. Amend, remove, or add work plan items to the attachment.
2. Do not develop and adopt a Student Housing Work Plan. 
3. Create a stakeholders group and have them develop a working plan.
4. Adopt the Plan as presented.

Parts of each of these were involved in the creation of the work plan and will be involved in the implementation of the work plan.

Inform
Consult
Involve
Collaborate