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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-024-01/18/2022-TO SUPPORT TEMPORARY HOUSING IN FORT COLLINS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE MARSHALL FIRE (POSTPONED INDEFINPostponed indefinitely 1/18/22 RESOLUTION 2022-024 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS TO SUPPORT TEMPORARY HOUSING IN FORT COLLINS FOR VICTIMS OF THE MARSHALL FIRE WHEREAS, on December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire destroyed about 1,084 homes and another 149 residential structures in Superior and parts of Louisville, Colorado (Boulder County); and WHEREAS, City Council finds that the Marshall Fire had a small but significant impact on Fort Collins residents, particularly those wishing to provide temporary housing accommodations to fire victims; and WHEREAS, the Council further finds that due to its North Front Range location, the Fort Collins community has an opportunity to lend support and assistance to those who have lost homes in the Marshall Fire through temporary housing; and WHEREAS, on January 4, 2022, City Council asked staff to: 1) summarize available housing relief connections and matchmaking services; 2) evaluate potential regulatory barriers that would prevent households in Fort Collins from hosting evacuees; and 3) propose mechanisms that would result in removing or reducing regulatory barriers; and WHEREAS, on January 11, 2022, staff presented information to Council about the regulatory barriers limiting Fort Collins residents from offering housing assistance to victims of the Marshall Fire; and WHEREAS, staff concluded that the greatest barrier is the City’s occupancy limits in Section 3.8.16 of the Land Use Code (“LUC”); and WHEREAS, Council carefully reviewed the demonstrated need, equity considerations, and administrative enforcement issues associated with modifying occupancy limits as they relate to temporary disaster relief related emergency housing; and WHEREAS, based on its review of numerous options, Council believes the most appropriate response to removing emergency housing barriers to those affected by the Marshall Fire is to direct the Interim City Manager, though City staff, to exercise prosecutorial discretion and refrain from enforcing LUC occupancy limits against those demonstrably affected by the Marshall Fire; and WHEREAS, Council further identified the need to establish an ongoing mechanism in the LUC for responding to future emergency circumstances for which temporary housing may be a necessary part of recovery as part of the upcoming LUC Phase I updates. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Postponed indefinitely 1/18/22 Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes any and all determinations and findings contained in the recitals set forth above. Section 2. That the Council directs the Interim City Manager, through City staff, to exercise their enforcement discretion and refrain from enforcing LUC occupancy limits against those demonstrably affected by the Boulder County Marshall Fire for the period of one-year. Section 3. That the Council hereby directs the Interim City Manager to report to the Council no later than November 1, 2022, regarding the utilization and outcomes of this temporary housing initiative, to the extent information is available, in order to assist Council in determining whether it should be continued beyond the initial year. Section 4. That the Council directs the Interim City Manager, through City staff, to incorporate a temporary emergency housing measures in the Phase 1 LUC updates, including provisions proscribing enforcement of covenants that are in conflict with the measures. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 18th day of January, A.D. 2022. __________________________________ Mayor ATTEST: _____________________________ City Clerk