FOR DISCUSSION ONLY: Review Work Plan and Appoint Ad Hoc Sub-Committee to Complete Housing Assistance Policy

The following case is to consider a work plan and ad-hoc sub-committee to complete a Housing Assistance Policy. This case does not request action or recommendation related to the content of the Policy. To make effective use of meeting time and create an appropriate forum to draft a detailed policy, the sub-committee format is recommended at this time. These sub-committee meetings would also be open to anyone willing to participate.

In 2012, the City Council directed Staff to begin drafting a Housing Assistance Policy. As the City continues to receive requests for assistance related to housing developments, a policy would benefit in reviewing whether these projects meet the goals and implementation strategies of the City. The policy does not create new funding for housing programs, but establishes a policy for reviewing housing assistance requests.

Notification is not required.

Attached to the case are proposed agendas for an ad-hoc sub-committee of the Planning Commission. This sub-committee is intended to assist in drafting the policy requested by the City Council. The request for action this evening is to establish the sub-committee and appoint three (3) Commissioners to the sub-committee. The request for action does not include a recommendation on format or content of the policy. Staff has included some of the basic framework and alternatives to consider as background to assist in developing the work plan.

The proposed work plan includes the following:

1. Meeting #1-Background, Interim Policy Statement, and Minimum Thresholds
2. Meeting #2-Ranking Thresholds
3. Meeting #3-Project Priorities and Final Draft

Minimum Thresholds

In terms of minimum thresholds, this category provides a baseline review that all Applications must successfully meet. The minimum thresholds are recommended to be tied to the City's Housing Action Plan, which is part of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Within the plan, there are multiple goals and several implementation strategies. It is intended that the Applicant must describe how the project will successfully achieve one or more of the existing implementation strategies adopted by the City Council.

Staff understands that this is an iterative process, and housing policy may have changed since the original development of the Comprehensive Plan, which is why a review on a policy level is desired at this time. In addition, market conditions have changed since the plan was adopted and the City has seen a number of projects move forward that may change the original assumptions that went into the plan. This exercise in developing the Assistance Policy will help formulate necessary amendments to the current Comprehensive Plan as the City looks to update this plan in the coming years.

Ranking Thresholds

The second part of the policy could include a list of quantitative scoring metrics in an attempt to provide for an objective review. In addition, this provides applicants direction as to whether they feel the goals of their project meet the goals of the City.

Next Steps

Following completion of the draft, Staff would recommend review by members of the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Furthermore, Staff would recommend reviewing the draft policy with area builders and developers to ensure that the policy remains viable from a market standpoint. Once the sub-committee and full Planning Commission approve the draft policy, it would be forwarded to the City Council to consider for final adoption.

Preparation of the Housing Assistance Policy is being handled as part of regular staff duties and professional services budget. Depending on the final work plan, Staff may forward an additional financial statement.

Staff recommends that the Planning Commission establish an Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee consisting of three (3) members to complete a draft Housing Assistance Policy per the attached proposed Work Plan.

Motion to establish an Ad-Hoc Sub-Committee consisting of three (3) members to complete a draft Housing Assistance Policy per the attached proposed Work Plan, appointing the following members to the sub-committee:

1. Commissioner ____________.
2. Commissioner ____________.
3. Commissioner ____________.