Eau Claire housing panel appoints interim chair, advances zoning review and reviews 2024 housing data

The Eau Claire Housing Opportunities Commission on Feb. 12 appointed Commissioner Chaput as chair and voted to postpone a fuller officer election until May after new commissioners are seated. Commissioners also discussed plans for regional stakeholder roundtables, a draft zoning-code overhaul slated for review in March, and a year-end housing data briefing showing rising single-family prices, increased twin-home construction and large multifamily projects underway.

The commission’s discussion centered on near-term process steps rather than new policy approvals. Staff outlined a timeline for the zoning-code update — a ZPAC (zoning advisory) presentation was scheduled the week after the meeting, plan commission review was expected in June, and a final city council vote was anticipated in July — and said the full draft would be in the commission’s March packet. Staff also summarized 2024 construction and price trends and gave project updates, including last-night approvals for the Paragon rezoning and development agreement, a project the city said will include about 305 units with 20% of units reserved at 60% of area median income (60% CMI).

Why it matters: the zoning overhaul and the stakeholder roundtable are the commission’s immediate vehicles for shaping how the city addresses housing supply and affordability. Commissioners emphasized both the practical constraints developers face — including construction cost and financing pressures — and the commission’s role in reviewing draft code language and offering feedback to planning staff and elected officials.

Commission action and near-term schedule Commissioners voted to appoint Commissioner Chaput as chair and to hold a full officer election in May…