More affordable housing in Greeley could soon be on the horizon after the city council considered recommendations to speed up affordable housing reviews and lessen requirements on developers building affordable homes.
On Tuesday, Planning Supervisor Caleb Jackson sought the city council’s consensus to approve a method for fast-tracking the review of affordable housing.
Jackson said the city is looking to introduce an ordinance that would amend the city code to set the review process at a maximum of 90 days, providing developers with certainty when creating project timelines. There would be options to extend the process past 90 days when public comment or meetings are required or if the developer needs more time to address council questions.
The city is also considering relaxed standards for developments that offer more than 50% of their units at affordable prices to attract more affordable housing. Affordable, in this context, is defined as a place to live that costs no more than 30% of income, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) annual chart.
Some of these relaxed standards include raising the maximum development height by 15 feet, reducing required parking space by 25% and allowing nearby city amenities, like the recreation center, as development amenities. This would also include removing on-site open-space requirements for affordable developments near a city park.
As one of the cities in Colorado that opted into the State Affordable Housing Fund, the city must demonstrate it has a process to approve affordable housing developments quickly and efficiently. Approved by voters in 2022, Proposition 123 created the State Affordable Housing Fund, dedicating $300 million in annual state revenue to address housing affordability. These funds are used for a variety of programs, including down-payment assistance and support for people experiencing homelessness.
Councilwoman Deb DeBoutez expressed a concern Tuesday about areas of Greeley where residents don’t have any parks within walking distance and how a relaxed standard could affect those residents. Jackson clarified the standard would only be removed if there is a park within a half-mile radius that didn’t require residents to cross a highway or a busy road.
The council was unanimous in their desire for city staff to continue work on relaxed development standards and fast-tracking affordable housing review. Staff will later bring an ordinance before council to make any changes official.
Hence then, the article about greeley city council explores faster review process for affordable housing was published today ( ) and is available on GreeleyTribune ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Greeley City Council explores faster review process for affordable housing )
Also on site :