Resolution 2025-79 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of allowing its residents to propose legislation through the initiative process, but it has grave concerns about the implications of Ballot Question 300 if it were to be approved by voters; and WHEREAS, the City has a significant interest in improving the quality and increasing the quantity of affordable housing in the City, and the City Council has adopted policies to achieve this goal, including: a. Inclusionary housing requirements in Chapter 17.76 of the Louisville Municipal Code, which require new developments to include at least twelve percent (12%) affordable housing and provide property owners and developers a choice of options to meet the inclusionary housing requirement, including providing on - site or off -site affordable units, paying a fee in lieu, land dedication, and redemption of credits; b. The City of Louisville Housing Plan dated May 7, 2024, which identifies goals and strategies for increasing residential development opportunities in the City; expanding and maintaining access to affordable housing; and diversifying the City's housing stock; and c. The City of Louisville Comprehensive Plan, which identifies the following as a principle: "There should be a mix of housing types and pricing to meet changing economic, social, and multigenerational needs of those who reside, and would like to reside, in Louisville;" and WHEREAS, Ballot Question 300, if approved, would undermine the balanced and reasonable approaches embodied in these policies by prohibiting residential development in the few remaining developable areas within the City unless stringent affordable housing requirements are met; and WHEREAS, the affordable housing exception in Ballot Question 300 is overly restrictive and forecloses reasonable, flexible, and economically viable solutions to address housing affordability; and WHEREAS, the State Legislature has identified affordable housing as a matter of Statewide concern and enacted HB 23-1255 (codified at C.R.S. § 29-20-104.2), which prohibits municipalities from enacting and enforcing an "anti -growth law" affecting property; and WHEREAS, an "anti -growth law" is defined to include an initiative or ordinance that explicitly limits the residential component of any mixed used development; and WHEREAS, the City Council believes that Ballot Question 300, if approved, would violate the prohibition against anti -growth laws and may lead to time-consuming and costly lawsuits against the City; and Resolution No. 79, Series 2025 Page 2 of 3