Title
ADDRESSING THE COSTS OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, INCREASING HOUSING SUPPLY AND INCREASING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES IN LONGVIEW
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Preserve and Enhance Neighborhoods, Address Quality of Life Issues, Strengthen Economic Conditions and Create New Opportunities.
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
There is a housing shortage in Longview and surrounding communities. Building new construction and redevelopment can be discouraged by existing, well-meaning but overly-restrictive and unnecessary regulations which increase the cost of construction and make poor use of the available land, with resulting higher rents. Rents have increased at a rapid rate. Vacancies are near historic lows. Increasing supply of affordable housing will affect rents, availability of housing, reduce homelessness and reduce the risk of homelessness. New, modern, and healthy living spaces will increase the quality of life for Longview residents. New construction will foster greater economic growth and vitality, existing neighborhoods will be revitalized and attract additional investment for their enhancement.
The City Council desires to encourage and foster greater multifamily development, redevelopment, and new housing opportunities, for all, in Longview. Council began expressing a desire to make modifications to unnecessarily restrictive measures in 2016, numerous community stakeholders have expressed a desire for council to take proactive action, and recently Council expressed similar interest in 2017 work plan planning work shop meetings.
The City Council desires to reconsider and possibly repeal Chapter 19.20.060 of the Longview Municipal Code, and more. The City Council desires to increase the maximum allowable multifamily density in R-3 and R-4 zones, reconsider restrictive parking space and parking lot requirements, increase the maximum allowable height of multifamily structures, and consider reducing development costs, including but not limited to: a 25% reduction of all multifamily utility connection and building and planning permit costs and a 10 year moratorium on increases to multifamily utility connection and permit cost increases, in addition, the council desires to find an appropriate and more suitable balance of permeable open spaces or green spaces and impermeable spaces, as well as ease unnecessarily restrictive architectural design standards.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
A motion, directing the City Manager, to take immediate action, to direct the City Attorney to work with the Department of Community and Economic Development and Council, to prepare an ordinance or ordinances for consideration and possible enactment by City Council to encourage multifamily housing development within the City of Longview, including at least one joint City Council and Planning Commission workshop to include interested stakeholders by July 13th, 2017, and then Planning Commission review and recommendation back to Council within 90 days.
INTRODUCED BY:
Chet Makinster
SUPPORTED BY:
Steve Moon