Planning commission debates homeownership overlay zone, schedules public hearing

Harrisville Planning Commission members spent more than an hour discussing a proposed homeownership overlay ordinance intended to promote attainable and (in some cases) affordable for-sale housing. The commission did not take formal action on the ordinance; staff told commissioners they will advertise a public hearing in March and expect the item to reach the city council in April or May after additional public feedback.

The commission's discussion centered on three clusters of choices: who would qualify as an intended beneficiary (the ordinance originally prioritized “essential” or “critical” workers), how the overlay would be applied across the city (a citywide overlay versus a map of specific parcels), and how the city would lock in long-term homeownership outcomes (deed restrictions and resale priority). Brandon, a staff member who presented the draft, said the ordinance is meant to provide flexibility to negotiate concept plans with developers while preserving the underlying zoning as an option.

Commissioners debated whether to retain a boundary-based eligibility test for “critical and essential workers” or to broaden the definition so that anyone employed in targeted industries would qualify, regardless of where they live now. Commissioner Jenny said removing strict boundary restrictions would “automatically include anyone that is employed in Harrisville,” and several…