HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/25/2016 - LAND BANK REVIEWDATE:
STAFF:
October 25, 2016
Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Social Sustainability Specialist
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Land Bank Review.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to explore making changes to City Code to add flexibility to the Land Bank Program to
allow development beyond solely residential affordable housing on land bank parcels.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does Council support staff bringing back proposed changes to the Land Bank Ordinance?
2. What feedback does Council have on any of the proposed revision topics presented by staff?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Why Land Banking is Important
Affordable housing is important to the City’s social, economic and environmental goals. By stabilizing housing
costs and providing options that are affordable to each citizen’s income, the City promotes job and school
readiness and retention, healthy outcomes and increased community involvement. Businesses can recruit and
retain workers at all income levels. The environment is served through compact development by reducing the
"drive till you qualify" stresses on infrastructure and by supporting multimodal transit options that reduce carbon
emissions.
Land banking is the practice of buying and holding land for a future use. It is an important strategy for preserving
sites for affordable housing in areas where land is currently relatively inexpensive but where price inflation is
likely. Securing significant parcels before land prices rise makes affordability possible with fewer subsidy dollars.
Strategic selection of sites to bank can also shape the character of the community by ensuring that affordable
housing will be well distributed within the City.
History of the Fort Collins Program (Map - Attachment 1)
Year Action Taken
2000 Feasibility Study
2001 Land Bank Program established by Ordinance
2002-2006 5 parcels totaling 50 acres purchased
2009 Appraisals conducted, not requisite appreciation
2014 Appraisals conducted, sufficient appreciation
2015 Full Market Study & Council Work Session
2016 Horsetooth parcel in process of sale to FCHA
As a result of the 2015 Work Session, City Council supported selling a parcel for the first time. (Attachment 2) In
late 2015 and into 2016, the 8-acre Horsetooth parcel was offered for sale through a competitive Request for
Proposal (RFP) process and the Fort Collins Housing Authority (FCHA) was chosen as a development partner. In
order to choose the best option presented in the FCHA’s proposal, the Land Bank Ordinance was amended by
October 25, 2016 Page 2
City Council in March 2016 for the first time since adopted, to allow for a range of area median incomes (AMI) that
allowed some units targeted to 60% AMI as long as the overall community still averaged no more than 50% AMI.
In recognizing that much has changed in the development environment since 2001 when the program was
created, staff undertook a full review of the program.
Land Bank City Code and Policy
Land banking is established City policy in Fort Collins. City Plan speaks to the need for affordable housing
generally and supports the Land Bank program specifically:
Policy LIV 8.7 Maintain a Supply of Land
- Maintain an adequate supply of land for future affordable housing development by maintaining the
Land Bank Program and acquiring additional properties as funding permits.
This policy is explored in the Housing Affordability Policy Study and incorporated into the 2015-2019 Affordable
Housing Strategic Plan.
The City’s Land Bank Program is its only long term affordable housing development incentive. Very specific
program parameters were specified by City Code and criteria established for the use, acquisition and sale of land
bank parcels. In addition, City policy required that 3 additional conditions must be met for a parcel to be ready for
sale. They include:
A verified need for the land
Appreciation such that the parcel will sell for more than it was purchased for
Development-ready in terms of mitigation of any major development impediments.
Current Land Bank Ordinance criteria
City Code Chapter 13, Article XIII. Land Banking contains acquisition criteria for land purchase:
From a willing seller without condemnation
At a cost that does not exceed fair market value
Located in the City Growth Management Area
The location is now, or will be in a reasonable future within 1/2 mile of at least 3 of the following:
1. Transit Route
2. School
3. Park
4. Employment Center
5. Commercial Center
City Code also establishes disposition guidelines. Sale of the parcels to a housing provider for the purpose of
developing affordable housing is governed by the following criteria:
For the purpose of developing a rental community where the average income target of the community is no
more than 50% AMI.
For the purpose of developing ownership housing targeted to buyers making no more than 60% AMI.
Solely residential development
Affordable in perpetuity
Land sale price not to exceed 90% of fair market value
Development must occur within a specified time period.
What’s restricted?
Mixed-income and mixed use projects are not permitted.
No market rate housing can be included on the land bank parcels.
October 25, 2016 Page 3
There is no provision for selling a parcel out of the program if it no longer is appropriate for the program’s
goals.
