3/8/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Director Keating explained that a copy of the entire affordable housing incentive plan was distributed to the Board last week at the workshop. The objective of the plan is to eliminate barriers to affordable housing, such as impact fees, parking requirements, and density and setback requirements. Local governments are not- required to make major changes in their overall regulations, but they are required to consider how their regulations affect affordable housing. When the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee analyzed the 11 areas and how they affect affordable housing, the Committee agreed with staff that many of the issues already have been addressed. For example, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and the Professional Services Advisory Committee analyzed programs such as impact fees to determine whether they are necessary, or at least can be modified to reduce their financial impact on development, particularly on development of affordable housing. Director Keating discussed a few of the recommendations in the housing incentive plan, including density requirements. He reported that the committee has determined that the County's density requirements are generally acceptable, and that no action is necessary. He stated that the committee recommends analyzing proposed County regulations to determine their possible effect on housing costs. Director Keating then distributed the following proposed amendment to Recommendation #2 of the Affordable Housing Incentive Plan: Addition to the recommendation for methods to expedite permit processing for Affordable Housing Development Projects (page 6 and page 76 of the Affordable Housing Incentive Plan. Recommendation #2: The County should take all necessary steps to eliminate delays in the review of affordable housing development projects. Should review delays begin to occur, the County should institute the practice of prioritizing the review of affordable housing development projects. Director Keating explained that subsequent to the last meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, staff received a policy statement from the State indicating that a housing incentive plan must contain specific information on how the permitting process will be expedited. Staff recommends including the above language in Recommendation #2 of the housing incentive plan in response to that directive. Commissioner Macht thought it would be unfair to give affordable housing permits priority over other construction. Director Keating agreed with Commissioner Macht, and he explained that staff's goal is to process all permits as quickly as 21 �AR1994 BOOK 9� F�1�E.9?e