Housing Authority and city to explore using TA‑4 urban reserve for affordable housing; staff to seek state technical assistance

The city hosted Housing Authority of Jackson County representatives to discuss potential use of the TA‑4 urban reserve area to develop affordable housing. Staff said state guidance and recent legislation (Senate Bill 8 and related Department of Land Conservation and Development input) may allow affordable housing on industrially zoned lands under specific circumstances.

Housing Authority staff described the regionally successful models they have used elsewhere and estimated an initial phase could develop roughly five acres into about 60–70 units, depending on funding and site layout. The authority said it has some recovery-related funds and technical capacity and expressed interest in being the applicant for technical assistance and funding to support planning and site preparation.

City staff noted that a DLCD technical-assistance opportunity is opening that could help the city’s economic-opportunity/industrial-land study and clarify whether the site can be converted or used for affordable housing consistent with state law and regional plans. Council members indicated general support for staff to pursue that technical-assistance round and for continuing conversations with the housing authority.

Why this matters: If feasible, developing affordable housing on TA‑4 could accelerate recovery and expand housing options; the matter requires planning work to reconcile industrial land use and state rules before any formal rezoning or development approvals.