Assuming a sale out of the program is permitted, the provision requiring the sale price be 90% of market
value would not allow the program to recapture the full value of the land to go into purchasing the next parcel
and would give a windfall to the buyer.
The fixed AMI levels established for rental and home ownership programs do not align with the City’s
definition of affordable housing or the major funding sources currently being used by developers of affordable
housing. For instance, Low Income Housing Tax Credit funding allows for rental projects to go up to 60% AMI,
but the program only allows up to an average of 50% AMI.
Home ownership targeted to incomes at 60% and below may be unrealistic in our current real estate market
without support services that are not provided for in this program. The need for affordable home ownership
opportunities exists at least to 80% AMI households and even for households with earning levels higher than
that.
Lessons learned
Sale of the Horsetooth Parcel
The sale of the Horsetooth parcel tested the original ordinance provisions. While conforming proposals were
received, the winning proposal offered several options, including different scenarios. The chosen option provided
the highest purchase price, and served a wide range of incomes, including many units at the hard to reach 30%
AMI level, and required the amendment to the City Code as discussed above. Because this change improved the
program and would apply to all land bank parcels, Council approved this amendment. This experience
demonstrated how limiting the specific AMI levels in City Code could be. The idea emerged that if the income
levels were tied to the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan, it would add dynamism to the criteria and be reviewed
on a regular basis with the Plan’s regular updates.
The Request for Proposal process used to choose a development partner was determined to be a good process
to deploy parcels. Not only does it create competition among teams, it can be used to seek site-specific
proposals, taking into consideration the community needs at the time of deployment and any funding opportunities
the development partner would want to use.
Housing Colorado’s Community by Design Charrette on College Parcel, located near Trilby and Lemay
In partnership with the FCHA, the City was awarded a design charrette for the College Avenue parcel. Graduate
students from the University of Colorado in Denver, volunteer professionals, FCHA staff and City staff met for 2½
days to study the best use of this parcel. The 17-acre parcel was chosen because:
It is the largest parcel;
It has not had infrastructure improvements because it is surrounded by undeveloped land;
It has connectivity issues because it does not front any large streets; and
Existing affordable housing, and more affordable housing projects in the development review process,
surrounds this parcel. Saturation of too much affordable housing in one area is not optimal and can affect a
development partner’s ability to produce a market study that supports building more affordable housing in that
area.
The fact that this parcel is surrounded by raw land for sale presented opportunities for the land bank parcel if
additional land was acquired. Even then, the restrictions imposed by the current Ordinance limited the best and
most creative uses. Ideas generated by the charrette included swapping the land for something with access to
existing roads, rezoning the entire quadrant so that added density could bring economy of scale to reduce
development costs, or using the land to support the affordable housing in the area with jobs and services such as
child care.
While the charrette did not conclude with the perfect development design or proposal, it pointed out that the
context that develops around the site between the time when the land is purchased and when the City is ready to
develop can have a significant impact on the feasibility of the original intent of the program. It also pointed out that
October 25, 2016 Page 4
there is no way to trade or sell a parcel for full value if it determined to no longer be suitable for the land bank
program. While staff will continue to hold this parcel to see if infrastructure constraints change to make it market
ready, it may be a long hold. Interestingly, this is the only land bank location that still is not within a ½ mile from at
least 3 of the listed location requirements. At this time, the parcel is located near a park only. It is not close
enough to a transit route, school, commercial center or employment center. The location may never be within ½
mile of the desired neighborhood amenities.
Public Engagement
Following Council’s direction, staff presented the Land Bank Program and discussed possibilities to change the
ordinance to add flexibility with the following boards and commissions:
Affordable Housing Board
Community Development Block Grant Commission
Economic Advisory Commission
Natural Resources Advisory Board
Planning and Zoning Board’
Youth Activity Board
Fort Collins Board of Realtors Government Liaison Board
While staff did not have specific recommendations for changes at this time, the boards and commissions were
supportive of creating some flexibility to the program to allow the best and most sustainable communities to be
built on these parcels.
Staff also conducted two focus groups with non-profit and for-profit developers, low-income housing consumers,
elected officials and other stakeholders. The notes from these focus groups are attached. (Attachment 3)
Generally the groups liked the idea of adding flexibility.
