City Council Minutes 2021 06 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes June 15, 2021 Page 5 of 9 Councilmember Lipton suggested having a density bonus as an incentive to encourage development. Mayor Pro Tern Maloney stated he supports approving this tonight and taking on the other pieces of affordable housing as soon as possible. Councilmember Dickinson stated deed restricted properties can help keep properties affordable for the next buyer. He supports lowering the AMI requirements and a density bonus to encourage development. He noted there are very few developable parcels left so this is just a drop in the bucket for what we need. Other things will need to be considered in addition to this ordinance. Councilmember Leh stated he is concerned about doing this ordinance alone before having a full conversation about what other things should be considered. We are now seeing the realities of previous decisions to limit housing and to maintain open space. He stated he supports approving the ordinance and adding a density bonus. We may have to amend this later to meet additional goals. Councilmember Lipton stated he has concerns about some of the details and how they will work in practice particularly on deed restrictions. MOTION: Mayor Stolzmann moved to approve the ordinance as presented on second reading and also striking section 17.76.060(5)b; Councilmember Brown seconded the motion. Councilmember Lipton stated he would like to see a discussion of a density bonus be prioritized. Public Comments Whitney Garcia, stated she supports the ordinance and noted her own efforts to save to purchase a home and how difficult is to buy a home even with a professional salary. Not being able to buy a home in the community is a challenge felt by many. Andrew Hamrick, stated this ordinance would bring a 4.2% cost increase on units in the community. He stated these rules will end up with one group subsidizing another. Joshua Cooperman, 216 Griffith Street, stated he supports the ordinance and suggested the City work with the EDI Task Force and the Museum to see if there are particular populations that have been historically unable to buy in town. He stated he supports updating the Comp Plan to encourage creating developments where people can live and work in the same development. Annmarie Jensen stated she would support a program allowing developers to build market rate housing for middle tier earners. She urged a higher percentage than 12%.