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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWORK SESSION SUMMARY-02/08/2022-Work Session Community Development & Neighborhood Services 281 North College Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.416.2740 970.224.6134- fax fcgov.com Planning, Development & Transportation Services MEMORANDUM DATE: February 11, 2022 TO: Mayor and City Council THRU: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager Affordable Housing Executive Team1 Caryn Champine, Director of Planning, Development and Transportation Paul Sizemore, Community Development and Neighborhoods Service Director FROM: Noah Beals, Development Review Manager Meaghan Overton, Housing Manager RE: February 8, 2022, Work Session Summary – Housing Strategic Plan Implementation: Land Use Code Phase 1 Updates The purpose of this item was to provide updates on progress for the Land Use Code (LUC) Phase 1 Update. Staff sought Council feedback about the LUC Phase 1 Diagnostic Report and staff’s approach to code drafting. All Councilmembers were present. Feedback Overall: Several Councilmembers expressed support for the recommendations in the Diagnostic Report and staff’s proposed approach to code drafting. Councilmembers also shared suggestions to communicate potential code changes in visual, realistic ways that can help people understand the impacts of LUC changes in their neighborhoods. Councilmembers also expressed appreciation for the addition of a work session prior to consideration of adoption. The discussion was a lively dialogue with multiple perspectives shared. Specific Feedback: Specific input about the Diagnostic Report findings and recommendations included: x Appreciation for the historical context of Fort Collins’ growth and regulatory framework over time. x Support for developing context-based design standards that can help new housing fit with the character of existing neighborhoods and commercial corridors. x Discussion about the ways in which an updated LUC could result in more of the types of development desired, including mixed-use development along transit corridors and additional affordable housing. x Support for the proposed focus on transit corridors, with an emphasis on ensuring good building form and design. 1Jackie Kozak Thiel, Chief Sustainability Officer; Theresa Connor, Interim Utilities Executive Director; Caryn Champine, Planning, Development, and Transportation (PDT) Director; Julie Brewen, Housing Catalyst Executive Director; Dave Lenz, Finance Planning and Analysis Director; Beth Yonce, Social Sustainability Director             Community Development & Neighborhood Services 281 North College Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.416.2740 970.224.6134- fax fcgov.com Planning, Development & Transportation Services x Dialogue about the potential impact of recalibrating parking requirements and concern about the potential impact of parking reductions on existing neighborhoods. x Support for improving the usability, readability, and predictability of the code for all users, including residents, staff, decision-makers, and developers. Comments and clarifications x Staff shared examples of the types of incentives that could be expanded or added to the LUC for affordable housing development (e.g. density bonuses, parking reductions). Staff clarified that financial subsidy for affordable housing is separate from the LUC process and administered through the City’s annual competitive process, fee credit process, and the Affordable Housing Capital Fund. x Councilmembers expressed curiosity about balancing code changes and rising housing costs. Staff acknowledged that the rising cost to build housing is a challenge, and that there are multiple considerations when contemplating a policy or code change. x Clarification: During the work session, there was some discussion about building height in the Harmony Corridor. The Diagnostic Report is based on current height regulations. In the Harmony Corridor, a mixed-use building (commercial on the ground floor with housing above) can be built up to 6 stories under the current LUC. A residential-only building can be up to 3 stories in height. The team evaluated these existing height limits as part of the Diagnostic Report. Suggestions: Councilmembers also shared suggestions about how to further improve the information shared, including: x Providing more information about how to measure the impact and success of code changes at the next work session. x Including more details about engagement in future materials, including the names of community members involved in the Land Use Code Working Group. x Providing more information about how LUC changes and additional housing capacity advances the Our Climate Future (OCF) goals. x Updating key data points, in particular the information from City Plan about the current housing stock. x Sharing more visual examples of compatible infill housing in existing neighborhoods and along transit corridors to help conceptualize what potential LUC changes might look like. Next Steps x In the coming weeks, Councilmembers will receive two follow-up memos from the project team: o An overview of how different kinds of accessory buildings are currently regulated o Information about the interplay between potential LUC changes and applicability to Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) x Staff will schedule a work session for early Spring 2022 to review critical proposed code changes prior to Council consideration of adoption. x Our adoption target is late Spring 2022, and input from Council and community over the next few months may require a Summer 2022 adoption.