Revisions to consider
Staff has identified the following areas for potential Code amendments:
Proposed Change Why?
Allow Mixed-Use and Mixed-Income Best Practice Allows Site Level Considerations
Allow Sale or Trade out of Program Maximizes Program Effectiveness
If Sold - Allow Full Market Value Efficient Use of Resource Leverage
Remove Specific AMI Levels Tie to AHSP Create Sustainable Communities
Still can target lowest possible AMI range
Not only are mixed-use developments considered best practice, but zoning or development requirements can
push developers to include commercial elements and the current language of the program does not allow this.
Mixed-income communities are also considered best practice and can provide environments for rich interactions
for a wide range of incomes that build on the different strengths of the various earning categories. Allowing a way
to sell or trade parcels that are no longer appropriate for the goals of the program provides an avenue to transfer
the value of the land to more suitable land. If this is determined to be necessary or advantageous, the full value
and not 90% of the value should be moved forward.
Next Steps
If directed by Council, draft proposed ordinance changes (Q4 2016)
Conduct Public Outreach and Engagement on proposed changes (Q1 2017)
Return to Council for consideration of the proposed Ordinance Changes. (Q2 2017)
October 25, 2016 Page 5
ATTACHMENTS
1. Land Bank map (PDF)
2. Work Session Summary (PDF)
3. Focus Groups Notes (PDF)
4. Communications Plan (PDF)
5. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
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ATTACHMENT 2
1
Land Bank Focus Groups
Conducted on August 3 and 8, 2016
Stakeholders included: For-profit and non-profit developers, affordable housing advocates, city staff,
and elected officials.
Question 1- How much do you know about land bank?
Both groups heard of program but did not know details
Question 2- What do you think of land banking as an incentive?
Both groups generally supported the idea
Great idea if conceived and administered properly
Curious – but seems like only works to sell land to generate cash to build housing.
Question 3- Reduced land pricing enough of an incentive?
Land is a huge incentive.
Still could be too hard even if you give the developer the land.
Developers in Boulder are using IHO to do cash in lieu to developer and building units off-site.
A transfer tax would be great.
Potentially allow a portion of sites to comply with existing zoning but allow a second phase at a
higher density.
Might need to pair with additional subsidy.
Water going from concern to crisis
Doubtful that reduction adequate to offset difference between market rate and affordable.
Need consistent source of income – preferable small charge paid frequently.
Easier process just as important.
Question 4 – Locations of current parcels
Kechter has commercial value. Maybe swap or mixed use development.
Question 5 - Additional parcels?
Put RFP our there for a realtor when looking to purchase Land Bank parcels. You need a good
commercial broker and I can help you put together a RFP.
Should use same people that for-profit developers use.
They can get you parcels that aren’t even for sale.
Every place we’ve bought and developed has had some deconstruction, nothing is vacant.
Near mass transit
Consider air rights – exploit through public private partnerships
ATTACHMENT 3
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Market too hot – but if opportunity presents then jump on it.
Question 6 – Acquisition criteria?
Like tying RFP’s to current AHSP.
Need a RFP process.
Use RFP not ordinance to ask for optional desires – ie: give bonus points for age friendly design.
Use needs articulated in Affordable Housing Strategic Plan to guide RFP process for buying and
selling.
While locating near transit important – should be in RFP not code
Be careful with height and density bonuses - May not have the beneficial effects desired and
could have negative consequences.
Get a realtor and use loopnet, or other real estate software. Competing against professional
developers looking for land.
Question 7 – Ownership opportunities?
More communities have failed with IHOs than have been successful. An example is Boulder.
Loveland and Longmont threw theirs out since it killed a couple of projects. The buyers love the
fact they get a good deal on the front end with a lower price but can’t get good enough equity
on the back end. To really promote or require ownership is tricky. We should go for rental.
IHOs is different than ownership, I agree IHO doesn’t work. I think ownership can be good but
shouldn’t be the stated goal of the program. You can have ownership that doesn’t put
constraints on what you sell it for. Trust could have first right of refusal, that it be owner
occupied and not held as rental. Those two will hold market value down so you get de facto
affordability. Formulas for AMI or CPI don’t work when the market goes south. In some cases if
it’s modeled correctly and all of the structure is well thought out and you have someone
monitoring it, then it can work.
