HomeMy WebLinkAboutGOOD SAMARITAN VILLAGE - ODP - 27-96A - CORRESPONDENCE - MODIFICATION REQUESTlocated near the Foothills Fashion Mall. Continued subsidized funding for these projects within
the Federal budget is on the Congressional chopping block. Long term contracts are no longer
possible with each operating on a year-to-year allocation of funding. Of the three, the DMA
Plaza is owned and operated by a local non-profit agency, while the other two are operated by
private investors. If Federal subsidies were to be cut, rents would need to rise to cover expenses
in all three projects. Due to its non-profit status, rents could still be basically held to affordable
rates at the DMA Plaza, but rents in Oakbrook I and II would likely raise to "market" levels
taking the units out of the "affordable" range. If this would happen, there could be an immediate
need for as many as 200 elderly units in the community.
City Policv
The City of Fort is required to have a strategic plan for the utilization of Federal funds from
HUD. This plan is called the Consolidated Plan and it details how the coordinated efforts by
public, non-profit, and for -profit entities will utilize Federal funding and private resources in
addressing the housing and community development needs of lower income people.
"Seniors/Elderly Housing" is an identified category of"special needs populations" requiring
additional housing in the community. Recently, more effort and focus is being placed on elderly
housing by both the City's Affordable Housing Board and Community Development Block Grant
Commission. Any housing development proposal in the city which includes housing for people
over age 55 can be considered a welcomed addition to help address the elderly housing issue and
would be in line with City policy as expressed in the Consolidated Plan. Thus, the Good
Samaritan Village Phase I development plan proposal is in line with City policy.
Conclusion
It is my understanding that since the Good Samaritan Village's Overall Development Plan (ODP)
meets, or exceeds, the basic MMN Zone minimum density requirement of 12 units per acre, and
the overall project is designed to provide a variety of housing options for elderly people in line
with City policy as expressed in the Consolidated Plan, then the modification request for less
than 7 units per acre for a phase should be granted as also not being detrimental to the public
good and intent and purposes of the Land Use Code.
cc. Kimberly Lambrecht, Landmark Engineering
Commufnr y Planning and Environmental ,;rvices
Advance Planning Department
City of Fort Collins
February 2, 1998
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mike Ludwig, City Planner
FM: Ken Waido, Chief Plannerl��
RE: Good Samaritan Village MMN Density Modification
The purpose of this memorandum is to address the request by Good Samaritan Village for a
modification to Section 4.5(D)(1)(a) of the City's Land Use Code which requires development
proposals in the MMN, Medium -Density Mixed -Use Neighborhood, Zone to have a minimum
density of 7 dwelling units per acre. Modifications to lower the density must be based on findings
that the modification is not "detrimental to the public good,..., impair the intent and purpose of
the Land Use Code," and "address an important community need,.., defined and described in,...,
adopted policy."
Background Data/Information
By the year 2000, the oldest of the "baby boomer" generation (typically defined as people born
between the years 1945 and 1960) will turn 55 years of age, thus, meeting the Federal definition
of "elderly." This general aging of the population will witness 75+ mullion people in the United
States falling into the elderly category over the next 15 to 20 years. Obviously, a person's
housing needs does not automatically change when they reach age 55, but there is also no doubt
that choices for housing types are different for elderly people.
Census figures indicate that between the years 1980 and 1990 the Median Age of Fort Collins
increased from 24.7 years of age to 27.8 and that persons over 65 years of age increased from
representing 7.3% of the population in 1980, to representing 7.7% in 1990. Both trends are
expected to continue when results of the year 2000 Census are tabulated. It is also well known
the Fort Collins continues to grow as a retirement location. Continued listing of the city as "safe
and desirable" by various national publications and reports will only fuel the flow of additional
elderly to the community.
In addition to the general aging data and information presented above, an elderly housing crises
could hit the city in the next few years. Currently, the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) subsidizes several elderly housing projects in Fort Collins. These include
the DMA Plaza, located in the Central Business District, and the Oakbrook Apartments I and 11
281 North College Avenue • P.O. Box 580 • Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580 • (970) 221-6376
FAX (970) 224-6111 • TDD (970) 224-6002