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Johnson County adopts land-policy to explore using public land for affordable housing
Summary
The board approved a county policy directing staff to inventory county-controlled assets and explore partnerships to enable housing development for households under 60% AMI. The policy authorizes research and initial outreach; it does not itself commit public land to specific projects.
Johnson County commissioners voted 6–1 on March 26 to adopt a land-use policy instructing staff to inventory underused county assets and explore partnerships to support housing development, particularly for households earning less than 60% of area median income.
The policy authorizes staff to identify county parcels, assess their suitability for housing, and pursue potential public-private or nonprofit partnerships that can lower land and infrastructure costs for affordable units. Adam Norris, county manager's office, introduced the proposal and said it is intended to "put assets to work" by using public land and partnerships to reduce development costs and create housing outcomes that the county administration cannot achieve alone.
Supporters framed the policy as a narrow, tactical first step. "This is authorizing staff to do an inventory and due diligence," Commissioner Brewer said; any site-specific proposals would return to the board for separate approvals. The Good Faith Network's Housing Justice Steering Committee, represented by Shelley McNotton Lawrence, spoke in favor and urged the board to follow through with concrete projects for households below 60% AMI.
Opponents warned about transparency, potential tax abatements and the disposition of public property. Westwood Hills resident Ben Hoverbert urged caution and recommended strict competitive bidding and a prohibition on routine 10-year tax abatements for any county-dispensed sites. Commissioners responded that the policy is intentionally limited and that site disposals or development agreements would require further board approval.
The vote was 6–1 in favor; Commissioner Ashcraft cast the lone vote against, saying he opposed policy language that might make the county a landlord and preferred emphasis on partnerships rather than county-managed rental operations.
What happens next: Staff will begin compiling an inventory of county-controlled parcels, review legal and financial constraints and develop options for the ad-hoc housing committee and the full board. Any decision to sell, lease or partner on a specific site would require additional board action.