60% AMI is too low for home ownership, should go up to 80%. This would better meet industry
standards.
60% only works for Habitat. A developer isn’t going to do all the handholding that Habitat does.
No viable incentive in the City to do that.
No one gets paid more to work on a tax credit project.
How do you preserve permanent affordability?
o Deed restriction, but that can kill a project.
o Important to write deed restriction properly to not kill projects.
Most mountain communities need deed restriction removed by Council. Can turn into a
headache.
First right of refusal for land owner should be in the ordinance.
Make sure first buyer gets deep discount from market process in order to keep affordable to
subsequent buyers.
18 units or more needed for economy of scale.
3
Need to share appreciation or not worth doing for consumer.
Consider new mobile home parks – especially if they can be resident owned.
Difficult to accomplish – especially if comes with controlling covenants.
Question 8 – Income levels?
Don’t like 50% average. We need new 30% units, we have a 3 year wait list for 30% units.
Require 5% of new units to be 30% AMI but we encourage greater. Did cost analysis and it’s
something close to $90,000 per unit of subsidy.
Used to be $105,000 with 5% return, thought it would be higher.
Depends on the area.
Had idea to do fundraiser and put the donor’s name on the door or driveway to create our own
funding sources. Portland does a great job of this.
I would remove restrictions since you don’t know what conditions will be in the future. If you do
everything on a RFP basis and assign points based on the proposals that address the AHSP, you
have a lot more flexibility in selection process. Weights can be dynamic so it can reflect what is
going on in the community.
Don’t want to shy away from competition by forcing developer to develop 30% AMI units.
We have some out of town developers that would develop 30% AMI units since they are big
advocates of affordable housing.
Like tying the RFP to the AHSP
Ownership level too low.
Income levels too low – look at 80%.
Question 9 – Mixed –use and/or mixed-income?
Yes, Holiday is a great model and avoids having too much concentration.
Density in LMN is an issue.
If you have a charrette, your program should allow whatever you do at the charrette. Let market
figure out what size of parcel will work for mixed-income and mixed-use.
Mason corridor has been great for mixed-use projects. Mixed-use could be a way to finance the
program.
Don’t restrict anything, allow creativity.
Something you could do is if you’re looking at sales price for the land and there is some market
rate, pro-rate what you’re selling land for so you aren’t subsidizing market rate housing. Public
might have negative perception of subsidizing market rate.
Boulder subsidizes workforce housing up to 115% AMI and we may be there soon.
For larger parcels, you would want market rate to help subsidize 30%.
If HUD regs stand, you will have concentration issue.
Be as flexible as possible and let the market determine the best use for the land.
How do we discount the value of the land and then use it for market rate housing? Can we sell
the market rate part for more than 90% of market value? (Would require code change). Can we
4
price different components differently? Or would overall community be enough of a benefit to
justify discounting even the market rate product?
Only allow swap or purchase if another parcel already identified for acquisition. If project has
commercial – require a nexus to affordable residents. Child care facility good example of
commercial with nexus.
Look at Holiday from Boulder
Mixed-use and mixed-income can be incentives – however, this shifts rent burden to non-
affordable units and impose financing and marketing obstacles.
YES – don’t have enough room or land to not consider this option.
State Land Board has rules we could look at that allow sale but only if another property will be
acquired within 36 months.
Question 10 – City’s role in Affordable Housing
Convener – bring interest groups together.
Political role – lip service to proactive planning. Reality – City not demonstrating forethought,
leadership, or creativity to get ahead of issue.
Question 11 – Ability to sell out of program?
Be careful in getting rid of land because land is tough to acquire. Not much land available for
development.
If property isn’t being utilized, like Forest Service, they have ability to exchange it for a different
parcel? Land swap vs. land sale. It’s a repurposing of land. Maybe it isn’t suitable anymore but
perhaps we can trade for one that is.
No reason to disallow a swap or sale as long as is will fund the purchase of a better site.
If you buy and sell in same market better than holding money which may then not purchase as
much because market has changed.
Look for specific partners to swap with such as government owned land, CSU, private land
owners with land in attractive locations for this purpose.
Tricky to use public funds for one objective only to use for something else – could be perceived
as subjective or political.
Yes, it might make sense to sell to generate cash to build elsewhere.
Question 12 – other land bank comments?
