Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

19.

Work Session and Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:	07/12/2016
Department:	Public Works

AGENDA CAPTION:

Present, Discuss, and Consider Action Regarding The Housing Policy And Residential Density For The Town Of Addison.

BACKGROUND:

In March of 2015, the City Council adopted a housing policy through Resolution R15-006. This policy states the following:

When new housing is proposed in Addison, the Addison City Council encourages it to be developed according to the following principles:

New housing should increase the portion of fee-simple ownership in Addison’s housing mix. Apartment only rezoning is unlikely to be approved, as currently the ratio of rental to ownership properties is higher than desired.
A proposal should offer a ‘best fit’ mix of uses and housing choices within the context of the surrounding Addison community. The Town may use a study area committee (with staff, elected, and appointed members such as area residents and business representatives) to evaluate a proposal’s fit in Addison.
New housing should create or enhance neighborhoods of urban character rather than locate on a stand-alone, nonintegrated property and should continue the high quality design and walkability that make Addison’s existing neighborhoods distinctive.
Proposals for independent and/or assisted living may be considered by the Town of Addison. Since there is no assisted living housing units in Addison today, the Town will conduct research to understand how this housing could or should be included in Addison’s future.
Staff shares this policy with potential residential developers as they consider investing within Addison and inquire about the zoning approval process. There are several multi-family developers, of both flats and urban apartments, actively considering projects in Addison. These developers have raised the question as to whether the housing policy accurately reflects the Council’s current housing goals.

Note: During the Council's previous discussions regarding housing, the term flats was used for single story, individually owned units in a multi-story building. These are also often referred to as condominiums, though that term can also refer to other housing types. Urban Apartments are defined as housing units in a higher density building, typically of three or more stories, where building owner(s) rent individual units to residents.

Additionally, the question of density has been raised during staff’s conversations with potential developers. Previously, the Town has denied zoning cases for residential uses on the basis of density while granting others unlimited density. Given this, staff cannot provide developers clear guidance on this issue.

Staff is requesting direction from the City Council on these two topics:

1. Does the current housing policy reflect the Council’s goals regarding future housing development in Addison?
2. How should density be weighed in considering any residential development request?

As background, the Housing Policy, the Housing Workshop Report from which the Housing Policy was established, and the applicable Chapters of the Town’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan are attached.

RECOMMENDATION:

Staff requests policy direction from the City Council.

Attachments
Comprehensive Plan Excerpts
Housing Workshop Memo
Housing Policy Resolution