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3. Shift attention from inclusionary units to maximizing affordable housing fee <br /> payments/revenue to purchase or construct unit affordability. As indicated, the LIHF <br /> nexus study that is underway (and scheduled for completion in August/September) <br /> will identify a supportable fee that is closer to offsetting the impact (i.e., based on <br /> mitigating the impact) of not providing affordable units and attempt to create a legally <br /> sustainable nexus and as such, it should provide revenue that could be leveraged to <br /> acquire affordable units. <br /> For this option to be effective, the City Council would need to set the fee at an amount <br /> that is at or closer to the amount that will be recommended in the study rather than <br /> retaining the modest fees currently in place. Also, once the fees are paid, the City <br /> would need to identify opportunities to acquire property for developing a City driven <br /> project, partner with a developer that is willing to include inclusionary units in its <br /> development or provide a developer with financial incentives for enhancing project <br /> affordability. One issue with the latter option is that developers have recently been <br /> hesitant to accept financial contributions from the City since it may trigger State <br /> prevailing wage requirements. As such, the City's best effort would most likely be to <br /> pursue its own development, such as Ridge View Commons and the Promenade that <br /> involve partnering with a non-profit. developer. This option also would allow the City to <br /> pursue the IZO's alternative approaches, such as land acquisition, off site housing, etc. <br /> While a number of cities have moved to this option as a way of complying with Palmer, <br /> the sustainability of the fee is largely dependent of the quality of the LIHF nexus study <br /> and its overall acceptance in the development community. As such, fees are often <br /> approved well below the amount recommended in the nexus study which raises concern <br /> that the fee revenue will be adequate to develop any significant amount of affordable <br /> housing. <br /> 4. This Option involves establishing a new zoning designation for Nonprofit High <br /> Density Residential, Mixed Income (NHDRMI) requiring that all properties the City <br /> identified for high density residential development (30+units/acre) receive a <br /> NHDRMI zoning designation. Zoning requirements include the property owner <br /> designating a nonprofit provider that would control the site and develop at least 40% <br /> of the residential units. The nonprofit would also select the for profit developer that <br /> would develop the remainder of the site's units. <br /> As outlined in the Citizens for a Caring Community correspondence dated April 8, 2013, <br /> (Attachment 4), which has recommended this option, it would focus on creating mixed <br /> income neighborhoods rather than mixed income households within buildings. Further, <br /> because there would most likely be a separation of buildings designating affordable and <br /> market, it could better qualify for tax credits and other funding options. In essence, it <br /> allows the market developer to focus on its expertise that is providing market rate <br /> housing, while allowing the nonprofit to focus on its expertise, which is providing <br /> affordable housing. Citizens for a Caring Community is careful to point out that this <br /> option would not necessarily lead to 100% affordable buildings, which has been a <br /> concern of the City Council, but could have some mixture of incomes in the nonprofit <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br />