How about doing a land lease instead of selling to a developer?
Make sure you have the right partners – include CSU.
How about selling off portions of parcels and saving some for the future when zoning might
allow more density?
The next 5 years are critical as we approach community build out. Be aggressive now when
there may be more land to buy. Diminishing impact if wait too long.
5
As we move into future, less land available and therefore less land banking opportunity. Act
now! Also, the faster we build on these parcels the quicker we will have more affordable
inventory that then stays as community stock.
Providing a preference for qualifying city employees is politically difficult.
Should program have a sunset review – put up or shut up over the next 5 years.
Sell parcels that are sized correctly for tax credit projects – look to provide 120 units for 4%
LIHTC deals. (10 acres in LMN).
Can the creative class be targeted?
Build as much flexibility into ordinance as possible and use the RFP process for details.
How can Community Land Trusts help? Regional land trust is a good idea.
Look to incentivize things we want such as stepless entryways by providing fee relief – such as
water or street oversizing.
This is a tool we should keep – but not enough to make big impact on issue.
Additional Comments
What other partners do we need to create more affordable housing? Employers?
Ownership vs. rental
Did a project called Maple Hill when I was on FCHA board and that is when we tested incentives
of the City to see if they promoted affordability. Had we complied with everything, we would
have saved $1,500 per lot. Incentives right now don’t work.
If City just donates land or discounts it, then it could work. Horsetooth wasn’t much of a
discount but it can work with tax credits.
May not have to do both if you donate land. For Lowry, City kicked in money in addition to
donating land. There are some other resources but I wouldn’t preclude it.
How restrictive do you want ordinance to read not knowing what conditions will be in the
future? The ordinance should include what bare minimum should be as opposed to adding
more exclusions, etc.
Need 18 du/acre to build in economies of scale
Are there incentives for tap fees for affordable housing?
What about a “water bank”? Water will be 3 times the cost of land soon if not already. Cost and
availability of water will be next crisis.
Look into air rights.
Land Bank
Communications Plan
Draft – August 2016
1. INTRODUCTION
This Communications Plan outlines the overall approach for communicating with stakeholders about
the City’s review of the Land Bank Program. The City has assembled a technical assistance team
to help the project manager.
1.1 Purpose of this Document
This Communications Plan outlines the overall approach for communicating with the general public
and stakeholders to inform them about the City reviewing the Land Bank program.
1.2 Scope of this Document
This document outlines general responsibilities for the internal City team and consultants.
1.3 Goals of Land Bank Program Communications
Raise awareness with the public about what it is and what it isn’t
Gather community input about knowledge of the program, factors that may contribute to
developer participation and income levels required for housing on City Land Bank sites
Tie to the City’s triple-bottom-line and the community need for affordable housing
Address concerns about specific properties and how they’re approved through the normal
City process
Gather input about future Land Bank parcels and whether the City should acquire them
Seek recommendations for improving the program.
Elevator speech: The City has recently activated one of its Land Bank parcels – The Land
Bank program was created to use public funds to purchase parcels throughout the community
and hold them for future affordable housing developments. With the increasing lack of
affordable housing in the community, the City is reviewing its policies including whether to
make adjustments to the program including looking at income levels for households eligible to
reside in these developments and whether more parcels should be purchased.
1.4 Anticipated Schedule
August
1. Focus groups of Stakeholders
September
2. Public forum? Panel discussion? (could wait until after the work session).
3. Board tour:
ATTACHMENT 4
1. Affordable Housing Board
2. Community Development Block Grant Commission
3. Youth Advisory Board
4. Economic Advisory Commission
5. Natural Resources Advisory Board
6. Planning and Zoning
October/November
City Council work session
Public meetings depending on outcome of Council work session
Early 2017
Council considerations of proposed changes based on Work Session results
1.5 Communications Objectives
During community outreach and involvement for the Land Bank program, we will provide the
community with ample opportunity to influence recommendations as they are being formed. This
will include working closely with the City’s Communications coordinator and Communications and
Public Involvement Office (CPIO).
The main objectives of this communication plan:
1. Develop communication strategies to inform the public about the process – when discussions and
key decisions will be made
2. Create messaging that quickly articulates the benefits of the Land Bank and why it’s needed
3. Find new and creative ways to communicate that messaging throughout the community
4. Identify messaging that will reach hard-to-reach populations
1.6 Assumptions and Constraints
1. The City has activated the Land Bank Program because it believes in its value to the public in
preserving affordable housing.
