City Council Study Session Summary 2008 03 11

Home Browse Search

City Council Study Session Summary March 11, 2008 Page 3 of 5 Louisville property names, statistics such as demographics, income, and age, section 8 statistics and the Boulder County Housing Needs Assessment 2005 Report. Executive Director Alexander stated that the properties were in good standing financially and had gone through modernization projects. He said the property on E Street is more of challenge financially because of the number of units and the second mortgage. He said that the City should consider building senior housing in the revitalization area and focus on upgrades to existing housing, an inclusionary ordinance, affordable home ownership and affordable rentals. Councilor Dalton asked how many more units are needed in Louisville. Executive Director Alexander said that information would be part of the City's Comprehensive Plan but usually it is 10% in each community. Councilor Sackett said that if the community consensus is to provide more affordable housing then the City needs to give support and devise a plan that gives incentives to developers. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella said that the City Council has consistently supported affordable housing projects. Councilor Dalton asked if it would be possible for the City to buy land for affordable housing through another revenue stream such as taxes. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella said that she did not think that would work. Councilor Muckle asked if new housing should be required to incorporate affordable units. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella said that the existing number of rentals units seems sufficient. Councilor Muckle asked if an option could be the City used the proposed historical preservation tax to purchase the small historical houses in the downtown area for affordable home ownership. Mayor Pro Tem Marsella stated that past history has shown that combined ballot issues do not do well. City Manager Fleming said that this discussion was a good segway into the Historic Preservation Tax agenda item. 4. Discussion -Potential Ballot Question on Historic Preservation Tax Councilor Muckle said the use tax designation could be for historical preservation and the Arts and, to compensate, the current arts funding taken out of the general fund budget. Councilor Dalton stated that his understanding of the use tax was to even out the sales tax fluctuations. He thought the tax should be presented to voters to see if the majority of the Louisville residents are willing to pay a tax to ensure historic preservation in Louisville.