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DPZ proposes 12‑month pilot for expedited review of 100% affordable legislative applications
Summary
Department of Planning and Zoning staff proposed a pilot expedited review process for legislative applications that would deliver 100% affordable housing projects (rental or ownership), remove a funding‑assistance restriction, and cap participation for an initial 12‑month pilot to limit staff strain.
The Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) presented a proposed pilot for an expedited review track for fully affordable legislative applications at the Transportation and Land Use Committee on May 21, 2025.
DPZ Director Dan Galindo said staff revised earlier criteria after industry discussions: the pilot would accept projects that commit to 100% affordable units (rental or for‑purchase), would no longer require applicants to be seeking specific funding assistance to qualify, and would require a first submission that includes proffers committing all units as affordable. DPZ said it would treat the pilot as a one‑year program and is considering a cap (staff suggested roughly five or six projects in the first year) to avoid overloading referral agencies and staff schedules.
Galindo recommended an individualized review schedule for each application, while cautioning applicants and staff to plan for a minimum eight‑month review process to avoid rushed, infeasible timelines tied to outside funding deadlines. He said the pilot should include standing referral meetings early in the review, and noted this approach mirrors some recent successful project workflows.
On staffing, DPZ said the county does not expect to request additional staff for the pilot year if participation is limited, though the department committed to reassessing resource needs after the pilot. The industry suggested a housing ombudsman role; DPZ said it would consider that idea but did not include a new position in the pilot plan at this time. Galindo said DPZ will return to TELOC in July with a drafted policy for Board action.