2. The community has expressed some concerns about individual properties and the impacts on the
neighborhoods.
3. Any messaging will have to be aligned with the vision and mission of the Social Sustainability
Strategic Plan and adopted Affordable Housing Strategic Plan.
2. COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
This Communications Plan outlines project key messages, branding and visual identity
considerations, stakeholder needs, and planned communications events and activities.
2.1 Key Messages
- Fort Collins residents and City Council have expressed strong support for additional
affordable housing in our community.
- The Lank Bank program is one of many tactics to achieve the goal of providing more
affordable housing. It is the City’s only long-term affordable housing incentive.
- The City created the Land Bank program in 2001 to preserve land for future affordable
housing development that would otherwise likely be developed at market rates.
- Like any proposed development in Fort Collins, developers proposing projects at Land
Bank sites are required to go through a public hearing process that includes Planning and
Zoning Board and City Council.
Secondary key messages
- The Land Bank currently addresses housing for households earning 50 percent or less of
the Area Median Income or AMI for rental units (rent of about $970 a month for a family
of four) and up to 60 percent of the AMI for for-sale units. The 2015 Area Median Income
for Fort Collins is $79,300 for a family of four.
- In 2015, City staff worked with a consultant to review the City’s land bank program and
recommend strategies. At a work session in the fall, City Council members expressed
continued interest in deploying one or more land bank properties as long as they continue
to meet the City’s affordable housing goals. The City acquired five parcels totaling about
50 acres between 2002 and 2006 that could host a total of 500 to 600 units among
them:
o 1500 block of West Vine Drive
o 1506 West Horsetooth Road
o 5630 Tilden Street
o 3620 East Kechter Road
o 6916 South College Avenue
- The City’s strategy has been to purchase underdeveloped sites lacking infrastructure,
which lowers land prices, and then wait to develop them until nearby development occurs
and land value has increased before selling to a developer. The theory is that land bank
property will be cheaper to develop as surrounding projects construct utilities and streets.
2.2 Roles and Responsibilities
It will be the role of the Communications coordinator to communicate regularly with the full group
and to obtain input on communication and public engagement strategies.
Roles currently:
Community Engagement: Sue Beck-Ferkiss
PR/Marketing and Communications: Emily Wilmsen
Tactics could include:
Traditional media
Press release (if appropriate – if new ordinance is drafted/major changes are suggested)
Individual media tactics:
o Set up interviews with Coloradoan, BizWest, KUNC to educate them
o Soapbox
Website and social media
Add FAQ to website and spotlight it on fcgov.com
Update Land Bank page with focus group notes and archived materials from the
discussions over the past several years
Marketing materials
Fact sheet(s)
Newsletters
SSA newsletter
Neighborhood News
Internal
FortShorts
Issues and Answers
SIT/Leadership Link
CityNet
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10.25.2016
Land Bank Program Review
ATTACHMENT 5
Questions for
Council Consideration
1. Does Council support staff
bringing back proposed
changes to the Land Bank
Ordinance?
2. What feedback does Council
have any on any of the
proposed revision topics
presented by staff?
2
Fort Collins Affordable Land Bank Program
Only long range affordable housing incentive
• Land parcels purchased to be held for 5-15 years
• Sell to an affordable housing developer
• Use some of the value of the land to subsidize the development
• Shape the character of the community by distributing parcels
throughout the City
3
Land Bank in Fort Collins
2001 Land
Bank
Program
Established
2002-2006
Five Parcels
Purchased
2009
Properties
Appraised
4
2014
Properties
Appraised
2015 Full
Market
Analysis
RFP process
to sell parcel
for 1st
time
5
Land Bank
Program
Parcels
Alignment with City Plans & Policy
City Plan: Policy LIV 8.7
• Maintain an adequate supply of land for future affordable housing
development by maintaining the Land Bank Program and
acquiring additional properties as funding permits.
2014 Housing Affordability Policy Study
2015-2019 Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
6
Fort Collins AMI Limits
* Annual income for a household of four.
Percent
of AMI AMI*
HUD
Classification
Maximum
Affordable Monthly Rent
Mortgage supported by
same monthly payment
100% $78,200 Moderate Income $1,955 $304,000
80% $62,550 Low Income $1,564 $243,000
60% $46,920 Low Income $1,174 $182,000
50% $39,100 Very Low Income $978 $152,000
30% $24,300 Extremely Low Income $608 $74,000
Local Sample Incomes
AMI levels Income Limits Hourly Salary Sample Occupations
60% AMI $46,920 $22.56 PSD Teacher with MA; CSU Pharmacy Tech; County Employment
Specialist; FCHA Property Manager; CSU Financial Aid Counselor
50% AMI $39,100 $18.80 PSD Primary Teacher; Larimer County Accountant 1; Civil Engineer;
Health Dept. SW
40% AMI $31,280 $15.03 City Transportation Dispatcher; PSD Custodian; Credit Union
Financial Specialist; Forestry Field worker
30% AMI $24,300 $11.27 Bank Teller or Personal Banker; City Utility Worker; Sherwin
Williams Branch Manager; Certified Nurses Assistant; FCHA janitor
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Current Land Bank Ordinance Acquisition Criteria
Willing Seller
Cost does not exceed fair market value
Land is now, or will be in reasonable future, within ½ mile of at
least 3 of the following:
1. Transit Route
2. School
3. Park
4. Employment Center
5. Commercial Center
Located in City Growth Management Area
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Current Land Bank Sale Criteria
• Sell for rental housing at or below 50% AMI
• Sell for homeownership at or below 60% AMI
• Solely affordable residential development
• Affordable in perpetuity
• Land sale price not to exceed 90% of fair market value as
determined by the City
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Lessons Learned
Sale of Horsetooth Parcel:
1. Tested Current Ordinance
- AMI adjusted to choose best project
2. RFP Deployment Method Works Well (Competitive bid
process)
Charrette on College Parcel:
1. Saturation Issue?
2. Still not within ½ mile of 3 of 5
3. Creative ideas – especially if add more land
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Potential Code Change Focus Group Reactions
• Allow flexibility to incent development of best communities to serve
income restricted populations
• Including mixed-use and mixed-income
• Tie to Affordable Housing Strategic Plan
• Use RFP to deploy (Competitive bid process)
• Look for ways to add density
• Allow land swaps or way to sell parcels
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Board and Commission Outreach
• Affordable Housing Board
• Community Development Block Grant Commission
• Economic Advisory Committee
• Natural Resources Advisory Board
• Planning and Zoning Board
• Youth Advisory Board
• Fort Collins Board of Realtors
Revisions to Consider
Current Code Proposed Change Why?
1. 100% Affordable
Residential
Allow mixed-use & mixed-
income
Best Practice
Allows Site Level Considerations
2. Sell only for Affordable
Housing Development
Allow Sale or Trade out of
program
Maximizes Program Effectiveness
3. Sell for no more than
90% Fair market Value
If Sold - Allow Full Market
Value
Most Efficient Use of Resource
Leverage
4. Rental communities
average no more than
50% AMI
5. Ownership communities
no more than 60% AMI
Remove Specific AMI Levels
Allow up to 80%?
Tie to AHSP
Create Sustainable Communities
Still can target lowest possible AMI
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Next Steps
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1. If directed by Council, draft proposed Ordinance changes
2. Conduct Public Outreach on the proposed changes
3. Return to Council for consideration of the proposed Ordinance
changes.
Questions for Council Consideration
1. Does Council support staff
bringing back proposed
changes to the Land Bank
Ordinance?
2. What feedback does Council
have any on any of the
proposed revision topics
presented by staff?
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COUNTY ROAD 54G
W ELIZABETH ST
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COUNTRY CLUB RD
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RICHARDS LAKE RD
MOUNTAIN VISTA DR
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STRAUSS CABIN RD
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W WILLOX LN
GIDDINGS RD
W LAUREL ST
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W MOUNTAIN AVE
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9TH ST
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JEFFERSON ST
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S COUNTY ROAD 7
S LEMAY AVE
INTERSTATE 25
N OVERLAND
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ZIEGLER RD
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00.0.45 91.8 Miles
Fort Collins Land Bank Properties
Legend
Land Bank Properties
Property Lines
Fort Collins City Limits
Fort Collins GMA
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ATTACHMENT 1